Christmastime from Vienna to Basel 2022
16 Day River Cruise from Vienna to Basel
Starting at $6,397
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 the largest wine producer in Europe at Badischer Winzerkeller winemakers. Your European Christmas cruise concludes in Basel, Switzerland.
Destination & Sightseeing
Day 1 Vienna (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
Day 2 Vienna: | City sightseeing with culinary tour at Christmas marketDay |
3 Wachau Valley-Melk-Grein: | Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard cookie 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; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture |
Day 10 Würzburg: | Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market |
Day 11 Main river village: | Cookie-baking demonstration on board; guided tour |
Day 12 Frankfurt. Excursion to Rüdesheim: | Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, enjoy a special treat; Christmas market |
Day 13 Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg: | Guided visit of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat; free time for Christmas markets |
Day 14 Strasbourg: | Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market |
Day 15 Breisach: | Choice of visit to Badischer Winzerkeller or excursion to the Black Forest; Christmas market |
Day 16 Basel (Disembarkation): | Your cruise ends this morning |
- 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
Accommodations
Vienna | Zurich |
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.