Iconic Christmas Markets (Smithsonian Journeys)

Arrive in the walled city of Nuremberg, the capital of the German Renaissance, and settle into your stateroom aboard the ship. (D)

Venture into Nuremberg's main square, where the city's spectacular Christkindelsmarkt has been held nearly every year since the 16th century. Immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere of Germany's largest Christmas market, browsing stalls where merchants sell all manner of holiday treats and crafts. Or tour the castle and then head to a local brewery for a tasting of Franconian specialties, including wheat beer and bratwurst.

Continue to Sebalder Kirche to nibble on sweet and spicy lebkuchen, a form of gingerbread. Alternatively, visit sites associated with World War II including Courtroom 600, where the Nuremberg trials took place. Set sail late in the day, crossing the European Continental Divide on the Main-Danube Canal, a waterway established by Emperor Charlemagne to create a passage from the North Sea to the Black Sea. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Nuremberg Christmas Market visit OR WWII walking tour with Courtroom 600 visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR City Tour & Christmas Markets OR “Tastes of Franconia”
• Main-Danube Canal

Discover the delights of Regensburg, which was spared damage during World War II and is now a World Heritage site. Once the capital of Bavaria, the city dates back to the Celts and was an outpost of the Roman Empire. On a guided walk, see architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, a gate in the original Roman city wall.

Then enjoy free time to browse the enchanting Christmas market, perhaps sipping one of the region's signature varieties of glühwein, or hot, spiced wine, or watch craftspeople at work at the Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Palace. Alternatively, set off on a Bavarian tasting tour or visit the House of Bavarian History Museum, acclaimed for its architecture as well as its exhibitions, and continue to the impressive monument of Walhalla, built in the style of a Greek temple. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• UNESCO City tour and Christmas Market OR House of Bavarian and Valhalla visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Tastes of Bavaria and Christmas Market OR Walhalla bike tour OR Thurn & Taxis Artisan Christmas Markets

Arrive in the medieval trade center of Passau, scenically situated at the confluence of three rivers. On a walking tour of the Old Town, admire baroque and Gothic architecture and seek out Bavarian crafts at its Christmas market. Or choose a full-day excursion to the World Heritage site of Salzburg. Take a walk along the cobbled lanes of its fairy-tale Old Town, and visit the Christmas market on the grounds of Mirabell Palace, and visit the home where Mozart was born. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Full-day Salzburg excursion with Christmas Markets* OR “City of Three Rivers” walking tour and Christmas Market OR River Inn Bike Tour

Begin the day with a visit to Melk Abbey, a gem of baroque architecture perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. Visit its recently renovated museum and its renowned library, and meet a librarian to learn how medieval books are meticulously restored. If you prefer a more active pursuit, join a guided bike tour of Melk and its environs. Enjoy lunch and lovely views on board as the ship winds its way through the Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its vineyards and charming riverside villages. Arrive in the elegant capital of Vienna and venture into the historic center for an evening at the city's famous Rathaus Christmas market. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Melk Abbey visit OR Danube bike tour
• Rathaus Christmas Market by night

Spend the morning exploring the imperial landmarks of the “city of waltzes.” See the majestic Opera House, beautifully reconstructed after being destroyed during World War II, and Hofburg Palace, the home of generations of Habsburg monarchs—including the famous Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi. Then follow a guide through Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, home to a world-class fine art collection housed within an opulent neoclassical building. You'll have an opportunity to stop at the city's smaller Christmas markets just outside the museum. Alternatively, choose to take a guided bike ride along the Danube.

In the afternoon, tour Schönbrunn Palace, transformed into a winter wonderland with a festive holiday market set against the backdrop of its resplendent façade. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour with Christmas Markets and Kunsthistorisches Museum guided tour – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Vienna City Tour by Bike
• Schönbrunn Christmas Markets

The Danube flows through the center of Budapest, its banks dotted with the iconic monuments of the once-separate cities of Buda and Pest. Ascend Castle Hill by vehicle or on foot for a walking tour of the leafy Buda side of the city, strolling through Dózsa György Square to Fisherman's Bastion. Attend a private concert at the former home of composer Franz Liszt.

During an afternoon tour of Pest, view the magnificent Parliament building and discover city squares brimming with festive market stalls where merchants sell Hungarian handicrafts and holiday treats such as strudel and grog. Or join a Jewish heritage walking tour visiting the largest synagogue in Europe, then see the evocative Shoes on the Danube memorial. Celebrate your holiday voyage at a farewell dinner this evening. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Buda city tour and Christmas Markets OR Castle Hill hike
• Liszt House with Piano concert – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive
• Pest city tour OR Jewish Heritage Tour with Synagogue – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive

Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before your return flight home. (B)