Join us for 7 Night Iconic Christmas Markets Cruise on Amawaterways’ AmaViola from Budapest to Nuremberg starting at $5198 on November 29, 2024, with Guest Speaker Babbie Mason. Experience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get caught up in the magic of the holidays with visits to some of the world’s most timeless Christmas Markets. You will see Budapest, Hungary, Vienna, Austria, Passau, Regensburg, and More!
All-inclusive PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES:
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All Inclusive Pricing
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International Airfare
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Meals on Ship
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Overseas Airport Transfers
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Port Charges
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Select Shore Excursions
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Cruise
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Administrative Fee
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Cruise Taxes
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Other Meals as Listed
Proposed Itinerary :
DAY 1
Board your overnight flight to Hungary.
DAY 2
Board the ship in Budapest for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)
DAY 3
Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Your tour through this sprawling World Heritage city offers splendid views from historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both banks of the river. You’ll also visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and much more. Later, explore this beautiful city’s Christmas Markets. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B, L, D)
DAY 4
Daily Itinerary The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. During the afternoon, visit the Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. This market presents a glittering and stellar Christmas experience. Or cap the day off with “Vienna by Night” Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Town Hall (Rathaus), Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)
DAY 5
Daily Itinerary High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. During the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
Daily Itinerary Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)
DAY 7
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
DAY 8
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets. (B,L,D
DAY 9
Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Enhance Your Journey
Budapest Pre Cruise -starting from $560
November 27 - 30, 2024 NOV 27 DEPART USA Board your overnight flight to Budapest. NOV 28 BUDAPEST Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. NOV 29 BUDAPEST Often described as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is well-known for Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Hill and its magnificent Hungarian Parliament building. However, this sprawling city is full of rich history and culture and offers many “hidden” treasures as you venture further past its river banks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler. (B) NOV 30 BUDAPEST - EMBARKATION Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (B,D) Departure Dates Friday, November 29, 2024 From $5198 Tour: TW24 Code: C
Praque Post Tour -starting from $900
December 7 - 10, 2024 DEC 7 NUREMBERG - DISEMBARKATION - PRAGUE Disembark the ship and enjoy the wonder of Nuremberg’s other Christmas Markets before departing for Prague, where you will check into your hotel. (B) DEC 8 PRAGUE Discover Prague on a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later in the day, visit Prague’s festive Christmas markets. (B) DEC 9 PRAGUE Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery established in 993. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (B) DEC 10 DEPART PRAGUE Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)
*The trip will take place in case of a group of 16 people
* * The route, as well as the order of visiting places, may be changed due to quarantine restrictions, as well as for safety reasons or due to the weather, road repair work etc.