Christmas Time Cruise on the Danube River
with Prague 2018

2 nights in Prague followed by a 7 night cruise on the Danube

visiting the famous Christmas Markets along the shore in charming towns and villages between Nuremberg and Vienna. Celebrate the magic of the wonderful winter season with a lovely trip from historic Prague through the beauty and history of the Danube, Europe's second largest river. Journey from Nuremberg on the Main-Danube Canal across the Continental Divide through many of the Danube's great cities. Along the way visit the famous Christmas markets in quaint towns where so many Christmas traditions started. Marvel at beautiful vistas of enchanting Bavaria and the charming Wachau Valley.

Day 1 ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and optional transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this beautiful city.

Day 2 PRAGUE
This mornings sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle courtyard and the St. Vitus, and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. The remainder of your day is free to shop at the Christmas Markets with their tempting assortment of handicrafts, toys, wood carvings, and ornaments; mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy one of the charming cafes or restaurants. The evening is at your leisure or alternatively, experience an unforgettable optional dinner and folklore event that is a celebration of Czech food, music, dance and world-famous Czech beers. (B)

Day 3 PRAGUE - NUREMBERG, GERMANY - EMBARKATION
This morning, depart Prague after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia. In Nuremberg, visit the worlds largest Christmas Market, where over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offer an assortment of unique children's toys, tinsel angels, dolls, dollhouses, gingerbread and everything else imaginable. Tonight, gather on board your ship for a Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight at Nuremberg. (B,D)

Day 4 NUREMBERG - CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. After your tour, you will have time to visit the Christmas Market. Enjoy a complimentary drink of hot mulled wine in your own souvenir mug to ward off the chill. After lunch continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks. (B,L,D)

Day 5 REGENSBURG
Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and enjoy a guided tour of one of Germanys best preserved medieval cities. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas market, where you can shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. In the alternative this afternoon, visit the royal Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market, where you can watch the craftsmen make their goods. (B,L,D)

Day 6 PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairytale city that was founded more than 2,000 years ago. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephans Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Afterwards, take some time to experience the traditional Christmas Markets. Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music. Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austrias third largest city and a major river port. (B,L,D)  

Day 7 MELK - VIENNA
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melks magnificent 900 year old Benedictine Abbey overlooking the river below. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the City of Music. We will visit two of Vienna's famous Christmas markets and enjoy the wonderful smells and flickering lights in this imperial city. Tonight, the ships in Vienna or overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 8 VIENNA
This morning, you can choose between a driving tour around Vienna including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, the gothic Town Hall, the awe-inspiring St. Stephens Cathedral and many other sites. The other options is to discover on a guided a walking tour hidden sites of  the historic city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets at the Town Hall. This afternoon, you can join us and visit the impressive Christmas market at the Imperial Schonnbrunn Palace, which features over 60 Christmas Market stalls and provides a spectacular festive atmosphere with the aroma of Ghwein and gingerbread. In the alternative, you can stroll along the Korntnerstrasse and stop to sample Vienna's famous pastries. (B,L,D)

Day 9 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This morning, cruise the Danube Bend past beautiful towns nestled on the curve of the river bank to Budapest. Your Budapest sightseeing includes Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest is spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and St. Stephens Basilica. You have the balance of the day to explore the Christmas markets. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner. After dinner, your ship will sail past the illuminated river front of Budapest with the mysteriously lit buildings along both shores reflected in the waters of the Danube. (B,L,D)

Day 10 DISEMBARKATION - DEPART BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end optional transfer to the airport for your homeward flight or stay longer and pamper yourself at one of Budapest's famous hot spring spa resorts (B)

REVERSE ITINERARY

DAY 1, BUDAPEST - EMBARK SHIP
Arrive in Budapest and optional transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship, which is moored near the city center. Start exploring the city on your own before meeting your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. After the Welcome Dinner enjoy a musical performance on board. (D)

DAY 2, BUDAPEST
This morning, cruise the Danube Bend past beautiful towns nestled on the curve of the river bank to Budapest. Your Budapest sightseeing includes Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest is spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and St. Stephen's Basilica. You have the balance of the day to explore the Christmas markets before cruising to Vienna. (B,L,D)

DAY 3, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This morning, start your excursion with a driving tour of Vienna including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the city center. Afterwards, spend some time to enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets at the Town Hall. This afternoon, you can join an optional tour to the Imperial Schonnbrunn Palace, which features over 60 Christmas Market stalls and provides a spectacular festive atmosphere with the aroma of Ghwein and gingerbread. In the alternative, you can stroll along the Korntnerstrasse and stop to sample Vienna's famous pastries. (B,L,D)

DAY 4, MELK LINZ
This morning, cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley. Your guided tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which is one of Europe largest baroque monasteries. Rejoin the ship for lunch and continue cruising to Linz. Arrive in Linz with enough time to visit their beautiful Christmas markets. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, PASSAU, GERMANY
After breakfast, either stay on board and enjoy scenic cruising to Passau or join an optional excursion to Salzburg. Described as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe," Salzburg is an architectural jewel. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it is also the setting for The Sound of MusicJoin in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. For those who chose to cruise to Passau, you will arrive late this afternoon and explore this 2,000 year old city at the confluence of three rivers (the Danube, Inn, and Ilz), which is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephans Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Afterwards, take some time to experience the traditional Christmas Markets. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, REGENSBURG
Arrive in medieval Regensburg after lunch for a walking tour to see the city's highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Then, visit the Old Kornmarkt Christmas market and shop amongst the festive stalls adorned with fir branches. Or, visit the royal Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market, where you can watch the craftsmen make their goods. This evening, enjoy a folklore performance on board. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, NUREMBERG
This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley. The Main-Danube Canal traverses the Franconian Alps via 16 locks, truly a fascinating feat of modern engineering. After lunch, a short drive through the pastoral countryside brings you to Nuremberg. Enjoy a tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. See the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. After your tour, visit the worlds largest Christmas Market, where over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offer an assortment of unique children's toys, tinsel angels, dolls, dollhouses, gingerbread and a seemingly endless list of other goodies. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, NUREMBERG - PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
After breakfast transfer to Prague, where you will arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore the "Golden City" on your own. This evening is at your leisure or experience an unforgettable dinner and folklore event that gets you in touch with Czech traditions! This optional tour is a celebration of Czech food, music, dance and sampling of world famous Czech beers. (B)

DAY 9, PRAGUE
This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and the St. Vitus, and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The remainder of your day is free to shop at the Christmas Markets with their tempting assortment of handicrafts, toys, wood carvings, and ornaments; mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy one of the charming caf or restaurants. This afternoon, participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now serving as a memorial to those who perished. The evening is at your leisure or alternatively, experience an unforgettable optional dinner and folklore event that is a celebration of Czech food, music, dance and world-famous Czech beers. (B)

DAY 10, DEPART PRAGUE
Optional Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

Itinerary outline:

Cruise Rate Includes:

• 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Prague including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Transfer from the Hotel in Prague to the Ship in Nuremberg
• 7 Nights Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies (Twin Balconies on select vessels)
• Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
• Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Free Internet, Hit Movies, Music Library and English Language TV Stations
• Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms
• Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
• Multiple Dining Venues on select vessels
• Free-flowing Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions, beer and soft drinks with every Dinner on board the Ship
• Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Special Highlights including Lectures, Theme Dinners, Cooking Demonstration, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Use of Bicycles to explore on your own
• Services of Professional Cruise Manager
• All English Language on board in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All local Taxes

2018 Departure dates and prices in US$

Prices are per person in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom with window.
To upgrade to a higher Category, scroll down

Christmas Markets Notice: Most Christmas Markets open around Nov. 25 and remain open until approximately Dec. 23.

**Itinerary is slightly modified

Port Charges: $168 per person

Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price.

Single supplement for Land: $320 per person

To upgrade to a higher Category, add the following amount per person:

NOTE: Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking.

Children are not accepted!

The choices are:
Choice A: Two twin beds
Choice B: One large bed (larger than queen size)

Ms Amalegro Amadante Amadagio Amacello Amadolce Amacerto AmaPrima Amalyra
cruiseship description