Day 1 - Wednesday, 12/3/2025
European Christmas Markets
Enjoy this magical time of year as Europe’s countries hold steadfastly to Old World holiday tradition and transform into fairy-tale Christmas settings. The sights and sensations of the holiday season are everywhere: locals and guests savor the tastes of chocolate covered Lebkuchen (gingerbread), sizzling grilled sausages, and spiced hot “Gluehwein” (mulled wine).  Delight in the festively decorated markets and shopping for ornaments, crafts, candles, nutcrackers, winter hats, roasted nuts, and other traditional items.

To Zurich
Home Pick-up and overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.

Day 2 - Thursday, 12/4/2025
To Lucerne
Arrive in Zurich, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to Lucerne for your overnight stay.

Day 3 - Friday, 12/5/2025 - Breakfast - Dinner
Lucerne / Strasbourg
On your Lucerne Walking Tour, see the city’s medieval cobblestone streets, monuments, fountains, public squares, covered bridges, colorful frescoed buildings, and the iconic 14th c. Chapel Bridge. Enjoy Lucerne’s colorful Christmas Market and wonderful Old Town.Transfer to Strasbourg, France via motorcoach and your ship, the elegant Amadeus Silver II. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight onboard.

Day 4 - Saturday, 12/6/2025 - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Strasbourg
On your Strasbourg City Tour, see Orangerie, the town’s oldest park, European Parliament, and  Place de la Republique. Take a walking tour of the lovely “La Petite France” neighborhood and see the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. Then stroll Strasbourg’s Christmas Market, one of Europe’s oldest. Your afternoon is at leisure or join the Alsace optional.

Day 5 - Sunday, 12/7/2025 - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Speyer / Mannheim
Arrive in one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for its cathedral, numerous churches, and the 13th c. Altpörtel (“Old Gate”). Explore the city on your Speyer Walking Tour. Later cruise to Mannheim and maybe take an optional excursion to historic Heidelberg to visit the red-walled castle and get beautiful views of the Neckar Valley.

Day 6 - Monday, 12/8/2025 - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Rüdesheim / Koblenz
Arrive in Rüdesheim and explore on your own the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants. You may join an optional Rüdesheim Tour via Tram Car including a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.  Later, depart to cruise through the Rhine River Gorge, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the most stunningly beautiful stretch of the river with hillsides dotted with fairy-tale castles, historic towns, and vineyards. Later arrive in Germany’s oldest city, Koblenz, a charming town at the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers. Enjoy a Koblenz Walking Tour and the popular Christmas Market. See the famous Advent Calendar at the baroque Town Hall.

Day 7 - Tuesday, 12/9/2025 - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Cochem
The ship makes a detour along the Moselle River to the little town of Cochem. Enjoy a Cochem Walking Tour then visit the Reichsburg Castle, experience a Wine Tasting, and stop at the quaint Christmas Market. The magnificent Reichsburg castle is situated high above the town, dominating the landscape. Down below, the village with its narrow streets, half timbered houses and numerous restaurants is an ideal setting to taste the wines of the region.

Day 8 - Wednesday, 12/10/2025 - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Cologne
Cologne is Germany’s 4th largest city, located on both sides of the Rhine.  Enjoy a Cologne Walking Tour featuring the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th c. Gothic cathedral. Explore dock side taverns, cafes, shops, and the famous Christmas Market in front of the cathedral. Your afternoon is at leisure in Cologne. Enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner onboard this evening.

Day 9 - Thursday, 12/11/2025 - Breakfast
Return Home
Transfer to the Frankfurt Airport and fly home to the USA.

Note - Excursions require moderate walking with some stair climbing possible.

The Ship - MS Cara
The innovative and custom designed 162 passenger Amadeus Cara, launched in 2022, offers all the amenities of a floating 5-star hotel.  This Premium cruise ship features the most modern furnishings that blend masterfully with the architecture of the ship and a luxurious design that is the hallmark of the Amadeus fleet. The extensive Restaurant and the Panorama Bar offer divine views of the passing riverscapes, and the glass-shielded River Terrace allows you to relax in the open air. The attentive English-speaking onboard service staff will see to your comfort with typical European hospitality.  The cabin design plans are forward-thinking, bright & modern, all part of a premium focus with 71 large Staterooms & 10 Suites. The beauty of river cruising is that the most interesting destinations come to you.  This Cara charter features English-only onboard commentary with inclusive shore excursions balanced with choice to simply relax onboard, get a spa treatment or add sightseeing with optional excursions.    

Comfortable & Innovative Staterooms
After boarding, unpack once.  All staterooms are larger than traditional river cruise cabins & offer excellent river views.  The Mozart Deck features 10 Suites with Walk Out Balconies.  The other 20 Staterooms on the Mozart Deck & 35 Staterooms on the Strauss Deck feature innovative  panoramic Drop-Down Windows.  The 16 Staterooms on the Haydn Deck have a fixed window.  All staterooms are fully equipped with comfortable & modern furnishings including flat screen TV & large private bathrooms with shower.

Click here for a deck plan