Christmastime on the Danube with Avalon Waterways

Premier Tours & Travel is proud to host its own small group on this 2021 Christmastime on the Danube river cruise with Avalon, which will be led by our own resident expert on Germany, Austria, and their Christmas markets ... Dieter Brown!

Enter a stunning world of cherished Christmas traditions along the Danube River. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, Germany, with its medieval fortifications, gothic churches, and palaces. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations and the Christmas market, one of the most famous in the world, has dozens of stalls offering traditional wares, such as Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread), Glühwein (hot mulled wine), and unique decorations and ornaments. Learn about local Christmas traditions, and cruise to historical Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. After a guided tour, enjoy a tasting of German beers. Experience Passau’s charming Christmas market set against the breathtaking backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral—a masterpiece of ba-roque architecture.

Arrive in lovely Melk, Austria, and tour the magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey—one of Europe’s largest monasteries. As you cruise through the wintery landscape of the picturesque Wachau Valley, enjoy the view with a tasting of traditional Austrian cookies. This Christmas river cruise ends in Austria’s magical capital of Vienna, home to the sounds of Mozart, Strauss, and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. See the famous sights with a Local Guide, or opt to go on a culinary tour through the Christmas markets to get a taste of all the best flavors Austria offers during this sparkling time of year on the Danube River.

November 29 - December 5, 2021
From $3,090 Based on Double Occupancy

Avalon Impression -- Only 67 Suites and 16 State Rooms
*Includes a $500 group discount; Category B French Balcony; wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals; a Welcome Happy Hour; and all gratuities and port charges
$250 deposit upon booking**

2022 Departures include November 28, 29, December 4, 6, and 10 from $2,199 and air based upon chosen departure.

Avalon Assurance

River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Germany! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
(D)

Day 2 NUREMBERG

Living Heritage and History Lessons
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Join 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.
Enjoy live entertainment as you sail.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
(B, L, D)

Day 3 REGENSBURG

Christmas Magic in Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle
DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning.
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD.
Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.
DISCOVERY Later, indulge in an onboard Beer Tasting to sample regional German brews.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU
(B, L, D)

Day 4 PASSAU

Saint Stephens, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”
You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night.
Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Take a brief evening cruise to Linz, and go out for music and dancing or late-night dessert before sailing to Melk.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
(B, L, D)

Day 5 MELK, AUSTRIA

Striking Frescoes and the Breathtaking Wachau Valley
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna.

VIENNA
Vienna’s Winter Wonderland
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)

Day 6 VIENNA

Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Vienna to see the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial family, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Culinary Tour of Vienna’s magical Christmas Advent Markets to sample Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.
You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.
Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA
(B, L, D)

Day 7 VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
(B)

Vacation Highlights

Day 1 Nuremberg (Embarkation): onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Nuremberg: choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Day 3 Regensburg: onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; guided tour; Christmas market; beer tasting on board
Day 4 Passau: guided tour; Christmas market
Day 5 Melk: guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey; onboard cookie tasting

Day 6 Vienna: choice of guided sightseeing, or culinary tour at Christmas market
Day 7 Vienna (Disembarkation): your cruise ends this morning

Pre-/Post-Cruise Extension

Premier Tours & Travel would be happy to create a custom pre- and/or post-cruise extension upon request.

PREMIER TOURS & TRAVEL NOTE: Itinerary subject to change. Premier Tours & Travel reserves the right to modify programs and itineraries (including arranged sightseeing, accommodations, dining experiences, aircraft, trains, vessels, and so forth) at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Premier Tours & Travel’s control. Every effort is made to operate our itineraries as planned but alterations may need to be made after the final itinerary has been issued. Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December. Airfare is not included.

AVALON WATERWAYS NOTE: In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary. Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time. Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler. See Avalon Waterways for full terms and conditions: https://www.avalonwaterways.com/terms/. ** Deposit is nonrefundable.

Premier Experiences, Premier Advantages

English-speaking director and local Premier representatives
Airport meet and greet
Group transfers
7-Night Avalon River Cruise, 19 meals, including seven breakfasts, six lunches, six dinners, with wine, beer and soft drinks
Internet (where available)
All gratuities and port charges
24/7 Premier support

Senior Travel Consultant, Dieter Brown