7 to 12 Night Iconic Christmas Markets
Budapest to Nuremberg
A festive river journey through the heart of Europe
Overview
Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas Markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Budapest's Vörösmarty Square, where all products sold in the market are guaranteed as traditionally handmade; Vienna with its impressive Christmas Markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; Nuremberg's festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Germany; Regensburg's Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria's most beautiful and romantic; and Prague with its renowned Christmas Markets in the Old Town square — along with many others throughout your journey — are yours to explore. Sparkling lights; the festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind; and timeless wonders are a feast for all your senses.
Countries
Austria, Germany, Hungary
Rivers
Danube
Route
Budapest to Nuremberg
Sample Itinerary
Day by day.
Day 1
Budapest
Hotel check-in
Day 2
Budapest
"Hidden Budapest" tour
Day 3
Budapest
Embarkation
Day 4
Budapest
"Queen of the Danube" tour and Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market
Day 5
Vienna
"Imperial Vienna" tour with Town Hall Christmas Market · or Vienna bike tour · Schönbrunn and illuminated Christmas Markets
Day 6
Melk
Benedictine Abbey visit · or Melk bike tour
Day 7
Passau
"City of Three Rivers" walking tour and Christmas Market · or Danube bike tour · or Salzburg excursion including Hellbrunn Palace Christmas Market
Day 8
Regensburg
UNESCO city tour, Thurn and Taxis Christmas Market · or Tastes of Bavaria · or Walhalla bike tour
Day 9
Nuremberg
Cruise Main-Danube Canal · Nuremberg city tour · or Tastes of Franconia · Nuremberg Christmas Market
Day 10
Nuremberg, Pilsen, Prague
Disembarkation · Nuremberg Christmas Market · Hotel check-in
Day 11
Prague
"Golden City of a Hundred Spires" tour · or Prague Castle hike · Christmas Markets
Day 12
Prague
Free time
Day 13
Prague
Return flight home
Pricing
Begins at $4,379 per person cruise only.
Solo travelers welcome — single supplement waived on selected sailings.
*Airfare not included.
Sample includes 2 nights Budapest pre-cruise and 3 nights Prague post-cruise.






The List
Notes from the field
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