Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas Markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Nuremberg's festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Germany; Regensburg's Artisan Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria's most beautiful and romantic; Vienna with its impressive Christmas Markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; and Budapest, where products sold in the market are traditionally handmade. Revel in a feast for the senses: sparkling lights; festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; and enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind.
On our river 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 Special Interest 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.
Transfer from Prague to the ship in Nuremberg with Christmas Market visit en routeDetailed Itinerary
Day 1 : BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 : BUDAPEST
Often described as the 'Queen of the Danube,' Budapest is well-known for Fisherman's Bastion, Buda Hill and its magnificent Hungarian Parliament building. However, this sprawling city is full of rich history and culture and offers many 'hidden' treasures as you venture further past its river banks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler. (B)
Day 3 : BUDAPEST - EMBARKATION
Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (B,D)
Day 4 : BUDAPEST
You cannot help but fall in love with Budapest, known as the 'Queen of the Danube.' Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to the Buda (hilly) sides of the river. Afterwards, you'll visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest. Alternatively, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city. (B,L,D)
Day 5 : VIENNA, AUSTRIA
The 'City of Waltzes' offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. Afterwards, you'll visit the Christmas Markets where you can purchase delightful delicacies and hand-made gifts. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. In the afternoon, visit Schonbrunn Palace Christmas Market and its spectacular festive atmosphere. Cap the day off at the beautifully decorated Town Hall (Rathaus), Vienna's largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)
Day 6 : MELK, AUSTRIA
High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe's most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent and storied abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. During the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley. (B,L,D)
Day 7 : PASSAU, GERMANY
Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 8 : REGENSBURG, GERMANY
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 the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. For those in a more festive mood, spend the afternoon at Bavaria's most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
Day 9 : NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. 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. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's largest and most famous Christmas markets. (B,L,D)
Day 10 : NUREMBERG - DISEMBARKATION - PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Disembark the ship and enjoy the wonder of Nuremberg's other Christmas Markets before departing for Prague, where you will check into your hotel. (B)
Day 11 : PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Discover Prague on a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities, with a historic city center that's recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later in the day, visit Prague's festive Christmas markets. (B)
Day 12 : PRAGUE
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery established in 993. Beer is a core part of the country's national identity, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech's beer some of the very best in the world. (B)
Day 13 : DEPART PRAGUE
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)
