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Festive Season on the Legendary Danube

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Operated by Avalon
Tripcode: WNB-T0
Overview
Destination:
Germany, 
Hungary, 
Start:Nuremberg, Germany
Finish:Budapest, Hungary
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
November 2027 - November 2027
8 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Budapest
Christmas comes early as festive Christmas celebrations begin to come to life along the shining Danube River. From the rich history of Germany to the unique culture of Hungary, this Festive Danube River cruise takes you to three countries, and the scenic beauty as you cruise past quaint towns, can be experienced right from your stateroom. Feel the holiday spirit through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary aboard your Avalon Suite Ship, festively adorned with sparkling lights and warm holiday cheer. Embark in Nuremberg where your Avalon Suite Ship is adorned with festive decorations and lights. Warm your heart with hot chocolate by candlelight, delight in learning cherished holiday recipes passed down through generations, and smile to the joyful sounds of carols on board. Welcome the holiday season as Europe’s storybook towns come to life with the first glow of holiday cheer. Stroll through twinkling sights in Nuremberg, Regensburg, and Passau. Visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey in Melk, one of Europe’s largest monasteries commanding the breathtaking blufftop view. Sail the picturesque Wachau Valley to arrive in Vienna, the “City of Music” and home to some of Europe’s most stunning holiday sights and sounds. In Budapest, enjoy the festive atmosphere of twinkling lights and festive decorations adorning the streets. This Danube River Festive Season cruise is sure to bring visions of sugar plums, sweet confections, and savory dishes that invite you to unwrap the magic of Europe’s festive season for a gift you’ll never forget.

Note: While this cruise features early holiday activities and festive atmosphere along the Danube, the official opening of Christmas Markets varies by city and may not coincide with specific cruise departures. Information specific to each city can be found on that city’s tourism website.
All This. Included
Note: While this cruise features early holiday activities and festive atmosphere along the Danube, the official opening of Christmas Markets varies by city and may not coincide with specific cruise departures. Information specific to each city can be found on that city’s tourism website.
Highlights:
Itinerary
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NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Festive Suite Ship® Awaits.

Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Explore your ship this evening and enjoy dinner on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

(D)

NUREMBERG
Gingerbread and German History

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Start your day with a bike ride together with your Adventure Host around the port area of Nuremberg, OR:

CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

CLASSIC Enjoy an Onboard Lecture to learn about the Main-Danube Canal—an engineering marvel linking these two rivers enabling vital navigation between the North and Black Seas.

DISCOVERY Join a gingerbread Cooking Demonstration on board your ship.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

(B,L,D)



REGENSBURG
Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Regensburg’s important Jewish heritage sites.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg.

Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

(B,L,D)

PASSAU
Bohemian Rhapsodies

ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers." Enjoy a stop at a local bakery for a special Christmas treat.

Consider a fantastic full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or travel to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.

Sail to Linz this afternoon or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion.



Legendary, Lovely Linz

Enjoy a free afternoon to linger in Linz. Take a bicycle from the ship and cycle along the Danube or follow one of Linz’s many nature trails for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

(B,L,D)

MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
Frescoes and Finery

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube River and around Melk, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

Enjoy a coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Vienna.



Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

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 DOCKING IN VIENNA

(B,L,D)

VIENNA
Royal Collections and Confections

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Visit to House of Strauss and embark on an interactive journey through Vienna's illustrious past with an immersive audio-visual experience. After the tour, enjoy a coffee and homemade cake, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire.

Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube.

Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Budapest.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)


BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Hungarian Holiday

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Cooking Class with local expert chefs to learn about the rich culinary traditions of Hungary. Make delicious Hungarian sweets and accompany them with a taste of mulled wine to celebrate the holiday season.

This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. Linger in one of the city’s beautiful cafés, adorned in a warm festive spirit to indulge in hot chocolate, mulled wine, or an iconic chimney cake.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)


BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Happy Holidays!

(B)


Dates

Select a date or submit general enquiry

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Travellers

Operator
Avalon Waterways

Designed from the bottom up for comfort, space, and room to dream, each Avalon Suite Ship consists of 80% Panorama Suites—offering the widest view in river cruising. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough In the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, day dream, or just watch the world go by. From our inception, Avalon Waterways has cast a light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – inviting wayfarers and wanderers like you to bask in their glory, intrigue and wonder. Along the way, we’ve helped travellers uncover ancient traditions while meeting the locals dedicated to preserving them; to meander historic hallways while giving back to the societies that safeguard them; and to put down the guidebooks and pick up a greater understanding of the world and its people.

Important Information
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*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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