Throughout this dreamlike journey, an overflowing of good tidings and magical Christmas Markets come alive. A winter wonderland awaits at Prague’s Christmas Markets brightly decorated with wooden huts stocked with handicrafts and delicious scents flavoring the air. Be spellbound by the medieval atmosphere of Nuremberg’s main Christmas Market, and sample its renowned gingerbread. Stroll through Regensburg’s romantic Christmas Market at the Thurn and Taxis Castle, savoring fresh dumplings with vanilla sauce. Get caught up in the magic of Salzburg’s Christmas Markets at both Hellbrunn Palace and at Christkindlmarkt, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and around the venerable cathedral, which is a feast for the senses, from the warm aroma of mulled wine and Austrian pastry delights, to the sights and sounds of holiday performances, to the colours and textures of traditional handcrafts. And while in Vienna, visit four of the city’s most enchanting Christmas Markets from the regal Schönbrunn Palace to Vienna’s largest, Rathaus Christmas Markets, with its carousel rides and light-bedecked trees and pavilions.
Throughout this dreamlike journey, an overflowing of good tidings and magical Christmas Markets come alive. A winter wonderland awaits at Prague’s Christmas Markets brightly decorated with wooden huts stocked with handicrafts and delicious scents flavouring the air. Be spellbound by the medieval atmosphere of Nuremberg’s main Christmas Market, and sample its renowned gingerbread. Stroll through Regensburg’s romantic Christmas Market at the Thurn and Taxis Castle, savoring fresh dumplings with vanilla sauce. Get caught up in the magic of Salzburg’s Christmas Markets at both Hellbrunn Palace and at Christkindlmarkt, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and around the venerable cathedral, which is a feast for the senses, from the warm aroma of mulled wine and Austrian pastry delights, to the sights and sounds of holiday performances, to the colours and textures of traditional handcrafts. And while in Vienna, visit four of the city’s most enchanting Christmas Markets from the regal Schönbrunn Palace to Vienna’s largest, Rathaus Christmas Markets, with its carousel rides and light-bedecked trees and pavilions.
COUNTRIES:
Austria, GermanyAustria, Germany, Czech Republic
RIVERS:
Danube
Magical Christmas Markets
At A Glance
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Limited Edition tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
| Day 1 | Nuremberg | EMBARKATION |
|
Board your cruise in Nuremberg. Tonight, gather on board your ship and meet your fellow guests. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (D)
| | Nuremberg Christmas Market |
|
Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas Markets. Browse through over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offering an assortment of unique treasures, toys and seasonal goodies. Later in the day, cruise through the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Regensburg | Scenic cruising |
|
| | OR Bavarian specialties tasting |
|
| | Thurn and Taxis Royal Christmas Market |
|
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas Market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to Walhalla where you will see the Neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis Castle, where you can watch craftsmen make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Passau | Walking tour and Christmas Market visit |
|
Picturesque Passau, a fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. During the season of Advent, the city dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendour, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square— also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride along the Danube. (B,L,D)
| | OR Castle and "Culture Mile" bike tour |
|
| | Half-day Salzburg highlights |
|
Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever popular Linzer Torte. While here, you have a choice of three excursions. The first is a full-day visit to magnificent Salzburg dressed in her holiday best. Enjoy a walking tour of UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral, inspired by St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican and its Christmas Market, which is a feast for the senses. Alternatively, you can choose a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city centre and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz's Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. During the afternoon, you can join a half-day excursion to Salzburg or visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Melk | Benedictine Abbey tour |
|
| Wachau Valley | Scenic cruising |
|
| | OR Melk to Dürnstein bike tour |
|
| Dürnstein | Walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Apricots and Sweets tasting |
|
The magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is on full display for your enjoyment. On your tour, you will see jewel-encrusted crosses containing religious relics, frescoes and richly embroidered vestments, as well as the abbey’s priceless collection of medieval manuscripts in its famous library. Later in the day, set sail through the breathtaking Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Vienna | Morning city tour with Rathausplatz Christmas Market |
|
| | Afternoon Karlsplatz and Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Markets |
|
This morning, you will have a chance to savor the Baroque elegance of Romantic Vienna through your choice of one of two different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, you will visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School, as well as the Rathausplatz Christmas market. The second option is an Alte Donau guided bike tour. This afternoon, you will visit the Schönbrunn and Karlsplatz Christmas Markets, and this evening the festivities continue with visits to both the Maria Theresienplatz and Rathaus Christkindlmarkt markets. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Vienna | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
| Day 1 | Nuremberg | EMBARKATION |
|
Board your cruise in Nuremberg. Tonight, gather on board your ship and meet your fellow guests. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (D)
| | Nuremberg Christmas Market |
|
Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas Markets. Browse through over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offering an assortment of unique treasures, toys and seasonal goodies. Later in the day, cruise through the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Regensburg | Scenic cruising |
|
| | OR Bavarian specialties tasting |
|
| | Thurn and Taxis Royal Christmas Market |
|
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas Market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to Walhalla where you will see the Neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis Castle, where you can watch craftsmen make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Passau | Walking tour and Christmas Market visit |
|
Picturesque Passau, a fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. During the season of Advent, the city dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendour, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square— also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride along the Danube. (B,L,D)
| | OR Castle and "Culture Mile" bike tour |
|
| | Half-day Salzburg highlights |
|
Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever popular Linzer Torte. While here, you have a choice of three excursions. The first is a full-day visit to magnificent Salzburg dressed in her holiday best. Enjoy a walking tour of UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral, inspired by St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican and its Christmas Market, which is a feast for the senses. Alternatively, you can choose a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city centre and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz's Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. During the afternoon, you can join a half-day excursion to Salzburg or visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Melk | Benedictine Abbey tour |
|
| Wachau Valley | Scenic cruising |
|
| | OR Melk to Dürnstein bike tour |
|
| Dürnstein | Walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Apricots and Sweets tasting |
|
The magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is on full display for your enjoyment. On your tour, you will see jewel-encrusted crosses containing religious relics, frescoes and richly embroidered vestments, as well as the abbey’s priceless collection of medieval manuscripts in its famous library. Later in the day, set sail through the breathtaking Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Vienna | Morning city tour with Rathausplatz Christmas Market |
|
| | Afternoon Karlsplatz and Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Markets |
|
This morning, you will have a chance to savor the Baroque elegance of Romantic Vienna through your choice of one of two different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, you will visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the world famous Spanish Riding School, as well as the Rathausplatz Christmas market. The second option is an Alte Donau guided bike tour. This afternoon, you will visit the Schönbrunn and Karlsplatz Christmas Markets, and this evening the festivities continue with visits to both the Maria Theresienplatz and Rathaus Christkindlmarkt markets. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Vienna | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)