Day 1 Arrive Vienna / Embark Riverboat 
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Vienna, Austria. A transfer is included from Vienna International Airport to ms Savor or ms Joy. Guests enjoying a pre-stay in Vienna will receive a transfer from Tauck's hotel to the riverboat. Welcome to old Vienna… bright with decorations and buzzing with holiday spirit; exploring on your own at the city's largest yuletide market, you may feel like you've stepped into a snow globe as you're surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights! Return to the riverboat for the captain's welcome reception followed by dinner early this evening… then followed by a visit to Vienna's Christmas Markets, illuminated at night. (D)

Day 2 Vienna for the holidays 
“Imperial” Vienna, which you’ll explore on a sightseeing tour along the Ringstrasse this morning, seems even grander with Christmas decorations everywhere you look. Get a glimpse of what “happy Habsburg family holidays” might have been like on a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, and take in the palace’s own Christmas Market. Enjoy a Christmas lunch at the Palais Pallavicini, a private Baroque palace dating back to the 18th century. Then spend an afternoon at leisure to sample more of Vienna’s holiday cheer and Christmas Markets; complimentary shuttles run back and forth between the city and the riverboat. Tonight, your riverboat sets off for Melk; after dinner, you're invited to help trim the ship's Christmas tree and enjoy some seasonal treats. Cruising to Austria and Germany Christmas Markets along the Danube offers a completely different experience than similar cruises in spring, summer and autumn! (B, L, D)

Day 3 Melk Abbey at Christmastime 
This morning, visit Melk Abbey high atop its bluff overlooking the Danube, where this bastion of culture has stood for nearly a millennium – and its 18th-century Baroque church, monastery and library take on a special quality during the holiday season. Learn about traditional holiday treats like stollen or glühwein as the riverboat continues cruising the Danube from Melk this afternoon, arriving this evening in Linz. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Tis' the season in Salzburg & Linz 
Wake up in Linz, Austria, for a full-day excursion to Mozart’s magical hometown of Salzburg, with its Baroque town center dressed in its holiday best. After exploring the Christkindlmarkt in this charming city, take some free time for yourself before returning to Linz for a different Christmas Market experience… and, as you’ve learned, each town’s market has something all its own to offer. Or, if you prefer, spend the entire day in Linz, enjoying its Christmas Market, exploring as you please, or alternatively just relaxing aboard the riverboat in anticipation of a busy day tomorrow at the first German Christmas Markets you'll visit. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Passau's seasonal pleasures 
The holiday celebrations of Passau, Germany are spotlighted today on a walking tour of this riverside Bavarian town known for its plentiful churches, exquisite stained glass, famous cathedral organ and well-preserved Baroque architecture... plus time exploring its Christmas Markets, of course! After touring Passau’s Weihnachtsmarkt, the afternoon is yours to explore as you please. Join us for a discovery briefing before dinner aboard ship this evening and enjoy a special Chef's Signature Dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Unique markets and more in Regensburg 
You’ll understand why Regensburg calls itself “Europe’s best-preserved medieval city” on a walking tour of its Christmas Market, set among centuries-old buildings, and time to explore as you please. A visit to the Thurn und Taxis family’s Palace of St. Emmeram invites you to tour the palace, browse its fine private Christmas Market, and interact with artisans displaying their wares; rumor has it that Her Highness Princess Gloria and family often wander through! (B, L, D)

Day 7 History & holiday cheer in Nürnberg 
After your riverboat docks, take a shore excursion to historic Nürnberg, where sightseeing choices include medieval Nürnberg with its centuries-old ramparts and defensive walls, the old city and marketplace, and a museum in the home of 16th-century painter Albrecht Dürer dedicated to his work – as well as city sites associated with World War II and its aftermath, including the Zeppelinfeld rally grounds, and the Documentation Center museum. Spend time enjoying Nürnberg's famous Weihnachtsmarkt as you please, then join us back aboard the riverboat in Nürnberg to cap your extraordinary Christmas Market cruise with the Captain’s farewell reception followed by dinner tonight. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Journey home 
Tour ends: Nürnberg. Fly home anytime. Transfers are provided from ms Savor or ms Joy to Nürnberg Airport; those guests enjoying a post-stay in Nürnberg will receive a transfer from Tauck's hotel to the airport. Please allow at least three hours for airport check-in formalities. Your river cruise to the Austria and Germany Christmas Markets will be an indelible memory you'll cherish throughout the remainder of the holiday season! (B)

This Danube river cruise from Nürnberg to Vienna aboard ms Savor or ms Joy offers a new approach to discovering the magic of the Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria… a 700-year holiday tradition! Enjoy Tauck's signature sightseeing and exclusive events... gain insights from the personal experiences of your local guides as they recall the Christmas Markets of their childhoods... and celebrate the holidays with special yuletide events on the ship and off! Aboard your riverboat, decorated in holiday style, you can sample glühwein and other seasonal goodies. Attend a holiday baking demonstration... a festive European Christmas dinner with all the fixings… and a performance by alumni of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir! Explore the Baroque architecture of 900-year-old Melk Abbey... have lunch at the Palais Pallavicini in Vienna, and take a tour of the Thurn und Taxis family's Palace of St. Emmeram in Regensburg, with a visit to its private Christmas Market – and more!

• Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors & Tauck Cruise Director
• All private Tauck shore excursions – $1,274 Value
• Locally guided walking tours of market cities and towns
• Visit to Baroque Melk Abbey in Austria
• Tour of Thurn und Taxis Palace and visit to its private Christmas Market
• Onboard performance by the Regensburg Spitzweg Quartet
• Special Christmas lunches ashore
• Traditional European Christmas dinner & holiday events aboard the riverboat
• Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks
• 20 meals; select meals in local restaurants; service charges, taxes, porterage, airport transfers and applicable fuel surcharges

• Visits to Christmas Markets in Vienna, Salzburg, Linz, Passau, Regensburg & Nürnberg

Cruising: Cabin onboard ms Joy or ms Savor

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Land / cruise price per person, based on double occupancy, includes cruise fare, most meals, port charges, shore ex­cur­sions, applicable fuel surcharges, and gratuities to Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides & drivers, as well as on all included meals; unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits, in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks.
• Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice. Museums and attractions may be subject to closure due to state, local or religious holidays.
• This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

For Tauck terms and conditions, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.