Iconic Christmas Markets with AmaWaterways

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

Some sailings are in reverse order. Please call for details.

• 1 Depart USA
• 2 Budapest, Hungary
• 3 Budapest
• 4 Vienna, Austria
• 5 Melk & Scenic Cruising
• 6 Passau, Germany
• 7 Regensburg
• 8 Nuremberg
• 9 Nuremberg/USA

Videos

Dates & Prices

Detailed Itinerary

Some sailings are in reverse order. Please call for details.

Day 1 Depart USA

• Your journey begins this evening as you depart from the USA

Day 2 Budapest, Hungary

• Arrive in Budapest, Hungary
• Embark on your river cruise and set sail

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Upon arrival in Budapest, following customs and immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to your ship for embarkation for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise.

Later this evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 3 Budapest

• Explore Budapest during a city tour
• Discover the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market
• Have the opportunity to hike up Castle Hill

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

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 the historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both river banks. Then, visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, and more. Later, explore this beautiful city’s Christmas Markets. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walk along Fishermen’s Bastion, and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration.

Day 4 Vienna, Austria

• See Vienna's highlights during a guided tour, including the Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs
• Visit the sparkling Maria-Theresien-Platz Christmas Market
• Have the option to join a Vienna City bike tour
• Explore the illuminated Schönbrunn Christmas Markets
• Or, end the day at the Rathaus Markets

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems waiting for discovery. 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. Afterward, you’ll visit the Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike along the Danube River. During the afternoon, visit the Schönbrunn Palace and admire its 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. 

Day 5 Melk & Scenic Cruising

• Visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey
• Or, pedal your way through Melk on a bike tour
• Cruise through the Strudengau Valley

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day 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.

Day 6 Passau, Germany

• Discover Passau during a walking tour
• Search for Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market
• Or, embark on a River Inn bike tour
• Or, enjoy a full-day excursion in Salzburg, including its Christmas markets

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day 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, the 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. These markets include the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard becomes a romantic backdrop for one of Austria's most beautiful Christmas Markets.

Day 7 Regensburg

• Discover the architectural highlights and Christmas Markets of Regensburg during a guided walking tour
• Or, sample Bavarian specialties during a Tastes of Bavaria tour
• Or, bike to the base of Walhalla on a bike tour
• Explore the Thurn and Taxis Christmas Markets

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before visiting the Old Town Christmas market, join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage, and pretzels as an alternate option. Or bike to the base of Walhalla, where the Parthenon inspires a neoclassical white marble temple in Athens. Later in the day, treat yourself 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. 

Day 8 Nuremberg

• Cross the Continental Divide on a scenic morning cruise
• Discover WWII highlights during a Nuremberg city tour
• Or, taste your way through the city during a Franconian specialties tour
• Visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets

AmaLea, AmaSonata, AmaVerde or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

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 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, introducing 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. 

Day 9 Nuremberg/USA

• Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to Nuremberg as you board your flight back home
• Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today

Breakfast

Cruise Ships

AmaLea

Designed with vibrant pops of color that emulate Europe's autumn harvest, the AmaLea is a sleek river ship created with luxury yachts in mind. A host of comforts and conveniences fill her decks, including a hair salon, gift shop, and specialty coffee station. With fewer guests on board, you can enjoy the luxury of space to unwind, relax and reconnect with your loved ones. Whether it's traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet, or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic schedule of entertainment onboard to make every moment at leisure a treat. Rejuvenate in the heated pool, which boasts a swim-up bar, or enjoy pampering with a soothing massage. And, with a walking track on the Sun Deck, a fitness room, and a fleet of onboard bicycles, you'll have everything needed to stay active and healthy while sailing Europe's great rivers.

More information

AmaSonata

Introduced in 2014, the award-winning AmaSonata sings her melodious tune down Europe's great rivers. A host of comforts and conveniences fill her decks, including a gift shop and library. With fewer guests on board, you can enjoy the luxury of space to unwind, relax and reconnect with your loved ones. Whether it's traditional Bavarian music, a local quartet, or modern piano favorites, there is an eclectic schedule of entertainment onboard to make every moment at leisure a treat. Rejuvenate in the heated pool, which boasts a swim-up bar, or enjoy pampering with a soothing massage. And, with a walking track on the Sun Deck, a fitness room, and a fleet of onboard bicycles, you'll have everything needed to stay active and healthy while sailing Europe's great rivers. 

More information

AmaVerde

The newly reimagined AmaVerde is a twin-balcony river ship full of light, love, and bold artwork. The dashing ship was redesigned in 2021 and sails her imagined love story on the romantic Danube River. With fewer guests on board, you can enjoy the luxury of space to unwind, relax and reconnect with your loved ones. The public areas, including lounges and restaurants, are never overcrowded. Soak up some rays or dip in the refreshing pool with a swim-up bar as you pass by centuries-old castles, charming villages, and other breathtaking scenery. After a day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a soothing massage. Additional amenities include a specialty coffee station, gift shop, sun-deck walking track, putting green, fitness room, and a fleet of bikes.

More information

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Austria? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Hungary? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Germany? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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