Christmastime from Budapest to Basel
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Overview
Highlights
- Onboard welcome reception
- Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
- City sightseeing; Christmas market
- Guided city walk in Krems; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
- Guided walk; Christmas market
- Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria; Christmas market
- Onboard Christmas Tradition lecture; choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
- Full-day guided tour in Munich
- Day at leisure to visit Christmas markets
- Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture
What's this trip about?
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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 t...
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 T...
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 stunnin...
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 Vineyard...
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...
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 (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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...
This morning say goodbye to your Avalon Suite Ship and get ready to embark your second Avalon vessel which will take you to Basel.
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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 (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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 Christma...
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 Bava...
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
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Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
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A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël
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German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
CLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black For...
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights shouldn’t leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
(Breakfast)
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings
Other Avalon Waterways Reviews
My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.
The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...
Great Staff
The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...
Avalon consistency—good!
Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...
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Accommodation
Renaissance Zurich Tower
This 300 room luxury hotel is housed in a modern tower building located in the vibrant Zurich West quarter. The exclusive Grill restaurant serves urban cuisine and the lounge bar offers drinks, snacks and cocktails. Other amenities include a fitness area on the 15th floor with city views, sauna and steam bath.
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Switzerland
Turbinenstrasse 20
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