Overview
In Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, see the sights with a Local Guide and savor local sausages and beer at one of Germany’s oldest restaurants, Historiche Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen). On to Nuremberg where, after your guided tour, you are free to visit the Christmas market, one of the most famous in the world. A full-day excursion to Munich shows you the Bavarian capital. The traditional Christmas market is located on the Marienplatz, with aromas of toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread filling the air! 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. In Würzburg, on the River Main, 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).
Your next stop is at one of the charming small towns dotted along the river—sure to be even more appealing when illuminated with Christmas lights and decorations. Take an excursion to Rüdesheim in the Rhine Valley wine region to experience the joyful Mechanical Music Museum. Enjoy Christmas market lights and delights through Heidelberg and Speyer before sailing to Strasbourg for the La Petite France district and shimmering Christmas markets. Continue on to the Black Forest for a traditional Bavarian Christmas atmosphere. Your delightful festive cruise ends in Basel.
Itinerary
Welcome to Austria. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm.
Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions.
- 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. 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
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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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.”
Later spend some free time in Passau's charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral. 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
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: Join an onboard gingerbread Cooking Demonstration
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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 Grounds—used 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 Christkindlesmarkt.
- Discovery: Join an onboard workshop to learn how to create beautifully decorated candles.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
Merry in Munich.
- 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.
Spend some free time on your own to browse Munich Christkindlmarkt and enjoy countless of their culinary delights, gingerbread, or hot-mulled wine. Return to your ship in Nuremberg in the late afternoon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN 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.
- Discovery: Get into the holiday spirit as cheerful carolers come aboard your ship to fill the air with beloved Christmas songs.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes.
- 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: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
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 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 onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
- Discovery: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
- Discovery: 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.
- Discovery: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board
EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO KEHL
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. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest.
- Classic: 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.
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, or to spend your free time to enjoy the Breisach's Christmas Markets
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights shouldn't leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
Life On Board
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
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Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
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Avalon River Cruises (2027)
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