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2026

Jan
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2027

Jan
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Dec

2028

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Feb
Mar
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May
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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
From
US $16,324 per person

Christmastime from Basel to Budapest 2027

17 days
From Basel to Budapest
4.6
234 traveler reviews
From
US $16,324 per person
+ $576 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:
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

    Basel

    Meals
    Dinner (Four-course dinner with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese; complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks included)

    Included Activities

    • Explore Basel city center
    • Enjoy Christmas market festive illuminations

    Optional Activities

    • Sample Christmas delicacies (waffles, gingerbread, sweets, Swiss raclette)
    Itinerary Image 1
  2. Day 2

    Breisach

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour through Colmar (charming canals of 'Little Venice' and historic buildings and monuments)
    • Guided Tour to the Black Forest (local traditions and Christmas mood)
    • Live entertainment on board with Christmas carols

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Freiburg's medieval city center
    • Browse Breisach's Christmas market
    Landmarks
    Colmar
    Black Forest
    Freiburg
    Breisach Christmas Market
    Itinerary Image 1
  3. Day 3

    Strasbourg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • City Sightseeing tour including gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows and astronomical clock
    • Visit to La Petite France District

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to wine country village in Alsace
    • Browse winter markets of Strasbourg
    Landmarks
    Strasbourg Cathedral
    La Petite France
  4. Day 4

    Speyer to Heidelberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour of Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime
    • Visit to Great Vat (world's largest wine barrel)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg
    • Explore Speyer Christmas markets
    Landmarks
    Heidelberg Castle
  5. Day 5

    Frankfurt to Rüdesheim

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Tour of Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim
    Landmarks
    Mechanical Music Museum
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  6. Day 6

    Main River Village

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board
    • Guided Tour of picturesque Main River village
    • Christmas carolers performance on board

    Optional Activities

    • Live entertainment on board
  7. Day 7

    Würzburg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg
    • Old Main Bridge visit
    • Fortress visit
    • Baroque Bishop's Residence visit

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Rothenburg
    • Visit to Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Museum
    • Browse Würzburg Christmas markets
    Landmarks
    Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Museum
    Rothenburg
  8. Day 8

    Bamberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture
    • Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg
    • Visit to nativity scenes throughout Bamberg
    • Onboard candle-decorating workshop

    Optional Activities

    • Browse Bamberg Christmas markets
    • Sample traditional German dumplings, sausage, and Bavarian ale
    • Live entertainment on board
    Landmarks
    Bamberg
  9. Day 9

    Nuremberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle
    • Guided Tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds
    • Gingerbread Cooking Demonstration on board

    Optional Activities

    • Browse Christmas Markets of Nuremberg (Christkindlesmarkt)
    • Sample Bavarian fare including bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine
    Landmarks
    Kaiserburg Castle
    Nuremberg Cathedral
    Christkindlesmarkt
  10. Day 10

    Nuremberg to Munich

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided City Tour of Munich
    • Visit to Nymphenburg Palace
    • Visit to Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz
    Landmarks
    Nymphenburg Palace
    Marienplatz
  11. Day 11

    Nuremberg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through festively lit streets of Nuremberg
    • Shop for Christmas gifts
    • Live entertainment on board
    Itinerary Image 1
  12. Day 12

    Regensburg

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Walhalla bike exploration with Adventure Host
    • Guided City Walk featuring Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria
    • Christmas Traditions Lecture on board

    Optional Activities

    • Browse Regensburg Christmas markets
    • Sample hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst
    Landmarks
    Walhalla
    Altes Rathaus
    Porta Pretoria
  13. Day 13

    Passau

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided City Walk of Passau

    Optional Activities

    • Browse Passau's Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas market)
    • Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
    • Live entertainment on board
    Landmarks
    St. Stephen's Cathedral
    Itinerary Image 1
  14. Day 14

    Melk - Wachau Valley to Vienna

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey
    • Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing

    Optional Activities

    • Optional Excursion to Royal Waltz Concert
    Landmarks
    Melk Abbey
    Wachau Valley
  15. Day 15

    Vienna

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Walk through Vienna's Old Town and Christmas markets with local winter specialties
    • Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks including Imperial Palace complex, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral
    • Live entertainment on board

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace (summer home of the Habsburg Empire)
    • Browse Christkindlesmarkt
    • Relax in a Viennese café
    Landmarks
    Vienna Old Town
    Imperial Palace complex
    Vienna Opera House
    St. Stephen's Cathedral
    Schönbrunn Palace
    Christkindlesmarkt
  16. Day 16

    Budapest

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided City Sightseeing including Heroes' Square
    • Guided Visit to a Christmas decorations manufacturer (watch craftsmen shape molten glass into ornamental bulbs)

    Optional Activities

    • Scenic hike above the Danube
    • Explore Budapest's cafés, pubs, or nightlife
    • Visit Budapest's Christmas market
    Landmarks
    Heroes' Square
    Danube
    Budapest Christmas Market
  17. Day 17

    Budapest

    Meals
    Breakfast

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Avalon Waterways

Gold Operator
Rating
4.6(234 reviews)
Response time
within 2 days
Response rate
76%
Cancellation policy

Avalon Waterways Ship

  • Avalon Panorama
    Avalon Panorama
    A unique Suite Ship®, the Avalon Panorama features unmatched cabin views as the first of its kind in the industry with two full decks… Read more
    Built
    2011
    Guests
    84 - 166
    Crew
    47
    Length
    135 m / 443 ft
    Suites
    66
    Staterooms
    17
    Gross Tonnage
    2775 gt
    Beam
    12 m / 39 ft
    Cruising Speed
    12 kn / 22 kph / 14 mph

Reviews from other tours by Avalon Waterways

  • Charles
    September 8th, 2025
    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
    Unforgettable, stress-free trip.
  • Klaus
    July 28th, 2024
    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 Saturday
    27 Nov, 2027
    To Monday
    13 Dec, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    From:
    US $16,324 per person
    Multiple Room Types
    Taxes
    $576

Want to read it later?

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Can’t find the answer to your question?
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From
US $16,324 per person
+ $576 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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Good to Know

Tour ID: 338264

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

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

    Type C
    Hungary
    Type E
    Hungary
    Type F
    Hungary
    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.Hungary.Switzerland. Ideally 6 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Hungary. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Hungary. Ideally 2 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 August 27th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 27th, 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