Embark on a spectacular Christmas time cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest on board your luxury river cruise ship. Your 8 day holiday will provide you wonderful memories from visiting the Christmas markets along the way.
Day 1. Nuremberg
Be met at the airport and transferred to your river ship. After settling in to your suite, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, before a Welcome Reception followed by the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner this evening.
Day 2. Nuremberg
Today you’ll enjoy a tour of Nuremberg. See the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace. Then visit the world’s largest Christmas Market in Nuremberg’s Main Market Square. Every year, Germany’s most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls for visitors from all over the world. Throughout December, the Old Town is dressed in Christmas regalia for Christkindlesmarkt, steeped in centuries of tradition. The tempting aroma of mulled wine, sweet roasted almonds and gingerbread permeates the area, creating an unforgettable their traditional wares and, with their stalls festooned with red-and-white cloth, the market has earned itself the name of ‘Little Town from Wood and Cloth’. After your visit, re-board your ship and at lunch, cruise the Main-Danube Canal and cross the Continental Divide.
Day 3. Regensburg
Today you’ll arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Here you’ll enjoy the opportunity to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and take a tour of the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Afterwards, during time at leisure, perhaps visit the Old Kornmarkt Christmas Market and shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. Or visit the ‘royal’ Christmas Markets at the Thurn & Taxis Palace. Later, re-board your ship. Enjoy a folklore performance on board after dinner.
Day 4. Passau - Linz
Arrive in Passau for a walking tour of this fairytale city. Alternatively, you may wish to travel through snow-covered countryside to Salzburg for a visit to the city’s famous Christmas Market (own expense). Those staying on board will enjoy a day of cruising to Linz. This evening in Linz, perhaps step out after dinner for an evening stroll and take in the sparkling Christmas lights of the city.
Day 5. Melk - Vienna
Cruise through the scenic Strudengau region to the Wachau Valley this morning and disembark your ship for a tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Afterwards, re-board your ship and continue to Vienna, the capital of Austria. Tonight after dinner, enjoy time at leisure or perhaps take in an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).
Day 6. Vienna
Enjoy a day to savour the elegance of Vienna. A tour includes Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St Stephen’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to stroll along the main shopping
street, Kärntnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna’s famous pastries. During this time, you may like to go shopping at the festive Christmas Markets, located on nearly every corner of the city. Here, small huts provide you with potential presents, food, hot punch and Glühwein – heated sweetened wine.
Day 7. Budapest
Cruise in to Budapest, the Hungarian capital. On arrival, disembark your ship for a tour that includes such places as Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and Buda
Castle. Afterwards, enjoy time at leisure. Perhaps visit the Budapest Christmas Fair, where lovely Vörösmarty Square turns into a festive market place. Afterwards, re-board your ship and enjoy the Captain’s Gala Farewell Dinner.
Day 8. Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest
After breakfast this morning, your Christmas Time Cruise draws to its conclusion as you disembark the ship and are transferred to Budapest airport for the return flight.
