Uniworld, European Holiday Markets, River Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $1,999 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Nov, Dec
Ship: River Countess
From: Vienna
Many of our signature traditions—Christmas trees, gingerbread, nutcrackers, St. Nick, and candy canes—come to us from Germany and Austria.
Discover the medieval atmosphere of Nuremberg’s main Christmas Market, and sample its famous holiday gingerbread. Stroll through Regensburg’s romantic Christmas Market, savoring dumplings with vanilla sauce. In Passau, shop for unique crafts like hand-painted porcelain and Bohemian glass ornaments. And in Linz, “The Town of Christmas Crèches,” you’ll marvel at the small clay figurines that represent the people of a typical village—the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Hear an exclusive organ recital at the Augustinian Convent in Dürnstein and a Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna.
All this and more, in two countries of culture and elegance, will surely make for a joyous start to your holiday festivities.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Those looking to experience Europe at this magical time of year with an up-close look at the locals and their holiday customs. Make this holiday season one you’ll never forget!
Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Vienna
DAY 2: Vienna (embark)
Arrive in Vienna where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
DAY 3: Vienna
Featured Excursion: Vienna city tour and Christmas Market, Evening Mozart and Strauss Concert
Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Schönbrunn Palace, the stunning former Habsburg summer residence that rivals Versailles, and stroll through the Christmas Market at the gates of Schönbrunn Castle
With your panoramic city overview, you’ll travel the stately Ringstrasse, where the surrounding buildings give off a distinctive imperial air. You’ll see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and you’ll also visit Vienna’s largest Christmas Market, sitting front and center of Vienna’s baroque City Hall. During the evening, enjoy a concert of Mozart and Strauss in a traditional Viennese concert house. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)
DAY 4: Dürnstein, Scenic Cruising Wachau Valley
Featured Excursion: Dürnstein walking tour and organ recital
We take a guided stroll through charming Dürnstein with its old burgher houses and the landmark church of the Augustinian convent. The lavish baroque church provides a wonderful ambience for our exclusively arranged organ recital. (BB, L, D)
DAY 5: Linz, Passau
Featured Excursion: Linz walking tour and Christmas Market
Linz offers a lively Christmas Market filled with everything from Christmas Crèches to the ever-popular Linzer Torte. Your walking tour will take you to Linz’s Alter Dom, or the Old Market and the impressive Main Square, one of Austria’s most attractive closed squares, with the baroque Trinity Column. (BB, L, D)
DAY 6: Passau
Featured Excursion: Passau walking tour, Christmas Market, gingerbread making and floral decoration demonstration
Passau, a quintessential German town with Italian baroque flair, is located at the confluence of three rivers. Our walking tour of the Old Town lanes takes us to the New Residence, the Town Hall, and the Christmas Market located by the magnificent cathedral. You’ll also have the opportunity to see firsthand how gingerbread is made and be inspired at a floral decoration demonstration. (BB, L, D)
DAY 7: Regensburg
Featured Excursion: Regensburg walking tour and Christmas Market
Lively Regensburg is home to 2000 years of history and is a well-preserved medieval gem listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our guided walking tour of Regensburg explores the Cathedral of St. Peter, with magnificent stained glass windows dating back to the 14th century, the Town Hall, where the first parliament of the Holy Roman Empire sat from 1663 to 1806, and the town’s famous 12th-century Stone Bridge, spanning the Danube. And what can be more satisfying as you wander the city’s romantic Christmas Markets than indulging in steamed dampfnudel, dumplings with vanilla sauce? (BB, L, D)
DAY 8: Nuremberg
Featured Excursion: Nuremberg city tour and Christmas Market
Our panoramic city tour passes the mighty walls with 80 towers enclosing the historical center, with a stop at the medieval Kaiserburg Castle towering above the city. The lively old quarter, with its medieval timber-framed buildings, and the holiday bedecked central marketplace, with its beautiful fountain, are best explored on our walking tour. Share in the joy of the pre-Christmas season at Germany’s best known and oldest Christmas Market, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, with over 200 wooden stalls filled with signature toys and glittering gifts. Enjoy the medieval atmosphere around the main market square with delicious aromas of gingerbread, Nuremberg sausages, roasted almonds and sweet and spicy hot mulled wine, called glühwein. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
DAY 9: Nuremberg (disembark), transfer to airport
Disembark the ship in Nuremberg and transfer to Nuremberg Airport for your flight home.
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the Uniworld River Cruise vacation planner to be contacted by Our Uniworld, Europe River Cruise vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
12/09
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