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Overview

Sail along the Danube River with exciting stops and panoramic views in Austria and Germany. At this time of year, the towns and cities are festively lit and decorated, each in its own particular style and taste. Christmas markets abound, and the strains of carols and aroma of gingerbread fill the air. Embark your ship in Budapest, and sail up the Danube River to Vienna, Austria. Here, Christmas markets are scattered around the city, with the biggest located in front of the city hall. Join a traditional city sightseeing or a guided culinary walk through the Christmas market to taste some of the local traditional specialties.

Glide through the winter wonderland of the Wachau Valley, and in Melk visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey. You’ll love a guided walk through Passau, with its narrow streets and beautiful patrician houses, and the Christkindlmarkt set against the stunning backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Sail further up the Danube River, and you’ll come to the medieval walls of Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Your last stop along the Danube River is thousand-year-old Nuremberg, famous for one of the oldest Christmas market in Germany. After guided city sightseeing, be sure to explore the many stalls and try some spicy gingerbread and Glühwein! Disembark and travel to beautiful Prague, Czech Republic. See the sights with a Local Guide, and then explore on your own—get your last-minute gifts at the Christmas market, and don’t miss the beautifully-decorated tree in Old Town! The perfect ending to a memorable river cruise vacation!

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 BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Dinner

Time for Coffee, and Confections
Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture.
Enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition before boarding your Suite Ship®.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

Day 2 VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Vienna Waltzes on the Danube

Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia, see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing to Vienna. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)

Day 3 VIENNA

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections

Take a Guided Tour of Vienna to see the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial family, OR:

Join a Guided Culinary Tour of Vienna’s magical Christmas Advent Markets to sample Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—a Habsburg Empire summer home 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.
Later, relax on board with live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS

Day 4 KREMS

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Join a Guided Walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.

In your free time perhaps try some roasted chestnuts, one of the most popular treats at the Christmas market.
During lunchtime sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.

MELK Ornate Architecture and Scenic SplendorsTake a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

Day 5 PASSAU, GERMANY

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”.

Alternatively, join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas.
Meet your ship back in Passau after your selected activities for sailing.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

Day 6 REGENSBURG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this afternoon. Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Nuremberg.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG

Day 7 NUREMBERG

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR;Take 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 favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

Day 8 NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION)—PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Meals included:
Breakfast

Welcome to Prague! Explore the City of 100 Spires
Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City of Prague and its surrounding countryside.
Consider sampling delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River.

Day 9 PRAGUE

Meals included:
Breakfast

Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great Cuisine

Take a Guided City Walk, and visit the 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.
Tonight, you may decide to join us for an Optional Folklore Dinner Show, sampling traditional Czech cuisine in an authentic Prague setting.

Day 10 PRAGUE

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December; Prague Christmas markets are open from December until January.

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Start sooner, stay longer. Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.

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