Tour Description

Board your Avalon Suite Ship in Budapest, called the “Pearl of the Danube.” Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna, picturesque Krems, and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your Danube River cruise continues to Melk, where you’ll see its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, with fantastic frescoes, statures, library, and ornate pipe organ. Your Germany river cruise continues with an excursion to Nuremberg. While sailing, you’ll hear an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions in Europe, and choose from two guided excursions—a classic sightseeing tour of Nuremberg, or a tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII notoriety.

Continue your festive European holiday to enjoy Christmas in the Heart of Germany with a guided sightseeing tour of the glowing Christkindlesmarkt of Bamberg—complete with dozens of nativity scenes of every size. Würzburg is the next stop on your Christmas cruise through Germany. Savour the sights, sounds, and confections of Würzburg’s warm Christmas markets before sailing to visit a picturesque Main River Village. You’ll continue your scenic river cruise on the Rhine River to see the shining Christmas markets of Germany, France, and Switzerland. Enjoy Heidelberg’s sparkling Christmas markets during your stay, before sailing for Strasbourg, France. City sightseeing includes Strasbourg’s stained-glass, gothic cathedral, astronomical clock, and La Petite France district. On to Breisach and the Black Forest of Bavaria to experience generations of warm and festive Christmas traditions. Your Christmastime river cruise will conclude in Basel, Switzerland. With Christmas celebration and special traditions large and small, and panoramic views, you’ll keep the visions of your scenic European river cruise in your memory for many Christmases to come.

Traveller Notes
Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2025, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2025.

Priced From:

$ 16696pp ^*

Start Location: Budapest, Hungary

End Location: Basel, Switzerland

Major Destinations: ,Passau,Regensburg,,Würzburg,

Breakfast Meals Included: 16

Lunch Meals Included: 13

Dinner Meals Included: 16

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Chris McKinnel

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition before boarding your Suite Ship. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (D)

Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia and see the rolling landscape and red rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing to Vienna. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA (B,L,D)

Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral. Spend free time on your own enjoying the Christkindlesmarkt, or relaxing by the fire's glow in a Viennese cafe. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace- summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KREMS (B,L,D)

Christmas Magic in the Austria's Wine Country CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world. During lunchtime, sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. MELK Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful "City of Three Rivers." Later spend some free time in Passau's charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral. Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas. Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)

Christmas Magic in Bavaria CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria-built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B,L,D)

Legends and History Lessons DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board CLASSIC Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg-with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich. Spend free time on your own browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample Favourite Bavarian fare-from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)

Beer Songs and Bavarian Kings CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace-D former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz. (B,D)

Living Heritage and History Lessons A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)

Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg-medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes-from miniature to life-size. Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)

Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Pearl of the Romantic Road" with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Kathe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum-the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations. Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG (B,L,D)

Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany's oldest inn. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-D-kind instrumental experience in Rudesheim. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B,D)

Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat-the world's largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven's Time, and Joyeux Noel CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city's Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village. Savour the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH (B,L,D)

German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood. In the afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL (B,L,D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights shouldn't leave Zurich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am. (B)

Dates & prices

Dates

Prices

Status

Departure Date :

2026-12-06

Return Date :

2026-12-22

Single : 25107 NZD

Twin : 16696 NZD

Open

Christmastime From Budapest To Basel

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices