Cruise to the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne, where the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland can be found during the holiday season. The city is home to many Christmas markets, and the most spectacular one sits in front of the twin spires of the Neo-Gothic Cologne Cathedral. Look for stalls selling traditional lebkuchen, a beloved round or heart-shaped type of gingerbread that usually includes honey, cardamom or candied fruit.

Later, arrive in the vibrant city of Düsseldorf. With its innovative architecture, high-end art scene and passion for fashion, it’s one of the country’s most intoxicating cities. It also has a proud tradition of elaborate Christmas decorations, festive celebrations and seven themed Christmas markets.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town
History and architecture intertwine in Cologne, where ancient Roman fortifications and medieval structures sit beside buildings that rose following World War II. Your guided tour of Cologne will unveil its illustrious history.

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Düsseldorf with Christmas Market visit
Join your local guide on a walking tour of Düsseldorf and discover the Old Town filled with Christmas cheer. Learn about the customs and traditions of the festive season before free time to explore the wonderful Christmas markets scattered throughout the city.

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Cologne Christmas market & beer experience (extra expense)
Spend some time exploring the Christmas markets before setting out to discover the spirited beer culture of Cologne. This lively and flavourful guided tour will take you through the city's legendary brewhouses where you can savour its signature Kölsch, a crisp, golden beer brewed only in this region.
Please note this tour occurs at the same time as your included excursion.
Activity level: Easy, Duration: 2 hours

Cologne is a city in western Germany located across the Rhine river. It is the oldest in Germany, dating back 2000 years and is considered the region’s cultural hub. The city is known for its iconic landmark of the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral set against the reconstructed Old Town buildings. When in Old Town, visit the historic Old Town Hall and the Roman Church Great St Martin, or take time out and sit at one of the traditional breweries and enjoy the scenery around you. Historical sites such as the Roman Dionysus mosaic and the medieval Overstolzenhaus are worth a visit too. Another iconic sight in Cologne is at Hohenzollern Bridge. Here, local and tourist couples affix padlocks to the railings of the bridge and swear their loyalty to each other, they then throw the key into the Rhein to ensure everlasting love. Cologne is home to over 30 stages providing cabaret, free ensembles, theatre and dance and also celebrates its openly gay culture.