Christmastime on the Danube

Enter a stunning world of cherished Christmas traditions along the Danube River. Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Nuremberg, Germany, with its medieval fortifications, gothic churches, and palaces. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations and the Christmas market, one of the most famous in the world, has dozens of stalls offering traditional wares, such as Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread), Glühwein (hot mulled wine), and unique decorations and ornaments. Learn about local Christmas traditions, and cruise to historical Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Experience Passau’s charming Christmas market set against the breathtaking backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral—a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Arrive in lovely Melk, Austria, and tour the magnificent 11th century Benedictine Abbey—one of Europe’s largest monasteries. As you cruise through the wintery landscape of the picturesque Wachau Valley, enjoy the view with a tasting of traditional Austrian cookies. This Christmas river cruise ends in Austria’s magical capital of Vienna, home to the sounds of Mozart, Strauss, and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. See the famous sights with a Local Guide and enjoy a tour through the Christmas markets to get a taste of all the best flavours Austria offers during this sparkling time of year on the Danube River.

What’s the best way to get into the holiday spirit? Easiest answer ever: this seven-day tour of five European cities and their magical Christmas markets. Feel the festive cheer as you wander through the Viennese markets, visit the local Christmas markets just outside of Salzburg, hunt for handmade ornaments in Munich, travel to Nuremberg to experience one of the most famous markets in the world, then sip some warm Glühwein as you explore Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin. If you’re looking to get totally immersed in the feeling of the holidays and the cultures of Central Europe, well, you’ve found the tour to make it happen.

Your Fly, Cruise & Tour Package Includes:

• $3,500 flight credit per person
• 2 nights 4-star accommodation in Nuermberg with breakfast
• 6-night Christmastime on the Danube (Eastbound) river cruise onboard Avalon Expression
• All onboard meals during your river cruise
• Guided shore excursions included on the cruise
• Port charges and government fees
• 6-night Christmas in Central Europe guided tour with G adventures, Vienna to Berlin
• Select private transfers

Tour includes:

• 6 nights hand-picked hotel stays
• 6 breakfasts and 1 dinner
• Transport via train, private vehicle and walking
• Christmas markets visit in Vienna, Salzburg, Nuremberg and Berlin
• Mug of Glühwein (mulled wine)
• Coffee/pastry tasting Vienna

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 02 – 16 December 2027

Extend your holiday in Europe, speak with the team about options!

Solo pricing available

Cruise Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Germany! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul.

Day 2: Legends and History Lessons

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

Classic Excursion: 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 favourite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlesmarkt. Enjoy live entertainment as you sail.

Day 3: Christmas Magic in Bavaria

Classic Excursion: 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 Excursion: Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.

Day 4: Saint Stephens, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent Night

Classic Excursion: 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. Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take a brief evening cruise to Linz. Enjoy live entertainment on board.

Day 5: Frescoes Above the Wachau Valley

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

Discovery Excursion: Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna.

Vienna - Vienna’s Winter Wonderland

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.

Day 6: Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions

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

Day 7: Vienna (Disembarkation)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Tour itinerary:

Day 1: Vienna

Arrive at any time. After settling into your hotel, attend a welcome meeting with your CEO before enjoying a local dinner as a group.

Day 2: Vienna

It’s all about Vienna today. Set out on a CEO led orientation walk around the city. Choose to visit famous landmarks like, The Vienna State Opera House, Belvedere Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and Vienna City Hall. Take a break and indulge in some coffee and cake in one of the famous Viennese coffee houses, supporting seniors at risk of old age poverty and social isolation, and then wander around Vienna’s Christmas Markets to experience the lively atmosphere of this European holiday tradition.

Day 3: Vienna - Salzburg

Depart for Salzburg in the morning as a group, stopping at some smaller local Christmas markets en route. Once in Salzburg head to more Christmas markets with your CEO before enjoying some free time to become acquainted with the city.

Day 4: Salzburg - Munich

Today, take your time and see more of Salzburg on your own. Walk the historic squares and quaint little side streets of Salzburg Old town. Climb Festungsberg Hill to visit Hohensalzburg Castle, or check out the birthplace of Mozart and visit the museum there. Depart for Munich in the afternoon and stop at a local Christmas market. In the evening, you’ll have a chance to enjoy some free time to explore more Christmas markets in Bavaria’s capital with your CEO.

Day 5: Munich - Berlin

This morning, if timing allows, view the streets from above with a climb up to the tower of Old St Peter’s Church. Then, the group will travel to Nuremberg to visit one of the oldest Christmas Markets in the world and arguably the most famous. Make sure to try some Nuremberg Lebkuchen, a German cake or cookie that is similar to gingerbread, before wandering through this charming winter fairytale filled with wooden stalls, old-fashioned carousels, and if you’re lucky some lazy snowflakes. Afterwards, hop on a train to transfer to Berlin where you’ll stop for the night.

Day 6: Berlin

Set out on an orientation walk with your CEO to get your bearings. See famous sights like the Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and the historical Museum Island. Enjoy a Bratwurst/Currywurst tasting and do some shopping in Alexanderplatz. End your day with visits to the Christmas Markets in Gendarmenmarkt square searching for handmade souvenirs to bring home as you sip some warm Glühwein (mulled wine) and wander through the little stalls.

Day 7: Berlin

Depart at any time.

Prices listed are per person in NZD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 28-10-2026 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.