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Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in
time. It straddles the Vltava River with domes,
cupolas, spires, and pinnacles highlighting its
skyline. Best-known treasures are the Old Town’s
Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of
Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE; St. Vitus Cathedral;
and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for
hand-cut crystal or art books and stroll through
the Christmas markets. Rows of brightly
decorated wooden huts sell Christmas tree
ornaments, wooden toys, and Czech handicrafts.
Get a little inner warmth with a cup of svarene
vino (hot mulled wine) and a traditional hot
sausage from one of the stalls. The beautifully
decorated tree in the Old Town is an impressive
sight. Christmas is the most important family
holiday of the year in most Eastern European
countries, and the Czechs begin their
preparations and celebrations on December 4 with
the feast of St. Barbara. (BB)
Day 3
Day 4 Prague–Nuremberg, Germany.
(Embarkation)
After lunch, drive to Nuremberg, where the
crew of your vessel waits to welcome you aboard.
(BB,D)
Day 5 Nuremberg
Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage
during WWII, much of it was restored to its
original style. Marvel at this historic city
with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant
patrician houses. Nuremberg hosts Germany’s most
famous Christmas market, which dates back to
1628; the Old Town is illuminated with festive
lights and decorations. The city’s traditions
include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal
working. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best
preserved medieval cities. Architectural
highlights include the Old Town Hall; the
beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL; and the
Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort
built in 179 A.D. The city is the capital of
Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town,
and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. The
Christmas market is located on the historic
market square. Germany is famous for its
sausages and Regensburg is home to the country’s
oldest restaurant, Die Alte Wurstküche (the Old
Sausage Kitchen), dating back to the 12th
century. (FB,L,D)
Day 7 Passau–Linz, Austria
Passau, ideally located at the confluence of
the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of
graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St.
Stephen’s Cathedral houses the world’s largest
church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. An
optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in
the popular Sound of Music sights as well as
more Christmas cheer—the traditional carols, the
sparkling lights, and the smell of candles and
gingerbread! Linz, Austria’s third-largest town,
lies on both banks of the Danube and is an
important industrial town and busy river port. (FB,L,D)
Day 8 Melk–Vienna
Melk’s magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY
dominates the town from its commanding hill site
and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The
view from the terrace over the Danube and
surrounding countryside is breathtaking! Vienna,
known as the “City of Music,” inspired the
creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and
Strauss. An optional concert is available
tonight. (FB,L,D)
Day 9 Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg
Empire, Austria’s capital has much to offer: the
lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna
Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and
aweinspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name
just a few of the sights. You do not rush
through Vienna, you waltz, taking your time to
savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the
Kärnterstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or
Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. Soak up the
atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season)
and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas
markets located throughout the city. (FB,L,D)
Day 10 Vienna
(Disembarkation) Your homebound flight
arrives the same day. (FB)
Note: This itinerary operates in reverse as
well, see below.
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Vienna, Austria. (Embarkation)
Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s romantic
capital! This afternoon, your crew waits to
welcome you aboard your luxury river cruise
ship! (D)
Day 3 Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg
Empire, Austria’s capital has much to offer: the
lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna
Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and
awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name
just a few of the sights. You do not rush
through Vienna, you waltz, taking your time to
savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the
Kärnterstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or
Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. Soak up the
atmosphere of the Adventszeit (Advent season)
and spend some time in the beautiful Christmas
markets located throughout the city. (FB,L,D)
Day 4 Melk
The magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates
the town of Melk from its commanding hill site
and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The
view from the terrace over the Danube and
surrounding countryside is breathtaking! (FB,L,D)
Day 5 Linz–Passau, Germany
Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies on
both banks of the Danube, and is an important
industrial town and busy river port. An optional
full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the
popular Sound of Music sights as well as more
Christmas cheer—the traditional carols, the
sparkling lights, and the smell of candles and
gingerbread. Passau, ideally located at the
confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube,
is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone
streets. St. Stephen’s Cathedral houses the
world’s largest church organ with more than
17,000 pipes. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best
preserved medieval cities. Architectural
highlights include the Old Town Hall; the
beautiful white and gold OLD CHAPEL; and the
Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort
built in 179 A.D. The city is the capital of
Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town,
and one of Bavaria’s cultural centers. The
Christmas market is located on the historic
market square. Germany is famous for its
sausages and Regensburg is home to the country’s
oldest restaurant, Die Alte Wurstküche (the Old
Sausage Kitchen), dating back to the 12th
century. (FB,L,D)
Day 7 Nuremberg
Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage
during WWII, much of it was restored to its
original style. Marvel at this historic city
with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant
patrician houses. Nuremberg hosts Germany’s most
famous Christmas market, which dates back to
1628; the Old Town is illuminated with festive
lights and decorations. The city’s traditions
include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal
working. (FB,L,D)
Day 8 Nuremberg (Disembarkation)–Prague,
Czech Republic
Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian
Forest and head for Prague, the “Golden City.” (FB)
Day 9 Prague
Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in
time. It straddles the Vltava River with domes,
cupolas, spires, and pinnacles highlighting its
skyline. Best-known treasures are the Old Town’s
Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of
Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE; St. Vitus Cathedral;
and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for
hand-cut crystal or art books and stroll through
the Christmas markets. Rows of brightly
decorated wooden huts sell Christmas tree
ornaments, wooden toys, and Czech handicrafts.
Get a little inner warmth with a cup of svarene
vino (hot mulled wine) and a traditional hot
sausage from one of the stalls. The beautifully
decorated tree in the Old Town is an impressive
sight. Christmas is the most important family
holiday of the year in most Eastern European
countries, and the Czechs begin their
preparations and celebrations on December 4 with
the feast of St. Barbara. (BB)
Day 10 Prague
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB) |
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