🎄 Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets River Cruise with No Single Supplement! 5 day river cruise and 3 day optional pre-cruise stay in Cologne, Germany

✔ Solo-Traveler Friendly: No single supplements — your own cozy cabin without a partner price penalty.

✔ Epic Christmas Markets: Explore the yuletide magic of Cologne, Rüdesheim, Bonn, and more with time to wander, sip warm Glühwein, and shop handcrafted gifts under twinkling lights.

✔ Scenic Cruising Through the Rhine Gorge: Imagine towering cliffs, ancient vineyards, and fairy-tale winter scenery gliding by your window.

✔ Full Board Dining + Free Drinks: Delicious meals and complimentary drinks included — relax, toast, and savor every moment.

✔ Expert Local Guides: At every port, local knowledge brings history, culture, and festive traditions to life.

• 5 days / 4 nights aboard your five-star river ship
• All meals, crafted by onboard chefs
• Free all-inclusive drinks package (yes — wine, beer & soft drinks included!)
• Daily expert-led excursions
• Wi-Fi, port fees, local guides, and all taxes
• Cozy accommodations with solo-traveler pricing (no supplement)

This Rhine Christmas market cruise will be hosted by Amy Karp, and I honestly couldn’t imagine a more perfect person for the job.

Amy lives in central New Jersey and is a true world traveler — curious, warm, and endlessly enthusiastic about discovering new places. She has lived in Europe, is a former teacher, a child advocate and learning consultant, which means she’s a natural leader, an excellent organizer, and someone who makes everyone around her feel included and at ease.

Amy has one of those smiles that shows up before she does, and it’s genuine. She brings calm, joy, and a wonderful sense of fun wherever she goes — exactly the kind of energy you want on a holiday trip like this.

And if you’re lucky, she just might share a little extra magic along the way — Amy has a gift for capturing beautiful moments with nothing more than her iPhone, and her photos tend to make you see places a bit differently.

You’ll be in very good hands with Amy on board.

It would be very easy to simply describe the MS Emily Bronte as ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that; we have deliberately avoided the current trend for a minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how exceptionally spacious this vessel is as you enter a gleaming, richly coloured marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced masterpiece of onboard style, utilizing sustainable rich hardwoods, gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore.

85 Passengers on board

• Air-conditioning
• Lounge & bar
• Spa & wellness
• 24-hour front desk
• Restaurant
• Bistro with open kitchen
• Laundry service
• Boutique gift shop
• Small splash pool
• Lift between Upper, Middle & Lower Decks

Itinerary

- Day 1 | Tuesday | Dec 15, 2026

• Arrival - Cologne

Arrival at Cologne airport. Private transfer from airport to hotel in Cologne hotel in

central Cologne

o City Class Hotel am Dom Cologne****

Superior Double Room with Dome view

Or

Superior Single Room with Dome view

- Day 2 | Wednesday | Dec 16, 2026

• Cologne

Private walking tour Cologne Christmas markets with English speaking

guide appr 4 hrs. incl Cologne Card 48 hrs.

KölnCard holders can use all local public transportation within the

city limits of Cologne free of charge, depending on the type of

KölnCard. This right is valid for the buses, trams, commuter trains

and regional trains (2nd class) of the transportation network.

The tour begins with pick-up at your centrally located Cologne hotel, where

your English-speaking guide will meet you in the lobby to start the

experience. 

- Your first stop is the iconic Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO

World Heritage Site. Admire the soaring Gothic architecture and intricate stained glass from the outside while your guide shares fascinating stories of the cathedral’s history and its role in the city’s cultural life.

- From there, just steps away, explore the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market. With its towering Christmas tree, hundreds of illuminated stalls, traditional seasonal treats, and live music, this market captures the essence of Cologne’s festive spirit. Your guide will highlight local specialties such as mulled wine, gingerbread, and handcrafted gifts while explaining Cologne’s Advent traditions.

- A short walk or tram ride using the included Cologne Card brings you to the Market of Angels at Neumarkt. Here, the elegant angel-themed

decorations, cozy food stalls, and artisan crafts create a charming and

intimate festive atmosphere. Along the way, your guide offers insight into Cologne’s holiday customs and the city’s historic streets.

- Depending on time and pace, the tour may include a brief stroll through the Old Town to enjoy the historic squares, quaint streets, and festive window displays. The tour concludes with a return to your centrally located hotel, leaving you immersed in the warmth and magic of Cologne at Christmas.

- In the afternoon, time to visit the Chocolate Museum in Cologne in your own time including Chocolate Museum Cologne admission. Located right on the riverfront, the museum offers an immersive journey through the history of chocolate, from bean to bar, including live demonstrations and tasting opportunities. Visiting on your own allows you to explore at your own pace and savor the museum’s exhibits without time constraints.

Day 3 | Thursday | Dec 17, 2026

- Cologne

• Private walking tour Cologne Christmas market with English speaking guide

appr 4 hrs.

- Begin the day with pick-up at your centrally located Cologne hotel,

where your English-speaking guide will meet you. Your first stop is

Heinzels Wintermärchen at Heumarkt in the Old Town. Known for its

gnome theme, large ice rink, and festive traditional atmosphere, this

market offers a lively introduction to Cologne’s Advent celebrations.

Enjoy the illuminated stalls, local treats, and the joyful energy of visitors skating and strolling through the square.

- Next, take a short tram ride or walk along the Rhine to the Harbour

Christmas Market at Rheinauhafen, near the Chocolate Museum. With

its maritime theme, high-quality food offerings, and a Ferris wheel

providing panoramic city views, this market combines a festive

ambiance with unique attractions and photo opportunities. Your guide

will share stories about Cologne’s riverfront history and holiday

traditions as you explore the market.

- Finally, visit the Stadtgarten Christmas Market, a charming, village-style market nestled in a park. Here, the atmosphere is more intimate and local, perfect for sampling artisan products and enjoying cozy holiday décor. Strolling among the market’s quaint stalls, your guide provides insight into Cologne’s seasonal customs and local favorites.

Regular Cologne food & Kolsch small group tasting tour in English appr 3,5 hrs

- From Roman Roads to Street Food & Kölsch: Cologne’s History on a

Plate

- Step into over 2,000 years of history and flavor on this immersive food and beer tour through Cologne’s historic Old Town and the vibrant

Belgian Quarter.

- Begin near the Kölner Dom, where Roman settlers founded Colonia

Claudia Ara Agrippinensium in 50 AD, and pass the site of Europe’s

oldest documented Jewish quarter, da ng back to 321 AD. Taste the

traditions that define Cologne: sample Kölsch beer poured the classic

way, snack on Reibekuchen and “Halve Hahn,” and learn the culture

behind each bite.

- Ride the local tram or walk into the Belgian Quarter—Cologne’s

trendiest neighborhood—where post-war bohemian spirit gave rise to

today’s creative scene. Surrounded by indie boutiques, art galleries, and buzzing bars, you’ll dive into multicultural flavors with Hungarian

goulash, a Turkish-style Döner, and finish with artisanal cheesecake and third-wave coffee in a minimalist café.

- Led by a passionate local guide, this tour is the perfect blend of

storytelling, street culture, and unforgettable food.

Day 4 | Friday | Dec 18, 2026

- Cologne - Departure

• Private transfer hotel Cologne - cruise port central Cologne.

Hotels or similar

- Day 1 - 4 | Dec 15, 2026 - Dec 18, 2026 |

• City Class Hotel am Dom Cologne**** Superior Double Room with Dome view

• City Class Hotel am Dom Cologne**** Superior Single Room with Dome view

This program includes

- Accommodation in the mentioned hotels or similar with daily breakfast and city tax.

- Private transfer airport Cologne (CGN) - hotel in central Cologne

- Private walking tour Cologne Christmas market with English speaking guide appr 4 hrs.

- Cologne Card 48 hrs. group ticket 

- Private transfer hotel Cologne - cruise port central Cologne

- Chocolate Museum Cologne admission

- Private walking tour Cologne Christmas market with English speaking guide appr 4 hrs.

- Regular Cologne food & Kolsch small group tasting tour in English appr 3,5 hrs.

Not included:

 Travel insurance

 Optional tours

 All items of a purely personal nature such asother drinks that is not specified, laundry, etc.

Early check in and late checkout

Portage service at the hotels

Visas

Gratuities to guides and drivers

Tour price:

Price per Passenger:

* $1575.00 per person - Double Occupancy

* $1900.00 per person - Single Occupancy

Deposit: $250 per person 

Final Payment: Due on October 5, 2026

Visiting Cologne in December feels like stepping into a living snow globe—minus the kitsch, plus centuries of charm. As the days grow shorter, the city glows with warm Christmas lights that reflect off cobblestones and half-timbered facades, drawing you naturally toward the markets. There are five distinct Christmas markets scattered across the city, each with its own personality, but the crown jewel sits beneath the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral, where twinkling lights and the scent of roasted chestnuts make the setting feel almost unreal. This market typically runs until December 23, perfectly timed for peak holiday atmosphere.

Cold weather is part of the magic here. Locals and visitors alike gather with mugs of steaming Glühwein, warming their hands and lingering longer than planned as carols drift through the air. Wooden stalls overflow with handcrafted gifts, delicate ornaments, and festive treats, while carousels and ice-skating rinks keep the mood playful for all ages. When you want a pause from the bustle, Cologne delivers that too—wander the historic Old Town, or sink into the soothing thermal pools at the Claudius Therme. By mid-December, Cologne isn’t just celebrating Christmas—it’s fully immersed in it, offering one of Europe’s most atmospheric and genuinely joyful holiday experiences.

Diamond (Upper) Deck. $3,849.00

The Cabin features Individual climate control, a Nespresso machine and tea making facilities. Suites on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have ‘French Balconies’ – panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors bringing riverside life just that little closer! 

Size:17 m2 (183 ft2)

The Ruby (Middle) Deck. $3,049.00

The Cabin features twin beds, which can be configured as double, and complimentary towels, bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer. Suites on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have ‘French Balconies’ – panoramic floor to ceiling sliding glass doors bringing riverside life just that little closer! 

Size:17 m2 (183 ft2)

The Emerald (Lower) Deck. $2,549.00

The Cabin features smaller fixed windows, with a safe and mini fridge.

Size:16 m2 (172 ft2)

You want:

• A winter holiday filled with meaningful experiences (not rush and crowds)
• Warm connections, new friends, and solo-friendly vibes
• Authentic European culture, festive magic, and delicious food & drinks
• Travel that feels special, not superficial

Click Sign Up to hold your spot today.

Let’s make holiday magic on the Rhine!