Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive at the airport and get transferred to your Star-Ship cruise vessel. After boarding, you have time to walk around Amsterdam on your own and get familiar with this 700-year-old city.
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam at leisure
- Visit modern art galleries
- Discover Dutch Golden Age art collections
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Amsterdam's in full holiday mode with fairy lights everywhere. You'll take a glass-top boat cruise through the UNESCO-listed canal system, seeing the snow-covered streets and Christmas markets from the water.
Included Activities
- Glass-top canal boat cruise on UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system
Optional Activities
- Visit Amsterdam Christmas markets
- Purchase traditional oliebollen and appelbeignets from stalls
- Sample traditional hot chocolademelk
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System 
- Day 3
Cologne
You arrive in Cologne and get welcomed by the Rhineland's largest Christmas tree. A guided walking tour takes you through the city to see the UNESCO-listed Cathedral, then you'll wander the Christmas market with over 100 half-timbered stalls. You can try lebkuchen and mulled wine while you're there.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Christmas market
- Lecture on Christmas traditions in Europe (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Sample lebkuchen and other festive baked goods
- Purchase handcrafted ornaments from artisan stalls
- Drink mulled wine at the Christmas market
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Christmas Market - Day 4
Rüdesheim
The cruise heads into the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge toward Rüdesheim. Half-timbered houses here are covered in fairy lights. You'll check out the 'Christmas Market of Nations' with over a hundred stalls from different countries, visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, and catch a special performance on board.
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit 'Christmas Market of Nations' in Rüdesheim
- Sample Rüdesheim coffee made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt brandy, whipped cream, vanilla sugar and chocolate flakes
- Explore Christmas specialities from a dozen nations at market stalls
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Rhine Gorge - Day 5
Miltenberg
You dock in Miltenberg, set against the Odenwald forest and decorated for the holidays. A guided tour shows you the town, then you'll visit the boutique market for local arts and crafts. Try the famous apple streusel kuchen, and if you're on the EmeraldPLUS package, you'll see an exclusive glassblowing presentation at the Glass Art Museum in Wertheim.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
- Exclusive visit to Glass Art Museum in Wertheim with glassblowing presentation (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Explore boutique market with local arts and crafts
- Try apple streusel kuchen (apple crumb cake)
- Visit one of Germany's oldest pubs in Miltenberg
Landmarks Glass Art Museum Miltenberg - Day 6
Würzburg
Würzburg's on your itinerary with a guided tour of the city and the UNESCO World Heritage Würzburg Residence, a magnificent Baroque palace built centuries ago by prince bishops. Later, you'll head to the Christmas market in the Old Town where over 100 wooden stalls are set up. Grab Glühwein to warm up.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Würzburg and visit to the Bishops Residence (Würzburg Residence)
Optional Activities
- Visit Christmas market in the Old Town
- Sample Glühwein (hot red wine infused with spices)
- Explore seasonal decorations and treats at market stalls
- Excursion to Rothenburg (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Würzburg Christmas Market - Day 7
Bamberg
Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage town, has four different Christmas markets spread throughout its half-timbered streets. Your guide will show you the main spots and some of the best Baroque nativity scenes in Germany. You can sample the town's famous beer from one of the nine local breweries using traditional Franconian methods.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Visit Bamberg's four Christmas markets
- View Baroque nativity scenes
- Sample Bamberg's famous beer from traditional Franconian breweries
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town - Day 8
Nuremberg
A guided sightseeing tour covers Nuremberg's architectural wonders and complex history, including the city's influence on famous artists and what happened during the war years. You'll have free time after that to explore Nuremberg's Christmas market in the city centre on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- Explore Nuremberg Christmas market in the city centre
- Visit architectural landmarks that inspired famous artists
Landmarks Nuremberg Christmas Market Nuremberg Old Town - Day 9
Regensburg
You'll cruise the final stretch of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, passing over aqueducts. In Regensburg, a local guide takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. If you're on EmeraldPLUS, you'll see the Thurn and Taxis Palace Christmas market with traditional stalls lit by twinkling lights, then enjoy a Bavarian band performance on board.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Visit to Christmas market in Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds (EmeraldPLUS)
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Explore Regensburg's Christmas market stalls
- Sample local festive treats
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Thurn and Taxis Palace Rhine-Main-Danube Canal - Day 10
Passau
Passau is where three major European rivers meet beneath the castle. An afternoon walking tour takes you through the narrow old alleys, past the Oberhaus Fortress on the hill, and to St. Stephen's Cathedral where the Christkindlmarkt happens. You can try warm Glühwein and freshly baked goods.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Visit Passau's Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market)
- Sample warm Glühwein and freshly baked goods
- Excursion to Salzburg (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Oberhaus Fortress St. Stephen's Cathedral Passau Christkindlmarkt - Day 11
Melk
The cruise continues to the quiet village of Melk, where you'll tour the Benedictine Melk Abbey. This ancient Baroque monastery is known for its monumental beauty and historic library treasures.
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Explore the village of Melk
Landmarks Melk Abbey - Day 12
Vienna
You arrive in Vienna, the 'City of Dreams' where famous composers and Sigmund Freud once lived. A guided tour takes you around the magnificent Ringstrasse to see the opulent buildings throughout the city. You'll have leisure time to explore on your own and hit Vienna's Christmas markets for hot chocolate and baked goods.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Visit Vienna's Christmas markets
- Sample hot chocolate and baked goods
- Viennese evening concert (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Ringstrasse Vienna Christmas Markets - Day 13
Bratislava
Bratislava welcomes you with Gothic architecture and stories from the past. You'll stroll through peaceful streets, see neo-Renaissance theatres and the Episcopal Summer Palace. If you're on EmeraldPLUS, you'll have home-hosted coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family. The Christmas market has distinctive handcrafted ornaments and treats.
- Meals
- Coffee & Cake (Home-hosted with a local Slovakian family)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Explore Bratislava's Christmas market
- Shop for handcrafted ornaments
- Carpathian wine route (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Old Town Episcopal Summer Palace - Day 14
Budapest
Budapest shows you its contrasts with elegant Buda landmarks on one side and the fascinating history of Pest on the other, separated by the Danube. A guided coach tour crosses the iconic Chain Bridge and covers city highlights and the landscape. You'll have free time for Budapest's Christmas markets, then gather for a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Hungarian farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Explore Budapest's Christmas markets
- Cross the Chain Bridge
- Visit Buda landmarks
- Excursion to Szentendre (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Budapest Christmas Markets Danube River - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
After breakfast, you leave the Star-Ship and get transferred to Prague, a city known for some of the best-preserved architecture from many different periods. You'll settle into your hotel for a three-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Prague at leisure
- Day 16
Prague
A local guide takes you through Prague's Old Town Square, a cobblestone area that shows off the city's architectural heritage during the holiday season. If you're on EmeraldPLUS, you'll have coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace.
- Meals
- Coffee & Cake (At Lobkowicz Palace)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Explore Prague's Christmas markets
- Visit local craftsmen stalls
- Sample Czech Christmas treats
Landmarks Old Town Square Lobkowicz Palace - Day 17
Prague
Your tour director is available to help you plan your day. You can check out one of Prague's Christmas markets where local craftsmen sell handcrafted ornaments and freshly baked Czech Christmas treats.
Optional Activities
- Visit Prague's Christmas markets
- Explore handcrafted ornaments from local craftsmen
- Sample Czech Christmas treats
- Tastes of Czechia (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Prague Christmas Markets - Day 18
Prague Departure
After breakfast, you head out from Prague.
- Meals
- Breakfast
