German Christmas Markets River Cruise

Day 1 - Thursday

Our taxis will collect you from home to join your drivers and fellow passengers on the coach. Channel crossing to Calais. We drive through Belgium and arrive at our overnight hotel, the Michel & Friends Hotel (formerly the Carat) in pretty Monschau. This picturesque village lies just over the German border on the edge of the Eifel National Park. Three-course dinner included.

Day 2 - Friday

After breakfast we drive to Cochem on the Moselle. The town has fantastic half-timbered houses, a fairytale castle and pleasant riverside promenade. The Cochem Christmas Market is just as beautiful as the town itself, with festively decorated stalls. This afternoon we continue to Rudesheim on the Rhine, where our ship will be waiting. We spend the next 3 nights on board the comfortable MV Esmeralda. A welcome cocktail will be followed by a four-course dinner with tea/coffee.

Day 3 - Saturday

During the morning there will be lots to see as we cruise up the River. This is the most scenic section of the Rhine Valley, designated as a World Heritage Site, and passes the famous Loreley Rock and villages such as Oberwesel, St. Goarshausen and Boppard. We reach Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle converge, early afternoon. The picturesque old quarter has around 100 festive stalls and there is a unique advent calendar made from the windows of the baroque town hall. Our ship is docked in Koblenz overnight.

Day 4 - Sunday

Esmeralda continues her journey up the Rhine. Watch out for towns like Konigswinter and Bonn as we head to Cologne. Christmas is a magical time in the City, with a number of markets to explore. The largest is held next to the ornate cathedral where 150 wooden stalls sell a huge range of local delicacies and traditional crafts. This evening enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner.

Day 5 - Monday

Disembark the ship after breakfast and drive to Calais for our Channel crossing. We will arrive is Sussex for early evening taxis.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner