Christmas on the Danube

Welcome the winter season with a timeless trip down the Danube River. Board your cruise and relax as you are transported along beloved cities, where age-old culture is interwoven into seasonal specialties. Peruse handcrafted trinkets, traditional sweets, and infectious holiday cheer as you make your way though some of Europe’s most renowned Christmas markets. Your holiday tour begins with an overnight flight to Germany.
Hotel Name: Hotel Melchior Park

Start in a historic Bavarian town along the banks of the Main River. Enjoy time to unwind and soak in the charms of Franconia. Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner and toast to your upcoming adventure.
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: MS Amadeus Amara

Visit Area: Würzburg
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.

Join a local guide on a leisurely paced walking tour of Würzburg, an ancient wine town. Your journey takes you to Rothenburg, a town of medieval walls, fairy-tale houses, and Christmas markets. Continue on to Nuremberg to board your ship. Your home for the next six nights, this vessel has modern amenities such as the newest technology, panoramic deck café, panorama salon and bar, exceptional service, and delicious cuisine and wine with every dinner. This evening, enjoy dinner onboard.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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.

After walking along the pier to your coach, join a local expert on a panoramic tour that will give you a taste of the city. Then, continue with a walking tour of Nuremberg that will take you on a stroll through the historic city for more than an hour. See Old Town, the 900-year-old ramparts, and the Imperial Castle. Your city tour concludes at Nuremberg’s 17th-century Christmas market, which is Germany’s oldest. Wander along the local goods and perhaps you’ll shop for handcrafted nutcrackers or treat your taste buds to Nuremberg’s famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Spend the afternoon cruising across the continental divide and through the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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”.

With an expert guide, discover Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. See the first stone bridge built over the Danube and the Porta Praetoria – a Roman gate built in A.D. 179. Stroll through 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 holding seasonal ornaments, wooden toys, and local handicrafts. The afternoon is yours to explore.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: 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.

Amid the early morning light, cruise past scenic valleys and charming riverside towns to Passau, situated at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This morning, enjoy a leisurely paced guided walking tour of Passau, the 2,000-year-old fairy-tale city also known as the “City of Three Rivers” and take in its ornate Baroque architecture, the cobblestoned streets, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest church organ. This afternoon, soak in the scenery from the comfort of your ship.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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.

Cruise to the quaint town of Emmersdorf. Relax and take in the scenery before visiting the cobblestone streets of Dürnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey. Enjoy some time dedicated to exploring this ancient town. Later, get a taste of local tradition at a Glühwein party onboard the ship. As the day draws to a close, say hello to Vienna, Austria's capital city.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: 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.

It is time to step off the ship and explore. After walking along the pier to reach your coach, join a local expert and explore Vienna's architecture, including the Ringstrasse and the Vienna Opera House on a panoramic city tour. Then, discover Vienna on foot while walking through the city’s charming cobblestone streets and finish at the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral (use caution, as these cobblestones may become slick with frost). The afternoon is yours. Celebrate the end of your trip at the Captain's Gala Dinner.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included

Drive By: 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.

Disembark after breakfast and say goodbye to the iconic Danube.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Glühwein Party
Glüwhein 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.