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Magical Christmas River Cruise
December 6-15, 2026: River Cruise with Pre and Post Extensions
Cologne, Strasbourg & Paris
December 6 - 15 (9 Days)
from $5,740pp*
Our Package Price Includes US flights
Vacation Highlights
Trademark Group Leader Beth will be on hand to help you make the most of your cruise with information and guidance about included and optional excursions, events, and can't-miss experiences.
All-inclusive luxury river cruise on the Amadeus Amara, the newest ship in the fleet. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views from beautifully appointed cabins. From the elegant indoor pool to serene lounges and an expansive sundeck, every space is crafted for relaxation and sophistication.
Onboard, you'll have gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack included. Free-flowing hand-selected red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, draft beer and soft drinks, as well as coffee.
River Cruise Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner, Mulled Wine Party, and Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Private walking tour in Cologne on your first night pre-cruise. With historic Christmas Markets and the UNESCO World Heritage cathedral.
Two nights post-cruise in Strasbourg that includes a full-day private, custom Alsace Wine Tour, where you'll experience the beauty and flavors of the region with a dedicated guide.
Finish your Magical Christmas Market tour in the chic and romantic streets of Paris. See the dazzling Christmas window displays of the Parisian department stores and visit La Magie de Noël at Tuileries Garden Christmas Market or the Eiffel Tower Christmas Market near your boutique hotel.
Includes international airfare, hotels, private transfers, and 24/7 Trademark Vacations emergency contact.
Authentic private & small-group tours, premium attractions
Premium, highly-rated city-center accommodations
Fast, convenient intercity travel
Private airport transfers
24-hour customer support while on vacation
Round trip standard economy airfare from the US
What's Included
* Seasonal rates may vary. Listed price is from Chicago, but you can fly from your preferred airport. Includes 1 checked, 1 carry-on & 1 personal bag per person. Price includes all airline taxes, fees & surcharges. Economy (advance seat reservation cost not included).
Prefer to speak to a travel expert? Schedule an appointment or call us at 1 866 932 1995
About This Vacation
Experience the charm of Europe on this custom small group journey featuring a boutique river cruise through the heart of France and Germany. Beginning in the historic city of Cologne, continuing through the storybook canals and rich culture of Strasbourg, and finishing in the romantic streets of Paris, each destination offers a perfect blend of history, cuisine, and local discovery. Enjoy immersive sightseeing balanced with free time to relax, explore, and soak in the atmosphere of each city.
Your boutique river cruise experience includes personalized service, elegant accommodations, and thoughtfully curated excursions designed for a more intimate and enriching way to travel. The journey will be led by Trademark’s own river cruise expert, Beth, whose experience and personal attention will help make this a truly memorable European adventure.
Day-by-day Itinerary
All of our tailor-made packages depart on the dates you choose. Small group and private tours feature local, expert guides. Send us a message if you want to customize the itinerary, or for any other special request.
1
Cologne
Cologne
Arrive in Cologne and take a private transfer to your hotel. Relax and get settled with plenty of time to explore the Christmas markets in the evening.
2
Cologne on ship
Cologne on ship
In the morning, take a private guided walking tour of Cologne to learn all about the history of this ancient city. After embarkation in the afternoon, you will have plenty of time to explore your festively decorated AMADEUS ship, followed by a Welcome Cocktail with the on-board cruise management. In the evening, you will savor your first culinary delights during the AMADEUS Welcome Dinner. Late at night your ship will set off for Koblenz.
3
Rhine Valley on ship
Rhine Valley on ship
Reach Koblenz before breakfast and explore the romantic town in the northern Rhineland-Palatinate on an extended sightseeing walk, allowing the Christmas flair of the old town to charm you. The cruise continues through the magical Middle Rhine Valley, past the legendary Loreley rock. The enchanting landscape loses none of its charm in the winter months and this section of the Rhine is rightly considered one of the most beautiful! Late in the afternoon, you will reach the wine town of Rüdesheim, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Rhine Valley. Discover this picturesque little town during a relaxed stroll and enjoy the pre-Christmas atmosphere.
4
Speyer on ship
Speyer on ship
Christmas magic awaits you again in Speyer, where you arrive punctually at breakfast time. You can take a tour to the old imperial residence town of Heidelberg, where you can enjoy not only numerous tourist attractions, but can also admire and enjoy the regional handicrafts, as well as the gingerbread and glühwein available at the romantic Christmas market. Spend a relaxed evening enjoying the contemplative advent atmosphere before you continue to France during dinner.
5
Strasbourg on ship
Strasbourg on ship
France welcomes you in the morning with Christmas cheer. Visit the surrounding area and fall under the spell of the wintery Alsace and Obernai or the city of Freiburg. In contrast to these dreamy landscapes, discover the most beautiful aspects of the exciting metropolis of Strasbourg on a city tour. In the pre-Christmas season, the beautifully decorated shops which set the city aglow with festive light are particularly worth seeing. Of course, you'll also visit the Christmas market. As your trip nears its end, round it off with some hot punch and enjoy the romantic atmosphere, before the exclusive Gala Dinner.
6
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Say “adieu” to the AMADEUS team after fortifying yourself at a generous breakfast. Take a private transfer from the ship to your hotel before embarking on a full-day, private Trademark Vacations Alsace Wine Route Tour. You'll see the beauty of the Alsace region while tasting delicious wine on your and visits to Colmar, Haut Koenigsbourg & Riquewihr.
7
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Free day to enjoy the "Capital of Christmas" in one of the most beautful cities in France.
(Optional): Semi-private lunchtime food experience.
8
Paris
Paris
Catch a late-morning train to Paris (2h), arriving around noon. Paris during Christmas time really exemplifies the "City of Lights" moniker.
(Optional): Musée d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower & more.
9
Return Home
Return Home
Take a private transfer to the airport and fly home.
Sinead L.
I can’t say enough good things about Trademark European Vacations! From start to finish, they made our trip absolutely seamless. Their quick response time and genuine friendliness made us feel like we were in great hands from the very beginning. The personalized vacation package they put together was perfectly tailored to our interests, and we didn’t have to worry about a single thing—just relax and enjoy the experience!
What Our Travelers Say
Hotels & Attractions
Hotel photos are from the actual hotels our clients have stayed at for this package. Almost all City and Attractions photos taken by us.
WHY CHOOSE TRADEMARK
We've spent over two decades living, working & traveling throughout Europe. We have an office in the UK and in France. We've built deep connections with local partners. We take pride in our destination knowledge and are excited to share the hotels, tours, and activities that we enjoy ourselves.
1. Local Knowledge
We treat every trip like a family vacation with an attention to detail and a focus on creating special experiences for lasting memories. Every detail is tailored to you—your timetable, your interests and preferences, your pace— for a truly 100% custom European vacation.
2. 100% Custom
We take great pride in providing unparalleled customer service. We work closely with you from planning your trip until you're safe back home. And with 24/7 support while you're traveling, know that we've always got your back when the unexpected happens.
3. Service & Support
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