Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a festive European river cruise that kicks off in Prague. After boarding your ship in Nuremberg, your holiday cruise journeys through the charming region where so many of today's most beloved Christmas traditions originated. Experience a number of enchanting Christmas markets in places such as Regensburg, Salzburg, and Vienna, each with its own local flavor and traditions. Conclude your holiday cruise in Budapest.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2: Exploring Prague
1 Breakfast
This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle courtyard and the St. Vitus, and then cross the Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. The remainder of your day is free to shop at the Christmas Markets with their tempting assortment of handicrafts, toys, wood carvings, and ornaments; mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy one of the charming cafes or restaurants. This afternoon, participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now serving as a memorial to those who perished. The evening is at your leisure or alternatively, experience an unforgettable optional dinner and folklore event that is a celebration of Czech food, music, dance and world-famous Czech beers.
This morning, depart Prague after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia. In Nuremberg, visit the world's largest Christmas Market, where over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offer an assortment of unique children's toys, tinsel angels, dolls, dollhouses, gingerbread and everything else imaginable. Tonight, gather on board your ship for a Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg.
Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. After your tour, you will have time to visit the Christmas Market. Enjoy a complimentary drink of hot mulled Gluhwein in your own souvenir mug to ward off the chill. After lunch continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level - before descending through stair-step locks.
Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and enjoy a guided tour of one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas market, where you can shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. Alternatively, this afternoon visit the 'royal' Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market, where you can watch the craftsmen make their goods.
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairytale city that was founded more than 2,000 years ago. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan's Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Afterwards, take some time to experience the traditional Christmas Markets. Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for 'The Sound of Music.' Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. For those staying on board, enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau into Austria and on to Linz. After dinner, take a walk through this delightful town, Austria's third largest city and a major river port.
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey. At lunchtime, continue through the romantic Wachau Valley. Late this afternoon arrive in Vienna, the 'City of Music.' Tonight, return to town on your own or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.
This morning, start your excursion with a driving tour of Vienna including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets at the Town Hall. This afternoon, you can join an optional tour to the Imperial Schonbrunn Palace, which features over 60 Christmas Market stalls and provides a spectacular festive atmosphere with the aroma of Gluhwein and gingerbread. Alternatively, you can stroll along the Karntnerstrasse and stop to sample Vienna's famous pastries.
This morning, cruise the Danube Bend past beautiful towns nestled on the curve of the river bank to Budapest. Your Budapest sightseeing includes Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest is spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, and St. Stephen's Basilica. You have the day to explore the Christmas markets. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner. After dinner, your ship will sail a special 'Illuminations Cruise' past the illuminated river front of Budapest.
Day 10: Disembark / Return Home
1 Breakfast
Your cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category E
Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Category D
Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Category C
Cello Deck, French Balcony, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Category BB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
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Category BA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
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Category AB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
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Category AA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 350 sq. ft.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 251 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 251 reviews on
2 days ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
3 days ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.
Mary Warren
4 days ago
Jess was very easy going and answered all our questions. It’s not easy dealing with 6 people at once but she did an outstanding job!
Diane Foster
6 days ago
Kassandra and the Adventure Life team have been incredible! Kassandra was very knowledgeable and attentive to our asks while making sure we kept within our budget. This was our first experience with a travel agent and we were blown away by the booking/initial exploration service. We will use Adventure Life again.