Illumination, Christmastime 2022 ex Vienna to Frankfurt
Cruise Line Avalon Waterways
Ship Avalon Illumination
Destination EU Rivers
Nights 11
Departure Date 07 Dec 2022
Description 11 Night Cruise sailing from Vienna to Frankfurt aboard Avalon Illumination.

DAY 1: VIENNA, 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 2: VIENNA
Royal Collections, and Culinary Confections DISCOVERY - Join a Guided Tour of Vienna ending at magical Christmas Advent Markets! Along the way, discover the history of Austrian foods and traditions as you sample local specialties. You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schonbrunn Palace-summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years. Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt, or relax by the fire's glow in a Viennese cafe this evening. Alternatively, 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 3: MELK-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 on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU (B,L,D)

DAY 4: PASSAU
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." 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 5: REGENSBURG
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. Enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B,L,D)

DAY 6: NUREMBERG
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 7: NUREMBERG . 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. Take some free time today to stroll this pedestrian and bike-friendly city to see the famous Glockenspiel, outdoor cafes, or a Bavarian Biergarten for authentic brews. Return to your ship in Nuremberg in the late afternoon (B,D)

DAY 8: NUREMBERG
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 on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)

DAY 9: BAMBERG
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 WURZBURG (B,L,D)

DAY 10: WURZBURG
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 Kathe 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 on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B,L,D)

DAY 11: MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights CLASSIC - Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque Bavarian village along the Main River. DISCOVERY - Join a Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)

DAY 12: FRANKFURT (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B) Note: Christmas markets generally operate from late Nov until the third week of Dec, depending on the location.
Sailing Dates
  • 07 Dec 2022
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 07/12 Vienna, Austria
2 08/12 Vienna, Austria
3 09/12 Melk , Austria
4 10/12 Passau, Germany
5 11/12 Regensburg, Germany
6 12/12 Nuremberg, Germany
7 13/12 Nuremberg, Germany
8 14/12 Nuremberg, Germany
9 15/12 Bamberg, Germany
10 16/12 Wurzburg, Germany
11 17/12 River Cruising
12 18/12 Frankfurt, Germany
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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