Tis' The Season
Immerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as you journey through storybook villages. Sample tasty yuletide treats and regional delicacies as you browse colorful stalls for handcrafted ornaments and unique gifts. Admire the twinkling lights of Cologne and revel in the merry atmosphere of the Rhine Valley, as storefront displays, wine cellars, and markets embrace the holiday season. This eight-day voyage is a joyful celebration of festive cheer.
I am personally hosting this trip alongside another amazing travel advisor friend of mine! Two advisors for the price of one ! So you are in good hands from planning to sailing! River cruising is one of my favorite ways to explore Europe and I have sailed 4 different itineraries to-date. The Christmas market season is a special one I can't wait to experience with you!
--- ITINERARY ---
DAY 1 - ARRIVE BASEL SWITZERLAND
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A delightful blend of old and new, Basel is Switzerland’s best-kept secret.
During the holiday season, the medieval Old Town is transformed into a magical yuletide affair. Cobblestone streets are lined with wooden chalet-style huts selling all manner of festive treats and gifts. Visitors to the Christmas market can enjoy a warming cup of aromatic glühwein in a decorated boot-shaped mug. Hand-carved tree decorations, cheerfully painted ceramics and delicious food are sold from stalls throughout the city.
DAY 2 - BREISACH, GERMANY
In the heart of Breisach’s old town, with a backdrop of the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s cathedral, the Weinachtsmarkt is a highlight of the season. Steaming aromatic glühwein served in decorated mugs, alongside tasty yuletide treats, is sold from festive wooden huts and taverns, keeping visitors warm as they browse market stalls for gifts and handicrafts. The nearby Black Forest provides a fairy-tale atmosphere; its towering, snow-covered spruce trees resemble a winter wonderland.
DAY 3 - STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Strasbourg is said to be the capital of Christmas in France, with the city’s cathedral square taking center stage as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. The city’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. Hundreds of stalls are brimming with colorful wares, fine food, and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d’epices (gingerbread).
DAY 4 - MANNHEIM, GERMANY - Scenic Sailing - RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY
MANNHEIM, GERMANY
Mannheim’s Christmas market is a holiday season shopping extravaganza, centered around the city’s iconic water tower. One of Germany’s oldest and largest markets, more than 160 booths host vendors from around the world, offering handicrafts and handmade items. Beautiful glassware, and carved wooden toys and games, sit alongside Christmas lanterns, colorful baubles and ornaments, all of which are presented in quaint wooden houses. Luxurious cashmere scarves, sheepskin mittens and felt hats are the ideal purchase to take home as gifts for friends and family.
RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY
Located in the picturesque Rhine Valley, we sail to Rüdesheim which is brimming with festive cheer. The vibrant Drosselgasse, a narrow alleyway lined with decorated restaurants and bars, is the perfect place to explore and immerse in the spirit of the holiday season. Traditional Rhineland music provides the backdrop to a tankard of Christmas beer. Market stalls offer an array of tasty morsels from various nations, and local artisans demonstrate their talents with displays of unique, handcrafted gifts.
DAY 5 - SCENIC SAILING: MIDDLE RHINE - KOBLENZ, GERMANY
SCENIC SAILING: MIDDLE RHINE
The Rhine River flows through one of Germany’s most scenic regions. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet.
KOBLENZ, GERMANY
Koblenz is a traditional German country town with a wine heritage that spans centuries; a key ingredient for the warming glühwein that is served from taverns and market stalls during the holiday season. The scent of cinnamon, cloves and spices waft from steaming mugs as the sounds of festivities fill the air from one of the many musical performances, creating a toe-tapping atmosphere. Centered around the Schängel fountain, the Koblenz Christmas market offers all the flavors of the yuletide season from its famous Christmas bakery.
DAY 6 - COLOGNE, GERMANY (Koln)
Themed winter markets feature across Cologne during the holiday season, inviting visitors to browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork and colorful crafts. The towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to the city’s festivities and array of offerings from its red wooden stalls. Beneath the pointed roofs of Cologne harbor’s tented market, unique crafted goods are displayed amid the twinkling lights of boats bobbing in the marina.
DAY 7 - SCENIC SAILING: WAAL & MERWEDE - DORDRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS
SCENIC SAILING: WAAL & MERWEDE
Sail the bucolic waters of the Rhine, deep into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta, as classic Dutch landscapes unfurl all around. Flat farmland, charming windmills and svelte poplar trees line the shores, and vast tracts of land stretch in all directions. Gaze upon Friesian cows and tidy villages with their neatly laid farmhouses and marvel at how much of this land was reclaimed from the sea, with the aid of traditional windmills and the construction of dikes.
DORDRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS
Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland. Throughout the city, there are hundreds of historic monuments and landmarks, including the Grote Kerk and the 13th-century Augustinian monastery known as Het Hof. The picturesque waterways and decorative bridges of Dordrecht exude a bygone era and are best explored on foot. The inner-city harbors are centuries old and lined with grand warehouses that have now been transformed into elegant homes. With a relaxed atmosphere and a plethora of quaint cafés and shops, Dordrecht oozes old-world charm.
DAY 8 - AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of Viking's post-cruise extensions or customizing your own!
***Choose to add on Viking Post-Cruise Extension or request custom travel plans to extend your trip on the next page!
*Itinerary Subject to change by Viking Cruises.
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Flights are not included in this travel package but may be added with any Viking Air Promo. If flights are not added with a a promotion, they must be booked on your own, directly with the airline.
Flights should be booked landing in ZURICH (ZRH) Airport before 2:00 PM on December 2 2026 and departing from AMSTERDAM (AMS) Airport anytime on December 9, 2026 unless adding pre/post extensions or early arrival - Please share flight confirmations with cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com as soon as your flights are booked so we may organize your airport transfers. Ideally, flights are booked and provided to Cirillo Travel Group on or before Final Payment.
If you would like to extend your time in the UK or beyond pre or post-this tour - please email Marissa at Cirillo Travel Group to discuss. cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends traveler's passport be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
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Stateroom Pricing *Based on Double Occupancy
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplement quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 1, 2025
ALL Staterooms Include - see next page for additional perks and differences between stateroom levels
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Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
The below cancellation fee table for reference:
Cancellation charges (per person) if you cancel your vacation For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject to a US$350.00 fee per passenger with an issued airline ticket, in addition to the cancellation fees detailed below |
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Cancellation by Traveler |
Travel arrangements for any member of the party may be canceled at any time by written notice by the person who made the booking. Notice of cancellation must be made in writing directly to Cirillo Travel Group (hereinafter referred to as "the Provider") . If notice of cancellation is received by the Provider before final payment is due (see Table), the deposit will be retained. If cancellation is made after final payment is due cancellation fees will apply (see Table above). If a person in a party cancels and there is a room change caused by this cancellation, charges for the new room type will be the responsibility of the remaining party. If a guest fails to join the trip on the day of departure, cancellation fees will be 100% (unless the guest notifies us of the delay and joins the trip later at their own expense). Cancellation fees as per the Table apply to additional accommodation and/or chargeable transfers prior to and after the trip, itinerary extensions or cruise reserved through the Provider. Cancellation fees and charges will include any amounts that we have paid or have contractually committed to pay to third parties to deliver your travel arrangements which we cannot reasonably recover (for example payments made or due to tour operators and hotels). Any payments we have made to third parties will only be refunded to you once we have deducted the above cancellation fees and charges and once we have actually recovered the amounts from the third parties. All cancellation fees as per the Table are additional to any cancellation fees or other charges that may be levied by the Airline for your flights booked outside of this package. Travel Protection Plan premiums are non-refundable. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance, you may be able to reclaim these charges from the insurer under the provided policy. You are responsible to make the claim to the insurer. |
Cancellation by the Provider |
The Provider reserves the right, to modify or cancel any trip, accommodation, in-destination activity or arrangement, (definite or not), at any time. Cancellation due to Failure to Pay: If full payment is not received by the final payment due date (see Table), The Provider has the right to cancel your reservation and no refund will be made. The Provider will not be responsible for lost reservations. Cancellation due to Force Majeure Events: Cancellation due to Events other than Force Majeure Events: Cirillo Travel Group is not responsible for other travel arrangements that you or your party have made outside Cirillo Travel Group, and which are affected by our cancellations. |
Early Return, Illness or Absence |
Early return expenses are the guest’s responsibility. There is no refund for absence or early departure from a trip, including but not limited to missed hotels, transfers, meals or sightseeing or optional extensions. Cirillo Travel Group provides a protection policy quote that covers the dates and value of the purchased package but urges you to purchase travel insurance that covers such circumstances if additional travel is planned outside of the quoted itinerary. The Provider makes no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursement, scope of coverage, or other aspects of any travel insurance policy or claim. |
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplement quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on the most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 15, 2025
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Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplement quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 15, 2025
-----------
Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplement quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on the most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 15, 2025
-----------
Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on the sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplement quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on the most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 15, 2025
-----------
Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on the sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplment quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 15, 2025
-----------
Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
Solo Travelers - Please email cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com for a single supplement quote.
*Pricing is dynamic and we will try to keep it as up to date based on most current offers and promotions.
$500 Deposit Per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: August 15, 2025
-----------
Booking Closes September 1, 2026 or if all cabins on sailing are sold out - Bookings after September 1, 2026, will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends travelers' passports be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
BASEL AT CHRISTMAS (Pre)
2 Nights | 3 Days
Celebrate the festive season as you revel in the spirit of Christmas in Basel. Shop for handicrafts at quaint markets, a cherished European tradition, and explore the winding cobblestone streets lined with medieval houses and decorated window displays.
+$699pp
LAKE LUCERNE AT CHRISTMAS (Pre)
2 Nights | 3 Days
Immerse yourself in the holiday traditions of this Swiss town along the banks of Lake Lucerne, its Christmas markets set against the dramatic backdrop of the Alps. A guided stroll will take you to see the 14th-century Chapel Bridge and baroque churches of the medieval Old Town.
+$999pp
CUSTOMIZE (Pre)
Flexible Lengths
Let us help design a custom pre/post extension based on your desired destinations and budget.
Idea Starters Pre-Cruise:
Switzerland or Italy Ski Packages
Vienna for Christmas
Seasons Greetings from Paris
Seasons Greetings from London
Seasons Greetings from Dublin
Seasons Greetings from Scotland
+TBDpp
$100.00 per person deposit will be applied toward the balance of the custom package Cirillo Travel Group puts together for you!
BELGIUM AT CHRISTMAS (Post)
3 Nights | 4 Days
Revel in the spirit of the holidays as you explore the intriguing Belgian cities of Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. View iconic landmarks and stroll historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, then celebrate the season as you immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of traditional Christmas markets.
+$1,199pp
AMSTERDAM (Post)
2 Nights | 3 Days
Navigate Amsterdam’s picturesque canals while discovering its cultural and architectural treasures. Witness the legacy of the Dutch Golden Age that lives on in the city’s gilded mansions and stroll through the Jordaan district, passing historic sites such as Wester Church and the Anne Frank House.
+$799pp - Standard Hotel
+$1299pp - Premium Hotel
AMSTERDAM (Post)
2 Nights | 3 Days
Navigate Amsterdam’s picturesque canals while discovering its cultural and architectural treasures. Witness the legacy of the Dutch Golden Age that lives on in the city’s gilded mansions and stroll through the Jordaan district, passing historic sites such as Wester Church and the Anne Frank House.
+$799pp - Standard Hotel
+$1299pp - Premium Hotel