German Christmas Markets of the Rhine

We meet at St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing by train to Cologne. Here, we board our luxurious cruise ship, which is bedecked in Christmas finery. We enjoy a welcome cocktail on board ahead of dinner. Tonight we set sail upstream through the lower Rhine towards charming Rüdesheim.

• Dinner

We sail through the landscapes of the Rhine Gorge during breakfast this morning. Relax and soak up views of centuries-old castles, emerald forests, and the legendary Lorelei rock, which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and we hear of them as we sail by.

This afternoon, we arrive in the town of Rüdesheim, famous for its white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Unique Christmas markets are found in the town's historic centre and offer a variety of goods from across 12 nations.

You have time to wander amongst the stalls shopping for gifts, or maybe sample a Rüdesheim Coffee, made with local Asbach Uralt Brandy and served with whipped cream. You could stroll along the Drösselgasse, a vibrant street in the Old Town lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Rüdesheim behind this morning to set sail for Koblenz. Cruising back through the enchanting Rhine Gorge, we enjoy a gingerbread making demonstration in the lounge.

On arrival in Koblenz, enjoy time at leisure in this historic city. You could admire the Deutsches Eck, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Alternatively, explore the Christmas markets or visit one of the popular taverns.

We enjoy a highlight of our holiday this evening - a Christmas-themed gala dinner on board. We can choose between two delicious menus: one with traditional German food, including duck consommé, braised goose leg, and pear and marzipan strudel. The other menu is traditional British food, including roast turkey, pigs in blankets, and, of course, Christmas pudding with brandy butter.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During a relaxed breakfast, we set sail for Bonn, the birthplace of the world-renowned composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. On arrival, we step back in time with a guided tour of the history-filled streets. We see the Beethoven monument and lovely Hofgarten Park. We continue to the Minster - one of Germany's oldest churches - beneath which are Bonn's lovely Christmas markets.

The markets are delightful, casting the city in the golden glow of fairy lights. In December the town hall is transformed into an enormous Advent Calendar with a different window lit up each day throughout the month.

Back on board, we enjoy lunch as we sail back to Cologne. This afternoon, we enjoy a delightful Christmas-themed afternoon tea, sampling festive classics including mince pies, stollen, gingerbread, pigs in blankets, turkey and stuffing sandwiches, and of course, mulled wine.

On arrival in Cologne, you have free time to enjoy Cologne's magnificent markets. There are seven to choose from, each with a unique character, however the most popular is the Cathedral Christmas Market. This market has a dramatic backdrop of Cologne's Gothic Cathedral and hosts around 160 festive stalls, selling everything from charming wood-carved gifts to delicious local delicacies.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, our cruise comes to an end and we make our way to the railway station. We continue by rail to Brussels and join the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where our festive holiday ends.

• Breakfast