Vienna, Wachau Valley, Emmersdorf, Dürnstein, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Würzburg
On a boat cruise along the Danube, explore charming Christmas markets and see Europe dressed in its holiday best. Discover Würzburg, an ancient Franconian wine town. Explore Nuremburg, home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in the world. Float through the Wachau Valley, dotted with castles and hillside houses. Visit the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. Enjoy a Glühwein Party – a German holiday gathering with mulled wine. Join a local expert and explore historic Vienna. Relax as you are transported to beloved riverside towns and delve into local holiday traditions.
On some dates additional accommodations may be used.
Services of a tour manager
All on-tour transportation and related fees
Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
Round trip home to airport sedan service provided when you purchase airfare through Member Choice Vacations. One transfer per person, per reservation. (Restrictions apply)
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Itinerary
Engaging Experiences These special places and experiences are considered tour highlights. Look for them in the daily itineraries.
Welcome the winter season with a timeless trip down the Danube River. Board your cruise and relax as you are transported along beloved cities, where age-old culture is interwoven into seasonal specialties. Peruse handcrafted trinkets, traditional sweets, and infectious holiday cheer as you make your way through some of Europe's most renowned Christmas markets. Your holiday tour begins with an overnight flight to Austria.
MS Amadeus Brilliant
Dinner
Included
Your tour opens in Vienna, Austria's capital city. Board your ship and unpack once for a relaxing cruise along the Danube. Your home for the next 6 nights, this beautifully appointed vessel has all the modern amenities you could need, such as the newest technology, panoramic deck café, panorama salon and bar, exceptional service, and delicious cuisine and wine with every dinner. Celebrate with a welcome dinner on board, followed by a Christmas concert performed by the ship's orchestra. Today dinner will be included.
MS Amadeus Brilliant
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
It is time to step off the ship and explore. After walking along the pier to reach your coach, join a local expert and see Vienna's architecture, including Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral on a panoramic city tour. Then, discover Vienna on foot while walking through the city's charming cobblestone streets. (Use caution, as these cobblestones may become slick with frost.) The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you'll join an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer retreat, that shines a little differently in the magical winter months and visit Vienna's most famous Christmas market. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Experience the picturesque region of the Wachau Valley.
MS Amadeus Brilliant
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
Journey through the Wachau Valley, dotted with castles and hillside houses, as you cruise to the quaint town of Emmersdorf. Relax and take in the scenery before visiting the cobblestone streets of Dürnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey. Enjoy some time dedicated to exploring this ancient town. Later, get a taste of local tradition at a Glühwein party before returning to the ship. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
MS Amadeus Brilliant
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
Amid the early morning light, cruise past scenic valleys and charming riverside towns to Passau, situated at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This morning, it's your choice! Enjoy a leisurely paced guided walking tour of Passau, the 2,000-year-old fairy-tale city also known as the "City of Three Rivers" and take in its ornate Baroque architecture, the cobblestoned streets, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, home to Europe's largest church organ -OR- spend time at one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Europe, the Veste Oberhaus, perched high above the old town of Passau. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Explore Regensburg, home of the first stone bridge built over the Danube.
MS Amadeus Brilliant
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
With an expert guide, discover Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. See the first stone bridge built over the Danube and the Porta Praetoria – a Roman gate built in A.D. 179. Stroll through Old Town to Regensburg's charming Christmas market spread across the Old Town's streets and squares and marvel at the festive lights and decorations. Browse and shop at the brightly lit wooden huts holding seasonal ornaments, wooden toys, and local handicrafts. Or perhaps you'll join an optional excursion and experience the beauty and magic of the romantic Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Experience the picturesque region of the Wachau Valley.
MS Amadeus Brilliant
Breakfast,
Lunch,
Dinner
Included
Cruise across the continental divide to Roth and make your way to Nuremberg. After walking along the pier to reach coach, join your local expert on a bus tour that will give you the first taste of the city. Continue with a walking tour of Nuremberg that will take you on a stroll through the historic city for more than an hour. See Old Town, the 900-year-old ramparts, and the Imperial Castle. Your city tour concludes at Nuremberg's 17th-century Christmas market, which is Germany's oldest. Wander along the local goods and perhaps you'll shop for handcrafted nutcrackers or treat your taste buds to Nuremburg's famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.
Maritim Hotel, Wurzburg
Breakfast,
Dinner
Included
Disembark your ship in Nuremberg and continue on to Rothenburg, a town of medieval walls, fairy-tale houses, and Christmas markets. Join a local guide in nearby Würzburg, an ancient wine town. Embark on a leisurely paced walking tour of the city and surrounding sights. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner and toast to the end of your journey along the Danube. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Breakfast
Included
Say goodbye to Germany as your tour draws to a close. Today breakfast will be included.
Pricing featured is for lower cabin. Mid, upper and suite available at additional cost.
Itinerary featured is for Nov - Dec 2024 tour departures.
Pricing is per person,
double occupancy,
land and cruise only, based on December 2, 2024 travel date.
Single supplement from $1,000.
Call AAA for current airfare rates and availability. Return flights should not be booked prior to 10:00 a.m. Airfare to the destination is not included, on-tour flights, when applicable, are included..
All this makes it AAA Vacations®
AAA Complimentary Inclusion: Up to $50 per person credit toward a pre-paid optional excursion
Member Benefit: $50 per person savings
Best Price Guarantee
24/7 Member Care
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Package: Guided
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