Duration: 16 Days
Munich shows you the Bavarian capital. The traditional Christmas market is located on the Marienplatz, with aromas of toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread filling the air! Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the many nativity scenes exhibited throughout the town are sure to delight. In Würzburg, on the River Main, visit the ornate Bishop’s Residence—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted, then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Your next stop is at one of the charming small towns dotted along the river—sure to be even more appealing illuminated with Christmas lights and decorations. Take an excursion to Rüdesheim in the Rhine Valley wine region to experience the joyful Mechanical Music Museum. Enjoy Christmas market lights and delights through Heidelberg and Speyer before sailing to Strasbourg for the La Petite France district and shimmering Christmas markets. Continue on to the Black Forest for a traditional Bavarian Christmas atmosphere Your delightful festive cruise ends in Basel.
Day
1
VIENNA, AUSTRIA (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Austria. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding. (D)
Day
2
VIENNA
Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections
DISCOVERY Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire's glow in a Viennese cafe.
You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schonbrunn Palace - summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.
This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B,L,D)
Day
3
MELK-GREIN
Frescoes above the Wachau Valley
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard while sailing to Grein.
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theatre, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.
Enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
Day
4
PASSAU
Saint Stephen's, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers."
Later spend some free time in Passau's charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral.
You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
Day
5
REGENSBURG
Christmas Magic in Bavaria
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD.
Take time to browse Regensburg's sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.
Enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
Day
6
NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning.
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample Favourite Bavarian fare-from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
Day
7
NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace-a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.
Spend some free time on your own to browse Munich Christkindlmarkt and enjoy countless of their culinary delights, gingerbread or hot-mulled wine.
Return to your ship in Nuremberg in the late afternoon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,D)
Day
8
NUREMBERG
Living Heritage
A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
Day
9
BAMBERG
Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg-medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes-from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
Day
10
WURZBURG
Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Pearl of the Romantic Road" with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Kathe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum-the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG (B,L,D)
Day
11
MILTENBERG
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)
Day
12
FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rudesheim. (B,D)
Day
13
SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat-the world's largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Day
14
STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven's Time, and Joyeux Noel
CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village.
Savour the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)
Day
15
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:
DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
In the afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
Day
16
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights shouldn't leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)
Departure Date:
2024-12-08
Return Date:
2024-12-23
Single :
19765NZD
Twin :
13133NZD
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