Christmastime on the Danube
Cruise from Budapest to Nürnberg
A special Holiday Cruise tour planned and hosted by Gerhard Meng,
highlighting the Christkindle Markets in the villages and cities along the Danube River
Join us on a relaxing river cruise as we visit some of our favorite towns and villages on the banks of the famed Danube River. We’ll explore Gothic cathedrals, lush vineyards and medieval villages along the way. Wherever we go, it will be a Christmas wonderland with the magical Christkindle markets and the festive holiday decorations. Our journey will be by land in combination with a seven night cruise aboard one of Europe’s newest and most deluxe river ships, the MS AmaDolce.
The tour has been planned for your convenience. All gratuities, port charges, shore excursions, transfers and luggage handling are included in the cost of the tour. All meals, but one dinner and two lunches are included. Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks are included with each dinner.
It would be my pleasure to share this special trip with you at this special time of year.
DAILY ITINERARY -- December 4th to 13th, 2011
Sunday, December 4th – Budapest
Arrival in Budapest, the lively Hungarian capital. Balance of the day is free to explore the Christmas Markets before the evening reception and dinner. Budapest Marriott Hotel.
Monday, December 5th – Budapest
Morning walking tour of Budapest, the Paris of the East and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. In the afternoon we transfer to our ship on the Danube in time for a lavish welcome dinner.
Tuesday, December 6th – Esztergom
Morning sightseeing by coach with additional time for the Christmas market. The tour includes the historic Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Wednesday, December 7th,– Vienna
Morning tour of Vienna - home of the waltz, the Spanish Riding School, Sacher Torte and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Afternoon free time for the 700 year old Holiday Market, department stores and inviting boutiques
Thursday, December 8th – Linz
Castles, palaces, chapels and monasteries line the riverbanks. As the valley becomes narrower, we pass below rocky, wooded slopes and terraced vineyards. In Melk we will tour the 11th Century Baroque abbey overlooking the river. Linz has one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe.
Friday, December 9th – Passau
The picturesque countryside takes us to the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers in Passau. You have the option of an excursion to Salzburg, the setting for “The Sound of Music” and the birthplace of Wolfgang Mozart.
Saturday, December 10th – Regensburg
Arrive in medieval Regensburg for a guided tour, including the Old Town Hall. Free time to visit all three of the Christmas markets and shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. Special folklore performance after this evenings dinner.
Sunday, December 11th – Nürnberg
Guided tour of Nürnberg. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts, the Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946.
Monday, December 12th – Frankfurt
On the way to Frankfurt our local guide will take us on a tour through the medieval cobbled streets of Rothenburg with its high gabled houses and town gates. Free time to visit the museums and explore the many shops and boutiques. Browse the popular Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shops. Frankfurt Hilton Hotel.
Tuesday, December 13th – return to USA
Our adventure comes to an end. Breakfast at leisure and morning transfer to Frankfurt airport.
PRICE PER PERSON: $2,195 land cost ($1,195 single room surcharge)
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GROUP SIZE IS LIMITED TO 32 GUESTS
RESERVATIONS: Notify us that you wish to join the tour. Your space will be reserved and a sign-up packet will be forwarded with registration form and an invoice for deposit. Upon receipt of your deposit, an information packet will be forwarded with further confirmation of your reservation and details to help prepare for the tour. Full and final payment is due 95 days prior to departure.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Airfare is not included in the tour price. Flight arrival and departure times should coincide with Gerhard’s group transfer schedule to/from the hotel, ship and airport that will be provided on the day the tour starts. Specific transfer times will be listed in the information packet, which is forwarded upon receipt of the tour reservation form.
EXTRA NIGHTS: If you wish to arrive a day or two early in Budapest or reserve extra nights in Frankfurt, please contact us for more information. There is also an option of completing the tour in Prague.
Additional cost per person is $300 ($495 single). This includes two nights at the Old Town Hilton Hotel with buffet breakfast each morning, a guided tour of Prague and the transfer from the ship to Prague. Not included is the gratuity for the local guide in Prague or the airport transfer. An AMA Waterways representative will be your tour escort for this option.
CABIN UPGRADES: Options and pricing will be detailed and included in the sign-up packet.
THE MS AMADOLCE:
Enjoy total relaxation and uncommon comfort aboard our floating hotel. The ship was newly built in 2009 and accommodates a maximum of 148 guests in well appointed cabins. While sailing enjoy the scenery from the sundeck and the viewing lounge with its panoramic window or relax in the library. The wellness area offers a fitness center, beauty salon and massages. All staterooms have river views and offer bathrobes, television with English news programs, a safe, hair dryer, telephone and the choice of twin or double beds.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHIP, click here.
View the Tourist Office Web sites for some of the destinations we visit – click here.
2011 detailed tour itineraries:
November 19th to November 27th – Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in Germany
Includes Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Feuchtwangen, Ulm, Lindau & Munich
November 27th to December 5th – East Germany
Dresden, Seiffen, Annaberg, Leipzig, Weimar, Erfurt & Frankfurt
December 4th to December 13th, 2011– Cruising on the Danube with AMA Waterways
Budapest, Vienna, Passau, Regensburg, Nürnberg & Frankfurt (hosted by Tina Lynch)
December 8th to December 17th – Cruising on the Rhine with AMA Waterways
Stuttgart, Baden Baden, Basel, Colmar, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne & Amsterdam