MELBOURNE TO SINGAPORE

Welcome to our fabulous tour to the Christmas Markets along the Rhine River. But first, we break our long journey with a stopover in fascinating Singapore! After we are collected by our chauffeurs, we are transferred to Melbourne International Airport where we meet our Tour Manager and fellow passengers, ready to board our direct flight to Singapore. On our arrival, we are welcomed by our local English-speaking guide and  transferred to our lovely accommodation, conveniently located on the Singapore River.  We’ll meet up for a light dinner this evening and have an early night to be fresh for our touring tomorrow.

Inflight meals and refreshments

OVERNIGHT:  Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, SINGAPORE

EXPLORING SINGAPORE

This morning, we embark on a sightseeing tour of Singapore. We can observe the rich cultural and historical heritage through the sights and sounds of the bustling ethnic enclaves. Along the streets of China Town, Kampong Glam and Little India, religious monuments nestle amidst quaint shop houses. Contrasting with the modern shopping malls, there are serene gardens and sleek skyscrapers. We also visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden. The Botanic Garden is a 156-year-old tropical garden located at the fringe of Singapore's main shopping belt and is a  UNESCO World Heritage Site. Providing a place for 60,000 orchid plants - consisting of 1000 species and more than 2,000 hybrids - are the three hectares of carefully landscaped slopes. We now have time for our lunch break before we hop in one of the bumboats for a cruise along the Singapore River. Commonly known as Twakows and Tongkangs, these hardy little vessels were once extensively used for transport purposes along the Singapore River. Later today, get ready for a wonderful dining experience at Rise Restaurant. Following dinner, we visit the Super Tree Grove where we can see the world from a different perspective on the OBC Skywalk. As night falls, we will be treated to the amazing sound and light show throughout the Super Tree Grove – this is one of the highlights of any visit to Singapore.

Lunch own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, SINGAPORE

MORE OF SINGAPORE, FLIGHT TO AMSTERDAM

We continue our sightseeing this morning with a visit to Gardens by the Bay located at the edge of Marina Reservoir. Spanning a huge area, this award winning horticultural attraction houses over 250,000 rare plants with two unique conservatories being the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Returning to our hotel, we have some free time to start packing, freshen up and relax before our next outing - and it is special! This afternoon, we enjoy High Tea at the Raffles Hotel. We head back to our hotel for the last time as we have a guaranteed late check-out at 6pm. After freshening up, we transfer to the airport to connect with our late night direct flight to Amsterdam.

Dinner at own expense and arrangements / Refreshments inflight

OVERNIGHT: INFLIGHT

ARRIVE AMSTERDAM

Welcome to Amsterdam, a postcard-worthy destination of picturesque canals, quintessential cafés and innovative galleries that showcase contemporary art and the works of world-renowned artists, such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt. After we go through Customs and Immigration, we will be transferred to our hotel where we have secured an early check-in and can relax for a few hours. This afternoon, we can embark on a relaxed walking tour with an English speaking guide who will highlight all the main sights close to our hotel. This walking tour is optional. We’ll have more time to relax before dinner this evening.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Movenpick City Centre Hotel, AMSTERDAM

FREE DAY

Following breakfast, we’ll be transferred to the Emerald Astra with time to unpack and inspect our home for the next seven nights.  We’ve now got the rest of the day free to further explore the narrow-cobbled streets and gabled houses of the Dutch capital at our leisure. Perhaps choose one or two areas from our walk yesterday to return and fully investigate! There’s plenty to see such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum; Dam Square where the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and former city hall are located; the Amsterdam Museum; the Concertgebouw Concert Hall; the Anne Frank House*; the Scheepvaartmuseum; the red-light district and much much more! This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

*If you wish to visit the Anne Frank House or any museums, you will need to pre-book and purchase tickets online. 

MORE OF AMSTERDAM

Today we can enjoy some more sightseeing in Amsterdam as we board a glass-top canal boat for a cruise down the Dutch capital’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, passing historic merchant houses that reflect the bygone era of the Dutch Golden Age, a time when the Dutch empire was once considered among the most influential in the world. Throughout the town, you’ll marvel as you explore the delightful Christmas stalls, each surrounded by people in their finest knitwear, drinking hot mugs of mulled wine and indulging in their favourite festive foods.

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

DUESSELDORF - COLOGNE

Today we will have the chance to visit Duesseldorf and its many Christmas markets, each having its unique name and personality – such as the Fairytale Market, the Handwerker (hand maker) Market and the Schadowmarket where any present wish could easily be fulfilled and more. All of that with a Christmas scent of roasted almonds and hot mulled wine floating in the air. Afterwards we sail towards Cologne, where you’ll have the opportunity to wander the markets at your leisure, perhaps visiting the ornate stalls beneath the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, where you can drink traditional glühwein out of beautifully decorated mugs.

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

KOBLENZ

Today, we head into the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city pulled from the pages of a German fairy tale. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of vineyards and snow-topped mountain ranges as our local guide takes us through open cobbled squares and down narrow streets. Feel inspired by an Emerald lecture when we will learn more about Christmas traditions in Europe and enjoy a Christmas market visit.

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

GERMERSHEIM

Our guided tour of Heidelberg’s rich history includes a visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which overlooks the Rhine River and a red-roofed skyline. Some of the most successful painters of the Romantic era drew inspiration from Heidelberg Castle, including British artist William Turner, who depicted images of the ruins in several of his paintings.  Afterwards, we stroll down the cobbled streets of the Old Town, touching on the Church of the Holy Spirit and the oldest university in Germany.

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

STRASBOURG

This morning, we will dock in Kehl and we will be transferred by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the storied capital of France’s Alsace region. Our guided tour of Strasbourg will include the UNESCO World Heritage listed Grande Île, the historical centre of the city, known for its medieval half-timbered buildings, old tanning houses, Baroque sandstone buildings and charming canal system. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit one of its most charming Christmas markets to enjoy traditional Alsatian Christmas treats and to shop for presents and stocking-fillers.

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

BREISACH

Today, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Rhine town of Breisach. Entrenched between two countries, it’s also known as the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest region. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest Highlands on our way to the Hofgut Sternen complex located at the foothill of Ravenna Gorge, a place where history and tradition merge. It was here that in 1770 Marie Antoinette stopped with 52 beautifully decorated carriages on the way to her wedding to King Louis XVI. We’ll have  the chance to see the postcard-worthy Christmas market situated underneath the 40-metre high Ravenna Viaduct. Be amazed by the magical aroma of Black Forest specialties and unique handcrafted regional products sold there.

OVERNIGHT:  Emerald Astra

BASEL TO ZURICH

After breakfast, we bid farewell to our fellow guests and the Astra in Basel and we are transferred to Zurich. This city offers a mix like no other - a metropolis offering many wonderful sights meeting water, nature and mountains. Our accommodation is in a prime location just a short walk from the renowned Bahnhofstrasse shopping street and approximately 600 metres from Lake Zurich.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Glockenhof, ZURICH

EXPLORING ZURICH

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing coach tour in Zurich. Our English speaking guide will show us the main sights of the city such as The Fraumünster, a Protestant church in the Old Town, where the rich Christian tradition is meant to foster; The Grossmünster, a Romanesque-style Protestant church - the twin towers of the Grossmünster are regarded as perhaps the most recognized landmark in Zurich; Bahnhofstrasse which is the main downtown street of Zurich and one of the world's most expensive and exclusive shopping avenues; the Zurich Opera House which has been the home of the Zurich Opera since 1891. It will be a most interesting morning. We now have time for our lunch break and a free afternoon for personal sightseeing.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Glockenhof, ZURICH

CHRISTMAS DAY

Merry Christmas! We have a free morning - some of us may wish to attend a church service and others can phone home. Today we will be treated to a European Christmas lunch with all the trimmings! This afternoon, you may want to walk off your lunch with a stroll to Lake Zurich, or perhaps just relax and have an afternoon snooze. This evening, for those who are still peckish, a supper will be served in the hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Glockenhof, ZURICH

ZURICH TO SINGAPORE

We check-out early this morning and make our way to Zurich Airport. Here, we connect with our flight to Singapore where we stop in transit before our flight to Melbourne.

Inflight meals and refreshments

OVERNIGHT:  Inflight

SINGAPORE TO MELBOURNE

After completing Customs and Immigration, our chauffeurs will be waiting for us in the arrival lounge. We’re sure you will arrive home with a sense of wonder after our European Christmas holiday with O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours!