Christmastime from Basel to Budapest

Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Stroll through the city centre, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.

EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest

• Classic: Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:
• Discovery: Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.

In the afternoon 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. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach's lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B/L/D)

Joyeux Noel in Strasbourg

• 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 in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace. Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B/L/D)

Winter Wonders Fit for a King

• Discovery: Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed 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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B/L/D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

• Discovery: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rudesheim.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B/D)

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights

• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B/L/D)

Old Saint Nick 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 Kathe 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)

Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes

• Discovery: 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

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 Favourite Bavarian fare - bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlmarkt culinary delights.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B/L/D)

This morning say goodbye to your Avalon Suite Ship and get ready to embark your second Avalon vessel which will take you to Basel.

• Classic: 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B/D)

Legends and History Lessons

• Classic: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg - with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds - used by the Third Reich.

Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample Favourite Bavarian fare - from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B/L/D)

Christmas Magic in Bavaria

• Classic: Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria - built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

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)

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

• Classic: Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers".

Spend free time in Passau's charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral. Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg - the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas. Sail to Linz this afternoon, or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK (B/L/D)

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
• Discovery: Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.

VIENNA: Viennese Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube

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 DOCKING IN VIENNA (B/L/D)

Royal Collections and Culinary Confections

• 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 cafe this evening. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace - summer home of the Habsburg Empire.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B/L/D)

War Heroes and Hot Water

• Classic: Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes' Square.

Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest's cafes, pubs or nightlife and don't miss the unique Christmas market that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)