Magic of Advent on the Danube River Cruise Austria Germany

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the “City of Waltz”.

The morning is at leisure. Board your ship in the afternoon (check-in starts at 4 pm) and enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner (included). The vessel remains moored in Vienna overnight. (B,D)

In the morning a sightseeing tour of Vienna (optional) provides you with an overall impression of the city's most important sights, taking you along the Ringstrasse, into the Schwarzenbergplatz, passing by the Karlskirche and Vienna's stunning opera house. In the afternoon, consider taking an optional excursion to Schoenbrunn Castle and see the Christmas Market in front of the castle. After dinner on board, you can visit a "Sound of Vienna" concert (optional). (B,L,D)

In the morning, the ship moors in Melk/Emmersdorf, from where you can set off by coach for an interesting excursion through the Wachau district (optional). It starts with a walk through Duernstein, one of the best-known wine villages in the Wachau, set in a glorious position. Then drive through this district's picturesque landscape to the 900-year old Benedictine Abbey of Melk. Enjoy a Gluehwein (mulled wine) Party before returning to the ship in the afternoon. (B,L,D)

This morning your cruise ship arrives at the historical Bavarian city of Passau, which lies at the confluence of three rivers. Much of this small, charming city can be seen in the course of the morning city walk (optional). There will be enough time to visit Passau's Christmas Market (included) before the cruise continues in the afternoon. (B,L,D)

The ship arrives in Regensburg in the morning. Regensburg is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany and has an incredible number of impressive historic buildings. The city walk (optional) gives you the flavor of the former power and wealth of this city, which once controlled the trade route to the Orient. You also will be able to visit this city's Christmas Market (optional) in the afternoon. The vessel leaves the city in the evening. Enjoy a special Captain's Gala Dinner, during which the ship's orchestra will be providing its fine entertainment. (B,L,D)

After lunch, the ship reaches Roth, from where you can join an optional tour to Nuremberg. This includes the city's fairytale 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle, and the Justice Palace (where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946). You will also be able to visit the world famous Christmas Market in the old quarter. Those who have taken this excursion will rejoin the vessel in Nuremberg in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, disembark the ship and enjoy a free day in Albrecht Duerer's city. (B)

Make your own way to the Nuremberg airport for your return flight home. (B)