Itinerary
- Day 1
Embark
You'll board your cruise ship and get settled into your luxury stateroom. This is where you'll call home for the next week as you prepare to head down the Danube River, experiencing Christmas markets along the way. Take time to familiarize yourself with the ship and meet fellow travelers before dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Board the AmaWaterways river cruise ship
- Day 2
Nuremberg
Start with a guided city tour of Nuremberg focusing on its WWII history. After that, you'll walk through cobblestone streets heading toward the Imperial Castle and the 900-year-old city ramparts. Spend time browsing Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's largest Christmas markets. Later in the day, the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal as evening approaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of WWII highlights
- Walking tour through Nuremberg's cobblestone streets to Imperial Castle
- Visit to 900-year-old city ramparts
- Visit to local Christmas markets
- Transit via Main-Danube Canal
Optional Activities
- Visit to Christkindlesmarkt (one of the world's largest and most famous Christmas markets)
Landmarks Imperial Castle Nuremberg City Ramparts Christkindlesmarkt 
- Day 3
Regensburg
You'll explore Regensburg, a medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided walking tour takes you through architectural highlights like the Old Town Hall and Porta Praetoria. The Christmas market is next on your agenda. Afterward, pick your activity: try Bavarian specialties at a local restaurant, bike to Walhalla's neoclassical temple, or visit the Thurn and Taxis Christmas market where local artisans sell their work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Regensburg's architectural highlights
- Visit to Old Town Hall
- Visit to Porta Praetoria
- Visit to Old Town Christmas market
Optional Activities
- Bavarian specialties tasting (beer, sausage, pretzels)
- Bike tour to Walhalla
- Visit to Thurn and Taxis Christmas market
Landmarks Old Town Hall Porta Praetoria Walhalla Thurn and Taxis Christmas Market 
- Day 4
Passau or Salzburg
In Passau, a 2,000-year-old city, you'll take a walking tour and see its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture up close. The Christmas Market is a good spot to find Bavarian crafts. If you prefer activity, you can join a guided bike ride along the Danube or spend the full day on an excursion to Salzburg, which includes a walking tour of the UNESCO Old Town, a cathedral visit, and time at Christmas markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Passau Christmas Market visit
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Full-day excursion to Salzburg with UNESCO Old Town walking tour
- St. Stephen's visit (Passau)
- Salzburg Cathedral visit
- Salzburg Christmas Markets
Landmarks St. Stephen's Salzburg Old Town Salzburg Cathedral 
- Day 5
Melk and Vienna
You'll visit Melk Abbey, a Baroque monastery sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river. Tour the Benedictine Abbey to see its museum and the famous library with medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, there's a guided bike ride around Melk if that appeals more. From there, the ship takes you on a scenic cruise through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley before arriving in Vienna where you can explore Christmas markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Melk Abbey
- Scenic cruise of UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley
Optional Activities
- Guided bike ride around Melk
- Vienna Christmas markets
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley 
- Day 6
Vienna
Vienna's up today, and you'll see the regal Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs during your tour. The historic city center is nearby where Christmas Markets are set up. If you're active, a guided bike ride along the Danube River is available. Later, head to Schönbrunn Palace to see its giant sparkling Christmas tree, which makes for a festive afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Vienna's regal splendors
- Visit to Opera House
- Visit to former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs
- Vienna historic city center
- Visit to Christmas Markets
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube River
- Schönbrunn Palace with Christmas tree visit
Landmarks Vienna State Opera House Hofburg Palace Schönbrunn Palace 
- Day 7
Budapest
Budapest gives you two sides to explore. Start on the Buda side walking through the Castle District to see Fisherman's Bastion with its fairytale turrets and great views of the city. Matthias Church sits nearby with its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. Check out the Christmas Markets, then cross to Pest for the afternoon. There you'll see the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square, and the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. Optional hiking to Castle Hill is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Buda's Castle District
- Visit to Fisherman's Bastion
- Visit to Matthias Church
- Visit to Budapest Christmas Markets
- Exploration of Pest
- Visit to Hungarian Parliament Building
- Visit to Heroes' Square
- Visit to Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial
Optional Activities
- Hike to Budapest's Castle Hill
Landmarks Fisherman's Bastion Matthias Church Hungarian Parliament Building Heroes' Square Shoes on the Danube Bank - Day 8
Disembark Budapest
It's time to disembark in Budapest and say goodbye to the city. You'll prepare for your return flight home, bringing holiday memories and images of Christmas markets along the Danube with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembark the river cruise ship
