Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf 12/14/2025
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Düsseldorf. Transfers are included from the Düsseldorf Airport and Düsseldorf Train Station to the ms Inspire, where embarkation begins at 4 PM. Guests enjoying a pre-stay in Düsseldorf at the Breidenbacher Hof will receive a transfer from the hotel to the riverboat. If you arrive earlier, you might choose to go into the city to visit one of Düsseldorf's Christmas markets — and perhaps have your first taste of the traditional glühwein that is so much a part of the holiday scene. Back onboard the riverboat, meet your Tauck directors and cruise mates at the captain's welcome reception followed by dinner tonight.,
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12/14/2025 |
12/14/2025 |
Cologne
Cologne 12/15/2025
Travel back in time as you make your way along the River Rhine... Glide past rolling hillsides and see the magnificent castles of centuries past... each with its own unique story to tell... Your Tauck director will give you insights into that history, before sharing the tale of the enchantress Lorelei, who lured lovelorn sailors to their demise with her beauty and song... See lasting remnants of the Altstädte, or Old Towns, of German cities, many restored to their former glory after World War II... Experience what the river has to offer... from the comfort of your riverboat. Spend the morning in Köln (Cologne) and enjoy a guided tour of this historic cultural center of the Rhineland — with its Christmas market adjacent to the Gothic twin-spired Kölner Dom. Back aboard ship, take part in our tree-trimming party after dinner tonight as the riverboat cruises to Koblenz overnight, then on to Rüdesheim.,
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Cologne historic city centre
Highlights:
Meet our experienced local team member and tailor your walking tour according to your interests and expectations before getting started
Founded by the Roman General Agrippa in 38 B.C, Cologne has a rich Roman and medieval past.
The tour will take you to the most important ancient Roman sites, which include: Remnants of the governor's palace, complete with vaulted Roman sewer, Ruins of a Roman villa, Two-story tomb of Poblicius from 40 A.D., Roman graveyard and vestiges of the ancient stone defences
Visit Cologne's towering landmark, the Cathedral (Dom), a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe
Highlights include the 13th century Reliquary of the Three Kings by Nicholas de Verdun; the 10th century Gero-Crucifix, believed to be the western world's oldest monumental cross, and the luminous Adoration of the Magi triptych by Stephan Lochner (15th century)
See the 14th century Gothic town hall, a Jewish bathing house from 1170 and 'Overstolzenhaus’, Cologne's oldest and finest patrician residence with its steep gables and round arches when strolling the charming pedestrian zone
If of interest visit the Roman-Germanic Museum or Museum Ludwig, the city's famous gallery of 20th century highlights
End your tour at one of the many traditional brewery-style restaurants that dot the city and try a fresh ‘Koelsch’ the famous beer from Cologne before heading back to the ship
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: All day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light walking tour
Inclusions:
- Touring with one of our excellent local insiders
- Cathedral licensing fee
- All taxes
Not Included:
- Meals
- Optional admissions
- Tipping at your discretion
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12/15/2025 |
12/15/2025 |
Rudesheim
Rudesheim 12/16/2025
Rüdesheim — Holiday carols, children's laughter, carousels... the season's joyful noises reverberate across this little town on the Rhine as you browse the shops and stalls of its Weihnachtsmarkt, another Christmas market tour standout, winding your way through its quaint cobblestone streets; the largest nativity scene in Europe adorns the market square. Even the Drosselgasse, a narrow lane famed for its wine bars, is all done up in yuletide green and gold. Heart-shaped lebkuchen, local favorites like schweinebraten and jägerschnitzel — and especially Rüdesheim coffee, laced with locally produced brandy — tempt your taste buds. Enjoy a morning aboard the riverboat as you cruise along the Rhine to Rüdesheim. Do a bit of exploring at the city's Weihnachtsmarkt near the pier before walking or riding a mini-train (weather permitting) to Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett for an unexpected musical treat; here, housed in a 16th-century castle, you'll find one of the world's largest collections of whimsical mechanical musical instruments, some centuries old. It wouldn't be the holiday season without holiday cookies; a cookie-making demonstration may give you some ideas to take home — and the results you'll sample are especially good when accompanied by Rüdesheim coffee, infused with local brandy. Spend some free time on your own, then return to the riverboat to enjoy dinner aboard ship and continue your cruise.,
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12/16/2025 |
12/16/2025 |
Mannheim
Mannheim 12/17/2025
Heidelberg — With thousands of stars twinkling in the trees... hundreds of booths sprawling across five city squares... and an ice rink glistening in the shadow of Heidelberger Schloss... you'll think you've stepped inside a snowglobe at this shining Weihnachtsmarkt! Festooned with figures from the city's history, the glowing Christmas Pyramid dominates the Marktplatz. On the Universitätsplatz, a carousel turns, and the scent of almonds and glühwein fills the air. Watch skaters whirl to holiday tunes at the rink on the Karlsplatz... hunt for crafts at the Anatomiegarten... or stroll past the crèche on the Kornmarkt. Dock this morning for a full-day trip to Heidelberg. Home to Germany's oldest university, Heidelberg has been a dynamic place since sometime in the 5th century... and a lot happens here, especially during the holiday season. Begin your day with a guided visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss), which has kept watch over the town below for many centuries, revealing what castle life might have been like there long ago. A funicular ride leads to a walking tour of the medieval Old Town, and a visit to Heidelberg's Christmas markets, sprawling across five city squares aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Wind up your day with a traditional German lunch — with award-winning beer — at a local restaurant. Reboard the riverboat to continue your cruise; a jazz band entertains you onboard tonight.,
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12/17/2025 |
12/17/2025 |
Heidelberg
Heidelberg 12/17/2025
Heidelberg — With thousands of stars twinkling in the trees... hundreds of booths sprawling across five city squares... and an ice rink glistening in the shadow of Heidelberger Schloss... you'll think you've stepped inside a snowglobe at this shining Weihnachtsmarkt! Festooned with figures from the city's history, the glowing Christmas Pyramid dominates the Marktplatz. On the Universitätsplatz, a carousel turns, and the scent of almonds and glühwein fills the air. Watch skaters whirl to holiday tunes at the rink on the Karlsplatz... hunt for crafts at the Anatomiegarten... or stroll past the crèche on the Kornmarkt. Dock this morning for a full-day trip to Heidelberg. Home to Germany's oldest university, Heidelberg has been a dynamic place since sometime in the 5th century... and a lot happens here, especially during the holiday season. Begin your day with a guided visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberger Schloss), which has kept watch over the town below for many centuries, revealing what castle life might have been like there long ago. A funicular ride leads to a walking tour of the medieval Old Town, and a visit to Heidelberg's Christmas markets, sprawling across five city squares aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Wind up your day with a traditional German lunch — with award-winning beer — at a local restaurant. Reboard the riverboat to continue your cruise; a jazz band entertains you onboard tonight.,
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12/17/2025 |
12/17/2025 |
Rastatt Landing
Rastatt Landing 12/18/2025
Baden-Baden — The Black Forest's special magic casts its spell over the Christmas market of this famous spa town, set adjacent to its sumptuous Belle Époque casino complex — the Kurhaus — which screen icon Marlene Dietrich called "the most beautiful casino in the world". Cheered by the strains of local choirs and bands performing holiday music — or perhaps by the baaaas of bleating sheep from the market's "living Nativity" — wind your way to booth upon booth of carved wooden toys and ornaments, silver jewelry, decorative candles, and goodies galore. Christmastime in the Black Forest has a magic all its own, as you'll see today after docking for an excursion to Baden-Baden. This famous Black Forest spa town has welcomed people seeking its healing waters ("baden", in fact, means "to bathe") since Roman times... as well as the wealthy elite who have frequented its Belle Époque casino, the Kurhaus, for more than a century. Following a walk through Baden-Baden's delightful Christmas market, visit the adjacent Kurhaus. After lunch back aboard the riverboat or on your own in town, the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please. Join your Tauck directors for a Discovery Briefing before dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.,
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12/18/2025 |
12/18/2025 |
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden 12/18/2025
Baden-Baden — The Black Forest's special magic casts its spell over the Christmas market of this famous spa town, set adjacent to its sumptuous Belle Époque casino complex — the Kurhaus — which screen icon Marlene Dietrich called "the most beautiful casino in the world". Cheered by the strains of local choirs and bands performing holiday music — or perhaps by the baaaas of bleating sheep from the market's "living Nativity" — wind your way to booth upon booth of carved wooden toys and ornaments, silver jewelry, decorative candles, and goodies galore. Christmastime in the Black Forest has a magic all its own, as you'll see today after docking for an excursion to Baden-Baden. This famous Black Forest spa town has welcomed people seeking its healing waters ("baden", in fact, means "to bathe") since Roman times... as well as the wealthy elite who have frequented its Belle Époque casino, the Kurhaus, for more than a century. Following a walk through Baden-Baden's delightful Christmas market, visit the adjacent Kurhaus. After lunch back aboard the riverboat or on your own in town, the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please. Join your Tauck directors for a Discovery Briefing before dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.,
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12/18/2025 |
12/18/2025 |
Strasbourg
Strasbourg 12/19/2025
Strasbourg — Steaming mulled wine... gingerbread... Advent wreaths... a towering Christmas tree, dwarfed by soaring Strasbourg Cathedral... nearly every street and building aglow with lights and decorations... bredle, the tiny traditional holiday cakes of Alsace... the unmistakable sights, sounds, flavors, and smells of the Alsatian holidays surround you at Strasbourg's Marchés de Noël, the oldest and largest in France. A dozen themed markets fan out from the cathedral along the Grand Rue — the original Christkindelsmärik... the Bredle Market... the Kingdom of the Wine Growers... the Children's Village... the Village of Sharing and others. Artisans show off their wares in stalls that stretch on as far as the eye can see... and the ancient heart of this canal-crossed city is bathed in gold! A local guide joins you aboard the riverboat to tell the story of storytelling in France's Alsace region, before heading out for a walking tour through ancient Strasbourg's Christmas market, the biggest and oldest in all of France. Home to the European Union and in a sense the "Capital of Europe", Strasbourg would also like you to think of it as the "Capital of Christmas". The setting of its Marchés de Noël (as Christmas markets are called in most cities in France), around the Gothic Cathedral de Notre-Dame, is breathtaking; after your visit, you can return to the riverboat or explore on your own and have lunch in Strasbourg, one of the best Christmas market tour towns in France! Enjoy cocktails followed by the chef's signature dinner this evening.,
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12/19/2025 |
12/19/2025 |
Basel
Basel 12/20/2025
From the riverboat this morning, set off on a shore excursion to Switzerland's lakeside "City of Lights", Lucerne. On an orientation tour with your Tauck director, highlights include the Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge crossing the Reuss River that dates back to the 1330s; an octagonal Water Tower once used as a prison; and lovely squares like the Kornmarkt, Weinmarkt, and Hirschenplatz. In Altstadt Lucerne (Old Town), narrow cobblestone lanes lead to picturesque squares lined with houses painted with frescoes. After lunch in town, head out for the heights of Mt. Pilatus via gondola to enjoy spectacular views of the city and Lake Lucerne; after descending the mountain by gondola, return to the riverboat in the afternoon. Please join us this evening for the captain's farewell reception followed by dinner aboard the riverboat — sharing more memories of your Rhine holiday cruise over a mug of steaming glühwein with the new friends you've made — as the ship makes its way to Basel.,
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12/20/2025 |
12/20/2025 |
Lucerne
Lucerne 12/20/2025
From the riverboat this morning, set off on a shore excursion to Switzerland's lakeside "City of Lights", Lucerne. On an orientation tour with your Tauck director, highlights include the Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge crossing the Reuss River that dates back to the 1330s; an octagonal Water Tower once used as a prison; and lovely squares like the Kornmarkt, Weinmarkt, and Hirschenplatz. In Altstadt Lucerne (Old Town), narrow cobblestone lanes lead to picturesque squares lined with houses painted with frescoes. After lunch in town, head out for the heights of Mt. Pilatus via gondola to enjoy spectacular views of the city and Lake Lucerne; after descending the mountain by gondola, return to the riverboat in the afternoon. Please join us this evening for the captain's farewell reception followed by dinner aboard the riverboat — sharing more memories of your Rhine holiday cruise over a mug of steaming glühwein with the new friends you've made — as the ship makes its way to Basel.,
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12/20/2025 |
12/20/2025 |
Basel
Basel 12/21/2025
Tour ends: Basel, Switzerland. Transfers are provided from the riverboat to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg or to Zürich Airport or Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Zürich Central Train Station); guests enjoying a post-stay in Basel will receive a transfer from the hotel to the airport. Please allow three hours for airport check-in.,
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12/21/2025 |
12/21/2025 |
