Christmas on the Rhine & Main

Discover Basel’s inviting cluster of medieval buildings and festive markets during a walking tour. Meet your guide and set off on foot for a tour of this fascinating city where three nations converge: Switzerland, France and Germany. Visit Marktplatz, or Market Square, surrounded by guild halls of late Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles. Admire the ornate spires of the Rathaus, or Town Hall, and stroll to the Münsterplatz, where the thin towers of the 13th-century Romanesque Cathedral overlook the wooden chalets of the festive market. Take time to browse the stalls, and perhaps sample a local delicacy, such as a freshly prepared röstis, a fried, grated potato patty served with a helping of apple sauce; a fragrant fondue; or a grittibänz—a delicious, sweetened brioche shaped like a gingerbread man.

Immerse yourself for a day among the splendid vistas and rich culture of alpine Switzerland. Meet your guide and take a scenic drive to the charming village of Brienz. Here, you will stop to view a wood carver at work and learn how this traditional craft lives on. After time to visit with an artisan, continue to Grindelwald to board a cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg, a breathtaking mountain pass with stunning mountain views. You will have lunch in this magnificent setting and have time to explore before descending back to Grindelwald. Continue to Interlaken, beautifully set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and surrounded by soaring peaks. Once hailed as a spa town to cure the ailments of 19th-century Europeans, today it is an inviting and relaxed pocket of Switzerland luring mountaineers and hikers eager to conquer the nearby summits.

Walk through the cutting-edge campus of Basel’s economic powerhouse to see its impressive architecture. Novartis is a global healthcare company with headquarters in Switzerland. A key division for research and development, it is one of the world’s leading companies in the life sciences sector. The campus serves as hub where organizations, institutes and start-ups can come together, providing a platform for intellectual exchange. Accompanied by a local guide, you will first transfer to the Novartis Campus. Enjoy a walk through the campus, featuring projects designed by renowned architects such as Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando and Herzog & de Meuron. Stroll through the parks and admire their impressive sculptures. Afterward, return to your ship, or you may choose to remain on-site to visit the Wonders of Medicine exhibition, located in the Novartis Pavilion.

Savor a taste of Switzerland during a delicious cheese fondue dining experience. A meal of bread dipped into a hot pot of cheese flavored with garlic and a dash of wine, fondue is synonymous with Switzerland. Derived from the French word fonder, meaning “to melt,” fondue has its origins in the 18th century as a way for Swiss farmers to stretch their limited food stocks during the winter months. From its simple origins, fondue has become a winter tradition and the national dish of Switzerland. You will board a tram for your short ride to one of Basel’s Beiz, where patrons dine on national and local dishes. Learn more about cheese fondue as you dip your bread into this mouthwatering concoction, accompanied by a glass of white wine or beer and a shot of Kirsch. After your meal and with your appetite sated, you will board the tram and return to your ship.

Explore Basel and learn about the age-old techniques of paper, writing and printing at a local museum. Join your guide and cross the Rhine River on a traditional ferry, taking in the striking view of the Basel Cathedral and riverbank. Upon arrival at the opposite bank, stroll to the Basel Paper Mill, a museum housed in a medieval mill. Here, explore the history of paper, typesetting and bookbinding through interactive exhibits. Join a workshop to gain insights into artisanal techniques or enjoy free time to explore the museum. After, view St. Alban Tor, one of three surviving medieval gates, before boarding a tram for the old town to discover Switzerland’s oldest Läckerli manufacturer and learn about a sweet Swiss specialty. Taste variations made from recipes spanning three centuries to see how it has evolved over time. Pack your own Läckerli then return to your ship.