Rhine Holiday Markets

8 Days Basel/Cologne
from $1849 cruise only

YOUR TRAVEL VALUE INCLUDES

• Scheduled transatlantic flights and ­airport transfers in Basel or Zurich on day 2 and Cologne on day 9 when Brendan issues the airline tickets
• Seven nights deluxe cruise accommodation in outside cabin with hotel-style beds
• Superb dining with all meals included while cruising, quality wine with dinner
• Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners
• Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• Special highlights including local entertainment and enriching lectures
• Services of a professional Cruise Manager throughout your cruise
• On board facilities including a sauna, spa, beauty salon, and souvenir shop
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking only on the Sun Deck)
• All local taxes
• Brendan flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

ITINERARY

• Day 1, Sat. BOARD YOUR OVER­NIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
• Day 2, Sun. ARRIVE IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND. at Basel Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the ship. (D)
• Day 3, Mon. BASEL. at Basel A city tour of Basel highlights its striking Medieval Town Hall and exquisite 18th-century patrician homes. Then, enjoy Basel's Christmas Market, in the heart of the historic Old Town. Visit the illuminated Christmas street, beautifully decorated with more than 100 Christmas trees. For truly unusual gifts, visit famous Johann Wanner's Christmas House with its array of elegant angels, ornaments, glassblown figurines, and pewter miniatures. This evening the captain hosts a Welcome Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
• Day 4, Tue. STRASBOURG. at Strasbourg Cruise through Strasbourg's canals, viewing the town's ­covered bridges, medieval watchtowers, and the European Parliament building. Then visit the oldest Christmas Market in France, set in front of Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral. You might want to stroll the elegant boulevards of Petite France, the city's prettiest ­neighborhood. (B,L,D)
• Day 5, Wed. SPEYER / HEIDELBERG / MAINZ. at Mainz Disembark in Speyer and board a motorcoach for the trip to Heidelberg. Here, a guided tour includes a view of the romantic ruins of red-walled Heidel­berg Castle and a stroll through the courtyard. Next, walk through the Old Town, capped by lunch at the historic Ritter Restaurant. There is plenty of time this afternoon to explore Heidelberg’s Christmas Market. Later, coach back to the ship, docked in Mainz. (B,L,D)
• Day 6, Thu. MAINZ / RÜDESHEIM. at Rudesheim Take a guided walk through Mainz’s Old Town and the city square. See the Kaiserdom, St. Stephan's Church, and the Kurfürst­liche Schloss. Then stroll through the St. Nicholas Christmas Market. This afternoon, cruise to Rüdesheim and stop at Siegfried's Museum, with its fabulous ­collection of mechanical musical instruments, housed in one of Rüdesheim's 16th-century ­mansions. (B,L,D)
• Day 7, Fri. KOBLENZ. at Koblenz Cruise along the romantic Rhine this morning, heading for Koblenz. A walking tour here winds through romantic alleys lined with half-timbered houses, all decorated for the season. Pass St. Castor's Church and the Church of Our Lady on the way to the market square with the Schaengel Fountain and historic City Hall. After­wards, visit the Koblenz Christmas Market, with dozens of wooden stands offering arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes, and watch local children skating at the ice rink. (B,L,D)
• Day 8, Sat. COLOGNE. at Cologne (Koln) Germany Stroll the narrow streets of Old Town Cologne, passing tiny squares and little churches on the way to the Domplatte, the square in front of one of the most stunning buildings in the world, Cologne Cathedral*. After a tour of the cathedral, browse the stalls at the Cathedral's Christmas Market. Then visit the markets at City Hall, near the Church St. Aposteln, and in front of a medieval gatehouse. Tonight the captain hosts a festive Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D) * The Cathedral is not visited on Catholic holidays.
• Day 9, Sun. DEPART COLOGNE. at Cologne (Koln) Germany Transfer to the airport in Cologne for your flight home. (CB)

2008 Cruises

*Price is per person, twin share, and is cruise only on Rhine Holiday Markets, European Holiday Markets and Danube Holiday Markets and land and cruise only on Christmas Markets on the Danube and Blue Danube Discovery. Price reflects savings. Savings of up to $300 per cabin are based on $150 per person off Brendan's Christmas Time Cruises with select November and December 2008 departures. Special sailing of European Holiday Markets is an extended 13 days sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, ask your Brendan River Cruise specialist for details. Cabin upgrades are available at an additional cost. Must be booked and deposited by September 30, 2008 to receive discount. Port taxes from $84 - $168 per person are additional. Ask about our low international airfares.