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Christmastime from Vienna to Basel 2022
16 Day River Cruise from Vienna to Basel
Tour Description:
Open a gift wrapped in glowing lights and sights of the inviting beauty of Christmas markets on the Danube and Rhine River. Embark on special departures for the festive season in Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets and festivities. Enjoy the jolly atmosphere on our decorated Suite Ships® as you delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local Christmas traditions along your river cruise. Enjoy stunning winter views on the Danube with the warm glow of Christmas markets, beautifully adorned with ageless traditions. Savor the special views of the season by embarking in Vienna with a culinary tour in the Christmas markets of the City of Music. Sail through the wonderful Wachau Valley with visits to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. In Passau, browse through the shining Christmas markets in the “City of Three Rivers.” On to Regensburg for Christkindlesmarkt shopping and beer tasting on board, and a visit to Nuremberg with your choice of a city tour or the WWII Rally Grounds. Spend a day exploring the Christmas markets here for traditional keepsakes and delicious specialties. Take an excursion from Nuremberg to Munich for to see the historic home of monarchs at Nymphenburg Palace. In Bamberg, tour the city of seven hills of the Imperial Dynasties, and enjoy onboard Christmas Traditions lecture as you sail to Würzburg—the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”—with Christmas markets brimming with holiday cheer. Visit a quaint Bavarian Main River village and enjoy a cookie-baking demonstration on board your ship. Take an excursion to Rüdesheim in the Rhine Valley wine region to experience the joyful Mechanical Music Museum. Enjoy Christmas market lights and delights through Heidelberg and Speyer before sailing to Strasbourg for the La Petite France district and shimmering Christmas markets. Continue on to the Black Forest for a traditional Bavarian Christmas atmosphere or visit a local winery. Your European Christmas cruise concludes in Basel, Switzerland.
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Dates & Pricing
| Saturday 03 Dec 22 — Monday 19 Dec 22 | Starting at $9,381 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Vienna (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
| Day 2 Vienna: | City sightseeing; Christmas market |
| Day 3 Wachau Valley–Melk–Grein: | Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard Austrian cookies tasting; guided tour in Grein |
| Day 4 Passau: | Guided tour; Christmas market |
| Day 5 Regensburg: | Guided tour; Christmas market |
| Day 6 Nuremberg: | Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market |
| Day 7 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: | Guided tour, see the Marienplatz, Christmas market |
| Day 8 Nuremberg: | Day at leisure to visit Christmas market |
| Day 9 Bamberg: | Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture |
| Day 10 Würzburg: | Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market |
| Day 11 Main river village: | Guided tour |
| Day 12 Frankfurt. Excursion to Rüdesheim: | Onboard cookie-baking demonstration; guided tour |
| Day 13 Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg: | Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; German lunch with wine/coffee tasting; Christmas market |
| Day 14 Strasbourg: | Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market |
| Day 15 Breisach: | Choice of visit to a local in winery in Breisach or excursion to the Black Forest |
| Day 16 Basel (Disembarkation): | Your cruise ends this morning |
Notes:
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
- Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December, depending on the location.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
VIENNA, AUSTRIA (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Austria. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding
Day 2
VIENNA Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections
DISCOVERY Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café.
You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.
This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
MELK–GREIN Frescoes above the Wachau Valley
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard while sailing to Grein.
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.
Enjoy live entertainment onboard.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PASSAU
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
PASSAU Saint Stephens, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
Later spend some free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
REGENSBURG Christmas Magic in Bavaria
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD.
Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.
Enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning.
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.
Spend some free time on your own to browse Munich Christkindlmarkt and enjoy countless of their culinary delights, gingerbread or hot-mulled wine.
Return to your ship in Nuremberg in the late afternoon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 8
NUREMBERG Living Heritage
A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
BAMBERG Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
WÜRZBURG Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 11
MAIN RIVER VILLAGE Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 12
FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim, enjoy a local special treat.
Treat your tastebuds to a hearty Rheinisch mittagessen (lunch) on this delightful lunch outing in Rüdesheim. Sit back and relax in the cozy, century-old restaurant as talented performers entertain you with lively German music.
Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LUDWIGSHAFEN
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 13
SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 14
STRASBOURG, FRANCE A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël
CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village.
Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.
EVENING/OVERNICHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 15
BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest
DISCOVERY Visit to a local winery in Breisach, where you will learn about German winemaking and enjoy a wine tasting, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
After your visit to Badischer Winzerkeller you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 16
BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am
Accommodations
Accommodations| Vienna | Zurich |
Hilton Vienna Am Stadtpark
Hotel as shown or similar
Am Stadtpark 1,A Wien Austria
A modern 579 room property offering comfortable luxury. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and access in guestrooms is subject to a fee (payable locally). Leisure facilities include a well-equipped gym with sauna and steam bath, a contemporary style restaurant with a terrace for al fresco dining during the summer months and a lobby bar & lounge.
Hotel as shown or similar
Am Stadtpark 1,A Wien Austria
A modern 579 room property offering comfortable luxury. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and access in guestrooms is subject to a fee (payable locally). Leisure facilities include a well-equipped gym with sauna and steam bath, a contemporary style restaurant with a terrace for al fresco dining during the summer months and a lobby bar & lounge.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
