Christmas Markets of Europe | 2008 Danube River Cruise | Vienna to Nuremburg
9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS
December 13th - 21st, 2008
Usher in the holiday season with a timeless trip down the Danube River and discover the beauty of Austria and Germany. Sail through the enchanting Wachau Valley and Bavarian countryside, and experience the magic of the holiday season where so many Christmas traditions began. Delight in the sweet smells of tasty lebkuchen (gingerbread) and glühwein (hot mulled wine). Shop in Christmas markets for seasonal handicrafts and unique gifts Our onboard meals, prepared by European chefs, include a choice of entrées, regional specialties and traditional favorites. Our English-speaking guides will take you to architectural treasures and famous historic sites. You’ll enjoy an apple strudel making demonstration, Bavarian folkloric entertainment, and visits to Christmas markets brimming with seasonal offerings. Highlights include the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey at Melk and historic Regensburg.
The Cities We’ll Visit:
Vienna
Melk
Linz
Passau
Regensburg
Nuremburg
What is included?
- 8-day/7-night cruise with river-view, outside cabin onboard deluxe Viking Spirit
- Roundtrip Airfare from Logan Airport
- Roundtrip Transportation to Airport *
- Travelers Insurance by TravelSafe Insure-A-Group
- Best of Times Professional Tour Director throughout trip**
- All Touring Included with private, English-speaking guides
- 21 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Old World Highlights: Port lectures by our knowledgeable Cruise Manager, apple strudel making demonstration and evening entertainment
- All Luggage Handling Costs Included
- All Driver Gratuities Included for transfers
- Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner
- Payment of all port charges
The Places We Will Visit:
Day 1 Departure - We depart from your groups local pick-up location* and depart from Boston, MA for Vienna Austria.
Day 2 Vienna - Begin our journey in the “City of Waltzes”
Welcome to Vienna, capital of Austria. We arrive in Vienna early this morning and embark our ship. After boarding, use your free time to explore. (L, D)
Day 2 Vienna - Explore the city that inspired fine art & classical music.
After breakfast, embark on a city tour to visit this “City of Waltzes,” where Mozart and Strauss composed many of their finest works. A motorcoach takes you along the Ringstrasse and you see the Opera House and beautiful Hofburg Palace. You then stop at St. Stephan’s Cathedral and enjoy a walking tour along Stephansplatz followed by free time. Return to the ship for lunch, but take the afternoon to shop along the Kartnerstrasse, visit the city’s Christmas market or people-watch at a quaint cafe. After dinner aboard, you may opt to see an evening classical concert. (B,L,D)
Vienna's Opera
Day 3 Melk - Tour this town’s baroque masterpiece.
Arrive during lunch and take a coach to the top of the hill where the abbey overlooks the river. Tour this 900-year-old Benedictine abbey and see its baroque splendor inside and out. A highlight of the lavish interior is its spectacular library, filled with two stories of medieval manuscripts and vibrant ceiling frescoes by Paul Troger. Have lunch aboard and depart late afternoon, cruising through the night. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Linz - Discover the Austrian charms of Linz
Wake up in Linz where our after breakfast walking tour takes us past the city’s baroque facades to the Hauptplatz. Continue through the medieval town and old market. From here, tour inside the cathedral and stroll other squares and markets before returning to the ship for lunch. Our afternoon is free to explore Linz’s stores or Christmas market or, take an optional full-day tour to Salzburg, home to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Dine aboard; remain docked overnight in Linz. (B, L, D)
Linz's Cathedral
Day 5 Passau - Hear soaring music from Europe’s largest pipe organ
Cruise the scenic Danube this morning and enjoy its quiet winter landscape and quaint riverside towns. Arrive during lunch in beautiful Passau, set at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Take a walking tour along narrow cobblestone streets and through graceful arcades to visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Enjoy afternoon free time to explore the Christmas market or stores. Depart during dinner. (B,L, D)
Day 6 Regensburg - Be enchanted by this “picture-postcard” riverside town
Cruise through breakfast and arrive mid-morning in medieval Regensburg with history dating back more than 2,000 years to its founding by Marcus Aurelius. Take a walking tour through this well-preserved city and explore its historic splendor. You see the Old Town, St. Peter’s Cathedral and the 12th century Old Stone Bridge. Eat lunch aboard or take free time to visit Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 800-year-old Alte Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen). We have free time to visit the Christmas market or explore the city further. Dinner aboard is followed by an evening departure. (B,L,D)
Regensburg, Germany
Day 7 Nuremberg - Step back in history through medieval gateways
This morning’s cruise is highlighted by the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal and its many locks. Arrive during lunch in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city. Our afternoon tour begins with a motorcoach ride to see Zeppelin Field and the Palace of Justice, site of the historic Nuremberg Trials. Arrive at the walled section of downtown where you walk up to the grounds of the Imperial Castle for amazing views of the city below. Or, take our optional WWII history tour visiting the Documentation Center Museum. Then, descend into the Old Town, pass the Albrecht Durer House and the Main Market Square. You can stay in the city to enjoy free time or visit the city’s world-famous Christmas market (Christkindlmarkt). Dinner is served aboard and our ship stays docked overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Nuremberg - After breakfast, disembark and we head home with many souveniers and great memories. (B)
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
For Reservations or Further Information Please Call Best of Times 1.800.343.8999
* Groups with less than 10 paying customers may be asked to drive to a Best of Times Designated Pick-Up Location instead of their own.
** There is a minimum requirement of 20 paying customers from Best of Times on the trip to have the services of a Best of Times Professional Tour Director.
*** Reservation Deposit is $600pp | Final Payment is Due Septebmer 1st, 2008
**** Add $300 per person Taxes & International Transfers
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include accommodations, airfare, Travelers Insurance by TravelSafe Insure-A-Group, & All Items Listed as The Best of Times Difference