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The magic of Christmas in Central Europe awaits on this festive getaway along the Rhine. Board your luxury Riverside ship in Frankfurt, Europe`s hub of finance and business. On to Mannheim, home to one of the largest palace complexes in the world; 2000-year-old Speyer, where many German emperors and kings were laid to rest; and charming Strasbourg, whose storybook Petite France district includes the most beautiful canals winding through a postcard-like setting. Enjoy the twinkling Christmas lights and cheery seasonal decorations at enchanting Christmas markets along the way—a great way to interact with the locals, shop for hand-crafted gifts, sample a variety of soul-warming Glühwein recipes, and indulge your tastebuds with delectable Advent treats. Your trip concludes in Basel, where Switzerland touches borders with neighboring Germany and France for a true melting pot of cultures and traditions!
Mainhattan—it's a nickname that Frankfurt am Main has earned as home to more than 300 international credit institutions, the European Central Bank, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. But today's bustling city has humble roots reaching back over 2,000 years, and a turbulent fate during WWII that saw bombing of much of its historic architecture. Post-war, Frankfurt rebuilt and is now a blend of modern skyscrapers and rebuilt treasures.
Situated where the Rhine and Neckar Rivers meet is Mannheim, nicknamed the Square City for its grid layout (unusual in Germany) and the City of Inventions—birthplace of the automobile, bicycle, tractor, and more. Mannheim Palace, whose facade stretches the length of more than four football fields (437 yards/400 meters) is truly impressive, and is the second-largest Baroque palace after Versailles. Other highlights include the landmark water tower, Old Town Hall, St. Sebastian Parish, Mannheim Port, and more!
If your travel Bucket List doesn't include Strasbourg, it should! From the stunning gardens of Parc de l'Orangerie to the European Quarter, there's something to see in every direction. This is where the EU Parliament, Council of Europe, and other international institutions are based, and where the Grande Île, the Old Town island framed by two river arms, leaves an unforgettable impression. The pink sandstone cathedral with its famous astronomical clock and canal-lined Petite France district are the very definition of Old World European magic.
There's a point where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet—that point is the Swiss city of Basel. By the Middle Ages, Basel was a center of culture and commerce, and by the 15th century, it was an epicenter for the printing industry. In fact, it was here that the world's first printed book was published. Today, Basel is known for its pharmaceutical industry, exciting art scene, impressive 13th-century Gothic cathedral, and its annual Carnival celebrations that attract visitors from around the world each February.