4* Superior Rhine Symphony Ship with the Rhine River – Colorful Christmas Markets Tour
Day 01 | 11.12.2026 Friday ISTANBUL – DÜSSELDORF – KÖLN
Meeting at Istanbul Airport, International Terminal, at the Turkish Airlines counter at 05:30. After check-in and passport procedures, depart for Düsseldorf at 08:00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1523. Arrival in Düsseldorf at 09:20 local time and Panoramic Düsseldorf City Tour. After our city tour in Düsseldorf, one of Germany’s most popular cities with its Baroque architecture, lush green parks, gardens, high living standards and shopping opportunities, we depart for Cologne and take a walking tour of Cologne with your guide. The city is one of Germany’s oldest settlements, with a history of 2,000 years, established in the most favorable part of the Rhine valley. The Dom Cathedral, known for the height of its bell towers, the shopping street Hohe Strasse and pedestrian area, and the Rhine River are among the places to be seen during our Cologne city tour. After the tour, transfer to our ship in Cologne harbor, and after settling into the cabins, the ship departs at 17:00. ‘’Welcome’’ cocktail. Dinner on board. Overnight on board.
Day 02 | 12.12.2026 Saturday MAINZ (RUDESHEIM)
We have breakfast in the morning accompanied by the beauty of the Rhine River. Around 11:00, arrival in Mainz, one of Germany’s best-preserved cities. Before lunch, our guided walking tour of Mainz will take place. Mainz is a fascinating city that reflects its deep-rooted history in every corner. With its impressive structures, monuments and museums, it offers visitors a true open-air journey through history. Today’s lively Altstadt district still carries the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and early modern period, especially with its narrow and winding streets around Augustinerstraße. Once the city’s most important trade street, this area still enchants with its historical texture.
With its magnificent Baroque façade that has survived to the present day without damage from the war, Augustinerkirche rises elegantly among the houses and adds a special splendor to the city skyline. This special city tour offers a perfect opportunity to discover Mainz’s different periods, cultural richness and multifaceted character.
After lunch on board, with our private vehicle we pass through the most beautiful part of the Rhine River, the region called Romantic Rhine, and arrive in Rüdesheim while watching the Lorelei Rocks and the lush green vineyards surrounding the castles as far as the eye can see. Located in the heart of the Rhine River, at the southern entrance of the Lorelei valley, it is a charming town that is highly developed in wine production and, with its beauty, is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. After the discovery tour with your guide, we strongly recommend visiting the Siegfried Musical Instrument Museum in the town center. Then we recommend that you have a Rüdesheimer coffee on Drosselgasse street. After the tour, we return to our ship; after dinner, your guide will take you to the Mainz Christmas Market, famous for its sparkling decorations, fragrant delicacies and warm atmosphere. An ideal finale to experience the magic of winter.
Our ship will depart from the port at 22:00. Overnight on board.
Day 03 | 13.12.2026 Sunday MANNHEIM (HEIDELBERG--SPEYER)
After breakfast, at 09:00, we start the day with a Heidelberg tour located on the banks of the Neckar River, which inspired philosophers. Upon arrival in Heidelberg, we begin our city tour on foot. The Heidelberg University here is the oldest university in Germany and also the country’s most famous and prestigious educational institution. On the walking tour in this beautiful city divided by the Neckar River, the old Carl-Theodor Bridge, the historic church, and the 1.5 km long HauptStrasse are among the places to be seen. The castle has a postcard-like appearance when viewed from the outside. Then we head to Speyer. Fascinating Speyer, on the banks of the Rhine River, takes visitors on a journey through time with its 2,000-year history. This city, which was one of the most important stages of German history in the Middle Ages, still proudly carries the traces of that glorious past today.
The city’s most impressive symbol is undoubtedly the Speyer Imperial Cathedral, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This massive Romanesque structure, protected since 1981, fascinates visitors as one of the largest in the world.
Speyer’s cultural treasures are not limited to this. The Dreifaltigkeitskirche, once seen as a “not very attractive” example of architecture, is now regarded as an elegant synthesis of late Baroque art. As you walk through the city streets, you feel history, architecture and culture intertwined at every corner.
Speyer is a candidate to be one of the most impressive stops on the Advent journey on the Rhine. Return to our ship after the tour. Overnight on board.
Day 04 | 14.12.2026 Monday KÖLN (BONN)-ISTANBUL
After breakfast on board, we leave the ship with our suitcases. We depart by private vehicle for the former capital Bonn and, upon arrival, take a guided city tour on foot. Bonn, the former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, is located on both sides of the Rhine River. Its art pieces in the squares, museums and the Beethoven House (Beethoven-Haus) await visitors. The markets held during the Christmas season add a special atmosphere to Bonn.
After the tour, transfer to Cologne-Bonn Airport. After check-in and passport procedures, depart for Istanbul Airport at 18:15 on Sunexpress Airlines flight TK1676. Arrival at 23:35 local time and the end of our tour.
Tour Departure Date;
20% from the time of registration
70% between 59 and 30 days
90% between 29 and 21 days
100% penalty applies between 20 days and the tour departure date!
What's Included
- Economy class airfare with Turkish Airlines between Istanbul – Düsseldorf / Cologne – Istanbul
- Airport and port taxes (480 Euro per person)
- 3 nights / 4 days full board accommodation on the 4*SUPERIOR RHEIN SYMPHONIE ship
- Full board service starts with dinner on the embarkation day and ends with breakfast on the disembarkation day
- Airport transfers specified in the program
- Door-to-door airport transfer in the specified cities
- All excursions worth 320€ specified in the program
- Beverage package worth 120€ on board
- Professional Turkish-speaking Tour Leader Service (will be provided if the group size is minimum 20 people)
- Tea & coffee station on board 24/7
- Welcome reception refreshments and captain's gala dinner
- Live music & activities on board
- TÜRSAB mandatory liability and travel health insurance
- A 100% surcharge applies for ages 70 and over. Since the insurance is also a professional mandatory insurance, cancellation is not possible.
Not Included
- Ship crew and local driver-guide service fee
- Collected in advance on the airport meeting day at 60 € per person
- Minibar, internet package, laundry service
- Travel cancellation insurance
- Overseas departure tax