RACV Logo
Members save more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide
Unlock savings
Unlock member discounts
Unlock exclusive discounts and inclusions
Members only pricing
Bonus hand-picked inclusions
Continue as guest
Your member number is located on your membership card, membership renewal notice, club account statement or payment advice.

Festive Season on the Legendary Danube

package saved
click to save
Operated by Avalon
Tripcode: WNB-T3
Overview
Destination:
Start:,
Finish:,
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
Style:
River/Small ship/Barge,
Travel Period
December 2025 - December 2026
8 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Budapest
This Danube River cruise at Christmastime delights with the shining sights and sounds of the holiday season. Experience the beautiful traditions of the festive season amid 14th-century architecture and towns virtually unchanged since Roman times. Walk down narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses and Christkindlmarkt stalls alight with glowing atmosphere of three beautiful countries. Sail through a winter wonderland and revel in the Advent season as each town is festively decorated, offering holiday wares and delicious fare to warm the heart.

Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, and visit this 1000-year-old city with a Local Guide. Browse Nuremberg’s Christmas market—one of Europe’s oldest. Be sure to try the city’s traditional gingerbread! Next, visit Regensburg—the only German city not bombed during WWII. Here, you’ll taste some of Germany’s famous beers and sausages. Next stop is Passau, known for its narrow winding streets lined with patrician houses, and the magnificent Italian baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral which forms a perfect backdrop for the delightful Christkindlmarkt. In Melk, visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, and enjoy a traditional Austrian cookie tasting as you cruise through a winter wonderland from the Wachau Valley to romantic Vienna. Here, where Christmas markets are scattered around the city, enjoy a culinary walk through the markets to taste some of the local traditional specialties.

Your European Christmas river cruise vacation ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore one more Christmas market and buy one-of-a-kind gifts.
Itinerary
Expand all Collapse all
NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Nuremberg 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.

Explore your ship this evening and enjoy dinner on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

(D)

NUREMBERG
Legends and History Lessons

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.

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.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

(B,L,D)

REGENSBURG
Christmas Magic in Bavaria

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.

Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.

DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

(B,L,D)

PASSAU
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”.

Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas.

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

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

(B,L,D)

MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

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

DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.



Viennese Waltzes on the Beautiful 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 Culinary Confections

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.

Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening.

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

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
War Heroes and Hot Water

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

Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs or nightlife and don’t miss the unique Christmas market that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)

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

(B)


Departure dates

Select your preferred date or enquire

Enquire now

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
*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
Book now
Need help?
Price from
$6,579 $6,281 *
Member price from
$6,281*
per person
7 nights
Check departures
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch with our friendly Travel Consultants.
Speak to one of our friendly consultants, available during business hours.
Mon to Fri · 9am - 5pm AEST
Speak to an expert in-store
Prefer to plan in person? Make an appointment at our Travel Store to speak with one of our experts
be5af8e4a07d527ffb2343e0a4630048