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2026

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2027

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2028

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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
From
US $13,432 per person

Christmastime from Basel to Vienna 2026

16 days
From Zurich to Vienna
4.6
234 traveler reviews
From
US $13,432 per person
+ $495 Taxes

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

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Plan your adventure:
River Cruise
Scenic waterways and effortless exploration
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 30 - 160
Ages 8+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Zürich/Basel to Breisach

    Meals
    Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Stroll through city centre
    • Browse Christmas illuminations
    • Sample Christmas delicacies (waffles, gingerbread, sweets, Swiss raclette)
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  2. Day 2

    Freiburg/Black Forest

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Freiburg's medieval city center (OR Guided tour of the Black Forest)
    • Browse Breisach Christmas market
    • Live entertainment on board

    Optional Activities

    • Guided optional excursion to Colmar village
    Landmarks
    Black Forest
    Freiburg
    Colmar
  3. Day 3

    Strasbourg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • City sightseeing tour including Gothic cathedral, stained-glass windows, ancient murals, astronomical clock and La Petite France district
    • Browse Strasbourg winter markets

    Optional Activities

    • Guided optional excursion to wine country village in Alsace
    Landmarks
    Strasbourg Cathedral
    La Petite France
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  4. Day 4

    Heidelberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour including Heidelberg Castle and Great Vat (OR explore Speyer Christmas markets)
    • Visit Heidelberg Christmas markets (if choosing Heidelberg tour option)
    Landmarks
    Heidelberg Castle
    Great Vat
  5. Day 5

    Frankfurt - Rüdesheim

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of the Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim
    Landmarks
    Mechanical Music Museum
    Rüdesheim
  6. Day 6

    Würzburg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • German cookie baking demonstration on board
    • Guided tour of picturesque Main River village
    • Live entertainment on board
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  7. Day 7

    Rothenburg (optional) - Bamberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided sightseeing tour of Würzburg with Old Main Bridge, fortress and baroque Bishop's Residence
    • Browse Würzburg Christmas markets

    Optional Activities

    • Guided optional excursion to Rothenburg
    • Visit Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum in Rothenburg
    Landmarks
    Würzburg Bishop's Residence
    Rothenburg
    Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum
  8. Day 8

    Bamberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Onboard Christmas traditions lecture
    • Guided sightseeing tour of Bamberg
    • Browse Bamberg nativity scenes
    • Browse Bamberg Christmas markets
    • Live entertainment on board
    Landmarks
    Bamberg
  9. Day 9

    Nuremberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Nuremberg medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral and Kaiserburg Castle (OR Guided tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds)
    • Browse Nuremberg Christmas Markets
    Landmarks
    Kaiserburg Castle
    Nuremberg Gothic Cathedral
    Nuremberg Rally Grounds
  10. Day 10

    Nuremberg - Munich - Nuremberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided city tour of Munich
    • Visit to Nymphenburg Palace
    • Visit to Old Town Hall (Marienplatz)
    • Visit to New Town Hall (Marienplatz)
    Landmarks
    Nymphenburg Palace
    Old Town Hall (Marienplatz)
    New Town Hall (Marienplatz)
  11. Day 11

    Nuremberg to Regensburg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Free time to explore Nuremberg
    • Live entertainment on board
  12. Day 12

    Regensburg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided city walk of Regensburg
    • See Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
    • See Porta Pretoria
    • Browse Regensburg Christmas markets
    • Christmas traditions lecture on board
    Landmarks
    Altes Rathaus
    Porta Pretoria
    Itinerary Image 1
  13. Day 13

    Salzburg (optional) - Linz - Melk

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided city walk of Passau
    • Browse Passau Christkindlesmarkt
    • Brief evening cruise to Linz
    • Live entertainment on board

    Optional Activities

    • Guided optional excursion to Salzburg
    • See Sound of Music locations
    • Learn story of Silent Night hymn in Salzburg
    Landmarks
    St. Stephen's Cathedral
    Salzburg
  14. Day 14

    Vienna

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Melk Benedictine Abbey
    • See frescoed ceilings
    • Austrian cookie tasting on board while sailing through Wachau Valley

    Optional Activities

    • Optional excursion to Royal Waltz Concert
    Landmarks
    Melk Benedictine Abbey
    Wachau Valley
    Itinerary Image 1
  15. Day 15

    Vienna

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided city tour of Vienna
    • See Imperial Palace complex
    • See Vienna Opera House
    • See St. Stephen's Cathedral
    • Free time to explore Christkindlesmarkt or Viennese cafés

    Optional Activities

    • Guided optional tour of Schönbrunn Palace
    Landmarks
    Imperial Palace
    Vienna Opera House
    St. Stephen's Cathedral
    Schönbrunn Palace
  16. Day 16

    Disembarkation

    Meals
    Breakfast
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Avalon Waterways

Number of tours

479

Age Range

8 to 99 years old

Response time

within 2 days

Response rate

84%

Introduced in 2003, Avalon Waterways sets the standard in river and...

Read more

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Reviews from other tours by Avalon Waterways

  • Charles
    September 8th, 2025
    5.0
    We would like to thank our Statesman Attendee that took care of all our needs in our room 107. He was friendly and...
    Show more
  • Julie
    August 7th, 2025
    5.0
    Unforgettable, stress-free trip.
  • Klaus
    July 28th, 2024
    5.0
    ship was excellent, food and drinks were great, adventures perfectly organized,all crew members were extremely...
    Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
  • From Wednesday
    2 Dec, 2026
    To Thursday
    17 Dec, 2026
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $13,432 per person
    Multiple Room Types
    Taxes
    $495
Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $150 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in United States, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Avalon Waterways with your enquiry, they usually respond within 2 days.
From
US $13,432 per person
+ $495 Taxes

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 288069

  • Currencies
    Euro
    Austria, France and Germany
    Fr.
    Swiss Franc
    Switzerland
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type J.

    Type J
    Switzerland
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Austria.Germany.Switzerland. Ideally 6 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before June 6th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 6th, 2026, a minimum payment of $250 is required to confirm your booking with Avalon Waterways. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Avalon Waterways" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec