Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get transferred to your ship, the APT Solara, where you can settle in and make yourself comfortable. This evening there's a welcome celebration with fellow travelers featuring Hungarian folk music, local brandy, and artisan meats and cheeses.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Solara)
Included Activities
- Welcome celebration with Hungarian folk music performance
- Tasting of local brandy, artisan meats and cheeses
Landmarks APT Solara - Day 2
Budapest to Vienna
Pick from two morning options in Budapest. Take a guided city tour hitting Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica with visits to Christmas markets, or head up to Castle Hill by funicular for views and a walk to Fisherman's Bastion. This afternoon you'll cruise toward Vienna.
Included Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Guided city tour of Budapest including Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Freedom of Choice - Visit to two Budapest Christmas markets
- Freedom of Choice - Funicular ride to Castle Hill
- Freedom of Choice - Walk to Fisherman's Bastion
Landmarks Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Castle Hill Fisherman's Bastion 
- Day 3
Bratislava
The ship docks in Bratislava for a guided tour of Slovakia's capital. You'll see 18th-century rococo architecture mixed with communist-era buildings like the UFO bridge, the Slovak Radio building, and Hotel Kyjev. It's an interesting look at how different periods shaped the city.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bratislava
- Visit to UFO bridge
- Visit to Slovak Radio building
- Visit to Hotel Kyjev
Landmarks UFO Bridge Slovak Radio building Hotel Kyjev - Day 4
Vienna
Vienna's major sights come into view as you explore the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Wander through the Christmas markets at your own pace, where mulled wine and gingerbread scents fill the air. Grab souvenirs and soak in the festive holiday atmosphere.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna's landmarks along the Ringstrasse
- Visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Time to explore Christmas markets
Landmarks Ringstrasse St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 5
Vienna
You'll tour inside Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburg summer residence, and walk through the apartments of former emperors and the grounds. Check out the Christmas market in Parade Court. Later, head to Vienna's City Palace for a cocktail party and private classical concert with Mozart and Strauss performed by a full orchestra.
Included Activities
- Guided tour inside Schönbrunn Palace
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace grounds
- Visit to Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace
- Exclusive Signature Experience - Cocktail party at Vienna's City Palace
- Exclusive Signature Experience - Private classical concert at Vienna's City Palace featuring Mozart and Strauss
- Operatic recital at Vienna's City Palace
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Vienna's City Palace - Day 6
Melk
Spend time in Dürnstein wandering cobblestone lanes on your own. From there you'll cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk, where you can tour Melk Abbey with its detailed statues and intricate architecture.
Included Activities
- Exploration of Dürnstein
- Visit to Melk Abbey
Landmarks Dürnstein Wachau Valley Melk Abbey - Day 7
Passau
Start your morning at Salzburg's Christmas market. Choose between touring 'The Sound of Music' film locations with alpine views, or head to the Czech Republic to see the medieval town of Český Krumlov with its World Heritage-listed old center. Later you'll continue cruising to Passau.
Included Activities
- Visit to Salzburg's Christmas market
- Freedom of Choice - 'The Sound of Music' tour of Salzburg
- Freedom of Choice - Visit to Český Krumlov
Landmarks Salzburg Christmas Market Český Krumlov Vltava River - Day 8
Regensburg
You wake up on Christmas Day in Regensburg. Walk through the World Heritage-listed city center with its Roman history dating back to when it was Bavaria's first capital. That evening, enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner on the ship with all the festive trimmings.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Christmas feast on board ship)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre
- Traditional Christmas feast on board ship
Landmarks Regensburg City Centre - Day 9
Nuremberg
The ship continues through the Main-Danube Canal, a major engineering project that took 32 years to complete. Once you reach Nuremberg, pick between touring World War II sites like the Reich Party Rally Grounds or joining a medieval history tour covering the 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle, and market square.
Included Activities
- Cruising Main-Danube Canal
- Freedom of Choice - Discover Nuremberg's World War II sites including Reich Party Rally Grounds
- Freedom of Choice - Medieval History of Nuremberg tour including Imperial Castle and Gothic church
Landmarks Main-Danube Canal Reich Party Rally Grounds Nuremberg Imperial Castle Nuremberg Market Square 
- Day 10
Bamberg
You arrive in Bamberg, a World Heritage site that avoided destruction in World War II. Join a guide through the Old Town to see historic churches and buildings including the town hall on the Regnitz River, or stay relaxed on board the ship.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bamberg Old Town
- Visit to historic churches and buildings in Bamberg
- Visit to Bamberg town hall on the Regnitz River
Optional Activities
- Relax on board ship
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Regnitz River - Day 11
Würzburg / Rothenburg / Franconia
Three options are available today. Tour the 18th-century Würzburg Residence with its gilded stucco and Tiepolo ceiling frescoes. Or explore the medieval walled town of Rothenburg with its colorful houses and narrow streets, including a visit to Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village. Alternatively, head to the Volkacher Mainschleife wine region for a tour and whisky tasting paired with fresh local bread.
Included Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Visit to Würzburg Residence
- Freedom of Choice - Explore Rothenburg walled town
- Freedom of Choice - Tastes of Franconia including guided tour and tasting at famous Franconian whisky distillery
Optional Activities
- Visit to Käthe Wohlfahrt's 'Christmas Village' in Rothenburg
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village Volkacher Mainschleife - Day 12
Miltenberg
In Miltenberg, a well-preserved German village, choose between a guided walking tour followed by local liqueur tastings at one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars, or travel to a nearby monastery to meet a Franciscan friar and learn about monastic life while sampling homemade sausages, cheese, bread, and exploring the gardens.
Included Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Guided walking tour of Miltenberg
- Freedom of Choice - Local liqueur tasting at historic Franconian wine cellar
- Freedom of Choice - Local monastery visit with Franciscan friar meeting
- Freedom of Choice - Tasting of homemade sausages, cheese and bread at monastery
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore monastery gardens and vineyard
Landmarks Miltenberg 
- Day 13
Rüdesheim
You dock in Rüdesheim and pick your activity. Gondola over Rhine Valley vineyards to the Niederwald Monument, check out Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or visit a historic wine cellar for Rhine Valley tastings. Later you'll sail through the Rhine's most scenic section past rocky cliffs and vineyards.
Included Activities
- Sailing through the Rhine River
- Freedom of Choice - Gondola ride over Rhine Valley vineyards to Niederwald Monument
- Freedom of Choice - Tour of Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Freedom of Choice - Historic wine cellar visit with Rhine Valley wine tasting
Landmarks Rüdesheim Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rhine Valley - Day 14
Cologne
Cologne is your next stop and a guided tour covers the city's highlights including the famous Kölner Dom cathedral. Tonight, ring in the New Year with celebrations happening throughout the city as 2026 arrives.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne
- Visit to Kölner Dom cathedral
- New Year's Eve celebrations
Landmarks Kölner Dom 
- Day 15
Amsterdam
You arrive in Amsterdam with two choices. Board a glass-top boat to cruise the World Heritage canals and see the city's unique architecture, or visit the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store for a cheese and wine tasting. That evening, fresh local oysters paired with regional sparkling wine await.
- Meals
- Dinner (Fresh locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine)
Included Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Glass-top boat canal cruise through World Heritage-listed canals
- Freedom of Choice - Old Amsterdam Cheese Store visit with cheese tasting and wine pairing
- Fresh locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Old Amsterdam Cheese Store - Day 16
Amsterdam to Airport
After breakfast, your 15-day European Christmas journey ends as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
