/ 2016 European River Cruise Journeys40

Christmas along the rhine

Connections at a glance Discover your destination through these local connections.

• Cruise for six nights upon the lovely Rhine River and enjoy a pre-cruise night in Cologne in a boutique hotel

• Explore the charming traditional Christmas markets in Cologne amid a festive holiday atmosphere for a memorable Market Connection

• Visit Speyer with the opportunity to attend Christmas Eve mass at its marvelous cathedral

• Cruise into the lovely Alsace region of France for a Christmas tour of Strasbourg that includes the magnificent cathedral.

Day 1: arriVE ColognE, gErMany Arrive in Cologne, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Excelsior Hotel Ernst / Meals: D

Day 2: ColognE / Charming Christmas MarketThis morning, join your expert local guide on a walking tour of the old city that includes a visit to Cologne’s stunning Gothic cathedral, which has graced the city’s skyline since the 13th

century. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll through a festive Christmas market, browsing everything from traditional ornaments to specialty foods like currywurst and roasted almonds, before transferring to the Rhine riverfront for priority embarkation on your relaxing river ship. Aboard Ship / Meals: B D

Stroll the Christmas market on the Roncalliplatz in Cologne

8 days priced from $3,495 Featuring a 6-night cruise along the rhine riverlimited to 24 guests, with a resident Tour Director

NEW!

Cologne

KoblenzMainz

Speyer

Rhine River

FRANCE

GERMANY

arriVE/DEParT CruisE

Strasbourg

800 323 7308 / abercrombiekent.com 41

Day 3: KoblEnz / Legend of Lorelei Rock Arrive in Koblenz this morning and set off on a city walk to appreciate its Romanesque and Gothic architecture and considerable Old World charms. This afternoon, cruise through the Rhine Gorge and past legendary Lorelei Rock. Aboard Ship / Meals: B L D

Day 4: sPEyEr / Christmas Eve Celebration Celebrate Christmas Eve in Speyer, starting with a walking tour of the city. Visit Speyer’s Christkindlesmarkt, and then enjoy the opportunity to attend Christmas mass at the domed Speyer

Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aboard Ship / Meals: B L D

Day 5: sTrasbourg, FranCE / A French Noël After a leisurely Christmas morning cruising the Rhine along the French border, disembark for an afternoon tour of Strasbourg, viewing the highlights of this Alsatian capital city. Aboard Ship / Meals: B L D

Day 6: Mainz, gErMany / Gutenberg Museum Visit Dock in lovely Mainz for a city walk past half-timbered houses bedecked in Christmas lights and soaring Saint Martin Cathedral. Visit the Gutenberg Museum, home to examples of early

printing equipment, interactive displays and three rare Gutenberg Bibles. Back on board this evening, enjoy a gala dinner hosted by your ship’s captain. Aboard Ship / Meals: B L D

Day 7: ColognE / Exclusive Chocolate Museum Visit Back in Cologne today, disembark for a Connections-exclusive visit to the Chocolate Museum, where you tour the workshop and enjoy a tasting as well as lunch. Spend your afternoon at leisure, free to relax or explore the city’s museums and many other attractions. This evening, gather on board with your fellow guests for a festive farewell dinner. Aboard Ship / Meals: B L D

Day 8: DEParT ColognE After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart. Meals: B

note: High or low water levels may impact sailing and require changes to the itinerary.

Learn the history of one of mankind’s favorite treats at the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, on a Connections-exclusive visit that includes a chocolate-making workshop.

local connections

Visit abercrombiekent.com for photos of all the hotels on this journey.

accommodations spotlight Take a closer look at this journey’s river ship and hotel stays.

‘Amadeus Silver III’ Spacious cabins and suites — most with French or walk-out balconies — and an open, modern design paired with Old World hospitality make for a superb, stylish cruising experience.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst A family-owned grand hotel located near the magnificent Gothic Cologne Cathedral, offering traditional hospitality and personalized service.

Dates & PricingDeparture Dates

C-4 Haydn-Deck

C-1 Haydn-Deck

B-4 Strauss-Deck

B-1 Strauss-Deck

A-1 Mozart-Deck

Amadeus Suite Mozart-Deck

Dec 21–28single supplement

$3,495 $595

$3,995 $645

$4,395 $1,075

$4,795 $1,575

$4,995 $1,995

$5,495 $3,645

Journey DetailsMinimum age is 12 years. First group event: welcome briefing at 6:00 p.m. on Day 1. Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Day 7.