17 Night Christmas Markets with Paris Cruise and Land Tour from Paris

Welcome to Paris, the City of Light. There are icons at every turn in the French capital, from the chic boutiques of the Champs-Elysees to the meandering riverbank of the Seine and the bustling crossroads of the Arc de Triomphe, with the intricate metalwork of the Eiffel Tower always in view above. Paris is a city that almost defies description; stroll the historic streets and you'll soon see why it has inspired generations of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and fashionistas. Check into your luxurious hotel, located in the bustling 9th Arrondissement, also known as the Opera District. It's known for its wide boulevards, many theatres, including the opulent Palais Garnier opera house, and grand Belle Epoque department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.

It's your first morning in Paris, so why not start the day with a pain au chocolat and a cafe au lait? Paris is a city that has been immortalized in endless movies, TV shows, books, and paintings, so even if you're a first-time visitor you will feel like you already know it. Its elegant streets, grand buildings, shady parks, stylish cafes, and even more stylish residents, you'll quickly be swept up in the joie de vivre.

Today is yours to enjoy, with a full day to explore Paris. Discover some of the city's most famous districts, like the charming Latin Quarter, the modern La Defense, the Neoclassical Place Vendome, or the fashionable Le Marais. Visit one of the excellent museums, like the Musee des Arts et Metiers, the world's oldest science museum dating back to 1794, or the Musee Carnavalet, which charts the history of Paris from the Gauls to the 20th century. You could plan a literary tour of the city, taking in the favorite writing spots of Victor Hugo, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, and Simone de Beauvoir. And of course there are endless options for shopping, art galleries, historic sites, or eating and drinking. Or you might like to do as the French do and embrace the 'art of doing nothing'. The French word flaneur means to wander aimlessly through a city with no destination in mind. It's a relaxed way to soak in the sights and mingle with the locals, stopping for coffee or a glass of wine when you feel like it or perhaps browsing in an appealing bookstore or gallery. It's one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a day and gives you a real feel for life in Paris.

Travel by high-speed train to Amsterdam, where you'll board your Scenic Space-Ship. Tonight, you'll get to toast the journey ahead at this evening's welcome reception.

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists criss-crossing their way about town. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges.

After a leisurely morning of sailing, you will arrive in Cologne, a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, unique beer culture, auto industry, and the jaw-dropping cathedral that dominates its skyline. Settled by the Romans, this major cultural center for the Rhineland was built during the Middle Ages but was largely destroyed during WWII. The magnificent Gothic cathedral, an enormous UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates to 1248, was badly damaged but stood tall above the ruins of the city. Take the time to discover Cologne on a walking tour. Wander the laneways of the historical Old Town, which is home to breweries serving up draft Kolsch beer and enjoy free time to visit the city's centerpiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral. The Kolner Dom, as it is known locally, is also the location for magnificent Christmas markets and after your guided tour there is plenty of time to wander the wooden stalls where local venders sell delicious treats and decorations. Don't forget to look out for the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland. Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart just before dinner, allowing you plenty of time to be immersed in the tastes and scents of Christmas, hot chestnuts, freshly baked gingerbread, and mulled wine on offer in this lovely town.

Cruise along the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65-kilometer stretch of the river that is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Sailing down this section of the river is like being transported through the pages of a fairy tale book. The Rhine is abounded in myths and legends; folklore that has been passed on for generations, including the story of Lorelei. This enchanting female was betrayed by her sweetheart and spent her days bewitching men. As her punishment, she was sent to a nunnery, however, on her way she jumped to her death in the river. Legend has her spirit casting spells on sailors who passed the rock, where a bronze statue sits today. After lunch, you will disembark in Rudesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. The charming town center is filled with half-timbered houses lining cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as traditional Christmas ornaments and cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens. Take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment. Then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the charming streets lined with thriving bars, cafes and, of course, Christmas markets.

This morning you will arrive in the historic town of Miltenberg, sitting on the picturesque banks of the Main River. After touring, you will embark your luxury Space-Ship in Wertheim and set sail for Wurzburg. Enjoy some of the all-inclusive onboard entertainment this evening as you sail through the night.

Today, you will arrive in Wurzburg. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Wurzburg is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed palace, a dominating hilltop fortress, the 15th-century Old Main Bridge, and three universities, including Bavaria's oldest.

Built on seven hills, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed town has surprises at every turn. Intersected by rivers and canals, enchanting Bamberg has an Old Town resplendent with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. A charming Old Town Hall which occupies an island on its own, a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral, and the Old and New Residences - an episcopal palace, a pretty 'Little Venice', and a 12th-century castle that teeters on the highest of the seven hills are some of the incredible places you'll see during your guided city tour. This afternoon, you will tour the Old Town, one of Europe's largest intact city centers, featuring a range of stunning medieval and Baroque buildings.

You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, this morning. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, this city is dominated by one of the most significant imperial forts of the Holy Roman Empire, the 12th-century Imperial Castle, which was the preferred residence of German kings. Behind its charming facade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. During WWII, the city was favored by the Nazis for party rallies. The boycotts of Jewish businesses began here, as did the laws that denied Jewish people German citizenship - known as the 'Nuremberg Laws'. By 1945, the city was reduced to rubble, including large sections of the Imperial Castle and Old Town. Allied powers - the US, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union - held the Nuremberg Trials here between 1945 and 1946, where Nazi Germany leaders were tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany's best-preserved medieval town centers, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Within its narrow laneways, the city lays claim to having the highest concentration of bars in the country. Regensburg is also fringed by the Bavarian Forest, home to hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox, and otter. Set on the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is a delight to explore on a walking tour. Your expert local guide will show you the Old Stone Bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria all while sharing the customs and traditions of the region during the festive period.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock early this morning in the small and picturesque town of Durnstein, located in Austria's scenic Wachau Valley. After some free time for exploration continue your cruise through the Wachau Valley to Krems. Spend the afternoon at leisure onboard while sailing through the beautiful Wachau Valley as you cruise towards Vienna. This evening, ring in the New Year in style in the magical city of Vienna. Celebrate offboard at one of the many lively bars and restaurants or stay onboard, where your cruise director and Enrichment manager have planned a fun party and would be delighted to cheer the New Year with you.

We arrive early in Vienna this morning. Also known as the City of Music, Austria's imperial capital fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, among others. The city oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums. Today, join your local guide and take a motorcoach ride from the ship to Vienna's city center, where you will embark on a walking tour to see highlights such as the Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Belvedere Palace. The ship will be docked overnight, so this afternoon you are free to wander around the city or relax onboard your Scenic Space-Ship.

A city full of grandeur, Vienna comes alive during the festive season. A visit to the Austrian imperial capital during this time of the year will create some unique, magical moments. See the world's most beautiful boulevard, Ringstrasse, all lit up with dazzling displays of Christmas lights and decorations. You'll also enjoy the city's musical heritage in full display with the sounds of famous festive tunes and classical pieces around every corner. After all, you're in the City of Music, which fostered musical geniuses like Mozart and Beethoven.

Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873, when a newly built bridge connected the two. The city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. At Christmas time, it comes alive with twinkling lights strewn around the city, wooden huts popping up in magnificent locations and seductive scents filling the air with festive spices.

Depart after a delicious breakfast, taking with you a lifetime of wonderful memories.