Christmas on the Main & Moselle

Explore one of the most picturesque towns on the Moselle, ascending to its hilltop castle for a fantastic panorama. You will begin your excursion with a short drive up to the lofty perch of the 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, conquered by Louis XIV in the Nine Years’ War and later purchased and restored in a splendid Gothic Revival style by a Berlin businessman. Return to the town below for a walking tour among impressive landmarks. You will see its medieval town gate and pass various churches, including the 15th-century St. Martin’s. In the market square, admire the bay window of the baroque Town Hall and see the 17th-century Capuchin Monastery, once a haven for friars and today a lively cultural center. After, explore on your own. You might want to taste some of the town’s award-winning mustard from a local 200-year-old mustard mill, the last of its kind in Europe.

Experience the festive magic of Koblenz’s Christmas market, a holiday haven in a historic city, at your own pace. Board a shuttle for the market, where you can breathe in the air filled with the delightful scents of freshly roasted almonds, mulled wine and gingerbread. You may choose to explore the festively decorated city center, perhaps stopping to view the Jesuitenplatz and admiring the half-timbered houses that encircle the square, along with the remarkable Advent calendar crafted from the dormer windows of the baroque town hall. Alternatively, take the opportunity to visit other nearby squares, home to enchanting market stalls offering traditional Christmas goods. Or board a cable car for a ride over the Deutsche Eck to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and its captivating Christmas garden. At the end of your visit, you will meet at a predetermined location and transfer to your ship.

Celebrate the music and wines of the Moselle region in one of Germany’s most picturesque villages. As you depart your ship this evening, enjoy a musical performance of traditional song as your local guide takes you on a village stroll. At the Weinhof, hear the story of the Weinhexenlied, or “wine witch song.” The figure in the center of the fountain represents the wine witch, and is said to entice the fountain to reward the efforts of the season’s wine harvest and production with wine from its spout. Continue your walk through Winningen to the church, and step inside to enjoy an organ performance and learn more about the history of the village and its famous residents. Pass through the market square and cap your tour with a visit to a historic winery for a tasting of the region’s famed Riesling as you enjoy the sounds of lively, toe-tapping accordion music.