Christmas Markets on the Rhine
6th – 15th December 2026
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
6th – 15th December 2026
Embark on a magical winter journey along one of Europe’s most legendary rivers – The Rhine – flowing from Switzerland through France and Germany to the Netherlands.
Begin in Basel and explore the fairytale beauty of the Black Forest, famous for its cherry cake and festive Christmas markets. Wander through Strasbourg’s cobbled streets and marvel at its grand gothic cathedral and one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets. Discover the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle or delve into Mainz’s rich history at the Gutenberg Museum. In Rüdesheim, enjoy the charming wine town and the enchanting mechanical music museum before cruising through the dramatic Rhine Gorge to Cologne, where gothic spires, glowing markets, and the scent of mulled wine fill the air. Conclude your journey in Amsterdam, gliding along its iconic canals lined with 17th-century homes.
Areas Visited
Switzerland
Germany
France
Netherlands
Explore the Region
Key Inclusions
- 7 night ‘Christmas on the Romantic Rhine’ River Cruise with Avalon Waterways in a Deluxe Stateroom including all meals, beer, wine and soft drinks during lunches and dinners and shore excursions
- Arrival airport transfer in Zurich – airport to hotel
- 2 Nights pre-cruise hotel in Zurich 6-8 Dec – 4 star hotel
- Group Welcome Dinner on 6th Dec
- Train from Zurich to Basel on 8th Dec
- Transfer from Basel Train Station to Ship
Click to view the Daily Schedule
Daily Schedule
Day 1
Zurich
On arrival into Zurich, you will be transferred to our starting hotel
Free time for you to explore.
We will enjoy a welcome dinner together this evening.
Day 2
Zurich
After breakfast, today you’ll have free time to explore this beautiful city and region
Day 3
Embark in Basel
After breakfast and check out, we will board the train to Basel (just over 1hr) and then board our Avalon Ship to start our Christmas on the Rhine Cruise!
Meals Included: Dinner
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
Day 4
Breisach, Germany
A day to explore the Beautiful Black Forest
Classic Excursion: Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood, OR:
Classic Excursion: Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
Day 5
Strasbourg, France
Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg
Classic Excursion: Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit Alsace’s wine country today.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ
Day 6
Mainz & Heidelberg, Germany
Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of Wine
Discovery Excursion: Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel,” OR:
Classic Excursion: Enjoy a Guided City Walk in Mainz, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
In your free time visit the local Christmas market: explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds. Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
Day 7
Rudesheim & Koblenz
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
Classic Excursion: Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
Spend some free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Rüdesheim’s Christmas markets, while warming up with some hot-mulled wine or their local delicacies. En route to Koblenz, sail through the Rhine Gorge (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Take in the breathtaking views of ancient castles perched on cliffs 400 feet above the water and pass the legendary Rock of the Lorelei—where the mythological siren’s songs lured ill-fated sailors.
Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History. Enjoy free time in Koblenz to explore local Christmas markets on your own before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
Day 8
Cologne
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Discovery Excursion: Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Cologne’s Christmas markets.
Discovery Excursion: This afternoon, enjoy an onboard lecture to learn about European Christmas traditions.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
Day 9
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Classic Excursion: Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
With a free day to explore before your cruise ends, take time to enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition or join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 10
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. We hope you had an incredible time. We wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pricing
Pricing Per Person From $7,295 AUD twin share
Single Supplement starts from $5,695
Upgrade to a Panorama Suite with floor to ceiling views – add $2,299pp
A deposit of $500pp is required to secure your place.
We can also assist with airfares, travel insurance and pre and post tour accommodation or trip extensions.
Inclusions
- Arrival airport transfer in Zurich – airport to hotel
- 2 Nights pre-cruise hotel in Zurich 6-8 Dec – 4 star hotel
- Group welcome dinner on 6th Dec
- Train to Basel on 8th Dec
- Transfer from train station to ship
- 7 night Rhine River Cruise in a Deluxe Stateroom including all meals, beer, wine and soft drinks during lunches and dinners, shore excursions
About Your Hosts
Mark & Kasie Hodgson
Mark Hodgson, founder of Mind and Body Travel, brings a refined approach to boutique group travel — thoughtfully blending luxury, culture, and wellness in every curated journey.
Together with his wife Kasie, Mark invites you to experience the magic of Europe during the Festive Season — a journey enriched by their extensive expertise in European travel and river cruising, and their shared passion for creating memorable, meaningful experiences.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I’m looking for a custom itinerary and someone to manage my trip. Do you offer traditional travel agent services?
Answer: Absolutely. This is where we started. Planning any sort of travel, particularly international, can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Travel shouldn’t add to any daily stressors! It’s to be enjoyed. And that’s where we come in. Our dedicated team of truly passionate travel experts is here to handle every detail, ensuring your travel is seamless and stress-free. From booking flights and accommodation to organising guided tours, hosts and activities, we take care of everything so you can focus on making memories.
What makes Mind and Body different to traditional travel agents?
Answer: We specialise in meaningful journeys, where we spend time getting to know you and what you really need out of your time away. Going that little bit deeper to truly understand you as a person and as a traveler. To us, there are far more important questions than “where to?” and “how long for?”. Travel is an incredible opportunity to not just see something different, but to feel something different. Better even. Feel revived, refreshed and inspired.
I’m pretty easy, and like what you’re about. Do you have package holidays I can choose from?
Answer: Definitely. We’ve taken our same approach to planning personalised journeys and applied it to creating meaningful pre-arranged packages for you to take you pick. All you have to decide is where (though we can help you with this too). Every element of our package holidays has been carefully selected keeping in mind our purpose for travel – creating experiences to leave you more inspired and feeling well. As well as ensuring the destinations we travel to are cared for as well. Considered approach at every step.
Be Inspired today
Let us plan your Escape
Planning your adventure can be overwhelming, but with Mind and Body Travel, it doesn’t have to be.
Our dedicated team of travel experts is here to handle every detail, ensuring your Adventure is seamless and stress-free. From booking flights and accommodations to organising guided tours and activities, we take care of everything so you can focus on making memories with your loved ones.
