Begin your holiday season with a relaxing cruise along the scenic Danube River, stopping at traditional Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Passau, Rothenburg and Nuremberg. Nuremberg is home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in the world, and is famous as a toy making center, known for its fanciful nutcrackers and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Float through the Wachau Valley dotted with castles and small riverside towns. Discover Würzburg, an ancient Franconian wine town. Delight in the fairytale, baroque architecture in Passau. In Vienna, join a local expert in exploring the historic sights where you’ll indulge in the city’s atmosphere of opulence and elegance.
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Day 0
Overnight Flight
Welcome the winter season with a timeless trip on the Danube River. Your holiday tour begins with an overnight flight to Europe.
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Day 1
Vienna, Austria - Tour Begins - Board Cruise Ship
Your tour begins in Vienna, Austria’s beautiful capital city. Unpack once for a relaxing 6-night Danube River cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Royal. This beautiful ship offers the newest technology, panoramic deck, panorama salon and bar, excellent cuisine, and outstanding service.
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Day 2
Vienna
Join a local expert exploring Vienna's Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. Your city tour concludes with a visit to Vienna’s most famous Christmas Market, located near the town hall. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Vienna's Baroque elegance, stroll along the Kartnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna's famous pastries. If you wish, you may join an optional excursion to the opulent Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty. Celebrate with a wonderful dinner.
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Day 3
Vienna - Emmersdorf - Wachau Valley
This morning cruise through the romantic Wachau Valley, dotted with magnificent castles and small riverside towns. View the picturesque landscapes as you cruise to the charming town of Emmersdorf. Relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery or if you wish, join an optional excursion to the nearby town of Durnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon of cruising. Today, enjoy a short lesson on the local language from your tour manager and learn key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.
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Day 4
Passau
Early morning you will arrive in the town of Passau, situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Enjoy a leisurely paced walking tour of this 2,000-year-old fairytale city, exploring the ornate baroque architecture, the quaint cobblestone streets, cathedral, and charming Christmas Market. After dinner, enjoy on-board entertainment in the ship's panorama lounge.
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Day 5
Regensburg
A guided walking tour of magnificent Regensburg reveals one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities with nearly 1,400 historic buildings. Some of the architectural highlights you may view include the old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. From the 12th century 1,400-foot long medieval bridge, you will have spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. This afternoon, enjoy free time to take a stroll through the old town to Regensburg's charming Christmas Market and marvel at the festive lights and decorations. Browse and shop at the brightly lit wooden huts that sell Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys and local handicrafts. Tonight, celebrate on board with wonderful food at the Captain’s Gala Dinner, followed by music and entertainment. Late evening your ship departs for Nuremberg.
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Day 6
Nuremberg
Your cruise continues across the continental divide to Roth, where a short transfer will bring you into picturesque Nuremberg. A local expert provides an interesting city tour of historic Nuremberg featuring the old town, the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle, and the Justice Palace, where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Then, visit the world-famous Christmas Market.
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Day 7
Nuremberg - Disembark Ship - Rothenburg - Würzburg
Disembark the ship in Nuremberg. Proceed to lovely Rothenburg, one of the most well-preserved medieval walled towns in all of Germany. Enjoy free time to explore the town's hidden treasures and its charming Christmas Market. Late afternoon, you arrive in Würzburg. Join a local guide on a leisurely-paced walking tour of Würzburg. This ancient Franconian wine town is rich in historic sites, including the magnificent 18th century residence of the prince-bishops, which boasts the largest ceiling fresco in the world, and the ornate Alte Mainbrucke, the oldest bridge on the River Main.
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Day 8
Würzburg - Tour Ends
Your tour ends in Würzburg this morning.
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