MS Raymonde, 3 Night An Enchanting Cruise: Exploring the Christmas Markets in Ghent and Bruges ex Colmar, France Return

Discover the Christmas markets along the Belgian Canals. Located in northern Belgium, vibrant Ghent and charming Bruges are magical destinations, each with its own unique aura. In December, the two cities dress up in their finest for all to see.

Day 1
Possibility of coach transfer between Brussels and Bruges.(1) Boarding.Included excursion: Guided tour of the Christmas market in Bruges.We’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

Day 2
Included excursion in the morning: Guided tour of Bruges and a tour and tasting at the Bourgogne des Flandres brewery.(2)Afternoon cruise to Aalter.

Day 3
We’ll spend the morning cruising. Included excursion in Ghent: Guided tour of the Ghent Christmas market(3) and a tasting of local specialties.Festive gala evening.

Day 4
Disembarkation.Possibility of coach transfer between Ghent and Brussels.(1)

A cruise aboard a canal barge promises a peaceful break where you take the time to discover “la douce France” in a different way. The MS Raymonde a true cocoon of charm, sails on the French canals and offers its passengers an original and authentic experience. The MS Raymonde is a beautiful Premium canal barge, measuring 38,50 meters long and 5,07 meters wide. It can accommodate 22 passengers, in 11 cabins spread over two decks. The size of the cabins is 9m2 (including a PRM cabin of 11 m2) offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. On board, everything has been taken care of down to the smallest detail and the 6 crew members guarantee a personalized service. The decoration is stylish with an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Located on the upper deck are the restaurant, which offers delicate cuisine in a refined setting, the lounge bar and a relaxation area with a jacuzzi. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes. A journey aboard the MS Raymonde promises an unforgettable getaway on the water.

CroisiEurope has a fleet of Prestige category boats with cabins, which ply the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Spacious and light, they offer a welcoming and refined setting. Accommodation capacity varies from 100 to 180 passengers depending on the boat's design. At the cutting edge of technology, their facilities offer comfort and safety.

Carefully maintained and partially renovated each year, the CroisiEurope fleet is largely made up of recently built vessels, less than five years old, all with Veritas certification. The leading European river tour operator, our company owes its international reputation to its seriousness, its dynamism, its sense of innovation and its recognised value for money of long standing.

Vessels are rated four-star and food is superb – as you’d expect on a French-owned cruise line, staffed by French chefs and with top French and German wines aboard. One cruise of the Rhone and Saone Rivers in France concentrates on gastronomy and traditional French cusine, visiting Collonges Abbey, renowned for its great French chef, Paul Bocuse.

CroisiEurope is a family-owned and operated firm, with brothers and sisters running different aspects of the company and keeping a close eye on all operations to ensure excellence.

River cruising offers much free fun. Wake in the morning and observe the passing riverside scenery through your cabin window – perhaps from your bed. Gaze upon village churches or a patchwork of fields sparkling in the morning sun.

CroisiEurope’s network traverses a phenomenal number of European rivers and waterways. They range from the Guadalquivir and Guadiana (flowing through Spain and Portugal respectively); the Douro in Portugal, the Po and Venice Lagoon in Italy; the Rhone in Provence, plus the Seine from Paris to the Normandy Coast. And there’s more: the Moselle, the Neckar, the Saar, the Oder, the Havel, the Baltic Sea, the Camarge, the Rhine, the Main and the mighty Danube; the Tisza and the Black Sea; the Belgian and Dutch waterways. Everything from tulip time in Holland to Christmas Markets in Germany.

Drinks included with on board meals: mineral water, house wine, beer, fruit juice, and tea or coffee.