Iconic Christmas Markets

Overview

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. Budapests Vrsmarty Square, where all products sold in the market are guaranteed as traditionally handmade; Vienna with its impressive Christmas markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; Nurembergs festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas market in Germany; and Regensburgs Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavarias most beautiful and romantic, are yours to explore. Sparkling lights; the festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind; and timeless wonders are a feast for all your senses.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Budapest

Board the ship in Budapest for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)

Day 2 – Budapest

Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, youll visit Vrsmarty Square, the oldest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Vienna

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 before concluding in Viennas historic city center. Afterwards, youll visit the Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas market. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, visit the Schnbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. This market presents a glittering and stellar Christmas experience. Cap the day off with Vienna by Night Christmas markets at the beautifully decorated Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market, set amongst the world-renowned sights of Viennas majestic Ringstrasse, and at the illuminated Rathaus, Viennas largest Christmas market. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Melk

High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europes most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine 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. During the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Passau

Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephens. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas market. 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. For the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Regensburg

Regensburg is one of Germanys best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the citys 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 Bavarias specialtiesbeer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, youll be treated to one of Bavarias most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Nuremburg

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nurembergs cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nurembergs Christkindlesmarkt, one of the worlds largest and most famous Christmas markets. (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Nuremburg

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home. (B)