Atlas Cruises & Tours www.christmasmarkettours.com
A division of the Atlas Travel Network
Christmas on the Danube
A n  8-Day tour starting from $1,499

Live, experienced travel consultants available:
1-800-942-3301
Monday-Friday 9AM - 6:30PM Eastern Time
9AM - 2PM Saturdays

Tour Length:    8 Days
Tour Type:    First Class Tour
Tour Category:    Escorted Tour
Tour Operator:    Collette Tours
Tour Code:    3444
About This Tour
Relish the spirit of the season on a holiday cruise down the Danube River. Begin with a tour of the ancient wine town of Würzburg, reputed to be one of Germany's loveliest places. See the magnificent Residential Palace and the ornate Alte Mainbrucke. Proceed to the medieval city of Rothenburg, where you'll board the brand new MS Amadeus Princess and settle in for a relaxing 6-night cruise. Your elegant accommodations include spacious cabins, a panoramic deck, a terrace café, and an onboard orchestra to serenade you with holiday favorites. In your first port-of-call, the toy-making village of Nuremberg, peruse a Christmas market that dates back to 1628! This is the perfect place to pick up traditional gifts such as handcrafted nutcrackers and sample a local gingerbread treat, Lebkuchen. During some leisure time in Regensburg, marvel at the city's festive decorations and twinkling lights and look for unique ornaments. Continue on to the fairytale city of Passau, situated where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet and characterized by ornate baroque architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. Finally, visit Austria's beautiful capital, Vienna where a guided tour will showcase the city's impressive landmarks including the Vienna Opera House, Hofburg Palace, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Memories of this European cruise will keep you in the holiday spirit all winter long!5062Relish the spirit of the season on a holiday cruise down the Danube River. Begin with a tour of the ancient wine town of Würzburg, reputed to be one of Germany's loveliest places. See the magnificent Residential Palace and the ornate Alte Mainbrucke. Proceed to the medieval city of Rothenburg, where you'll board the brand new MS Amadeus Princess and settle in for a relaxing 6-night cruise. Your elegant accommodations include spacious cabins, a panoramic deck, a terrace café, and an onboard orchestra to serenade you with holiday favorites. In your first port-of-call, the toy-making village of Nuremberg, peruse a Christmas market that dates back to 1628! This is the perfect place to pick up traditional gifts such as handcrafted nutcrackers and sample a local gingerbread treat, Lebkuchen. During some leisure time in Regensburg, marvel at the city's festive decorations and twinkling lights and look for unique ornaments. Continue on to the fairytale city of Passau, situated where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet and characterized by ornate baroque architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. Finally, visit Austria's beautiful capital, Vienna where a guided tour will showcase the city's impressive landmarks including the Vienna Opera House, Hofburg Palace, the Ringstrasse, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Memories of this European cruise will keep you in the holiday spirit all winter long!
What's Included?
br />Begin your holiday season with a relaxing cruise along the scenic Danube River, stopping at traditional Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Passau, Rothenberg and Nuremberg. Nuremberg is a toy making center, known for its fanciful nutcrackers and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Float through the Wachau Valley dotted with castles and small riverside towns. Discover Würzburg, an ancient Franconian wine town. Delight in the fairytale, baroque architecture in Passau. In Vienna, join a local expert in exploring the historic sights where you’ll indulge in the city’s atmosphere of opulence and elegance.
Sightseeing / Highlights
  • Würzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Wachau Valley, Vienna, Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Christmas Market
  • Visit and shop in the famous Christmas markets of Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau and Vienna.
  • Unpack once for a relaxing 6-night Danube River cruise.
  • Explore Würzburg, Germany, known as “the jewel of the Main River”, and the lovely medieval town of Rothenburg.
  • Cruise through the Wachau Valley, the most picturesque region of the Danube River.
  • Experience an up-close look at the historic cities that adorn the Danube.
  • Experience the benefits of personal audio devices, designed for better communication between you and your guides throughout your tour.
Your Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Welcome the winter season with a timeless trip down the Danube River. Your holiday tour begins with an overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2: Würzburg, Germany - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in the ancient town of Würzburg, known as "the jewel of the Main River," and reputed to be one of Germany’s loveliest towns. Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Würzburg - Rothenburg - Nuremberg - Board Cruise Ship
This morning, join a local guide on a leisurely-paced walking tour of Würzburg. This ancient Franconian wine town is rich in historic sites, including the magnificent 18th century residence of the prince-bishops which boasts the largest ceiling fresco in the world, and the ornate Alte Mainbrucke, the oldest bridge on the River Main. Proceed to lovely Rothenburg, one of the most well-preserved medieval walled towns in all of Germany. Enjoy free time to explore the town’s hidden treasures and its charming Christmas Market. Late afternoon, you arrive in Nuremberg to meet your cruise ship. Unpack once for a relaxing 6-night Danube River cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Elegant. This beautiful ship offers the newest technology, a panoramic deck, terrace café, panorama salon and bar, fitness center, excellent cuisine and outstanding service. This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner on board.

Day 4: Nuremberg
A local expert provides an interesting city tour of historic Nuremberg featuring the old town, the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle, and the Justice Palace, where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Your city tour concludes with a visit to Nuremberg’s Christmas Market, Germany’s most famous and oldest, dating back to 1628. Nuremberg is a toy making center and you will have the opportunity to shop for traditional handcrafted nutcrackers and sample its famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later in the day, your cruise continues across the continental divide and through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg. After a delightful dinner, the onboard orchestra provides a musical Christmas concert for your enjoyment. LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.

Day 5: Regensburg
A guided walking tour of magnificent Regensburg reveals one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities with nearly 1,400 historic buildings. Some of the architectural highlights include the old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. From the 12th century 1,400-foot long medieval bridge, you will have spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. This afternoon, take a stroll through the old town to Regensburg's charming Christmas Market and marvel at the festive lights and decorations. Browse and shop at the brightly lit wooden huts that sell Christmas tree ornaments, wooden toys and local handicrafts. Late evening your ship departs for Passau.

Day 6: Passau
Early morning you cruise past scenic valleys and charming riverside towns to Passau, situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Enjoy a leisurely paced walking tour of this 2,000-year-old fairytale city, exploring the ornate baroque architecture, the quaint cobblestone streets, cathedral and charming Christmas Market. After dinner, enjoy a delightful music concert in the ship's panorama lounge.

Day 7: Wachau Valley, Austria - Emmersdorf - Vienna
View the picturesque landscapes as you cruise to the charming town of Emmersdorf. Relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery or if you wish, join an optional excursion to the nearby town of Durnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. Early afternoon you continue cruising through the romantic Wachau Valley, dotted with magnificent castles and small riverside towns. Late afternoon you arrive in Vienna, Austria's beautiful capital city. A wonderful evening of food, music and entertainment awaits you at the Captain's Gala Dinner. After dinner, you are invited to visit Vienna's most famous Christmas Market, located near the town hall.

Day 8: Vienna
Join a local expert exploring Vienna's Imperial architecture including the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Vienna's baroque elegance, stroll along the Kartnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna's famous pastries. If you wish, you may join an optional excursion to the opulent Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer retreat of the Habsburg dynasty. Celebrate the end of your magical cruise with a wonderful dinner followed by an enchanting musical performance.

Day 9: Disembark Ship - Tour Ends
After breakfast, you disembark the ship as your tour comes to an end.
Dates & Prices

To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date
       
Starting Date
Ending Date
Land Only
Land + Air
12/2/2010
12/10/2010
$1,499
Call (800) 942-3301
12/9/2010
12/17/2010
$1,499
Call (800) 942-3301
12/14/2010
12/22/2010
$1,499
Call (800) 942-3301
12/6/2011
12/14/2011
$1,399
Call (800) 942-3301
12/7/2011
12/15/2011
$1,399
Call (800) 942-3301
Specials

FREE Door to Door Service

Now Vacations Start at HOME!

Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours.

On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations

Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Important Note:
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.