Danube River Cruise: Christmas Markets

Arrive in Vilshofen

Get ready for adventure as you board the ship—your new home for the duration of your adventure.

Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party & Dinner On Board the Ship

Meet the captain and savor a German-style dinner made with fresh, local ingredients. Enjoy dining on the ship as you float gently down the river just outside of Vilshofen.

German-Style Oktoberfest Welcome Reception

Get ready for the celebration of Oktoberfest with its iconic food and drink. Enjoy costumed local entertainers as they perform the music and folk dancing that have made this a yearly festivity around the world.

Breakfast On Board the Ship

Fuel up for a full day of adventure with a buffet breakfast on the ship.

Walking Tour of Passau with a Fun Marzipan-Making Activity

Take a lovely walking tour of Passau, led by a local expert dressed in 18th-century period clothing. Experience many wonderful locations, including St Stephen's Cathedral, with its 17,000-pipe organ. Then, experience a marzipan-making activity that will satisfy your sweet tooth—with enough yummy delights made to take some home!

Lunch on Board the Ship

Eat lunch aboard the ship as you enjoy the scenery of Passau.

Choose Your Afternoon Activities

OPTION A:

Passau Christmas Market

Enjoy shopping in this fascinating town and find special presents for your friends and family.

OPTION B:

Aldersbacher Brewery Tour and Monastery Visit

Experience the spirit of Lower Bavaria at Aldersbacher Brewery. A working brewery and museum, the Aldersbacher Brewery is also home to a Cistercian monastery, founded in 1776. Adult Adventurers can enjoy a pretzel and beer tasting during your visit, while Junior Adventurers receive a privately guided tour.

Dinner on Board the Ship

Dine aboard the ship on delicious dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients.

Breakfast On Board the Ship

Fuel up for a full day of adventure with a buffet breakfast on the ship.

Day Tours of Salzburg

Explore the picturesque city of Salzburg with a local expert as your guide, admiring its iconic spires, charming gardens and backdrop of green hills. View the Salzburg Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Monastery and Old Town, as well as the hidden alleys and shops that line Getreidegasse in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hometown. And visit the beautiful Mirabell Gardens and other significant sights made famous from the movie The Sound of Music!

En route to Salzburg choose one of the following activities:

Choose Your Day Activities

On Your Own Time in Salzburg – and at the Famous Salzburg Christmas Market

Take time to shop and explore beautiful Salzburg at your leisure. And discover terrific holiday gifts at the Salzburg Christmas Market for your friends and family.

Enjoy Dinner On Board the Ship

Eat dinner on the ship with the city of Linz as your backdrop.

Show off Your Pipes with the Sound of Music Karaoke

Enjoy the movie The Sound of Music like never before as our Adventure Guides dressed in costumes from the movie join you in a spirited sing-along!

Breakfast On Board the Ship

Enjoy a buffet breakfast on the ship before your day in Dürnstein and Melk.

The Melk Benedictine Abbey

Explore the gorgeous Melk Benedictine Abbey on a privately guided tour. Founded in 1089, this abbey reinvigorated the monastic life of Austria and Southern Germany.

Danube Cultural Activities

Participate in a variety of cultural activities that are popular in this amazing Austrian region, including marmalade-making, wine and juice tasting, a fisherman demonstration and a traditional Austrian dance lesson.

Lunch On Board the Ship with Daytime Sailing through Wachau Valley

Enjoy some spectacular lunchtime fare as you set sail through some of the most beautiful scenery along the Danube—the Wachau Valley—with its rolling hills, fortresses and lush vineyards. You’ll enjoy some historical commentary about the region as you sail.

Tour of Dürnstein

Join local expert for a guided tour of Dürnstein including the famous ruins of the castle Burgruine Dürnstein. Rich and full of history, this tour takes you through one the most popular tourist sites in the region and gives you incredible views from the castle of the river, vineyards and villages (weather dependent).

Activities On Board the Ship

Choose from a variety of activities, including holiday cookie decorating, as you sail on to Austria.

Dinner On Board the Ship

Savor a delicious dinner with your family and fellow Adventurers aboard the ship.

Breakfast On Board the Ship

Enjoy a buffet breakfast before heading out for a day full of adventure in Vienna.

Panoramic City Tour of Vienna

Take a motor coach tour of Vienna—the jewel of Austria—featuring beautiful historic and contemporary architecture throughout. Discover fascinating details about this grand city that was home to Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Sigmund Freud and many more.

Tour of Historic Schönbrunn Palace

Enjoy a privately guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace (translated as "beautiful spring")—one of the most magnificent palaces in the Hapsburg territory. Learn the rich history of this World Cultural Heritage site, a testament to the Baroque style. Explore the terraced gardens, including one called The Orangery that is the longest in the world and others that boast a maze and a labyrinth. Inside the Palace, see the beautifully furnished rooms of the Imperial Family and the historic underground kitchens.

Junior Adventurer Activities at Schönbrunn Palace

Junior Adventurers enjoy visiting the Palace's Children's Museum and dressing up in historical garb. Children's activities are hosted by Adventure Guides.

Private Marionette Show and Strudel Making at Schönbrunn Palace

Regroup for 2 wonderful family activities! Vienna is famous for its marionettes—and at Schönbrunn Palace the whole family can participate in a unique marionette demonstration, followed by a private marionette show. Then, learn how to make a famous regional treat—apple strudel!

On Your Own Lunch Time in Vienna or Lunch On Board the Ship

Enjoy a delicious lunch in Vienna, taking your pick of the many small restaurants offering various types of cuisine including traditional Viennese food. Also, visit the Naschmarkt—an open-air market that has existed since the 16th century—and choose from a variety of fresh dishes. Ask your Adventure Guides for recommendations. Or, you can explore Vienna on your own then enjoy a delicious lunch on board the ship.

Afternoon On Your Own in Vienna

Explore the famed city of Vienna on your own, visiting its shops that feature fine antiques, luxury items and fashion, Baroque parks and gardens, and the MuseumsQuartier district with its renowned museums, exhibition halls and galleries. To top it all off, discover this city’s holiday offerings at festive Christmas markets! Check out the Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, featuring 70 stands offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas. With over 20 outdoor markets spread throughout Vienna, you’ll enjoy finding treasures to admire in addition to children's rides, live music and more!

Dinner On Board the Ship

Eat dinner on the ship and enjoy the sights of Vienna in the background.

Evening Activities—Choose One of the Following:

OPTION A:

Visit a Traditional Wine House (Heurige)

Toast the merry vacation you’re enjoying at one of the iconic Vienna wine houses! A festive, fairytale atmosphere awaits you at a marvelous family-run local wine tavern. Snack on finger foods, cheeses and breads along with live music and entertainment from a local performer.

OPTION B:

Attend a Mozart & Strauss Concert at Schönbrunn Palace

Delight in the music that was created hundreds of years ago in Vienna, played in the 1,441-room Baroque palace that is one of the most renowned architectural monuments and concert venues in the country.

Breakfast On Board the Ship

Enjoy a full American buffet breakfast before heading out on a day of adventure in Vienna, Austria.

Ice Skating in Vienna

Glide over the ice while you take in the magnificent surroundings of the city of Vienna on one of the city’s spectacular outdoor ice skating rinks. Both seasoned skaters and beginners alike will enjoy this magical experience.

Lunch on Your Own in Vienna or Lunch on Board the Ship

Enjoy an astounding array of culinary options offered throughout Vienna, or tuck into some spectacular lunchtime fare on board the ship.

Enjoy Activities On Board the Ship

Rejoin your fellow Adventurers for fun and entertaining activities on board the ship.

Dinner and Holiday Party On Board the Ship

Savor a delicious dinner and enjoy a night-to-remember holiday party with your family and fellow Adventurers aboard the ship.

Breakfast on Board the Ship

Enjoy a lovely morning meal before heading out on a day of adventure in Budapest, Hungary.

Choose a Full-Day Option

Captain's Farewell Cocktail Reception and Dinner

Enjoy another delicious dinner and raise your glass with the Captain as you say goodbye to your unforgettable adventure.

Illuminations Cruise

Stroll along the ship’s sundeck and take in the beauty of the majestic city of Budapest lit up around you.

Breakfast On Board the Ship

Settle in for one last breakfast at the close of your incredible adventure.

Transfers to Munich Airport (MUC)

Say goodbye to your fellow Adventurers and leave with the memories of a lifetime!