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2026

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2027

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2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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AdultsAges 18 or above

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2026

Jan
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2027

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2028

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Who is travelling?

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2

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0
From
US $10,597 per person

Christmastime from Basel to Vienna

16 days
•
From Basel to Vienna
4.6 (234 reviews)
  • Festive Christmas market illuminated by a giant star in Strasbourg's old town at blue hour.
  • Sparkling Vienna Christmas market arches and Rathaus tower under twilight sky.
  • The Gloriette at Schönbrunn Palace reflected perfectly in its formal garden pool.
  • Signpost for Vienna city hiking trail overlooks autumn vineyards and distant skyline.
  • Basel Minster and Christmas tree glow against a deep blue evening sky.
    View all
  • Historic Vienna State Opera House captured from an elevated street corner.
  • Belvedere Palace and formal gardens glow under a dramatic sunrise sky.
  • Ferris wheel overlooks the Rhine and Basel's cityscape under a pastel evening sky.
  • Upward view of the ornate spires and patterned roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.
  • Baroque entrance of Vienna's Hofburg Palace crowned by a green copper dome.
    View all
From
US $10,597 per person
+ $540 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

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Gold Operator
Avalon Waterways
River Cruise
Cruise scenic waterways for effortless exploration
Group Tour
Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
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

    Basel
    Meals
    Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through Basel city centre
    • Browse festive illumination
    • Sample Christmas delicacies including waffles, gingerbread, sweets, and Swiss raclette
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Breisach

    Breisach
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour through Colmar and 'Little Venice' historic canals and buildings
    • Guided Tour to Black Forest local traditions and Christmas mood

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Freiburg's medieval city center
    • Browse Breisach Christmas market
    • Sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake
    Landmarks
    Colmar
    Black Forest
    Freiburg
  3. Day 3

    Strasbourg

    Strasbourg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • City Sightseeing including Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows, ancient murals, and astronomical clock
    • Visit La Petite France District

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Alsace wine country village
    • Browse winter markets of Strasbourg
    Landmarks
    Strasbourg Cathedral
    La Petite France
    Itinerary Image 1
  4. Day 4

    Speyer to Heidelberg

    Speyer to Heidelberg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour including Heidelberg Castle and Great Tun (world's largest wine barrel)
    • Visit Heidelberg German Christmas markets

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Speyer Christmas markets
    • Browse Speyer seasonal handiwork and treats
    Landmarks
    Heidelberg Castle
    Great Tun
  5. Day 5

    Frankfurt to Rüdesheim

    Frankfurt to Rüdesheim
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

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

    Main River Village

    Main River Village
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board
    • Guided Tour of Main River village

    Optional Activities

    • Christmas carolers performance onboard
  7. Day 7

    Würzburg

    Würzburg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg including Old Main Bridge, fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Rothenburg
    • Visit Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum
    • Browse Würzburg Christmas markets
    Landmarks
    Würzburg Old Main Bridge
    Bishop's Residence, Würzburg
    Rothenburg
    Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum
  8. Day 8

    Bamberg

    Bamberg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Christmas Traditions Lecture onboard
    • Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg
    • Browse Bamberg nativity scenes from miniature to life-size

    Optional Activities

    • Enjoy Bamberg Christmas markets
    • Sample traditional German dumplings, sausage, and Bavarian ale
    Landmarks
    Bamberg
  9. Day 9

    Nuremberg

    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

    Optional Activities

    • Browse Nuremberg Christmas Markets
    • Sample Bavarian fare: bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine
    • Onboard workshop to create decorated candles
    Landmarks
    Nuremberg Gothic Cathedral
    Kaiserburg Castle
    Nuremberg Rally Grounds
  10. Day 10

    Nuremberg to Munich

    Nuremberg to Munich
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

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

    Nuremberg

    Nuremberg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through festively lit Nuremberg streets
    • Shop for Christmas gifts
    • Cruise Director recommendations for activities
  12. Day 12

    Regensburg

    Regensburg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided City Walk including Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria fortress entrance
    • Christmas Traditions Lecture onboard

    Optional Activities

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

    Passau to Salzburg

    Passau to Salzburg
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided City Walk of Passau

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
    • Visit Sound of Music filming location
    • Learn the story of Silent Night
    • Browse Passau Christkindlesmarkt near St. Stephen's Cathedral
    Landmarks
    St. Stephen's Cathedral, Passau
    Salzburg
  14. Day 14

    Melk to Vienna

    Melk to Vienna
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Guided Tour of Melk Benedictine Abbey including frescoed ceilings
    • Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing through Wachau Valley

    Optional Activities

    • Optional Excursion to Royal Waltz Concert
    Landmarks
    Melk Benedictine Abbey
    Wachau Valley
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  15. Day 15

    Vienna

    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 including Imperial Palace complex, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral

    Optional Activities

    • Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace
    Landmarks
    Vienna Opera House
    St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna
    Imperial Palace Complex, Vienna
    Schönbrunn Palace
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  16. Day 16

    Vienna

    Vienna
    Meals
    Breakfast

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services

What's Not Included

  • Additional Services

Operated by

Avalon Waterways

Gold Operator
Rating
4.6 (234 reviews)
Response time
within 1 day
Response rate
87%
Cancellation policy

Avalon Waterways Ship

  • Avalon Envision
    Avalon Envision
    The Avalon Envision is the newest addition to the 2019 Avalon Suite Ship fleet. With the youngest fleet of ships on Europe's waterway… Read more
    Built
    2018
    Guests
    83-166
    Crew
    47
    Length
    135 m / 443 ft
    Suites
    67
    Staterooms
    16
    Gross Tonnage
    2775 gt
    Beam
    12 m / 39 ft
    Staterooms / SuitesDeck PlansDining

Reviews from other tours by Avalon Waterways

  • Charles5.0•September 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
  • Julie5.0•August 2025
    Unforgettable, stress-free trip.
  • Laurence4.0•June 2024
    Although we did not actually do the river cruise because of high water levels, we were taken on excursions by coach.

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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
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends on 26 Aug, 2026
  • From Thursday
    25 Nov, 2027
    To Friday
    10 Dec, 2027
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    Avalon Expression
    From:
    US$10,597 per person
    Price based on Private Double Room
    Taxes
    $540
    2027 Version
    View this tour
  • From Saturday
    2 Dec, 2028
    To Sunday
    17 Dec, 2028
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    Avalon Envision
    From:
    US$10,597 per person
    Taxes
    $540
    2027 Version
    View this tour
  • From Saturday
    2 Dec, 2028
    To Sunday
    17 Dec, 2028
    English
    This departure date is available and will 100% depart
    Guaranteed departure
    Avalon Envision
    From:
    US$10,597 per person
    Multiple Room Types
    Taxes
    $540

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From
US $10,597 per person
+ $540 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

Best price guarantee Learn More

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 363441

  • 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 types C, F, E, J.

    Type C
    Austria, France and Germany
    Type F
    Austria and Germany
    Type E
    France
    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 November 26th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 26th, 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
  • Insurance

    Our travel protection from our award-winning partner, XCover, means you and your travel companions can book with peace of mind knowing there’s protection available in case your trip doesn’t go to plan. At checkout you will be able to select between different options in case you or the tour are eligible for insurance. In case no option is available, you are always able to purchase travel insurance outside of TourRadar.

    Checking which travel protection options are available for you…
  • 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.
  • People also viewed

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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