Day 1: Arrive Vienna, Austria
Arrive in remarkable Vienna, where you are met and transferred
to your hotel. Tonight, join your Resident Tour Director for a
welcome dinner.
Day 2: Vienna / Handcrafted Porcelain
Enjoy a privately guided tour of the Augarten Porcelain Factory
and Museum, as part of a panoramic tour of the city that includes
a stop at the historic Belvedere, a stately palace complex with
tranquil gardens that provide an ideal setting for its Christmas
market. You may also view works by Austrian painter Gustav
Klimt, on display in the palace. Then, transfer to your stylish
river ship for priority embarkation. Enjoy a welcome cocktail
followed by dinner and a special holiday concert.
Day 3: Vienna / A City’s Christmas Best
Tour Vienna, driving along the Ringstrasse, lined with buildings
decorated in Christmas finery. Pass the stunning State Opera,
before visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After lunch, join
an excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, site of one of Vienna’s
Christmas markets. Tonight, you may choose to visit the
Christmas market at the Rathausplatz.
Day 4: Schloss Artstetten / Eventful History
From Melk today, visit historic Schloss
Artstetten for a private guided tour on a
Connections-exclusive excursion. The
castle is home to the great-granddaughter
of Archduke Ferdinand, whose
assassination led to World War I. Continue to Melk and tour its
900-year-old abbey perched high above the Danube. Later, enjoy
a private pre-dinner cocktail party in the Amadeus Club, hosted
by your Resident Tour Director.
Day 5: Passau, Germany / Historic Christkindlesmarkt
Travel into Germany and arrive in the Bavarian city of Passau.
Enjoy a guided city walk. After lunch aboard ship, visit the
Christkindlesmarkt, set in the old historic center near
St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Day 6: Regensburg / Walking Tour & Market Visit
Enjoy a city walk in Regensburg, a well-preserved medieval city.
Visit the Christmas market, aglow with holiday lights. Back on
board, join the captain for a gala dinner.
Day 7: Nuremberg / Heart of the Old City
Tour Nuremberg, including the 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial
Castle and Palace of Justice. Visit the Christkindlesmarkt in the
old city, with time to shop, warm yourself with mulled wine or
savor homemade gingerbread.
Day 8: Munich / Bavarian Capital
Disembark in Nuremberg and drive to Munich for a guided
walking tour through the old town. Stroll in pedestrian-friendly
Karlsplatz with its fountain transformed into a skating rink. Visit
the Frauenkirche, Munich’s cathedral, and Marienplatz, where
you may shop for lovely handicrafts in the traditional Christmas
market.
Day 9: Depart Munich
Transfer to Munich airport to depart.