Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Oscar Wilde

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Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Oscar Wilde

5 days - River Cruises

Discover the magical ambience of Germany's traditional Christmas markets with their host of unique, inspired gift ideas, plus the stunning Rhineland on this splendid winter river cruise. Cruise through the world famous and dramatic Rhine Gorge before arriving in the renowned wine town of Rüdesheim and spending the afternoon wandering this charming spot. Explore Koblenz, dramatically situated at the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers, on a guided tour with free time to browse its lovely Christmas market. Discover Bonn on a guided tour of Germany’s historic former capital before arriving back in Cologne, where the rest of the day is free to discover one (or all) of its seven Christmas markets.

Holiday Highlights

Enjoy visits to four Christmas markets, including Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne.
Explore Rüdesheim, the quintessential Rhine village with crooked houses sloping down from wooded hillsides.
Discover the historic city of Koblenz, dramatically located in the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Visit the former capital of West Germany and the birthplace of Beethoven, Bonn.
Enjoy free time in Cologne to explore more than 160 festive stalls at the Cathedral Christmas market and sample a glass of warming Glühwein.

What's Included

Prices are per person, based on one person in a cabin for sole occupancy. The price for this river cruise in Germany includes:
Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day
Free drinks package
Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
All visits and excursions as mentioned
Return flights (or Eurostar for UK Guests)
Coach travel as mentioned
Transfers from the airport or station to and from the port of embarkation
English-speaking expert guides
The services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Cologne - On arrival, see your five-star cruise ship moored in historic Cologne, whose skyline is dominated by the spires of its magnificent cathedral. The dedicated English-speaking crew welcomes you on board and helps you to your cabin. After settling into your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation, there’s time to familiarise yourself with this splendid ship.

Day 2

Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim - To really get in the Christmas mood, nothing beats waking up on board to find you’re already cruising through an entrancing winter wonderland. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and relax on board while a kaleidoscope of riverside views drifts by in all their seasonal glory. Wrap up warm and take to the deck for an invigorating breath of frosty air as we pass through the outstandingly beautiful Rhine Gorge, where the river flows a little faster, the vineyard-covered valley sides are steeper and ruined castles sit atop rocky crags. Tales of mysterious happenings here have been passed down over the generations, most famously of all the legend of the Lorelei – the maiden said to have enticed sailors onto the rocks with her irresistible songs. The festive period is a magical time to visit this picturesque part of Germany, and no country does it better. The historic Yuletide markets here are the ideal places to soak up the spellbinding atmosphere while seeking out unusual presents for friends and family back home. After lunch on board, we arrive in Rüdesheim for a guided tour. The quirky, crooked houses and tiny streets provide the perfect chocolate-box setting for its Christmas market. As you wander the myriad stalls, glistening in the glow of hundreds of fairy lights, stop perhaps for a slice of gingerbread or a warming Rüdesheim coffee with its fortifying shot of locally distilled Asbach brandy and a dollop of whipped cream. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the Christmas shop: open year-round, it’s a treasure trove of all things seasonal, from tree decorations and music boxes to wooden nutcrackers and handcrafted figurines. As the evening light fades, amble back on board to enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the ship’s excellent restaurant before delighting in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music and dancing with a live performance on traditional instruments.

Day 3

Rhine Gorge & Koblenz - During breakfast the ship effortlessly glides out of port as we commence a spectacular morning’s cruising. One of the cruise highlights will be our return passage through the magnificent Rhine Gorge so have your camera at the ready to capture some of the most stunning river views, as the captain skilfully navigates our passage between the narrow valley sides that tower above. As we arrive in the historic city of Koblenz, dramatically located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, take in the views over another delicious lunch in the ship’s restaurant. Koblenz is a romantic’s dream; forest-covered hillsides dominate the skyline, whilst the lower slopes are strewn with the pretty, half-timbered buildings so typical of the Rhineland. Enjoy a guided tour, seeing the principal monuments, discovering ancient squares, admiring beautifully restored historic house frontages and quaint hidden passageways. Located in the atmospheric old town, Koblenz’s Christmas market is one of the largest in the Rhineland. As you browse its enticing stalls, the aroma of hot chestnuts and mouth-watering sausages fills the air; don’t forget to pay a visit to the Christmas bakery, making the famous Stollen – the delicious bread made with candied and dried fruit, nuts and marzipan, traditionally eaten at this time of year. As the fairy lights glow brighter in the cool evening air, it’s time to head back to the inviting warmth of the ship’s lounge for an aperitif before the Chef’s Dinner is served, as we sail on to historic Bonn, arriving later this evening.

Day 4

Bonn & Cologne - Rising refreshed, after breakfast there’s the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating city, which served as the capital of the West German state from 1949-1990, until the reunification of Germany which restored Berlin as the country’s capital. Whilst it lost the battle to retain the parliament, Bonn still holds the status of a secondary governmental seat, so many government ministries and public bodies still have their headquarters here. But behind its official facade lies a historic and fascinating city and this morning you will enjoy a guided tour of the main sights around the old town, centred around its two spacious squares. See the city’s most prominent landmark, the soaring spire of the huge Romanesque minster, one of the oldest churches in the country and the attractive pastel pink Rococo old town hall, with its gleaming silver and gold trim, from where an endless list of politicians throughout the decades have appeared on its sweeping staircase. Bonn is also famous for being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and the house where he was born is one of the few old buildings in the city not to have been damaged during the war. Together with the house next door, it now houses a museum dedicated to one of the greatest composers of all time. You’ll have some free time to wander the seasonal market, centred around the old town; the old town hall’s windows are transformed into a giant Advent calendar and an imposing Christmas tree takes centre stage. Classical music floats on the air, along with the delicious smells of gingerbread and baked apples – simply magical. No visit would be complete without sampling a glass of warming Glühwein, or mulled wine. This delicious concoction is usually made with red wine heated with citrus zest and spices such as cloves and cinnamon. Sometimes it’s drunk mit Schuss, meaning a shot of rum or brandy has been added for extra punch! Back on board for lunch, we make our return to Cologne as the ever-changing river scenery drifts silently by. As the towering spires of Cologne’s cathedral come into view on the wintry skyline, we moor in the shadow of this ancient monument once again. Christmas creates a special atmosphere here and you have free time to immerse yourself in the city’s seven Yuletide markets, each with its own unique theme. Every year a huge number of visitors are drawn to the more than 160 tastefully decorated festive stalls of the Cathedral Christmas market, impressively set against the spectacular backdrop of the imposing cathedral, where the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, illuminated with 50,000 LED lights, is a magnificent glittering sight to behold. There’s also plenty of live entertainment to enjoy. After browsing the market and its Aladdin’s cave of festive gifts and foods, return to the ship to enjoy a final delicious dinner this evening.

Day 5

Return home

We have deliberately avoided the current trend for a minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how exceptionally spacious this new vessel is as you enter a gleaming, richly coloured marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced masterpiece of onboard style, utilising sustainable rich hardwoods, gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore.

Cabins

A gleaming wood door opens revealing your exceptionally appointed suite. At 17 square metres (183 square feet), its generous dimensions are amongst the largest you will find on a cruiser gracing any European river. Imaginatively designed and appointed to the highest specification, with all the luxury you would expect to find in a smart ‘boutique style’ hotel, your comfort definitely won’t be compromised on any level!

The sparkling marble bathroom features a powerful fully glazed shower with a large ‘rainshower’ head, superbly refreshing after a hard day’s sightseeing. Clever design allows for ample space, and contemporary lighting, complimentary quality cosmetics and fluffy towels, makes preparing for the day ahead an absolute pleasure.

The chic styling of a talented designer’s eye extends to the entire suite with generous use of hand-crafted tropical hardwoods blended with premium fittings, discreet thoughtful lighting and a colour scheme of calming neutral tones, creating an ambience to put you in the most relaxed frame of mind from the very first minute! A full size bed assures a good night’s rest in crisp cotton linen of the finest quality - a turndown service each evening adds the finishing touch. Please note all suites have two twin beds with individual bedding which can be moved together or separated accordingly.

You will enjoy a particularly generous seating area with two chairs and a table, enabling you to unwind in comfort in the privacy of your own suite whilst a bow camera conveys live images of the ship’s progress to your flat screen TV, ensuring you won’t miss a thing. Careful consideration has been given to the tiniest details with individually controlled air-conditioning so you set the temperature that you desire, a hairdryer, safe, mini fridge, telephone and the convenience of tea (our meticulous planning even extends to familiar teabags!) and coffee making facilities ensure a home from home experience.

Suites on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have ‘French Balconies’ – panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors bringing riverside life just that little closer!

View a 360 tour of the MS Oscar Wilde

Deck Plan

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Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

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