Itinerary
- Day 1
Zürich or Basel to Breisach
Arrive in Zürich or Basel by 3 pm and get settled on your cruise ship by 5 pm. After boarding, head into the festive city centre to check out the Christmas markets with all their lights and decorations. You'll find plenty of seasonal treats like waffles, gingerbread, and Swiss raclette to try before heading back for an evening cruise to Breisach.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Stroll through the city centre
- Enjoy festive illumination and Christmas markets
- Day 2
Freiburg and Black Forest
Pick between two options this morning. Either take a guided tour through Freiburg's medieval centre in the Black Forest, or head out to explore the Black Forest itself and experience local Christmas traditions. If you want, there's also an optional visit to Colmar with its half-timbered buildings. Back on ship, there's live entertainment after dinner before you cruise to Strasbourg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city center OR guided tour to the Black Forest
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Guided optional excursion to Colmar
Landmarks Black Forest Freiburg Colmar - Day 3
Strasbourg
A city sightseeing tour takes you through Strasbourg to see the Gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and astronomical clock, plus the La Petite France district. You can optionally head out to a wine country village in Alsace if that interests you. Spend your afternoon walking through Strasbourg's winter markets before an evening cruise to Speyer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City sightseeing including Gothic cathedral, ancient murals, astronomical clock, and La Petite France district
- Stroll through winter markets of Strasbourg
Optional Activities
- Guided optional excursion in wine country village in Alsace
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France - Day 4
Speyer to Heidelberg
Choose your morning activity: either a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat (the world's largest wine barrel), followed by the Heidelberg Christmas markets, or a more relaxed sail with time to explore Speyer's markets on your own. Later that evening, you'll cruise toward Frankfurt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour including Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat, then visit German Christmas markets in Heidelberg OR explore Speyer Christmas markets
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Great Vat (Heidelberg) - Day 5
Frankfurt to Rüdesheim
Join a guided tour of the Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim, a truly unique place featuring all sorts of mechanical instruments. After that, you'll have free time to enjoy the area before an evening cruise to a Main River village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim
Landmarks Mechanical Music Museum (Rüdesheim) - Day 6
Main River Village to Würzburg
A guided tour takes you through a picturesque village along the Main River where you can discover local holiday traditions and find gifts. Later, back on the ship, there's live entertainment in the evening before cruising to Würzburg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of picturesque village along Main River
- Live entertainment on board
- Day 7
Romantic Road
Würzburg's guided sightseeing tour covers the Old Main Bridge, the fortress, and the baroque Bishop's Residence. There's an optional excursion to Rothenburg to visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum with its extensive collection of traditional decorations. Spend some time at Würzburg's Christmas markets before an evening cruise to Bamberg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Würzburg including Old Main Bridge, fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence
- Spend free time enjoying Würzburg's Christmas markets
Optional Activities
- Guided optional excursion to Rothenburg
- Visit Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum
Landmarks Würzburg Old Main Bridge Würzburg Fortress Bishop's Residence (Würzburg) Rothenburg - Day 8
Bamberg
In medieval Bamberg, you'll attend a Christmas Traditions lecture while sailing, then take a guided tour through the town's nativity scenes from miniature to life-size. Browse the Christmas markets and try traditional German food. Live entertainment happens on board before an evening cruise to Nuremberg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture
- Guided sightseeing tour of Bamberg
- Stroll through nativity scenes throughout Bamberg
- Spend free time at Christmas markets
- Live entertainment on board
Landmarks Bamberg - Day 9
Nuremberg
You've got options in Nuremberg. Take a guided tour of the medieval architecture, the gilded fountain, the Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, or explore the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds from the Third Reich. Afterward, browse the Christmas Markets and sample Bavarian specialties like bratwurst, gingerbread, and mulled wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle OR guided tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds
- Spend free time browsing Christmas Markets of Nuremberg
Landmarks Kaiserburg Castle (Nuremberg) Nuremberg Rally Grounds Gothic Cathedral (Nuremberg) - Day 10
Nuremberg to Munich to Nuremberg
This morning, disembark and drive to Munich for a guided tour covering Nymphenburg Palace (a former residence of Bavarian monarchs) and the Old and New Town Halls at Marienplatz. You'll return to Nuremberg in the late afternoon to re-board the ship for departure to Vienna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Munich
- Visit Nymphenburg Palace
- Visit Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz
Landmarks Nymphenburg Palace Marienplatz - Day 11
Nuremberg to Regensburg
Spend this day exploring Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the lit-up streets, pick up any last-minute Christmas gifts, or check with your Cruise Director for suggestions on what to see. Later, there's an evening cruise heading to Regensburg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Free time to explore Nuremberg
- Day 12
Regensburg
A guided city walk through Regensburg shows you the Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria, the fortress entrance built way back in 179 AD. Walk through the Christmas markets and grab something warm like mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst. You'll attend a Christmas Traditions lecture on board before cruising to Passau.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city walk of Regensburg including Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria
- Browse Christmas markets
- Christmas Traditions lecture on board
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) Porta Pretoria - Day 13
Salzburg - Linz - Melk
Take a guided walk to learn about Passau's 'City of Three Rivers'. There's an optional excursion to Salzburg if you want to see Sound of Music settings and the story behind the hymn Silent Night. Free time lets you browse Passau's Christkindlesmarkt near St. Stephen's Cathedral. A brief evening cruise takes you to Linz for music, dancing, or late-night treats before sailing to Melk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city walk of Passau
- Spend free time at Passau's Christkindlesmarkt
Optional Activities
- Guided optional excursion to Salzburg
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral (Passau) Salzburg - Day 14
Melk to Vienna
Visit Melk's Benedictine Abbey on a guided tour to see the frescoed ceilings, then enjoy an Austrian cookie tasting while sailing through the Wachau Valley toward Vienna. This evening, consider an optional Royal Waltz Concert if you'd like an elegant evening of music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Benedictine Abbey
- Austrian cookie tasting while sailing through Wachau Valley
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Royal Waltz Concert
Landmarks Melk Benedictine Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 15
Vienna
A guided tour covers Vienna's highlights including the Imperial Palace complex (winter home of the Imperial Family), the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Later, explore the Christkindlesmarkt or relax in a Viennese café by the fire. There's an optional tour of Schönbrunn Palace available if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Vienna including Imperial Palace complex, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Spend free time at Christkindlesmarkt or Viennese cafés
Optional Activities
- Guided optional tour of Schönbrunn Palace
Landmarks Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral (Vienna) Imperial Palace (Vienna) Schönbrunn Palace - Day 16
Vienna
Your cruise ends this morning after breakfast. Disembark and depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast
