TouringForLess

Avalon Cruise Map

click map to enlarge

Avalon Waterways Christmastime from Vienna to Frankfurt (WVF)

12 Day River Cruise Vienna to Frankfurt 
This holiday river cruise takes you to many beautiful and historical cities of Germany and Austria. And the views along the way can’t be outdone—towns and villages decorated for the holidays and beautiful views as you cruise along the Danube and Main Rivers, and the Main Danube Canal. Your Christmastime river cruise begins in Vienna, the capital and treasure of Austria, and ends in Frankfurt, Germany. In Vienna, see the sights with a Local Guide, or opt for a culinary walk through the Christmas markets to taste some of the traditional fare. Cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk, and visit the Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s most architecturally-breathtaking monasteries—sure to be truly magnificent during the holiday season. In Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, see the sights with a Local Guide and savor local sausages and beer at one of Germany’s oldest restaurants, Historiche Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen). On to Nuremberg where, after your guided tour, you are free to visit the Christmas market, one of the most famous in the world. A full-day excursion to Munich shows you the Bavarian capital. The traditional Christmas market is located on the Marienplatz, with aromas of toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread filling the air! Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the many nativity scenes exhibited throughout the town are sure to delight. In Würzburg, on the River Main, visit the ornate Bishop’s Residence—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted, then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Your last stop is at one of the charming small towns dotted along the river—sure to be even more appealing illuminated with Christmas lights and decorations.

Ships: Illumination

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Vienna (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Vienna: City sightseeing; Christmas market

Day 3 Wachau Valley-Melk-Grein: Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; onboard Austrian cookies tasting; guided
tour in Grein

Day 4 Passau: Guided tour; Christmas market

Day 5 Regensburg: Guided tour; Christmas market

Day 6 Nuremberg: Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market

Day 7 Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich: Guided tour, see the Marienplatz, Christmas market

Day 8 Nuremberg: Day at leisure to visit Christmas market

Day 9 Bamberg: Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture

Day 10 Würzburg: Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market

Day 11 Main river village: Guided tour

Day 12 Frankfurt (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1VIENNA, AUSTRIA (EMBARKATION)
 Welcome to Austria. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Vienna must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before boarding.

(D)
Day 2VIENNA
 Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections

DISCOVERY Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café.

You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.

This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

(B,L,D)
Day 3MELK–GREIN
 Frescoes above the Wachau Valley

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.

DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting onboard while sailing to Grein.

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk of Grein, including its historic theater, the oldest in Austria still holding regular performances.

Enjoy live entertainment onboard.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

(B,L,D)
Day 4PASSAU
 Saint Stephen’s, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”

Later spend some free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

(B,L,D)
Day 5REGENSBURG
 Christmas Magic in Bavaria

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD.

Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst.

DISCOVERY You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming Thurn and Taxis Palace – one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Bavaria.

Enjoy live entertainment onboard.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH

(B,L,D)
Day 6NUREMBERG
 Legends and History Lessons

DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this morning.

CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

(B,L,D)
Day 7NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH
 

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.

Spend some free time on your own to browse Munich Christkindlmarkt and enjoy countless of their culinary delights, gingerbread or hot-mulled wine.

Return to your ship in Nuremberg in the late afternoon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG

(B,D)
Day 8NUREMBERG
 Living Heritage

A day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG

(B,L,D)
Day 9BAMBERG
 Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.

Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.

DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

(B,L,D)
Day 10WÜRZBURG
 Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.

Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

(B,L,D)
Day 11MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
 Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village along the Main River.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT

(B,L,D)
Day 12FRANKFURT (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$330

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Avalon Notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
  • Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December, depending on the location.

Avalon Waterways Fleet

Click Quote for an Avalon Waterways Tour Date for our low price tour quote


Avalon Tour Dates

Tour Land StartAvalon RetailRequest Quote
No Tour Dates Available
We Sell the Same Escorted Tours. What makes us different is we sell to you for LESS!