Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland Cruise

Day 1 - Zurich

Arrive: Sat 12 December 2026

The city of Zurich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the north end of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. The picturesque lanes of the central Altstadt (Old Town), on either side of the Limmat River, reflect its pre-medieval history. Waterfront promenades like the Limmatquai follow the river toward the 17th-century Rathaus (town hall).

Day 2 - Zurich

Depart: Sun 13 December 2026

The city of Zurich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the north end of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. The picturesque lanes of the central Altstadt (Old Town), on either side of the Limmat River, reflect its pre-medieval history. Waterfront promenades like the Limmatquai follow the river toward the 17th-century Rathaus (town hall).

Day 2 - Lucerne

Arrive: Sun 13 December 2026 / Depart: Sun 13 December 2026

Lucerne is a canton in central Switzerland, known for museums, lakes and peaks such as Mount Pilatus and Rigi. Paddle steamers cruise the waters of huge Lake Lucerne. On its banks, the capital, Lucerne, features a colorful Altstadt (old town) and 14th-century city walls, plus covered bridges including the iconic Kapellbrücke with its 17th-century art. Museum Sammlung Rosengart displays works by Picasso and Klee.

Day 3 - Bern

Day 4 - Montreux

Arrive: Tue 15 December 2026 / Depart: Tue 15 December 2026

Montreux is a traditional resort town on Lake Geneva. Nestled between steep hills and the lakeside, it's known for its mild microclimate and the Montreux Jazz Festival, held in July. The town's promenade is lined with flowers, sculptures, Mediterranean trees and grand Belle Époque buildings. Offshore is a medieval island castle, Château de Chillon, with ramparts, formal halls and a chapel with 14th-century murals.

Day 5 - Basel

Arrive: Wed 16 December 2026 / Depart: Wed 16 December 2026

Basel is a city on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland, close to the country’s borders with France and Germany. Its medieval old town centers around Marktplatz, dominated by the 16th-century, red-sandstone Town Hall. Its 12th-century Gothic cathedral has city views, and contains the tomb of the 16th-century Dutch scholar, Erasmus. The city’s university houses some of Erasmus’ works.

Day 6 - Breisach

Arrive: Thu 17 December 2026 / Depart: Thu 17 December 2026

Breisach is a town with approximately 16,500 inhabitants, situated along the Rhine in the Rhine Valley, in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about halfway between Freiburg and Colmar — 20 kilometres away from each — and about 60 kilometres north of Basel near the Kaiserstuhl.

Day 7 - Kehl

Arrive: Fri 18 December 2026 / Depart: Fri 18 December 2026

Kehl is a town in southwestern Germany in the Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the river Rhine, directly opposite the French city of Strasbourg.

Day 8 - Mannheim

Arrive: Sat 19 December 2026 / Depart: Sat 19 December 2026

Mannheim is a city in southwest Germany, on the Rhine and Neckar rivers. The baroque 18th-century Mannheim Palace houses historical exhibits, plus the University of Mannheim. In the grid-like center, called the Quadrate, Marktplatz Square features a baroque fountain with statues. Planken shopping street leads southeast to the Romanesque Water Tower, in the art nouveau gardens of Friedrichsplatz.

Day 9 - Rudesheim

Arrive: Sun 20 December 2026 / Depart: Sun 20 December 2026

Rüdesheim am Rhein is a town in the Rhine Valley, Germany. It’s known for winemaking, especially of Riesling wines. In the center, Drosselgasse is a lane lined with shops, taverns and restaurants. Nearby, Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet is a museum of automated musical instruments. Medieval Brömserburg Castle is home to the Rheingau Wine Museum, exhibiting wine paraphernalia from ancient times to the present.

Day 10 - Cologne

Arrive: Mon 21 December 2026 / Depart: Mon 21 December 2026

Eau de Cologne, or simply cologne, is a perfume originating from Cologne, Germany. Originally mixed by Johann Maria Farina in 1709, it has since come to be a generic term for scented formulations in

Day 11 - Dusseldorf

Arrive: Tue 22 December 2026 / Depart: Tue 22 December 2026

Düsseldorf is a city in western Germany known for its fashion industry and art scene. It's divided by the Rhine River, with its Altstadt (Old Town) on the east bank and modern commercial areas to the west. In the Altstadt, St. Lambertus Church and Schlossturm (Castle Tower) both date to the 13th century. Streets such as Königsallee and Schadowstrasse are lined with boutique shops.

Day 12 - Amsterdam

Arrive: Wed 23 December 2026 / Depart: Wed 23 December 2026

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.