AVALON WATERWAYS
17 Days | Christmas Time from
Budapest to Basel
Westbound (WBM0)
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BUDAPEST TO BASEL
Day 1 | Budapest, Hungary. Embark. Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating CapitalEnjoy the Christmas the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition before boarding your Suite Ship®. (D)
Day 2 | Vienna, Austria. Vienna Waltzes and the Beautiful Blue Danube. Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. (B,L,D)
Discovery — Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing to Vienna.
Day 3 | Vienna. Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—a Habsburg Empire summer home for 300 years. Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening. Later, relax on board with live entertainment. (B,L,D)
Classic — Take a Guided Tour of Vienna to see the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial family, — OR —
Discovery — Join a Guided Culinary Tour of Vienna’s magical Christmas Advent Markets to sample Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.
Day 4 | Krems. Christmas Markets in the Austria’s Wine Country. In your free time perhaps try some roasted chestnuts, one of the most popular treats at the Christmas market. During lunchtime sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.(B,L,D)
Classic — Join a Guided Walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
Melk. Ornate Architecture and Scenic Splendors
Classic — Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
Discovery — Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board.
Day 5 | Passau, Germany. Go for Baroque in Passau–Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet. Join a full day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas. Meet your ship back in Passau after your selected activities for sailing. (B,L,D)
Classic — Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers,”
Day 6 | Regensburg. Magical Regensburg—Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Nuremberg. (B,L,D)
Classic — Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
Discovery — Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board while sailing this afternoon.
Discovery — Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board.
Day 7 | Nuremberg. Living Heritage and History Lessons. Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg (7 Dec departure only). Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt. (B,L,D)
Classic — Choose a Guided Sightseeing of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, — OR — Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Day 8 | Nuremberg. Excursion to Munich. (B,D)
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.
Day 9 | Nuremberg. Living Heritage and History Lessons 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. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Bamberg. Cherished Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes. Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale. (B,L,D)
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.
Discovery — Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
Day 11 | Wurzburg. Ornaments, Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet. 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. (B,L,D)
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.
Day 12 | Main River Village. Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights in Beautiful Bavaria. (B,L,D)
Classic — Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
Discovery — Join a Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
Day 13 | Weisbaden. Rudesheim. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country (B,D)
Discovery — Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim.
Day 14 | Speyer. Heidelberg. Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King. This afternoon, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg, or Speyer. Explore at your own pace to soak up the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of these sparkling winter wonderlands. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. (B,L,D)
Classic — Take a half-day Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel.
Day 15 | Strasbourg, France. A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village. Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season. (B,L,D)
Classic — Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
Day 16 | Breisach, Germany. History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach’s lovely Christmas market to sample bretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake. (B,L,D)
Discovery — Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
Day 17 | Basel, Switzerland. Disembark. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.Flights shouldn’t leave Zürich airport before 10 am. (B)
NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.
| WESTBOUND ITINERARY (WBM0) 17 DAYS | BUDAPEST TO BASEL |
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to find your preferred sailing dates.
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