Christmas on the Danube featuring a 6-Night Danube River Cruise

What's Included

• 6-Night Danube River Cruise

  Enjoy a 6-night cruise along the Danube River, exploring Germany and Austria.

• Unlimited Wine with Dinner

  Enjoy unlimited wine with every dinner on board your cruise ship.

• Captain's Gala Dinner

  Attend the Captain's Gala Dinner and a special holiday concert.

• Local Expert Tours

  Join a local expert as you discover Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Vienna.

• Visit to Melk Abbey

  Explore the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey.

• Christmas Markets

  Browse the famous Christmas markets along the Danube.

• Glühwein Party

  Enjoy a traditional Gluhwein party in the Wachau Valley.

What's Not Included

• Optional Excursions

  Optional excursions such as the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg and the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna are not included and can be purchased separately.

• Personal Expenses

  Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks outside of the included wine with dinner are not covered.

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.

Experiences

• Browse the famous Christmas markets along the Danube.
• Join a local expert as you discover Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg and Vienna.
• Explore the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey.

Options

Regensburg: Christmas Market at the Palais Thurn & Taxis Experience the beauty and magic of the romantic Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg. Begin your tour to the palace courtyard to stroll the royal gardens and take in the festive atmosphere of the enchanting Christmas market. Make your way through the stalls of festive wooden huts and explore artisan crafts and culinary delicacies. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

This option is available until 15 days prior to departure. After this time, the option may be purchased from your Tour Manager while on tour based on availability.


Vienna: The Schonbrunn Palace and the Christmas Markets Travel from the port to one of Vienna's most beautiful buildings, the Schonbrunn Palace, which was modeled after the palace of Versailles, the residence of Louis XIV (Le Roi Soleil). Here you can view the state apartments of the Habsburgs' summer residence for many years. The Schonbrunn Palace is one of Austria's treasures and a sight to be seen! Later enjoy a delightful visit to the amazing Christmas market. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 20 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

The above option is only available until 20 days prior to departure. After this time, the option may be purchased once you are on the tour from your Tour Manager based on availablity. Due to the nature of this option once purchased it will be non refundab
Please note that the price is subject to change at any time prior to purchase.

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Culinaries

• Enjoy unlimited wine with every dinner on board your cruise ship.
• Attend the Captain's Gala Dinner and a special holiday concert.

Must See

• Experience the picturesque region of the Wachau Valley.
• Explore Regensburg, home of the first stone bridge built over the Danube.

Choice Highlights

Wurzburg This city of 125,000 is on the Main River, and traces of its history as a Bronze Age, Celtic and Frankish city can be found still. It was the site of one of the world’s largest witch trials in the 17th century with as many as 900 people executed. On one day in March 1945, 90% of the city was destroyed by British bombers and the firestorm which resulted. Now the city is an important administrative center and center of the local white wine industry.

Rothenburg A town located in the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany, Rothenburg is known as a well-preserved and picturesque medieval old town, a popular destination for tourists from around the world. It was a Free Imperial City from the late Middle Ages to 1803. Rothenburg is also part of the popular “Romantic Road” through southern Germany. Rothenburg, which translates to Red Fortress (or burgh, a medieval fortified settlement), refers to the red color of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river. The name may also refer to the process of retting (“rotten” in German) flax for linen production. In October of 1631, during the Thirty Year’s War, Johann Tserclaes wanted to quarter his troops in Rothenburg, but rather than allowing them entrance, the town defended its self, but was quickly defeated. After the winter, Tserclaes and his troops left the town poor and nearly empty. The townsfolk remaining in Rothenburg were stricken and killed by the Black Death in 1634. Without money and power, Rothenburg stopped growing, which is why the town was able to preserve its 17th century state. While buildings within the walled city reflect the city’s medieval history, some parts of the town are more modern in concession to the tourist trade.

Nuremberg Nuremberg has a population of 500,000 within the city itself and as many as 3.5 million in the metro area, and may be best known as the site of the Nazi war trials after WWII. It is located in Bavaria on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal and the Pegnitz River, and has always been a strategic site. Its most important attractions are the Imperial Castle, the city walls, artist Albrecht Durer’s House and in winter, the oldest Christmas Market in Germany. It is an industrial center, with companies such as Siemens and MAN, and is also known for traditional products such as gingerbread and pocket watches called “Nuremberg Eggs”.

6-Night Danube River Cruise Carving its way through ten European countries, the Danube is the perfect waterway to take in the area’s best landscapes, charming vistas, and riverside castles. With a 6-night cruise, make your way through Germany and Austria.

Regensburg This is a city at the confluence of the Danube and Regen Rivers in Bavaria, and its medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It dates from the Stone Age, and the Romans were here in the 1st century. Its 12th-century Stone Bridge over the Danube opened up important trade routes between medieval Europe and Venice, and helped it become an economic center. Other attractions are St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Old Town Hall.

Passau Passau is in Lower Bavaria near the Austrian border, and is known as the “City of Three Rivers” because the Inn and Ilz Rivers join the Danube there. It dates from the Stone Age, and became an important religious center in the 8th century. Its major attractions include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, with the world’s largest organ, and the Bishop’s Castle. Passau was famous for manufacturing swords and other weapons during the Renaissance.

Choice on Tour: Passau City Walk or Veste Oberhaus Fortress Enjoy leisurely paced guided walking tour of Passau, the 2,000 year old fairy tale city also known as the "City of the Three Rivers" and take in its ornate Baroque architecture, the cobblestone streets, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, home to Europe's largest church organ

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Spend time at one of the largest preserved castle castle complexes in Europe, the Vete Oberhaus. Perched high above the old town Passau the Veste Oberhaus, never conquered and never completely destroyed, the view of the city from above is breathtaking.



Passau City Walk

Activity Level 3: This tour is locally guided. Tour duration is approximately 2 hours. Travelers need to be ready to walk on uneven cobblestone streets and to stand during the entire duration of the walking tour.



Veste Oberhaus Fortress

Activity Level 4: This tour is locally guided. Tour duration is approximately 2 hours and includes climbing up and going downhill with more than 100 steps. Travelers may expect uneven ground and good walking shoes are recommended.

Wachau Valley This Danube valley is 25 miles long and runs from Melk to Krems in Lower Austria, and is a UNESCO site. The valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and is a famous wine region. There are no bridges across the Danube in the valley, so ferries are the only way to cross. The town of Durnstein in Wachau Valley was where King Richard Lionheart was held captive by Duke Leopold.

Gluhwein Party Gluwhein is the traditional hot drink served during the winter period, especially around Christmas and Halloween in Europe and can be normally found at Christmas markets. Mulled wine is a beverage usually made with red wine, normally port and claret, along with various mulling spices, including cinnamon and raisins. Wine was first recorded as spiced and heated in Rome during the 2nd century. The Romans travelled across Europe, conquering much of it, bringing wine and viticulture with them up to the Rhine and Danube rivers. Guests will have a chance to taste this delectable beverage as part of an excursion in the Wachau Valley.

Vienna This is the capital city of Austria, located on the Danube, with a population of over 2 million in the metro area. It is known as the “City of Music” because of the numerous famous composers who have lived and worked here, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, and also as the “City of Dreams” as it was home to Sigmund Freud. Some of its primary sights are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Vienna is also known for its coffee houses and restaurants.

Christmas Markets The Christmas Markets in Europe typically open the last week of November and close on Christmas Eve. The tradition began in the Middle Ages in Central Europe, what is now Germany, eastern France and Austria, and now there are markets in many European countries. There is usually a Christmas tree, a nativity scene and many booths selling traditional regional toys and foods, and also beer and gluhwein or vin chaud (hot mulled wine). Some famous markets are in Nuremberg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Strasbourg (France) and Rothenberg. As many as 3 million people will visit each one every year.

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Mode of Transport

Begin your journey with an overnight flight to Germany, followed by a 6-night cruise along the Danube River. Enjoy scenic views and explore historic cities with guided tours, all while traveling in comfort aboard the MS Amadeus Brilliant.

Accommodation

Experience the comfort of the Maritim Hotel and the luxurious MS Amadeus Brilliant cruise ship, featuring modern amenities, a panoramic deck café, and exceptional service. Enjoy unlimited wine with every dinner and indulge in the Captain's Gala Dinner during your 6-night Danube River cruise.