Celebrate this magical time of year with a delightful Christmastime river cruise through the heart of Germany, on the Main Danube Canal, and the Main and Rhine Rivers.

Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, host to one of the oldest Christmas markets in the country. Get into the holiday spirit as you stroll through the brightly illuminated and decorated Old Town. 200 stalls sell traditional German Christmas wares and seasonal delicacies. In delightful Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find nativity scenes built by local citizens throughout the town. Learn about holiday traditions as you cruise to Würzburg, and here walk through the halls of the ornate Bishop’s Residenz—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Learn how to bake a traditional cookie before arriving at one of the charming small towns with half-timbered houses that are dotted along the Main River. In Rüdesheim on the Rhine River, see Europe’s largest nativity scene with life-size figures. Visit Heidelberg Castle, which towers magnificently over the city, and watch the skaters on the ice rink below. At this time of year, the historic charm of Strasbourg, France, is mixed with festive aromas, sights, and sounds—creating a truly magical atmosphere! Visit the gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock.

Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the famous Black Forest. An area of unrivaled natural beauty, and the home of Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. There is no better setting at this time of year, when smoke curls from the chimneys of the traditional Black Forest houses. Your delightful holiday cruise ends in Basel, Switzerland.

City Highlights

Day 1 Nuremberg (Embarkation): welcome to Nuremberg; onboard welcome receptionDay 2 Nuremberg: choice of Nuremberg guided tour, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas marketDay 3 Bamberg: guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture Day 4 Würzburg: guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz; Christmas marketDay 5 Main river village: baking demonstration on board, guided walkDay 6 Wiesbaden. Excursion to Rüdesheim: visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum; enjoy a special treatDay 7 Heidelberg–Speyer: guided visit of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, Christmas markets; time at leisure for Christmas markets in SpeyerDay 8 Strasbourg: guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas marketDay 9 Breisach: excursion the Black Forest; Christmas marketDay 10 Basel (Disembarkation): your vacation ends this morning

Notes

In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

PRODUCT_LINE: AVALON-WNM0-2019