Danube River Cruise & European Christmas Markets

Meet our coach at one of our pre-determined pickup locations to be transferred to Toronto Pearson Airport where we will depart an overnight flight for Europe! 

Welcome to Vienna, Austria. Upon arrival this morning we will be transferred to our ship for boarding. Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding. Our ship will depart the docks later this afternoon so you will have some free time to either explore the Christmas market, get unpacked, explore the ship or just rest up before dinner this evening! 

Wake up in Vienna this morning and choose your own adventure! Take a guided city tour of Vienna with highlights on the Imperial Palace complex, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may also join an optional guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years. This evening, spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christmas markets, or relax by the fireplace in a Viennese café. There will also be an option to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. This evening we will cruise to Melk and say goodbye to Vienna.

This morning we will wake up in Melk for another full day! This morning enjoy a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings. We will return to the ship and begin sailing to Grein and enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances. This evening enjoy live entertainment onboard the ship while we sail from Austria into Germany to dock in Passau.

After breakfast onboard this morning, head out for a guided city walk of Passau to learn more about the “City of Three Rivers.” Later spend some free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For those who are interested, there is also an optional excursion to Salzburg, Austria to see the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night. Once back on board this evening we will have dinner and entertainment as we cruise to Regensburg.

Wake up in beautiful Regensburg, Germany this morning! Join a guided city walk and see the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria— the entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD. Take some time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets and enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst. There will also be an optional guided excursion to visit the charming Thurn and Taxis Palace – one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria! Later, enjoy live entertainment on board as we cruise to Roth.

This morning while approaching Nuremberg, a local expert will join us in the theatre for a lecture on European Christmas traditions! After the lecture we’ll dock in Nuremberg and disembark for a city tour. Choose between a guided tour of the city’s medieval architecture, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR a guided tour of the infamous Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich. Spend free time this afternoon to browse the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg and sample popular Bavarian fare including bratwurst, gingerbread, and mulled blueberry wine. We will be docked overnight in Nuremberg so you will have plenty of time to experience the markets at night! 

This morning we will bid our crew farewell after breakfast as we disembark the ship and head for the Golden City of Prague. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel for the next two nights. This afternoon, take time to stroll through the exquisite streets of the city or spend a free evening in one of Prague’s cafés for dinner and Czech Beer.

After an included breakfast at the hotel this morning, take a guided city walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds, see St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Spend the afternoon on your own to browse the exquisite Christmas Markets of Prague. Stroll through the brightly coloured wooden stalls for ornaments and handmade toys and handicrafts.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. We’ll head to the airport to board our flight home to Toronto. Upon arrival in Toronto we will be met by our coach to return us to our original pickup points.