DAY 1, DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.
DAY 2, BUDAPEST- EMBARK SHIP
Arrive in Budapest and 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 Gypsy performance onboard. (D)
DAY 3, BUDAPEST
Your morning city tour includes historic Buda Castle, where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. Your afternoon is free to explore the Christmas markets. Enjoy a scenic lunch as you start cruising to Vienna. (B,L,D)
DAY 4, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Arrive after breakfast and enjoy a day in captivating Vienna. Your sightseeing tour includes the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and visit the festive Christmas Markets at the Town Hall. Your afternoon is free to stroll along Kärntnerstrasse, sample Vienna’s famous pastries or visit a museum. Tonight, return to the Christmas market, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)
DAY 5, 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’s 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 6, LINZ – PASSAU, GERMANY
After breakfast, either stay onboard 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. Not only was this Mozart's hometown, but you may recognize it as the setting of the world-famous movie, The Sound of Music. Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. Join your ship in Passau, Germany. On arrival in this charming city, there is time to visit the jolly Christmas Market. (B,L,D)
DAY 7, 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 onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 8, NUREMBERG
This morning, enter the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmuhl Valley. The Main-Danube Canal includes 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 world’s 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 9, 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. (B)
DAY 10, 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, the St. Vitus, and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The balance of the day is free to wander through the Christmas markets with their tempting assortment of handicrafts, toys, wood carvings, and ornaments. Mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy yourself in one of the charming cafés or restaurants. (B)
DAY 11, DEPART PRAGUE
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B) |
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