We depart from St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels, where we change trains and continue by high-speed train to Cologne. After boarding our ship, the TC Bellevue and settling in to your cabin, the cruise begins as we set sail upstream towards Koblenz. We enjoy our first dinner together on board as the lights of Cologne pass by. (D)

This morning we wake up in Koblenz, which you are free to explore after breakfast on board. Situated at the northern end of the scenic Rhine Gorge, Koblenz is also located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. It has a lovely Old Town, which is transformed in the run-up to Christmas by festively decorated stalls, each offering gifts and regional delicacies. (B,L,D)

We arrive this morning in Mainz, a Roman city famous for its marvellous Romanesque Cathedral of St Martin. This has been the backdrop to Mainz's Christmas Market for more than 200 years, and here many stalls present arts, crafts and culinary delights. After returning to the ship for lunch, we continue our cruise to Rüdesheim, a charming old town nestled below vineyard-covered hillsides. You are free to explore the town and its 'Christmas Market of Nations', where more than 120 stalls represent 12 nations, their specialities and traditions. Stroll through the quaint streets and be sure to visit the region's most famous street - the Drosselgasse, lined with half-timbered houses and small shops. In the Old Town, shops and stalls offer a variety of produce, and the town's wine makers open their cellars to serve wine and other winter treats. You can also visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, which houses a collection of over 300 automated musical instruments from the 18th to 20th century.(B,L,D)

This morning we cruise along the stunning Rhine Gorge. We travel past the legendary Lorelei Rock and pretty little villages, nestled beneath hilltop castles and sweeping vineyards. This afternoon we reach Bonn, an attractive university town which was West Germany's capital - a position it held until reunification in 1990. We have time to discover Bonn's Christmas Market - the main squares are filled with illuminated stalls, offering warming glühwein and other Rhineland specialities such as beeswax candles.(B,L,D)

We arrive in Cologne, where we disembark and travel by high-speed train to Brussels. Here in the Belgian capital we join the Eurostar service to St Pancras International in London. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.

Please note: Itineraries may be subject to change.