Share the magic of a European holiday aboard the River Princess. Discover villages with fairytale houses and a friendly, festive atmosphere. Share traditional holiday goodies with the people who made them. Sail 8 days through Christmas country, trying Frankfurt’s famous apple cider and Nuremberg’s gingerbread. Throughout, cozy up to steaming mugs of glühwein (warm spiced wine) and do as the locals do by collecting different mugs from each stall and town you visit. Embrace the holiday spirit in Germany, the land where many Christmas traditions began, and find the magic of the season in the smiles that you meet along the way.
Select departures run in reverse (Frankfurt to Nuremberg)
Highlights
Visit Nuremberg, the “Gingerbread Capital of the World”
Gothic churches and Hansel-and-Gretel houses
Enjoy the Würzburg Residence with Christmas market
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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.
Day 8: Frankfurt | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After disembarking, transfer to the Frankfurt International Airport for your flight home.
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.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Classic
Magnificent appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) located on the Moselle Deck . Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, back-lit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers.
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Deluxe
Sumptuous appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) located on the Danube Deck and Main Deck. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, back-lit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers.
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French Balcony
Luxuriant appointed riverview stateroom (151 sq ft - 14 sq m) located on the Rhine Deck with a French balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, backlit magnifying mirror, cozy bathrobes, and slippers.
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Suite
Lavishly appointed riverview suite (214 sq ft - 20 sq m) located on the Rhine Deck with a French balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Hermès bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers. Additional special amenities and services.
Notes
Please Note: Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.
- All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
- Single Supplement applies for single accommodation. Solo occupancy pricing is dependent on cabin type, contact us for details.
- The order of sightseeing and docking ports are subject to change according to port authority assignments.
Initial deposit is 15% of cruise fare plus any additional port charges, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.9 | 193 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
Based on 193 reviews on
1 day ago
Amazing assistance! Kevin and his team were so helpful and really gave us great advice. They quickly understood exactly what we were looking for and within a matter of days we had booked our holiday of a lifetime. I would definitely recommend to others.
Kathryn
1 day ago
I was on a trip to the UK while arranging another trip for next year. Was able to work with email and a short call to secure our spot on a tall ship cruise. Good company to work with so far.
Steve Beal
2 days ago
I think it was very helpful that Franny and I spoke on the phone. I think she had a better idea of what we were looking for, and she planned a great itinerary for us!
Elizabeth
3 days ago
I've just started the process, but Tilly has been very helpful and has a great personality that puts a traveler at ease. I think the paperwork has just begun so I can't give an overall rating of the whole experience. So far, so good.
Christine Allen
5 days ago
Claire made sure she knew what my expectations and priorities were and offered options based on that. She also suggested a visit to a city i did not know about. She was pleasant friendly informative and helpful