Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Christmastime on the Danube – Cruise Only Eastbound
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Onboard welcome reception
- Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market; lecture on board
- Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; guided walk; Christmas market; beer tasting on board
- Guided walk; Christmas market
- Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; onboard cookie tasting
- Choice of guided sightseeing, or culinary tour at Christmas market
- Enter a stunning world of cherished Christmas traditions along the Danube River
- Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, Germany, with its medieval fortifications, gothic churches, and palaces
Short Description
Enter a stunning world of cherished Christmas traditions along the Danube River. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, Germany, with its medieval fortifications, gothic churches, and palaces. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations and the Christmas market, one of the most famous in the world, has dozens of stalls offering traditional wares, such as Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread), Glühwein (hot mulled wine), and unique decorations and ornaments. Learn about local Christmas traditions, and cruise to historical Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. After a guided tour, enjoy a tasting of German beers. Experience Passau’s charming Christmas market set against the breathtaking backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral—a masterpiece of baroque architecture.Arrive in lovely Melk, Austria, and tour the magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey—one of Europe’s largest monasteries. As you cruise through the wintery landscape of the picturesque Wachau Valley, enjoy a tasting of traditional Austrian cookies. This Christmas river cruise ends in Austria’s magical capital of Vienna, home to the sounds of Mozart and Strauss, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and the Spanish Riding School. See the famous sights with a Local Guide, or opt to go on a culinary tour through the Christmas markets to get a taste of all the best flavors Austria offers during this sparkling time of year on the Danube River.
Itinerary
Day 1
NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Nuremberg and board your Avalon Suite Ship® OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG(B,D)
Day 2
NUREMBERG Living Heritage and History Lessons 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 (7 Dec departure only). Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlesmarkt. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG(B,L,D)
Day 3
REGENSBURG Christmas Magic in Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning. 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. DISCOVERY Later, indulge in an onboard Beer Tasting to sample regional German brews.Enjoy live entertainment as you sail. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU(B,L,D)
Day 4
PASSAU Saint Stephens, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent NightCLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”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 (included for departure 25 November only). Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take a brief evening cruise to Linz, and go out for music and dancing or late-night dessert before sailing to Melk. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK(B,L,D)
Day 5
MELK, AUSTRIA Striking Frescoes and the Breathtaking Wachau ValleyCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna. VIENNA Vienna’s Winter WonderlandThis 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 DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)
Day 6
VIENNA Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Vienna to see the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial family, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Culinary Tour of Vienna’s magical Christmas Advent Markets to sample Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel. You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)
Day 7
VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
Availability
1,595 Avalon Waterways Travel Reviews & Ratings
Christmastime on the Danube – Cruise Only Eastbound
Company Reviews
South of France
We had a fabulous cruise
Avalon Waterways cannot be trusted
Awesome Cruise
Wife loves the experience. Food and service were great with many options and the kitchen/serving staff went out of their way to accommodate some special dietary needs. They had an hour long free happy hour every day before dinner and a cookie/coffee bar all day. Rooms were cleaned on a daily basis. Tour options were very good, especially the tour to the medieval city Bruges and the Keukenhof gardens. Their bed placement facing the outside windows is a winner. We highly recommend Avalon.
Amazing tulip river cruise
dO nOt BoOk ThEsE tRiPs
Details
Deck & Cabin Plans
Optional Activities
WNV|Take this cruise with land stays
Accommodations
Intercontinental - Vienna
A luxurious 458 room hotel with timeless elegance. Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and guestrooms subject to a fee (payable locally) and there is also a fitness centre with sauna, steam bath, solarium and 24 hour gym. Traditional Viennese cuisine and Mediterranean favourites can be sampled in the stylish restaurant. Viennese coffee and pastries can be enjoyed in the Café and the opulent American bar has a large selection of cocktails with live piano music.
Wien
Austria
Johannesgasse 28
Trip ID#:
AVALON-WNV0
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