Christmastime from Frankfurt to Vienna

Christmastime from Frankfurt to Vienna

Christmas Cruise from Frankfurt to Vienna - Avalon Waterways

Cruise Austria Aw_Danube River Aw_Europe Bamberg Christmastime Europe European River Cruise Frankfurt Germany + 9 More Main River Village Melk Nuremberg Passau Regensburg River Cruise Würzburg Avalon Waterways 12 Days Frankfurt to Vienna
Step aboard your Avalon Suite Ship® festively decorated and beautifully dressed in Christmas colors of the season. Embark on this festive Christmastime river cruise in Frankfurt, Germany, and join us behind medieval walls and towered gates to enjoy a guided walking tour in a picturesque village along the Main River. Celebrate the season in charming Würzburg, known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” and surrounded by sloping vineyard-covered hills. Visit the ornate Bishop’s Residence—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted, then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the many nativity scenes exhibited throughout the town are sure to delight. Take a guided tour in Nuremberg, with free time to visit the Christmas market—one of the most famous in the world. Wander through Old Town illuminated with holiday lights and decorations, and be sure to sample some traditional lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), a Nuremberg specialty. Visit Munich, the Bavarian capital, where a local expert shows you the sights. The traditional Christmas market is located on the Marienplatz, with aromas of toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread filling the air. Enjoy a guided tour in Regensburg, then continue to Melk and experience the splendor of its Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s most architecturally-breathtaking monasteries, and enjoy a tasting of traditional Austrian cookies. See the fa-mous sights with a Local Guide and enjoy a tour through the Christmas markets to get a taste of all the best flavors Austria offers during this sparkling time of year on the Danube River. A perfect ending to a festive river cruise showing you some of the best that Germany and Austria have to offer this time of year!

Day 1: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Flights into Frankfurt must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (D)

Day 2: MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.DISCOVERY Get into the holiday spirit as cheerful carolers come aboard to fill the air with beloved Christmas songs.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG(B,L,D)

Day 3: WÜRZBURG

Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers SweetCLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG(B,L,D)

Day 4: BAMBERG

Christmas Customs and Cradle ScenesDISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing. CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size. Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale. DISCOVERY Join an onboard workshop to learn how to create beautifully decorated candles.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG(B,L,D)

Day 5: NUREMBERG

Legends and History LessonsCLASSIC 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 Grounds—used by the Third Reich.Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights. DISCOVERY Join a gingerbread Cooking Demonstration on board your ship.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)

Day 6: NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION). EXCURSION TO MUNICH (EMBARKATION)

This morning disembark the vessel which has brought you to Nuremberg and drive to MunichCLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.Return to Nuremberg in the late afternoon and embark on the ship which will take you to Vienna.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG(B,L,D)

Day 7: NUREMBERG

Living Heritage and History LessonsA day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)

Day 8: 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. DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU(B,L,D)

Day 9: PASSAU

Saint Stephen’s, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent NightCLASSIC 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. Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take a brief evening cruise to Linz. Enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK(B,L,D)

Day 10: MELK, AUSTRIA

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 while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna.VIENNA Vienna’s Winter WonderlandThis 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 DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)

Day 11: VIENNA

Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions DISCOVERY Explore the city of Vienna and sample local winter specialties on a Guided Walk through the city’s Old Town and Christmas markets, OR:CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening. You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)

Day 12: VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

Details

Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship Name
Expression
Departure Port
FRA
Arrival Port
VIE
Number of Nights
11

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