Arrive at Nuremberg International Airport, where a representative greets and transfers you to the ship.

For a holiday extravaganza, look no further than Nuremberg, which boasts the most extensive and grandest Christmas Market in all of Germany— and that’s saying something. The “Gingerbread Capital of the World” pulls out all the stops during the holidays, as you see for yourself on a panoramic tour guaranteed to put you in a festive mood. You could not ask for a perfect place to begin an exploration of Christmas traditions than Nuremberg. Stroll through the castle gardens, enjoy breathtaking views of the city, and then walk through a maze of cobblestone lanes down to the central Market Square. There, spread out before the Church of Our Lady, the largest Christmas Market in Germany.

Enjoy a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner. 

The fact that Bamberg still exists today is something of a miracle—it survived the WWII bombing virtually unscathed. It’s a superb example of a medieval German city, one compact enough to explore on foot with a local expert. Have free time to visit not just one but four Christmas Markets and a captivating amount of nativity scenes located along the nativity trail.

Rothenburg looks like something straight out of the pages of a storybook, with its medieval walls, cobbled streets, Gothic churches, and Hansel-and-Gretel houses. Join a local expert for an insightful walking tour, and then wander amongst the stalls at one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets.

This morning, head off to see the Würzburg Residence, a baroque-style palace famous for its gigantic ceiling fresco. Later, visit the town’s renowned Christmas Market, held in front of the old City Hall, for some one-of-a-kind gifts for friends back home. The soft glow of Christmas lighting illuminates beautifully decorated wooden booths, and the air is filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and the sound of Christmas carols. One of the best ways to embrace a different culture is through encounters with residents this afternoon in a typical Franconian village. Make new friends over hot drinks and homemade seasonal treats.

Located at the confluence of the Tauber and Main rivers, Wertheim is a lovely village dating back over a thousand years. It epitomizes the friendly, slow-paced, small-town atmosphere of many German towns; here, residents greet each other by name as they do their daily shopping for fresh bread and sausage in tiny shops. On your guided walking tour of the village, you’ll hear a lot about everyday life in Wertheim, as well as facts about the town and its history. Its many well-preserved medieval buildings—complete with low doors and tiny windows—attest to the inconveniences of life in the Middle Ages.

Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe, a financial powerhouse with soaring skyscrapers and traditional Old Town architecture. Experience both aspects of the city today, with time to browse the local Christmas market, one of the best on the Continent. Other options include a “Taste of Christmas” walking tour featuring all sorts of sugary and savory treats or an excursion to the Christmas market in Wiesbaden.

Take pleasure in a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner prepared for you this evening. 

After disembarking, transfer to the Frankfurt International Airport for your flight home.