Summary Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland.
This Christmas river cruise begins in Switzerland and takes you down the Rhine River to France, Germany, Austria and Hungary, with beautiful passing views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated—a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your ship in Basel, Switzerland, then stop in Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Strasbourg, France, is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits. You’ll go on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city. This time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five town squares.
Stop in Frankfurt and then sail to visit a picturesque Main River Village before stopping in Würzburg to savor the sights, sounds, and confections of its warm Christmas markets. Continue your festive European vacation to enjoy Christmas in the heart of Europe with a guided sightseeing tour of the glowing Christkindlesmarkt of Bam-berg—complete with dozens of nativity scenes of every size. While sailing, you’ll hear an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions in Europe and choose from two guided excursions—a classic sightseeing tour of Nuremberg, or a tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII notoriety. Board your second Avalon Suite Ship in Nuremberg. Your Danube River cruise continues to Melk, where you’ll see its magnificent Benedic-tine Abbey, with fantastic frescoes, statures, library, and ornate pipe organ. Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your Main and danube River cruise vacation concludes Budapest, called the “Pearl of the Danube,” with wonderful experiences and memories of Christmas markets, scenic splendors, and inspiring discoveries to treasure always. Short Itinerary / Route
- Day 1.
- Basel, Switzerland (Embarkation)
- Day 2.
- Breisach, Germany. Excursion To Black Forest
- Day 3.
- Strasbourg, France
- Day 4.
- Speyer, Germany. Heidelberg Excursion
- Day 5.
- Frankfurt. Excursion To Rudesheim
- Day 6.
- Main River Village
- Day 7.
- Würzburg
- Day 8.
- Bamberg
- Day 9.
- Nuremberg
- Day 10.
- Nuremberg (Disembarkation). Excursion To Munich. N...
- Day 11.
- Nuremberg
- Day 12.
- Regensburg
- Day 13.
- Passau
- Day 14.
- Melk–Wachau Valley
- Day 15.
- Vienna
- Day 16.
- Budapest, Hungary
- Day 17.
- Budapest (Disembarkation)
Travel Countries (5): Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland Ports of call (18): Bamberg, Basel, Breisach, Budapest, Colmar, Frankfurt am Main, Heidelberg, Linz, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Regensburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna, Würzburg, Zurich |
This is an Organised River Cruise: you will eat and sleep on-board of the ship. The cruise operator set the itinerary, the destinations, duration and departure dates as well as the price per cabin type/deck. Excursions and activities can be included or optional. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.
|
Tour Variations Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt (13 Days) Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, called the “Pearl of the Danube.” Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna, picturesque Krems, and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your Danube River c... Next Departure: 06-Dec-2026 Starting at: USD 7,294.00 Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt with 2 Nights in Budapest (15 Days) Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, after enjoying two nights in the “Pearl of the Danube.” Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna, picturesque Krems, and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valle... Next Departure: 04-Dec-2026 Starting at: USD 7,793.00 Christmastime from Budapest to Basel (17 Days) Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, called the “Pearl of the Danube.” Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna, picturesque Krems, and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your Danube River c... Next Departure: 06-Dec-2026 Starting at: USD 10,025.00 Christmastime from Budapest to Basel with 2 Nights in Budapest (19 Days) Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, after enjoying two nights in the “Pearl of the Danube.” Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna, picturesque Krems, and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valle... Next Departure: 04-Dec-2026 Starting at: USD 10,524.00 Christmastime from Frankfurt to Budapest (13 Days) Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Frankfurt, Germany. Sail to visit a picturesque Main River Village before stopping in Würzburg to savor the sights, sounds, and confections of its warm Christmas markets. Continue your festive European vacation to enjoy Ch... Next Departure: 05-Dec-2025 Starting at: USD 6,298.00 Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg (10 Days) Experience the holiday season like never before with a Christmastime cruise through Germany and France. From the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, you’ll discover traditions and tastes that warm the hea... Next Departure: 01-Dec-2025 Starting at: USD 4,948.00 Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg with 2 Nights in Prague (12 Days) Experience the holiday season like never before with a Christmastime cruise through Germany and France. From the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, you’ll discover traditions and tastes that warm the hea... Next Departure: 01-Dec-2025 Starting at: USD 5,537.00 Christmastime from Basel to Vienna (16 Days) Step aboard your Avalon Suite Ship® festively decorated and beautifully dressed in Christmas colors of the season. Embark on this festive Christmastime river cruise from Switzerland to Austria. Experience the holiday season like never before, from the bea... Next Departure: 01-Dec-2025 Starting at: USD 8,147.00 Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel (10 Days) Celebrate this magical time of year with a delightful Christmastime river cruise through the beautiful views of the heart of Germany, on the Main Danube Canal, and the Main and Rhine Rivers. Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, host to one of the oldest... Next Departure: 08-Dec-2025 Starting at: USD 5,568.00 Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel with 2 Nights in Prague (12 Days) Celebrate this magical time of year with a Christmastime river cruise vacation starting in the Czech Republic, on through the beautiful views of the heart of Germany, and ending in Switzerland. Prague, the beautiful Czech capital, is set on the banks of t... Next Departure: 06-Dec-2025 Starting at: USD 6,197.00 |