Christmas Markets Along the Rhine
About the Trip
November 27 – December 6, 2027 | 10 Days
Christmas markets, riverside cities and a little gingerbread magic set the scene on this 10-day holiday experience. Begin in Strasbourg, where storybook lanes, café-lined streets and glowing holiday lights bring the season to life. Spend time browsing Colmar’s festive stalls before a hands-on gingerbread workshop. Continue to Cologne for its landmark cathedral, Old Town and atmospheric Christmas markets, with time to explore at your own pace. Then board the MS Riviera Resplendence for four nights on the Rhine. Sail through the Rhine Gorge with stops in Rüdesheim and Bonn before returning to Cologne and flying home from Frankfurt with new merry memories to savour over the holiday season.
Activity Level: Moderate
If you’re somewhat active and have a zest for adventure, then this is the trip level for you. These trips may involve more activities or longer touring days with a full schedule. Excursions will include walking and standing for extended periods, walking tours on uneven surfaces or trails, more actively inclined itineraries and may include coach, boat and rail travel.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Gingerbread Workshop
Step into the delightful world of gingerbread and embark on an immersive adventure that brings all five senses to life. Explore vibrant, interactive spaces as you uncover the fascinating history and origins of this beloved treat. Then roll up your sleeves and decorate a gingerbread creation of your own. Enjoy it there or take it with you as a sweet reminder of your time in the region.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Frankfurt
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Strasbourg
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Cologne
- 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guides
- 4-night Christmas Markets Rhine River cruise on-board the MS Riviera Resplendence
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- All-inclusive drinks package onboard
- Destination transfers
Christmas Markets Along the Rhine
Follow the glow of Christmas markets through Strasbourg, Colmar and Cologne, then cruise the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim and Bonn over 10 festive days.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Frankfurt.
Day 2
Strasbourg – Arrive in Frankfurt, meet your guide and transfer by private coach to Strasbourg. Check in and enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers. The rest of the evening is at leisure. (D)
Day 3
Strasbourg – After breakfast, take a guided walk through Place de la République, Place Kléber, La Petite France, Place Gutenberg and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Enjoy lunch and free time on your own. Meet for dinner, then see Strasbourg’s Christmas lights on a guided after-hours illumination tour. Remainder of the evening at leisure. (B/D)
Day 4
Strasbourg – Travel to Colmar for time at the Christmas markets and lunch on your own. Continue to Fortwenger for your Extraordinary Experience: a gingerbread workshop exploring its origins before decorating your own creation. Return to Strasbourg for a free evening. (B)
Day 5
Cologne – Travel to Cologne, check in and join a walking tour featuring Cologne Cathedral, the Cathedral Christmas Market, Old Town and Heinzels Winter Fairytale Christmas Market at Alter Markt and Heumarkt. End with a group dinner, followed by a free evening. (B/D)
Day 6
Cologne – After breakfast, check out and transfer by coach to board the MS Riviera Resplendence for your Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise. (B)
Day 7
Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
Day 8
Rhine Gorge & Bonn
Day 9
Cologne – overnight on ship
Day 10
Enjoy your final morning on board, then disembark and transfer to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight to Canada.
B - Breakfast | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*$8,959 is a Double Cabin based on Cat. Emerald Deck, $11,689 is a Grand Balcony Suite based on Cat. Diamond Deck. **$9,229 is a Double Cabin based on Cat. Emerald Deck, $11,959 is a Grand Balcony Suite based on Cat. Diamond Deck. Ship’s Registry: Switzerland. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2027. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. Deposit is non-refundable at the time of booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. Cancellation Terms: Up to 121 days before departure – Deposit; 120-91 days – 50% non-refundable; 90-61 days – 75% non-refundable; 60-0 days – 100% non-refundable. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Frankfurt.
Day 2
Strasbourg
Upon arrival in Frankfurt, meet your tour guide and transfer by private coach to the picturesque city of Strasbourg, capital of France’s Alsace region. Sit back and enjoy the scenic journey through the countryside as you cross into France. Arrive in Strasbourg, check in to your hotel and take some time to settle in. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Relax at the hotel, stroll through Strasbourg’s historic centre or stop for coffee at one of the city’s inviting cafés. This evening, reconnect with your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner. Afterwards, return to the hotel and enjoy some time on your own. Take an evening stroll through Strasbourg’s illuminated streets, stop for a drink at a local restaurant or simply unwind before the days ahead. (D)
Day 3
Strasbourg
After breakfast, explore Strasbourg on a guided walk through some of its most iconic landmarks, including the elegant Place de la République, bustling Place Kléber and storybook lanes of La Petite France. Visit Place Gutenberg before finishing at Notre-Dame Cathedral, where you’ll hear some of the legends surrounding the city’s most famous landmark. After lunch on your own, enjoy time to rest or explore further. Tonight, meet the group for dinner, followed by a guided after-hours illumination tour of Strasbourg’s Christmas lights. Return to the hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure. (B/D)
Day 4
Strasbourg
After breakfast, depart for Colmar. On arrival, enjoy time to explore the Christmas markets and have lunch on your own before rejoining the group. Continue to Fortwenger for your Extraordinary Experience: a gingerbread workshop that engages all five senses. Explore lively, interactive spaces as you learn about the origins of gingerbread, then decorate your own creation to enjoy or take with you. Return to Strasbourg and spend your final evening in France at your leisure. (B)
Day 5
Cologne
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Cologne with rest stops along the way. On arrival, check in to your hotel before setting out on a walking tour. Begin at the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city’s most iconic landmark. In the square outside, explore the famous Cathedral Christmas Market. Continue through historic Old Town to the Heinzels Winter Fairytale Christmas Market at Alter Markt and Heumarkt, inspired by Cologne’s legendary elves. Conclude with a group dinner, followed by the rest of the evening at leisure. (B/D)
Day 6
Cologne
Begin the morning with breakfast at the hotel, then check out and transfer by coach to embark the MS Riviera Resplendence for your Christmas markets Rhine River cruise. (B)
Day 7
Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
Day 8
Rhine Gorge & Bonn
Day 9
Cologne – overnight on ship
Day 10
Enjoy your final morning on board the ship. Disembark and meet your guide and transfer to Frankfurt Airport for your return flight to Canada.
B - Breakfast | D - Dinner