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Overview

Celebrate this magical time of year with a Christmastime river cruise vacation starting in the Czech Republic, on through the beautiful views of the heart of Germany, and ending in Switzerland. Prague, the beautiful Czech capital, is set on the banks of the Vltava River and a Local Guide will be proud to show you the famous sights. The Christmas market offers rows of brightly decorated wooden huts selling ornaments and Czech handicrafts. Explore to your heart’s content and try a traditional hot sausage from one of the stalls. Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, host to one of the oldest Christmas markets. Get into the holiday spirit as you stroll through the illuminated Old Town. 200 stalls sell traditional German Christmas wares and seasonal delicacies. In delightful Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find nativity scenes built by local citizens throughout the town. Learn about holiday tradi-tions as you cruise to Würzburg, and here walk through the halls of the ornate Bishop’s Residenz—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Learn how to bake a traditional cookie before arriving at one of the charming small towns with half-timbered houses that are dotted along the Main River.

In Rüdesheim on the Rhine River, see Europe’s largest nativity scene with life-size figures. Visit Heidelberg Castle, which towers magnificently over the city, before cruising to Strasbourg, France. This time of year, the historic charm of the city is mixed with the festive aromas, sights, and sounds—creating a truly magical atmosphere! Visit the gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the famous Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, before ending in Ba-sel Switzerland.

Book your cruise with or without flights

Cruise prices are shown without flights included in case you wish to book them separately, or aren't ready to return home when you disembark! Or we can book your flights for you from most UK airports, with overseas transfers and ATOL protection included. The choice is yours!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Itinerary

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Classic

<p>Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.</p>

Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Day 1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC<span class="Location"> </span>

Welcome to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. This fascinating city straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires, and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. Enjoy free time to explore Prague and its surrounding countryside. Sample delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River.

Day 2 PRAGUE

Meals included:
Breakfast

Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Czech Christmas Spirits

Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.

Spend the afternoon on your own to browse the exquisite Christmas Markets of Prague. Stroll through the brightly colored wooden stalls for ornaments and handmade toys and handicrafts.

Day 3 PRAGUE—NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Enjoy a free morning before your transfer to Nuremberg, where your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

Day 4 NUREMBERG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Living Heritage and History Lessons

Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlmarkt culinary delights.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG

Day 5 BAMBERG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Cherished Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes

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.

Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

Day 6 WÜRZBURG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Ornaments, Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet

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 Käthe 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 MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

Day 7 MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights

Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.

Join a Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT

Day 8 FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM

Meals included:
Breakfast
Dinner

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER

Day 9 HEIDELBERG EXCURSION. SPEYER

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King

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.

Explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG

Day 10 STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël

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.
Savor 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 CRUISE TO BREISACH

Day 11 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest

Visit to Badische Winzerkeller, the largest German wine producer in Europe. Discover Germany’s southernmost wine country in Baden—ideally situated between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River. Learn about the vintners’ process in the vineyards here, and enjoy a wine tasting, OR: Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.

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, and enjoy the warmth and glow of the Christmas season.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL

Day 12 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights shouldn’t leave Zürich airport before 10 am.

Questions? Our travel specialists can help with any queries, quotes or special requirements. Request a callback or email us.

Notes

In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.