Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas Markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Nuremberg’s festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Germany; Regensburg’s Artisan Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic; Vienna with its impressive Christmas Markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; and Budapest, where products sold in the market are traditionally handmade. Revel in a feast for the senses: sparkling lights; festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; and enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind.
COUNTRIES: AUSTRIA, GERMANY, HUNGARY
RIVERS: DANUBE
Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)
Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts, followed by a visit to Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas Markets. You can also choose to spend the entire morning exploring this iconic Christmas Market. For those looking for a taste of Nuremberg, depart for Nuremberg Imperial Castle and visit City Brewery where you will delight your palate with savory Nuremberg sausage and beer. Then continue to Sebalder Kirche (church) where you will nibble on sweet and spicy lebkuchen, a baked treat similar to gingerbread. End the day crossing the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal. (B,L,D)
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas Market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. For those in a festive mood, head to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent and storied abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. (B,L,D)
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs along with an opportunity to visit the city’s Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. In the afternoon, visit Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market and its spectacular festive atmosphere. (B,L,D)
Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Your tour through this sprawling World Heritage city offers splendid views from historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both banks of the river. You’ll also visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and much more. Later, explore the city’s popular Christmas Markets. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B, L, D)
Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before preparing for your return flight home. (B)
- 7-night river cruise in elegantly appointed accommodations
- Fine dining on board in multiple venues
- Unlimited hand-selected wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch/dinner
- Small group guided shore excursions with a variety of choices, including exclusive Special Interest, hiking and biking tours
- Professionally trained Wellness Host leading engaging wellness activities
- Live local entertainment
- Unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi access
OPTIONAL LAND PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
- Hotel accommodations with daily breakfast and city tour
- Transfers between hotel and ship
» Panoramic Lounge with bar, piano, and dance floor
» Walking track, Chess Board, Putting Green, Sun Deck pool with swim-
up bar, and fitness room
» Hair salon and massage services (additional costs apply)
» Entertainment-On-Demand with high-speed Internet, movies, music,
and English-language TV
» Marble bathrooms, multi-jet showers, soothing bath products, cotton
bathrobes, slippers and hair dryer
» Generous closet and storage space with in-room safe
» Individually controlled air conditioning in stateroom
TECHNICAL DATA – AMAVERDE
Built: 2011
Length: 443 ft.
Width: 38 ft.
Crew: 51
Staterooms: 80
Passengers: 160
Registry: Switzerland