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Cruise Aw_Bamberg Aw_Basel Aw_Christmastime Aw_Czech_Republic Aw_Danube River Aw_Europe Aw_France Aw_Germany Aw_Main River + 33 More Aw_Mainz Aw_Nuremberg Aw_Prague Aw_Rhine River Aw_Strasbourg Aw_Switzerland Bamberg Basel Black Forest Breisach Christmastime Danube Europe Festive France Frankfurt Germany Heidelberg Main Main Danube Canal Main River Main River Village Miltenberg Nuremberg Rhine River Cruise Rudesheim Speyer Strasbourg Switzerland Wurzburg Avalon Waterways 10 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Basel

Celebrate this magical time of year with a delightful Christmastime river cruise through the beautiful views of the heart of Germany, on the Main Danube Canal, and the Main and Rhine Rivers. Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, host to one of the oldest Christmas markets in the country. Get into the holiday spirit as you stroll through the brightly illuminated and decorated Old Town. 200 stalls sell traditional German Christmas wares and seasonal delicacies. In delightful Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find nativity scenes built by local citizens through-out the town. Learn about holiday traditions as you cruise to Würzburg, and here walk through the halls of 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). Learn how to bake a traditional cookie before arriving at one of the charming small towns with half-timbered houses that are dotted along the Main River. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your cruise to Speyer and visit Heidelberg Castle, which towers magnificently over the city, and watch the skaters on the ice rink below. At this time of year, the historic charm of Strasbourg, France, is mixed with festive aromas, sights, and sounds—creating a truly magical atmosphere! Visit the gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the famous Black Forest. An area of unrivaled natural beauty, and the home of Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. There is no better setting at this time of year, when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland.

Day 1: NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Nuremberg, where your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Nuremberg 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.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (D)

Day 2: NUREMBERG

Legends and History Lessons 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 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)

Day 3: BAMBERG

Christmas Customs and Cradle ScenesCLASSIC 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 Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG(B,L,D)

Day 4: WÜRZBURG

Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet CLASSIC 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE(B,L,D)

Day 5: MILTENBERG

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT(B,L,D)

Day 6: FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country CLASSIC Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim, enjoy a local special treat.Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B,L,D)

Day 7: SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

Day 8: STRASBOURG, FRANCE

A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village. Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)

Day 9: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, and enjoy the warmth and glow of the Christmas season. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)

Day 10: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.(B)

Details

Cruise Line: Avalon
Ship Name: Imagery II
Departure Port: NUE
Arrival Port: ZRH
Number of Nights: 9

Pricing ▼

Option	Price	Departure	Return
Land Only (Double)	USD 5,648.00	2026-12-01	2026-12-10
Land Only (Double)	USD 5,648.00	2026-12-11	2026-12-20
Land Only (Double)	USD 5,648.00	2026-12-13	2026-12-22

Itinerary ▼

Day 1: NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Nuremberg, where your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Nuremberg 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.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (D)
Day 2: NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons 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 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
Day 3: BAMBERG
Christmas Customs and Cradle ScenesCLASSIC 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 Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG(B,L,D)
Day 4: WÜRZBURG
Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet CLASSIC 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE(B,L,D)
Day 5: MILTENBERG
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT(B,L,D)
Day 6: FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country CLASSIC Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim, enjoy a local special treat.Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B,L,D)
Day 7: SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Day 8: STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village. Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)
Day 9: BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, and enjoy the warmth and glow of the Christmas season. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)
Day 10: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.(B)

Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel