Route Search
My Account
Impressions
You are located in United States.Your booking will be managed in « $ ».
Share route:
Share Link on Facebook Share Link on Twitter Share Link on WhatsApp Share Link via E-Mail
Christmastime in Germany is the main ingredient of this delightful holiday cruise…with a dash of Switzerland and France thrown in for good measure! Begin and end in Frankfurt, Europe’s bustling financial hub that still maintains its Old-World charm—including a Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) dating back to 1393! Visit Mannheim, home to one of the largest palace complexes in the world, and 2000-year-old Speyer, where many German emperors and kings were laid to rest. Then, immerse yourself in the wonders of Strasbourg, whose storybook Petite France district includes the most beautiful canals winding through a postcard-like setting. Next up׃ Basel, a fascinating cultural melting pot where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. And all along the way, you’ll have plenty of time for merrymaking with the locals at the entertaining Christmas Markets!
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.
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".