Trip Summary
Join us next holiday season to experience the warmth and wonder of Central Europe’s Christmas traditions on a luxurious cruise along the Danube River. Aboard the elegant and recently renovated River Crown, you’ll journey through the festively adorned historic towns and grand cities of Germany and Austria while uncovering the region's centuries-old Yuletide customs.
From Nuremberg to Vienna, the Danube weaves a storybook route highlighted by regal architecture, timeless villages and cultural treasures, all made even more enchanting amidst the twinkling lights and joyfulness of Advent. Stroll through some of Europe’s most celebrated Christmas markets, sip warm mulled cider and sample holiday sweets, listen to carolers passing by, and embrace the Old World charm that defines a European Christmas.
Aboard River Crown enjoy seven nights of refined comfort, gourmet dining, attentive hospitality and a jovial atmosphere. It's the ultimate home base to relax and recharge after fulfilling days of exploration.
Event Itinerary
Day 1: Depart from the U.S.
- Depart on overnight flights to Nuremberg, Germany
Day 2: Arrive in Nuremberg / Embark River Crown
- Arrive at Nuremberg Airport and transfer to a hospitality room prior to embarkation
- Board the recently renovated River Crown, featuring spacious staterooms and elegantly designed public spaces
- Welcome reception and dinner with fellow travel companions
Day 3: Nuremberg
- Visit Germany's most famous Christmas market in the historic town center, with more than 150 wooden stalls adorned in red and white featuring toys, decorations, baked goods, and sausages
- Explore Nuremberg's rebuilt churches and historic buildings, painstakingly reconstructed after near-total WWII destruction
Day 4: Regensburg
- Guided panoramic tour of one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities, featuring the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria—gateway to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD
- Evening at the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace, set within the illuminated courtyard of St. Emmeram Palace with artisan crafts, live music, and open fires
- Gourmet dinner on board as the ship cruises toward Passau
Day 5: Passau
- Walking tour of Passau's Old Town, set at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers, with baroque architecture lining winding streets
- Tour the towering St. Stephen's Cathedral, built in 1688 and home to one of the world's largest church organs with nearly 18,000 pipes
- Visit the Baroque Asam Church in Aldersbach, followed by a brewery tour and beer tasting at Aldersbach Brewery
Day 6: Linz, Austria
- Guided panoramic walking tour of Linz, the Upper Austrian state capital and former seat of Habsburg Emperor Friedrich III
- Sample a slice of the famous Linzer Torte, a local specialty dating to around 1650
- Afternoon at the Christmas market, filled with carolers, holiday lights, and the aroma of spice cakes
Day 7: Melk / Dürnstein
- Private guided tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey, one of the world's most famous monastic sites, with a renowned medieval library, stunning Baroque architecture, and breathtaking terrace views
- Cruise to Dürnstein for an exclusive private organ concert for the group
Day 8: Vienna
- Guided panoramic tour beginning at the Hofburg Imperial Palace, along the Kohlmarkt, and concluding with an inside visit to iconic St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Complimentary afternoon shuttle into Vienna to explore independently, including the Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz Square, with yuletide roots dating to the late 18th century
- Local carolers perform holiday classics on board, followed by a festive farewell dinner
Day 9: Vienna / Disembark / Depart for U.S.
- After breakfast, complimentary transfer to the airport for flights home