Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll be met at the airport and transferred to your Star-Ship cruise vessel. After boarding, you'll have time to walk around this historic 700-year-old city at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam at leisure
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Take a glass-top canal boat cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, watching the snow-covered areas and locals enjoying traditional hot chocolate during Amsterdam's winter season.
Included Activities
- Glass-top canal boat cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System - Day 3
Cologne
After arriving in Cologne, you'll walk through this historic city and visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. The Christmas market sits beneath its Gothic spires with artisan crafts, handmade ornaments, and traditional lebkuchen gingerbread.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne
- Visit to Cologne Christmas market
- Lecture: Christmas traditions in Europe (on board)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral 
- Day 4
Rüdesheim
You'll travel through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim to see the Christmas Market of Nations with over a hundred stalls from different countries. Tour Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum and try the famous Rüdesheim coffee with local Asbach Uralt brandy before returning for an on-board performance.
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Exploration of Rüdesheim's Christmas Market of Nations
Optional Activities
- Sample Rüdesheim coffee with Asbach Uralt brandy
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Rhine Gorge - Day 5
Miltenberg
Head to the town of Miltenberg in the Odenwald forest. A local guide takes you through this postcard-worthy destination with festive decorations and a boutique Christmas market. You'll also see Bronnbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery in the Tauber Valley, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
- Visit to Bronnbach Abbey
Optional Activities
- Try apple streusel kuchen (apple crumb cake) at local market stalls
Landmarks Bronnbach Abbey - Day 6
Würzburg
During this day you'll get a guided tour of Würzburg and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence, a Baroque palace built by prince bishops. The Christmas market in the Old Town has over 100 wooden stalls, warm Glühwein, and seasonal treats surrounded by snow-covered historic gardens.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Würzburg
- Visit to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence (Bishops Residence)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence - Day 7
Bamberg
You'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg with four Christmas markets set among half-timbered buildings. A local guide covers the town's highlights and shows you beautiful Baroque nativity scenes. Later, try Bamberg's famous beer, brewed using traditional Franconian methods at local breweries.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Visit to Bamberg's four Christmas markets
- Sample Bamberg's famous beer
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town - Day 8
Nuremberg
Nuremberg's guided sightseeing tour covers its architectural wonders and wartime history. You'll see sites that influenced famous artists for centuries, then have free time to check out the Christmas market in the city center.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- Explore Nuremberg's Christmas market
Landmarks Nuremberg Old Town 
- Day 9
Regensburg
The cruise continues along the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, passing over multiple aqueducts before reaching Regensburg. You'll walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town with a local guide and visit the Thurn and Taxis Palace Christmas market lit by twinkling lights. An on-board performance by a traditional Bavarian band follows dinner.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Visit to Christmas market in Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds
- Performance by traditional Bavarian band (on board)
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Thurn and Taxis Palace - Day 10
Passau
After arriving in Passau where three European rivers converge, you'll take an afternoon walking tour down narrow cobbled alleys. The tour includes the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress overlooking the town and ends at St. Stephen's Cathedral, where the Christkindlmarkt offers warm Glühwein and freshly baked goods.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Oberhaus Fortress - Day 11
Melk
The ship cruises to the village of Melk where you'll tour the Benedictine Melk Abbey, an ancient Baroque monastery. You'll see the monumental architecture and explore the historic library treasures of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Landmarks Melk Abbey - Day 12
Vienna
You'll arrive in Vienna and enjoy a guided tour featuring a drive around the magnificent Ringstrasse with its opulent buildings. After that, you'll have time at leisure to explore Christmas markets and try hot chocolate and baked goods at one of the city's cafés.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna including drive around Ringstrasse
Optional Activities
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
- Explore Vienna's Christmas markets
Landmarks Ringstrasse 
- Day 13
Bratislava
In Bratislava, you'll walk through this capital city blending Gothic architecture with neo-Renaissance style. You'll stroll down peaceful streets to see ancient theatres and the Episcopal Summer Palace, then have home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family before browsing the Christmas market for handcrafted ornaments.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family
Optional Activities
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Old Town - Day 14
Budapest
You'll see Budapest's striking contrasts with elegant landmarks in Buda and the fascinating past in Pest across the mighty Danube. A guided coach tour covers the city's highlights and the Chain Bridge. Free time allows you to explore Christmas markets, and the day finishes with a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Hungarian farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Performance by traditional Hungarian folklore show (on board)
- Traditional Hungarian farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Budapest's Christmas markets
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
After breakfast, you'll leave the cruise and transfer to Prague, home to pristine collections of architecture spanning multiple eras. You'll have a three-night stay in this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 16
Prague
Your local guide takes you through the Old Town Square, a cobblestoned area that captures the city's architectural heritage during the seasonal period. You'll visit Lobkowicz Palace for coffee and cake as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague
- Coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Optional Activities
- Explore Prague's Christmas markets
Landmarks Old Town Square Lobkowicz Palace - Day 17
Prague
You'll have the day to explore Prague on your own with your tour director available if you need help planning activities. Stop by one of Prague's Christmas markets where local craftsmen sell handcrafted ornaments and freshly baked Czech Christmas treats.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Prague's Christmas markets
- Tastes of Czechia excursion (extra expense)
- Day 18
Prague
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your fellow guests and head to the airport for your transfer from Prague's historic center, taking memories of ancient wonders and UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
