Colmar A little piece of holiday heaven... that’s Colmar at Christmastime! Le Marché de Noël’s five main venues spread merriment throughout this beautifully preserved medieval city on the Alsatian Wine Route, its 14th- and 15th-century façades draped in greenery and twinkling lights. Tiny faces beam with delight amid the toys, gingerbread, merry-go-round and animated Nativity scene of the Children’s Market in Petite Venise. Crépes, sausages, baguettes, chocolates and other local favorites – and of course Alsatian wine – make the mouth water at Place Jeanne d’Arc. Master glassblowers, sculptors, jewelers and other artisans display their work in the Covered Market in the historic Koïfhus (customs house)... and you’ll find everything from candles to roast chestnuts at Place de l’Ancienne Douane and Place des Dominicains, warmed by the stained glass windows of the Gothic Dominican church.


8 Days from $2,250 plus airfare (7 Breakfast, 6 Lunches & 7 Dinners)


Begins Köln (Cologne) Southbound – Köln to Basel Dec 2


Double $2250 Single $2813


$2450 $3063


Begins Basel Northbound – Basel to Köln Dec 9


Land / Cruise Price Per Person M CAT 1 M CAT 2 M CAT 3 M CAT 4 M CAT 5 M CAT 6


$2930 $3663


$3170 $4755


$3650 $4210 $6205 $7157


Triples available in Category 6 only, priced from $3452 per person. Visit www.tauck.com for up-to-the-minute space availability.


From Heidelberg (top) to Riquewihr, every Christmas Market shines in its own way


wares in stalls that stretch on as far as the eye can see... and the ancient heart of this canal-crossed city is bathed in gold! A lecture on local storytelling traditions rounds out an unforgettable day.


Riquewihr Aside from the electricity that lights up its intimate Christmas Market every December, this Alsatian village hasn’t changed much since its days as a Winzerdorf (wine village) in the 16th century. Fortified by glühwein, stroll among stalls laden with crafts and local delicacies, set among historic half-timbered houses and shops dressed in yuletide finery... it’s like a fairy tale come to life!


Call your travel agent or Tauck at 800-468-2825


Land / cruise price per person includes cruise fare, most meals, port charges, wine and beer with lunch and dinner aboard ship, shore excursions, applicable fuel surcharges, and gratuities to Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides & drivers.


International Airfare is additional. Ask about special rates on international air from the U.S. and Canada.


Itinerary Changes – Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice. Go to www.tauck.com for complete day-by-day itineraries. Museums and attractions are subject to closure due to state, local or religious holidays.


Note: This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city.


All nights are spent cruising aboard ms Swiss Sapphire. Ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights or our Cruise Protection Product. See page 12 for ms Swiss Sapphire deck plans & specifications.


See those gigantic, brightly illuminated Christmas Pyramids, some as tall as buildings, towering over Germany’s Christmas Markets? These larger-than-life versions of a traditional holiday decoration evolved from the evergreen branches and candles used to brighten homes in dark winter months during the Middle Ages. Usually made of wood, the decorative pyramid is a type of carousel adorned with candles and manger scenes, angels or other religious or folkloric figures. A center pole is topped by a propeller; heat rising from the candles makes the propeller spin, causing the pyramid to turn!


www.tauck.com 11


Handcrafted


holiday treasures are a hallmark of Europe’s Christmas Markets


CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: German Christmas Pyramids


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