Spring breaks

See Europe at its most colourful!

Book your excursions
before you go!

Simply tick your must-do optional
excursions at checkout

Prices Locked Guaranteed
The countdown is on! Ends 31st March ... days ... hours ... minutes ... seconds
Part of the Rail Experiences Range View the full range

Cologne & the Rhine Valley Christmas Markets Cruise by Rail

With convenient travel by rail, join us on a delightful Rhine River tour and immerse yourself in the festive spirit in style. Cruise through breathtaking wonderlands and experience the splendour of the Rhine Gorge whilst enjoying fantastic ports of call at some of Europe's largest Christmas markets. Explore the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rüdesheim, delve into the magic of Koblenz, and enjoy a spot of last-minute shopping in Cologne. With stylish, floating accommodation, there’s no better way to make your festive season one to remember.

Tour Includes

  • Return Eurostar from London to Brussels
  • Connecting trains outbound and inbound from Brussels to Cologne
  • 4 nights cruising on a full-board basis
  • Welcome drink and Captain's Gala Dinner
  • Services of a Cruise Director and Manager on board the ship
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and Wi-Fi on board the ship

5 days from £1,179pp

Pace
/3
Travel Options
Outbound &
Inbound Travel
Outbound
Travel
  • By Rail By Rail
Inbound
Travel
  • By Air By Air
On-Tour
Experiences
  • Coach Excursions
See Dates

Steps to booking your Holiday

  • Tour Details Find a day-by-day breakdown
    of the tour
  • Select your Departure Browse the available
    departure dates
  • Checkout Follow our secure checkout
    process to book your place

Got a question about
this holiday?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!

Itinerary

Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary

Make your own way to London St. Pancras International and board the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. On arrival, our coach picks us up and transfers us to our ship. Enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening as we sail towards Rüdesheim.

Includes Dinner

Relax this morning as we cruise along the Rhine through the astonishing gorge, passing by the incredible landmark of Lorelei. In the early afternoon, we arrive into Rüdesheim where you have free time to enjoy the Christmas Market, a delightful event held in the town’s chocolate-box old quarter.

Alternatively, you can join our optional excursion, 'Rüdesheim Delights', visiting the wonderful Mechanical Music Museum of Siegfried before enjoying a delicious mug of glühwein. This evening, there is also the opportunity to join our excursion to a traditional wine cellar to sample some of the region’s delicious wine.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Rüdesheim
Optional Excursions

Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.

  2026 2027
Rüdesheim Delights 2026 From £42 2027 From £46
Rüdesheim by Night with Wine Tasting 2026 From £46 2027 From £50

This optional excursion is available to pre-book or you can book during your tour.

This morning we sail to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Here, we have free time to visit the Koblenz Christmas Market, with over 130 festively decorated wooden stalls offering a range of handmade gifts and Christmas decorations. Enjoy a glass of glühwein whilst listening to festive music playing. Alternatively, you can explore the city’s quaint lanes and atmospheric squares filled with beautiful old buildings.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Koblenz

After breakfast, we cruise up the Rhine to discover the beautiful city of Cologne. The hive of festive activity takes place around the cathedral and the old town, where you will find a maze of pretty stalls also offering outstanding arts and crafts. There are also a number of smaller markets to enjoy including the Harbour Christmas Markets held on the Rhine, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of a ship’s sails.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Cologne

We bid farewell to our captain and crew this morning before transferring by coach to Cologne Railway Station, where we travel by train to Brussels and then by Eurostar to London St. Pancras International. After arriving in London, you will make your own way home.

Includes Breakfast

Got a question about
this holiday?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!

Accommodation

In 2026, you will stay for four nights on board the MS Serenade 1.

In 2027, you will stay for four nights on board the MS Swiss Crown.

MS Serenade 1

Offering the perfect synergy of luxury and intimacy, the MS Serenade 1 is guaranteed to surpass all your river cruising expectations. Boasting modern furnishings, stylish décor and beautiful artwork, this impressive vessel features four cabin types, each with outside views, climate control, and an en-suite bathroom with a separate shower and bath. The contemporary restaurant provides delicious cuisine in a sociable setting, whilst the spacious sun deck is the perfect spot to soak up the passing scenery. With a warm, friendly and attentive crew who are always on hand, a fantastic experience is promised aboard the MS Serenade 1.

Hotel Facilities

Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can

General
  • 4 Star
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
Room
  • TV
  • Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe Box
  • Fridge
  • Shower and Bath
  • Free Wifi
Food & Drink
  • Vegetarian Meals
  • Lactose or Dairy Free Menu
  • Vegan Menu
Service
  • Laundry Service
  • Gym
Hotel
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
  • WiFi Available

MS Swiss Crown

The 4-star MS Swiss Crown has belonged to the Scylla fleet since 2000 and was renovated in 2019. Adults-only and attentively crewed by 36 dedicated crew members, she carries just 141 passengers across 68 cabins spread over three decks – a scale that makes for an intimate and social experience on the water. On this adults-only vessel, you can enjoy excellent facilities, including a panoramic lounge with comfortable seating, a welcoming bar and stylish restaurant, a choice of five cabin types, a wellness area with a sauna and steam bath, a reading corner, an onboard shop and a spacious sun deck with sun loungers and a plunge pool. An elevator connects all decks, with the exception of the sun deck, and the vessel is fully air-conditioned.

Hotel Facilities

Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can

General
  • Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • English Speaking Staff
  • 4 Star
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
Room
  • TV
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe Box
  • Air Conditioning
  • Shower
  • Chargable WiFi
Accessibility
  • Fridge Available for Medical Requirements
Food & Drink
  • Vegetarian Meals
  • Gluten Free Meals on Request
  • Vegan Menu
Hotel
  • Swimming Pool
  • English Speaking Staff
  • Restaurant
  • Lift

Travel Options

When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays makes it easy with a selection of travel options to choose from.

Travel by Eurostar

Holidays by Rail

Step aboard Eurostar at London St Pancras for a fast and comfortable journey to mainland Europe. On arrival in Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels, you will then join connecting services for your onward journey.

Overnight stays in Central London can be arranged as Eurostar departure times are generally early morning and return arrival in the evening, which our Holiday Advisors would be pleased to arrange.

Departure Dates

Got a question about
this holiday?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!

TOP