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CHRISTMASTIME FROM BASEL TO VIENNA
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16 DAY | Embark on this festive Christmastime river cruise from Switzerland to Austria.
Step aboard your Avalon Suite Ship® festively decorated and beautifully dressed in Christmas colors of the season.
Experience the holiday season like never before, from the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets. Discover traditions and tastes that warm the heart. With views like no other, your Avalon Suite Ship® is decked out for the holidays, brimming in holiday spirit. See the shining stalls with crafts, cuisine, and curios come alive with music, peace, and merriment. Visit glowing German Christkindlesmarkt stalls as you cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers from Heidelberg to Passau—and quaint villages in between. Continue in the holiday glow in Austria to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey in Melk, then spectacular Vienna for a tour through the Christmas markets to get a taste of all the best flavors Austria offers during this sparkling time of year on the Danube River. A perfect ending to a festive river cruise showing you some of the best that Germany and Austria have to offer this time of year!
Day 1: Basel, Switzerland (Embarkation)
Welcome to Switzerland.
Stroll through the city centre, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.
Evening cruise to Breisach. (D)
Day 2: Breisach, Germany
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
CLASSIC EXCURSION: Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION: Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood. In the afternoon, 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 pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Overnight cruise to Strasbourg. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Strasbourg, France
Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg
CLASSIC EXCURSION: 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.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace. Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg. Evening/overnight cruise to Speyer. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Speyer, Germany – Heidelberg Excursion
Winter Wonders Fit for a King
DISCOVERY EXCURSION: Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. Evening/overnight cruise to Frankfurt. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Frankfurt – Excursion to Rudesheim
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
CLASSIC EXCURSION: Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim. Evening/overnight cruise to Main River Village. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Main River Village
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
DISCOVERY EXCURSION: Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
CLASSIC EXCURSION: Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Afternoon/overnight cruise to Wurzburg. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Wurzburg
Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet
CLASSIC EXCURSION: 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 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. Evening/overnight to Bamberg. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Bamberg
Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
DISCOVERY EXCURSION: Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
CLASSIC EXCURSION: 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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Evening/overnight cruise to Nuremberg. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Nuremberg
Legends and History Lessons
CLASSIC EXCURSION: Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC EXCURSION: Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights. Overnight docking in Nuremberg. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Nuremberg (Disembarkation) Excursion to Munich (Embarkation)
This morning disembark the vessel which has brought you to Nuremberg and drive to Munich
CLASSIC EXCURSION: 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.
Return to Nuremberg in the late afternoon and embark on the ship which will take you to Vienna. Overnight docking in Nuremberg. (B, L, D)
Day 11: 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. Enjoy live entertainment as you sail. Overnight cruise to Regensburg. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Regensburg
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. Overnight cruise to Passau. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Passau
Saint Stephen’s, 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. Overnight cruise to Melk. (B, L, D)
Day 14: Melk, Austria – Vienna
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. Overnight docking in Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 15: Vienna
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. Overnight docking in Vienna. (B, L, D)
Day 16: Vienna (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Inquire for current pricing and promotions.
WMV | CHRISTMASTIME FROM BASEL TO VIENNA
BASEL TO VIENNA – 2026
December 2 – 17 – Avalon Tranquility and Avalon Vista
BASEL TO VIENNA – 2027
November 25 – December 10 – Avalon Expression
November 30 – December 15 – Avalon Vista + Imagery II
Inquire about other preferred river cruise suppliers: Uniworld River Cruise, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Viking, Ama Waterways, Scenic.
Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that the information is correct at time of publication, however trip details and promotions are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators. Terms and conditions per supplier(s).
Further Afield Travel and Tours is a retail travel agency licensed under the Ontario Government Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Travel Industry Act 2002 - Registration No50021919. Funds on deposit are protected by the Compensation Fund, administered by TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) as defined by the Ontario Travel Industry Act 2002 and Ontario Regulations 26/05 | Avalon Waterways WZA5-T3 (2026), WZA-T3 (2027)
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