Iconic Christmas Markets - Cruise Only

Step aboard your ship and embark on your unforgettable Iconic Christmas Markets cruise.

Take a city tour showcasing WWII landmarks before strolling Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and its 900-year-old ramparts. Then, explore the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt, one of the largest Christmas Markets. Alternatively, spend the morning immersing yourself in the festive market atmosphere. For a taste of Nuremberg, visit the Imperial Castle before heading to City Brewery to savor traditional Nuremberg sausage and beer. Continue to Sebalder Kirche to sample lebkuchen, a spiced gingerbread-like treat. Conclude the day by crossing the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal.

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before visiting the Old Town Christmas Market, join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage, and pretzels as an alternate option. Or bike to the base of Walhalla, where the Parthenon inspires a neoclassical white marble temple in Athens. For those in a festive mood, head to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts.

Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral, and its Christmas Markets.

*Not combinable with other tours on this day.

High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent and storied abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk.

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, and an opportunity to visit the city’s Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike along the Danube River. In the afternoon, visit Schonbrunn Palace Christmas Market and its spectacular festive atmosphere.

Today, you can visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District, where you marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below, and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. Visit the city’s famed Christmas Markets. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes Square, and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.

Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before preparing for your return flight home.

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.