Christmas on the Danube
$2,839.00
From $2,839* pp | 8 Days • 19 Meals *Rate is per person, land only, double occupancy.
Experience the stunning region of central Europe at Christmastime. Enjoy the charming Christmas markets and a relaxing boat cruise along the Danube.
- Visit and shop in the famous Christmas markets of Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau and Vienna.
- Unpack once for a relaxing 6-night Danube River cruise.
- Explore Würzburg, Germany, known as “the jewel of the Main River,” and the lovely medieval town of Rothenburg.
- Cruise through the Wachau Valley, the most picturesque region of the Danube River.
- Experience an up-close look at the historic cities that sit along the banks of the Danube.
- Experience the benefits of personal audio devices, designed for better communication between you and your guides.
Sail Into Holiday Cheer
Begin your holiday season with a relaxing cruise along the scenic Danube River, stopping at traditional Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Passau, Rothenburg and Nuremberg. Nuremberg is home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in the world, and is famous as a toy making centre, known for its fanciful nutcrackers and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Enjoy a German Holiday party, referred to as a Glueweinparty. Float through the Wachau Valley dotted with castles and small riverside towns. Discover Würzburg, an ancient Franconian wine town. Delight in the fairytale, baroque architecture in Passau. In Vienna, join a local expert in exploring the historic sights where you’ll indulge in the city’s atmosphere of opulence and elegance. Visit the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries.
INCLUSIONS
Accommodation
Meals as per itinerary
Tour guide
Activities as stated
Please note: Accommodation is subject to change.
EXCLUSIONS
Flights
Meals not indicated on the itinerary
Drinks
Optional activities
Visas
Comprehensive travel insurance
Items of a personal nature – laundry, telephone, room service
Tips and gratuities
Itinerary
Dinner 
High 3° Low -1° 
Maritim Hotel Wurzburg
Breakfast & Dinner High 3° Low -3° Lueftner Cruises
Day 3. Nuremberg
A local expert provides an interesting city tour of historic Nuremberg featuring the Old Town, the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, and the Imperial Castle. Your city tour concludes with a visit to Nuremberg’s Christmas Market, Germany’s most famous and oldest, dating back to 1628. Nuremberg is a toy-making centre and you will have the opportunity to shop for traditional handcrafted nutcrackers and sample its famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, your cruise continues across the continental divide and through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 3° Low -3° Lueftner Cruises
Day 4. Regensburg
A guided walking tour of magnificent Regensburg reveals one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities with nearly 1,400 historic buildings. Some of the architectural highlights include the old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, one of only two remaining Roman gates in Germany and built in A.D. 179. Next, see the first stone bridge built over the Danube, a 1,400-foot-long span built in the 12th century. This afternoon, take a stroll through the Old Town to Regensburg’s charming Christmas Market and marvel at the festive lights and decorations. Browse and shop at the brightly lit wooden huts that sell Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys and local handicrafts. Late evening, your ship departs for Passau.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 3° Low 3° Lueftner Cruises
Amid the early morning light, cruise past scenic valleys and charming riverside towns to Passau, situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Enjoy a leisurely paced walking tour of this 2,000-year-old fairy-tale city, exploring the ornate Baroque architecture, the quaint cobblestone streets, St. Stephen’s Cathedral – home to Europe’s largest church organ – and the charming Christmas Market. Then, enjoy free time to explore the town on your own.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 3° Low -3° Lueftner Cruises
Day 6. Wachau Valley, Austria – Emmersdorf – Durnstein – Vienna
View the picturesque landscapes as you cruise to the charming town of Emmersdorf. Relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery before joining an excursion to the nearby town of Durnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Next, enjoy a Glühwein Party before returning to the ship. This afternoon you continue cruising through the romantic Wachau Valley, dotted with magnificent castles and small riverside towns. You arrive in Vienna, Austria’s beautiful capital city, in the early evening. After dinner, if you wish, you may join an optional excursion in the imperial city and experience the magic of Vienna by night and visit Vienna’s most famous Christmas Market, located in front of the “Rathaus” (City Hall).
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 3° Low -3° Lueftner Cruises
Day 7. Vienna
Join a local expert exploring Vienna’s Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Vienna’s Baroque elegance, stroll along the Karntner Strasse, or sample some of Vienna’s famous pastries. If you wish, you may join an optional excursion to the opulent Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Hapsburg dynasty. A wonderful evening of food, music and entertainment awaits you at the Captain’s Gala Dinner. After a delightful dinner, the onboard orchestra provides a musical Christmas concert for your enjoyment.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner High 3° Low -3° Lueftner Cruises
Day 8. Vienna – Disembark Ship – Tour Ends
After breakfast you disembark the ship as your tour comes to an end.
Breakfast
- All countries on this tour are 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
- No significant change is elevation is encountered on this trip.
- The currency in the countries on this tour is the Euro.
- For electricity, the countries on this tour use AC 220 Volts.
- Why not consider a pre and post tour extension. Start and end your holiday rested.
This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, upstairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected