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Main Rhine | Riverside Debussy
  | 7 Days / 6 Nights

Festive Cheer From Basel to Dusseldorf

TRAVEL HISTORY:
Day 1 Basel / Huningue, CH
Day 2 Kehl, DE
Day 3 Mannheim, DE
Day 4 Frankfurt, DE
Day 5 Mainz, DE, Bonn, DE
Day 6 Bonn, DE, Cologne, DE
Day 7 Düsseldorf, DE

Discover the twinkling lights and long-held traditions of Switzerland and Germany on this week-long Rhine Christmas cruise! Visit unique Christmas markets, where you’re free to shop at your leisure and sample authentic Glühwein (warm mulled wine) and scrumptious local holiday treats. Embark in Basel, the merry meeting point of Switzerland, Germany, and France, then cross into Germany, where highlights include Kehl, an intriguing city that has alternated between French and German control throughout its thousand-year history; Mannheim, home to one of the largest palace complexes in the world; Germany’s bustling financial hub of Frankfurt am Main; the former capital city of Bonn; the towering Christmas tree and iconic twin-spired cathedral in Old Town Cologne; and more...a very special trip!

DATES

11/29/2025 12/05/2025 Main / Rhine Riverside Debussy Festive Cheer From Basel to Dusseldorf from 5,336.00 USD AVAILABILITY & PRICES
12/11/2025 12/17/2025 Main / Rhine Riverside Debussy Festive Cheer From Basel to Dusseldorf from 4,503.00 USD AVAILABILITY & PRICES
11/25/2026 12/01/2026 Main / Rhine Riverside Debussy Festive Cheer From Basel to Dusseldorf from 3,995.00 USD AVAILABILITY & PRICES
12/07/2026 12/13/2026 Main / Rhine Riverside Debussy Festive Cheer From Basel to Dusseldorf from 4,491.00 USD AVAILABILITY & PRICES

DESTINATIONS ON THE ROUTE

Day 1 - Basel / Huningue

													

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.

Day 2 - Kehl

													

If any city has the right to feel like the rope in a Tug-o-War game, it's Kehl. First mentioned in 1038, its strategic location caused frequent territorial disputes between France and Germany, so whether the city was French or German often depended on the year! Today, Kehl is a vibrant German city sitting directly across the Rhine from Stasbourg, France. Connected to this sister city by four bridges, including a train, it is considered the "Gateway to Strasbourg".

Day 3 - Mannheim

													

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!

Day 4 - Frankfurt

													

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.

Day 5 - Mainz

													

What do the Romans, Johannes Gutenberg, medieval Ashkenazi Jews, the French revolutionary army, WWII air raids, and Carnival have in common? Their associations with Mainz! The Old Town's narrow, winding lanes pass by the places where 2,000 years of history have been written: half-timbered and patrician houses, the 13th-century Iron Tower, Electoral Palace, and thousand-year-old Mainz Cathedral. In addition to the historical, also has a long tradition of wine cultivation, so sampling a glass is a wonderful idea!

Day 5, 6 - Bonn

													

Although Bonn has a fascinating legacy dating back to Roman times, its most noteworthy era was as capital of West Germany and then unified Germany from 1949 until 1999. During that time, the city transformed into a modern, cosmopolitan hub of government, and cultural districts. It did manage to preserve much of its historic character, though, with winding cobblestone streets and centuries-old churches and cathedrals. Important landmarks include the birthplace of composer Ludwig van Beethoven and Poppelsdorf Palace, now part of the University of Bonn.

Day 6 - Cologne

													

The electric atmosphere of 2,000-year-old Cologne is undeniable. Its strategic location on the Rhine quickly elevated the city as a vital trade center that grew into a hub of industry by the 19th century. Even plagues and wars couldn't damper Cologne's tenacious spirit. During WWII, nearly 90% of the city center was destroyed, but a massive rebuilding effort restored much of its cultural heritage, including its famous Gothic cathedral. Highlights include the four preserved gates in the city wall, and Kölsch—the beer that’s been brewed here since the 17th century!

Day 7 - Düsseldorf

													

Proud international hub of business and finance, Düsseldorf is ranked the sixth-most-livable city in the world, but it wasn't always this way. It started as the marshland home of Germanic tribes before small farming and fishing settlements began cropping up in the 7th century. Today's highlights include the harbor, Gothic St. Lambertus Church with its twisted tower, the palace tower, and Germany's oldest inland navigation museum. Meanwhile, the 200-year Altbier tradition makes a taste of the copper-colored brew feel like sipping a piece of history.