Walk through thousands of years of history in the medieval towns of Rothenburg, Bamberg and Miltenberg at the most festive time of year. Revel in the architectural gems on display—the Würzburg Residenz and Mannheim Baroque Palace. Indulge your inner child with visits to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and the Speyer Technical Museum. Discover the Alsatian capital of France, Strasbourg, and savor local flavors like rich Rüdesheimer coffee and hearty Bamberg smoked beer. All this and more awaits you as you experience the many medieval treasures of Europe.
Zurich and Lake Lucerne provide the perfect starting point to this incredible Christmastime cruise along the romantic Rhine and peaceful Main rivers. Walk through thousands of years of history in the medieval towns of Rothenburg, Bamberg, and Miltenberg at the most festive time of year. Revel in the architectural gems on display—the Würzburg Residenz and Mannheim Baroque Palace. Indulge your inner child with visits to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and the Speyer Technical Museum. Discover the Alsatian capital of France, Strasbourg, and the fairytale capital of Europe, Prague. All this and more awaits you as you experience the many medieval treasures of Europe.
Medieval Treasures (Christmas)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Board the ship in Basel for your Medieval Treasures cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of the Alsace” tour and Christmas Markets |
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Capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is beloved for its wine culture and enchanting 16th- and 17th-century half-timbered houses, which line La Petite France quarter on the banks of the Grand Île (Grand Island), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a tour of the city that takes you past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République and then walk through the iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. In front of the cathedral, wander through the charming stalls of Strasbourg’s lively Christmas Market. Alternatively, the active adventurer can go on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Ludwigshafen | Mannheim Baroque Palace |
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| | OR Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Speyer Technical Museum |
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Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit the Mannheim Baroque Palace—one of the largest palaces in Europe, which is furnished with over 800 exhibits, recreating its bygone grandeur. Alternatively, join a walking tour of one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its crypt contains the tomb of eight German emperors and kings. Speyer is also home to the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. During this tour you will also have a chance to visit Speyer’s charming Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more modern view of Speyer, you can visit the intriguing Speyer Technical Museum. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Rüdesheim | Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
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Continue your exploration of Rüdesheim with a choice of excursions. Those who fancy a more whimsical adventure will want to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet. For an adventure of a different kind, soar over the vineyards of Rüdesheim on a gondola to the Niederwald Monument; or opt to take a hike through the vineyards. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Miltenberg | “The Pearl of the Main” walking tour |
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| | OR Miltenberg Castle hike |
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| | OR Miltenberg to Wertheim bike tour |
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| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
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Enjoy a scenic cruise to Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main River.” While on your walking tour, you’ll discover why this medieval town seems to leap from the pages of a fairytale with its 14th- and 15th-century half-timbered, gabled houses; the famed Crooked House; and the venerable Royal Inn, which has been a working hotel since the 17th century. For those who would like a more active adventure, hike to the Miltenberg Castle, offering majestic views of the town and river; or go on a guided bike ride along the Main River. Later in the day, set sail for Wertheim, considered to have one of Germany’s most beautiful city centers with precious half-timbered houses. While here, join a walking tour or go to a pretzel bakery for a delicious tasting. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Kitzingen | Würzburg walking tour and Christmas Markets |
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| | OR Full-day Rothenburg with Christmas Market |
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There are several choices of excursions, depending on your interests. You can go to Würzburg, a beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor. While here, visit its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo, followed by a visit to Würzburg’s Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can take a trip through a thousand years of history while in Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. Interestingly, the imagery of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio was very much influenced by sketches of Rothenburg – and the town’s Christmas Market is just as enchanting. For a more active excursion, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour, smoked beer tasting and Christmas Markets |
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Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions. This tour includes a tasting of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer as well as a trip to the city’s festive Christmas Markets. Alternatively, taste your way through the city sampling smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry, a local favorite dating back to 1427. And for those wishing to explore the town more actively, hop on a bike for a guided bike tour along the Main River from Eltmann and to Bamberg’s quirky quarters beyond the town center. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Nuremberg | DISEMBARKATION |
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Bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Zurich | Hotel check-in |
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Arrive in Zurich and check into your hotel.
Day 2 | Zurich | “Little Big City” tour |
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Set alongside a glistening lake and framed by the Alps, Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, seamlessly blends its historic past with its progressive future—all of which will be on full display during your city tour. (B)
Day 3 | Zurich | Transfer to Lake Lucerne and Lake Lucerne Cruise |
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| Lake Lucerne | Hotel check-in |
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Check out of your hotel and transfer to Lake Lucerne, where you’ll enjoy a cruise across its tranquil waters. (B)
Day 4 | Lake Lucerne | Lake Lucerne walking tour |
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Discover Lake Lucerne's unrivaled beauty on a walking tour that includes the spectacular medieval walls and towers, dating back to the 13th century, as well as a visit to the iconic Lion Monument, sculpted in memory of the Swiss Guards massacred during the French Revolution. (B)
Day 5 | Lake Lucerne | Depart Hotel |
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| | Transfer to Basel and Basel city tour |
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Check out of your hotel and head to Basel. Before boarding the ship, you’ll go on a highlights tour of the city. (B,D)
Day 6 | Strasbourg | “The Gem of the Alsace” tour and Christmas Markets |
|
Capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is beloved for its wine culture and enchanting 16th- and 17th-century half-timbered houses, which line La Petite France quarter on the banks of the Grand Île (Grand Island), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a tour of the city that takes you past the stunning Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la République and then walk through the iconic “La Petite France” district, which appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Wander through these charming streets and past the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock. In front of the cathedral, wander through the charming stalls of Strasbourg’s lively Christmas Market. Alternatively, the active adventurer can go on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Ludwigshafen | Mannheim Baroque Palace |
|
| | OR Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Speyer Technical Museum |
|
Ludwigshafen is your gateway to a choice of three excursions. Visit the Mannheim Baroque Palace—one of the largest palaces in Europe, which is furnished with over 800 exhibits, recreating its bygone grandeur. Alternatively, join a walking tour of one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its crypt contains the tomb of eight German emperors and kings. Speyer is also home to the medieval Altpörtel, Old Gate. During this tour you will also have a chance to visit Speyer’s charming Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more modern view of Speyer, you can visit the intriguing Speyer Technical Museum. Later in the day, sail to Rüdesheim, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Rüdesheim | Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet |
|
Continue your exploration of Rüdesheim with a choice of excursions. Those who fancy a more whimsical adventure will want to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet. For an adventure of a different kind, soar over the vineyards of Rüdesheim on a gondola to the Niederwald Monument; or opt to take a hike through the vineyards. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Miltenberg | “The Pearl of the Main” walking tour |
|
| | OR Miltenberg Castle hike |
|
| | OR Miltenberg to Wertheim bike tour |
|
| | OR Pretzel bakery visit and tasting |
|
Enjoy a scenic cruise to Miltenberg, the “Pearl of the Main River.” While on your walking tour, you’ll discover why this medieval town seems to leap from the pages of a fairytale with its 14th- and 15th-century half-timbered, gabled houses; the famed Crooked House; and the venerable Royal Inn, which has been a working hotel since the 17th century. For those who would like a more active adventure, hike to the Miltenberg Castle, offering majestic views of the town and river; or go on a guided bike ride along the Main River. Later in the day, set sail for Wertheim, considered to have one of Germany’s most beautiful city centers with precious half-timbered houses. While here, join a walking tour or go to a pretzel bakery for a delicious tasting. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Kitzingen | Würzburg walking tour and Christmas Markets |
|
| | OR Full-day Rothenburg with Christmas Market |
|
There are several choices of excursions, depending on your interests. You can go to Würzburg, a beautiful city bursting with Baroque splendor. While here, visit its crown jewel, the Baroque Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features an opulent interior, including a grand fresco by Tiepolo, followed by a visit to Würzburg’s Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can take a trip through a thousand years of history while in Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town located on the Romantic Road. Interestingly, the imagery of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio was very much influenced by sketches of Rothenburg – and the town’s Christmas Market is just as enchanting. For a more active excursion, join a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Bamberg | UNESCO city walking tour, smoked beer tasting and Christmas Markets |
|
Explore enchanting Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in one of three ways. Join a guided walking tour of this medieval gem where you’ll see its cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions. This tour includes a tasting of Bamberg’s famous smoked beer as well as a trip to the city’s festive Christmas Markets. Alternatively, taste your way through the city sampling smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry, a local favorite dating back to 1427. And for those wishing to explore the town more actively, hop on a bike for a guided bike tour along the Main River from Eltmann and to Bamberg’s quirky quarters beyond the town center. (B,L,D)
Day 12 | Nuremberg | DISEMBARKATION |
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| Pilzen | Highlights tour; transfer to Prague |
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Disembark the ship in Nuremberg and enjoy a panoramic tour of the WWII-era city before continuing on to Pilzen, where you’ll enjoy a highlights tour. Afterward, transfer to Prague. (B)
Day 13 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour and Christmas Markets |
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Discover fairytale Prague via a city tour or a hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive and vibrant cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square, home to the Astronomical Clock. Then, enjoy some free time to explore the Christmas Markets in the Old Market Square. (B)
Day 14 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
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Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)
Day 15 | Prague | Return flight home |
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Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)