Sailing The Rhine River With Viking
In 2018 Kim and I traveled on the Danube River with our good friends Dennis & Mary to see the Christmas Markets. I loved being in Europe, on the river, and seeing the iconic Christmas Markets during the holidays. Especially being from South Florida. I wanted to return, but Kim wasn't nearly as enthusiastic. So I offered to take my niece Khloe as a graduation present and she was all in. Our 2020 trip was cancelled by the pandemic, and our re-booked 2021 trip we called off because many of the markets were still not open to the general public. Now that things are nearly back to normal we are sailing on a new itinerary, "Christmas On The Rhine."
This will my third voyage on the Rhine River, but the first time during the holidays. I am very excited to see the castles hopefully with snow covering them, and I am also very happy that five of the stops are new to me! And to make it even more "new" we are doing a three-night pre-stay in Belgium before boarding the ship in Amsterdam - my first visit to Belgium!
December 9 - 10: Travel To Belgium
Depart Fort Lauderdale 11:58 am / Arrive Newark 3:02 pm (United Airlines Flight 1351)
Depart Newark 7:00 pm / Arrive Brussels 8:05 am Dec 10 (United Airlines Flight 999)
Arrive in Brussels, where you will be met by your Viking Representative and transfer to your hotel. Depending upon your arrival time, you will have an opportunity to join a guided orientation walk, or explore the Belgian capital on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Brussels so you can make the most of your visit.
December 11: Brussels, Belgium
This morning, discover Brussels during a panoramic drive past iconic sights such as the Atomium, the neoclassical Royal Palace, European Parliament and the Palace of Justice. Cap your tour with a walk through the Old Town to the Christmas market at Grand Place, where you will enjoy free time to explore the many stalls displaying seasonal handicrafts and more. This afternoon, return to the city center with your Tour Director for another opportunity to explore the holiday markets.
December 12: Bruges, Belgium
Today, enjoy the morning at your leisure, before traveling this afternoon to the charming city of Bruges. Explore the stunning medieval architecture of Bruges’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire the bustling Christmas market at Market Square, renowned for its Winter Glow light show. Soak up the holiday atmosphere as thousands of lights twinkle overhead, creating an inviting celestial glow to the scene. This evening, you will return to your hotel.
December 13: Antwerp & Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your journey to your ship. Along the way, stop in Antwerp for a guided walking tour of its historic Old Town and time to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of its Christmas markets. After lunch, continue to Amsterdam, where you will transfer to your awaiting ship.
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands’ grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.
December 14: Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Sail the bucolic waters of the Rhine, deep into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta, classic Dutch landscapes unfurl all around. Flat farmland, charming windmills and svelte poplar trees line the shores, and vast tracts of land stretch in all directions, growing all manner of bounty, from tomatoes to tulips. Gaze upon Friesian cows and tidy villages with their neatly laid farmhouses and marvel at how much of this land was reclaimed from the sea, saved by the stirrings of traditional windmills and the building of dikes. Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland. Throughout the city, there are hundreds of historic monuments and landmarks, including the Grote Kerk and the 13th-century Augustinian monastery known as Het Hof. The picturesque waterways and decorative bridges of Dordrecht exude a bygone era and are best explored on foot. The inner-city harbors are centuries old and lined with grand warehouses that have now been transformed into elegant homes. With a relaxed atmosphere and a plethora of quaint cafés and shops, Dordrecht oozes old-world charm.
Today's Excursion: 9am - Historic Dordrecht
December 15: Düsseldorf, Germany
The yuletide season in Düsseldorf is a feast for the senses. The air carries the scent of candied roasted almonds, a mouthwatering sweet snack, popular over the festive season. There are several Christmas markets located throughout the city. In the Old Town, burgher-style huts, modeled on the city’s traditional architecture, offer a range of tasty treats, from bratwurst to stollen, a cake-like bread filled with fruits, spices and nuts. In front of City Hall, the Handwerkermarkt offers crafts by local artists, while the Schadowmarkt lines the main shopping street amid festive store window displays. Themed winter markets feature across Cologne during the holiday season, inviting visitors to browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork and colorful crafts. The towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to the city’s festivities and array of offerings from its red wooden stalls. Beneath the pointed roofs of Cologne harbor’s tented market, unique crafted goods are displayed amid the twinkling lights of boats bobbing in the marina.
Today's Excursions: 9 am - Düsseldorf at Christmas / 8 pm - Christmas in Cologne
December 16: Castles Along The Rhine
The Rhine River flows through one of Germany’s most scenic regions. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Admire splendid castles and dramatic rocks along the banks, all of which have stories to share. Perhaps you will marvel most at the Lorelei Rock at a dramatic curve in the river. Its eponymous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet
December 16: Koblenz, Germany
Koblenz is a traditional German country town with a wine heritage that spans centuries; a key ingredient for the warming glühwein that is served from taverns and market stalls during the holiday season. The scent of cinnamon, cloves and spices waft from steaming mugs as the sounds of festivities fill the air from one of the many musical performances, creating a toe-tapping atmosphere. Centered around the Schängel fountain, the Koblenz Christmas market offers all the flavors of the yuletide season from its famous Christmas bakery. Rüdesheim is brimming with festive cheer. The vibrant Drosselgasse, a narrow alleyway lined with decorated restaurants and bars, is the perfect place to explore and immerse in the spirit of the holiday season. Traditional Rhineland music provides the backdrop to a tankard of Christmas beer. Market stalls offer an array of tasty morsels from various nations, and local artisans demonstrate their talents with displays of unique, handcrafted gifts.
Today's Excursions: 8:30 am - Marksburg Castle / 7:30 pm - Rudesheim Festive Market
December 17: Mannheim & Speyer, Germany
Mannheim’s Christmas market is a holiday season shopping extravaganza, centered around the city’s iconic water tower. One of Germany’s oldest and largest markets, more than 160 booths host vendors from around the world, offering handicrafts and handmade items. Beautiful glassware, and carved wooden toys and games, sit alongside Christmas lanterns, colorful baubles and ornaments, all of which are presented in quaint wooden houses. Luxurious cashmere scarves, sheepskin mittens and felt hats are the ideal purchase to take home as gifts for friends and family. Speyer’s Old Town transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. With the historic Old Gate as a stunning backdrop, market stalls are brimming with yuletide treats, serving Christmas cookies and steaming mugs of aromatic glühwein. Skaters don their woolen hats and gloves, and take to the ice for some festive fun, while visitors browse for unique handmade gifts. The holiday atmosphere continues into January, bringing the opportunity for New Year merrymakers to enjoy the festivities and sample regional specialties, such as potato soup and yeast dumplings.
Today's Excursions: 10 am - Panoramic Manheim & Yultide Market / 5 pm - Speyer & It's Christmas Market
December 18: Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is said to be the capital of Christmas in France, with the city’s cathedral square taking center stage as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. The city’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. Hundreds of stalls are brimming with colorful wares, fine food and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d’epices (gingerbread).
Today's Excursion: 8:45 am - Festive Markets of Strasbourg
December 19: Briesbach, Germany
Breisach is built on a basalt rock outcropping in the Rhine plain, opposite its French sister city, Neuf-Brisach. It is located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, across the river from French Alsace, famous for its wine growing. But Breisach, too, can boast about its wine: it is home to Europe’s largest cellars, with a storage capacity of more than 160 million liters. The most prominent landmark of Breisach is the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Its two towers are visible from throughout the city and from the Rhine.
Today's Excursion: 8:30 am - Frieberg Christmas Market & Organ Concert
December 20: Travel Day Back Home
Depart Basel 6:20 am / Arrive Amsterdam 7:50 am (Delta/KLM Flight 9364)
Depart Amsterdam 9:35 am / Arrive Atlanta 1:15 pm (Delta/KLM Flight 9672)
Depart Atlanta 4:45 pm / Arrive Fort Lauderdale 6:38 pm (Delta Flight 1594)
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