Christmastime from Budapest to Frankfurt

13 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
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, stat...
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

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?

    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, statues, 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 vacation to enjoy Christmas in the Heart of Germany with a guided sightseeing tour of the glowing Christkindlesmarkt of Bam-berg—complete with dozens of nativity scenes of every size. Würzburg is the next stop on your Christmas cruise through Germany. Savor the sights, sounds, and confections of Würzburg’s warm Christmas markets before sailing to visit a picturesque Main River Village. Your Danube and Main River cruise vacationconcludes in Mainz Frankfurt with wonderful experiences and memories of Christmas markets, scenic splendors, and inspiring discoveries to treasure always.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityBUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
End CityFRANKFURT (DISEMBARKATION)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bamberg
  • Budapest
  • Frankfurt
  • Munich
  • Nuremberg
  • Passau
  • Vienna

Activities

  • Culture
  • River Cruise

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)

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 ...

Day 2: VIENNA, AUSTRIA

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...

Day 3: VIENNA

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 stunni...

Day 4: KREMS

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...

Day 5: PASSAU, GERMANY

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...

Day 6: REGENSBURG

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)

Day 7: NUREMBERG

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 th...

Day 8: NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH.

Beer Songs and Bavarian Kings.

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)

Day 9: NUREMBERG

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)

Day 10: BAMBERG

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...

Day 11: WÜRZBURG

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...

Day 12: MILTENBERG

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 (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 13: FRANKFURT (DISEMBARKATION)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Frankfurt airport before 10 am.

(Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,898
Price per day$531
Last Updated: 3/5/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
01 Dec 2025
13 Dec 2025
$6,698
06 Dec 2026
18 Dec 2026
$6,898

Port charges: $396 are included. Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

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.

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Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,559
Great
145
Average
48
Disappointing
16
Terrible
47
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Other Avalon Waterways Reviews

c

crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

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...

J

James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

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...

J

Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

Written on

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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Logistics

Accommodation

The Westin Grand Frankfurt

This classic luxury 371-room hotel offers high quality service and an excellent location, just steps away from the famous Zeil shopping mile and exclusive Goethestrasse with Free Wi-Fi access available throughout the property. Three restaurants and bars offer a great choice of cusine to suit every palate, you may choose between regional or international cuisine, Japanese sushi & teppanyaki as well as Chinese. For relaxation and revitalization, there is an indoor swimming pool and fitness area complete with Finnish sauna and steam room.

Frankfurt

Germany

Konrad-Adenauer Str. 7

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-WBF

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