Christmastime on the Danube with Prague

Home  ›  Experiences  ›  Activity  ›  Cruising and Boating  ›  River Cruising  ›  Christmastime on the Danube with Prague
enquire now 9 Days From NZD $4,555 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

This Christmastime river cruise begins in Austria’s magical capital of Vienna, home to the sounds of Mozart, Strauss, and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. See the famous sights with a Local Guide and enjoy a tour through the Christmas markets to get a taste of all the best flavours Austria offers during this time of year. Cruise through the wintery landscape of the picturesque views of the Wachau Valley to Melk. Here, you’ll tour the magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey—one of Europe’s largest monasteries—where monks still stroll amidst the sacred walls. Arrive in Passau, Germany, and visit the city’s charming Christmas market set against the breath taking backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of baroque architecture. In Regensburg, after a guided tour of the city, savour traditional sausages at Historiche Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. Learn about Christmas traditions as you cruise to Nuremberg, the thousand-year-old city with its medieval fortifications and gothic churches. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations, and the Christmas market has dozens of stalls offering traditional wares, such as Lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread) and unique decorations and ornaments. Then, make your way to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic—one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. In Prague’s Old Town, see the magical Astronomical Clock, built in 1410, and once the envy of all Europe. The Christmas markets offer an array of Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys, and Czech handicrafts. Explore to your heart’s content with a warm cup of svarene vino (hot mulled wine) among the rows of brightly decorated wooden huts, and be sure to see the beautifully decorated tree in Old Town to end this perfect, seasonal river cruise.

Please note: Itinerary is based on 2023, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2023.

HighLights

  • Vienna
  • Melk
  • Passau
  • Regensburg
  • Nuremberg
  • Prague

ITINERARY 

DAY1: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Austria. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding. (D)
DAY2: VIENNA
Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections DISCOVERY – Join a Guided Tour of Vienna ending at magical Christmas Advent Markets! Along the way, discover the history of Austrian foods and traditions as you sample local specialties. You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years. Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese cafe this evening. Alternatively, this evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
(B,L,D)
DAY3: MELK-GREIN
Frescoes above the Wachau Valley CLASSIC – Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings. DISCOVERY – Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard while sailing to Grein. CLASSIC – Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular
performances. Enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)
DAY4: PASSAU
Saint Stephens, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night CLASSIC – Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)
DAY5: REGENSBURG
Christmas Magic in Bavaria CLASSIC – Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD. Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst. Enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH (B,L,D)
DAY6: NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons DISCOVERY – Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning. CLASSIC – Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC – Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Groundsused by the Third Reich. Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare-from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
DAY7: NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION)-PRAGUE
Bid your crew farewell and head for the Golden City of Prague. Stroll through the exquisite streets of the city and spend a free evening in one of Prague’s cafes for dinner and Czech Beer. (B)
DAY8: PRAGUE
Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Czech Christmas Spirits CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradcany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Spend the afternoon on your own to browse the exquisite Christmas Markets of Prague. Stroll through the brightly coloured wooden stalls for ornaments and handmade toys and handicrafts. (B)
DAY9: PRAGUE
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B) Notes: Christmas markets generally operate from late Nov until the third week of Dec, depending on the location

INCLUSIONS

MEALS
Breakfast:8
Lunch:5
Dinner:6
TRANSPORT
State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
ACCOMMODATION
Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

Images courtesy of Avalon Waterways and Globus Family of Brands 

AVW – WVNE

Related experiences


enquire now

Best of Turkey

15 Days From NZD $3,675 pp twinshare
 Small group
 Terms & Conditions apply

Get your Turkish delights on a 15-day adventure in Istanbul. This trip is a mix of ancient ruins and modern cities, Islamic mysticism and Ottoman influence, inland discoveries and coastal cruising, and everything in between! Discover Gallipoli on a guided … Continue reading →

enquire now

NEW! World Voyage I

180 Days From NZD $136,000 pp twinshare
 Cruise
 Terms & Conditions apply

180 Days | 83 Guided Tours | 37 Countries  Circumnavigate the world Traverse the globe on an unforgettable voyage across vast oceans to destinations on six continents. From Ft. Lauderdale, discover faraway lands in the South Pacific and Asia. Witness … Continue reading →