Christmas on the Rhine

Take a festive stroll around Koblenz to explore its historic past and visit the Christmas market. Begin your tour at Deutsches Eck, the city’s famed German Corner and home to a popular equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I. After time to admire the sculpture, continue your walk among the narrow streets. Revel in the yuletide atmosphere in the heart of the Old Town and admire the beautiful old school that has operated as the Koblenz City Hall since 1895. Get acquainted with local Christmas traditions during a stroll through the cheerful Christmas market; six different locations, between Münzplatz and Zentralplatz, host the festivities. As you pass the charming stalls, the sweet aroma of traditional holiday favorites, such as glühwein and roasted almonds. Indulge in a delicious, sweet treat before returning to your ship.

Celebrate the Holiday Season at the Christmas Market of Nations Set in the heart of the historic Old Town, the Rüdesheimer Weihnachtsmarkt features more than 120 vendor stalls representing the yuletide foods and traditions of 20 different countries. At the pier, board a mini-train to the Marktplatz, the epicenter of the vibrant holiday market that spreads through the Old Town’s cobblestone streets. Upon arrival, you will have time to revel in the season’s good cheer as you browse the many attractions while seasonal music and the aroma of regional delicacies fills the air. You may stop and try a mug of Rüdesheim’s favorite coffee made with a locally distilled Asbach Uralt brandy, or search for the perfect Christmas memento to take back home. Afterward, return to your ship by mini-train or explore independently and make your own way back.

Raise your glass and give a hearty “Prost!” to a delicious and fun evening. Despite its growing popularity, Rüdesheim has retained its small-town riverside charms. Nowhere is this more apparent than along the Drosselgasse, a narrow pedestrian way overflowing with wines and oom-pah-pah tunes. Visit one of the town’s oldest restaurants, whose proprietors keep another tradition alive—the earth-to-table approach to dining that brings the rich and varied flavors of their beloved Rheingau straight to your plate. During this evening excursion, board a mini-train to the 15th-century Drosselgasse. Take in the medieval atmosphere during a stroll past cozy wine bars and lively taverns, then sample the bounty of Germany’s Rheingau region during a festive meal. Enjoy a full-course dinner with traditional music, and try the local Schnapps vom Brett as a digestif.

Ascend to Ehrenbreitstein, set high on a hill with magnificent views of Koblenz and the Eifel Hills. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress has long enjoyed a strategic locale, built on the site of a previous fortress whose history stretched back to 1100. The citadel you see today was constructed in the early 19th century to protect against the French. You will ride a gondola to the hilltop, then enjoy a fun and informative tour with our costumed and colorful actor/guide who takes on the persona of John Humfrey, a lieutenant colonel in the British Corps of Royal Engineers. Accompany him as he guides you through this excellent example of Prussian military fortifications. After, you will have some free time to take in the fantastic views and explore on your own, perhaps lingering at a small café before returning to your ship.

Visit Marksburg Castle, the only medieval-era stronghold in the Rhine Valley to have never been destroyed. This mighty castle has watched over the town of Braubach since the 13th century; due to its strong fortifications, it was never besieged by enemies. Its butter-churn tower, so named because the upper reaches have a smaller diameter than the lower, is a beloved landmark with its distinct profile. Upon arrival, enjoy striking views of the surrounding countryside from its 300-foot perch, before following your guide across the rough-hewn stone passageways as you tour the citadel. Navigate narrow, winding staircases to view the wine cellar, a bedroom, dining area and the impressive kitchen of the Gothic Hall building. Cap your visit studying the Gimbel Collection, including its life-size figurines detailing changes to armor and weaponry through the ages, then return to your ship.

Enjoy dinner in a former Cistercian monastery whose lush vineyards have produced wines for centuries. Drive to Kloster Eberbach, a monumental yet simple Romanesque and early Gothic monastery church renowned for its architectural heritage. Its vineyards have been maintained throughout its history, despite its secularization in 1803 and various incarnations since. Meet your host in the historic wine cellar, where grapes were once transformed into sweet Rieslings for centuries. Here, you will have the chance to sample some of the monks’ favorite wines. After, enjoy a guided tour of the church and the monks’ cloister, once strictly reserved for the use of ordained monks. Proceed to the restaurant, where you will enjoy a dinner prepared with the freshest ingredients from the Rhinegau. After a delicious meal in a hallowed setting, return to your ship.

Enjoy a delicious dinner of German specialties at the site of one of the Rheingau region’s most celebrated vineyards. Drive past gently rolling hills to Schloss Johannisberg, set amid Germany’s renowned wine-making region. Its vineyards skirt the estate’s grounds for acres and have been prolific for 900 years. Upon arrival, join your host for a tour through the vines, concluding in the estate’s wine cellar. Here, grapes grown on the grounds have been transformed into sweet Rieslings for centuries. You will have the chance to sample three of your host’s favorites and gain insight into the soil, climate and processing that produce the perfect glass. Proceed to the dining venue on the estate grounds overlooking the vineyards, where you will enjoy a meal prepared with the freshest ingredients from the Rheingau.