This year, celebrate the Advent season in Europe. Begin your tour in historic Nuremberg, where you see the sights and visit one of Europe's most festive Christmas markets. Spend 4 days on the Danube River, sailing to remarkable Regensburg and lovely Passau, enjoying walking tours of towns, castles and Christmas markets along the way. Then disembark and proceed to glorious Prague for a 3-night stay-discover the city's graceful bridges and spires, fairy-tale castles, famous Wenceslaus Square, some of the world's most remarkable museums and architecture, and its own splendid Christmas markets. An unforgettable season!
Day 1Nuremberg
Fly into Nuremberg. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, you have some free time to relax or do a bit of exploring on your own. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner on board. (D)
Day 2Nuremberg
Begin your day with a city tour of historic Nuremberg. See the former Nazi parade grounds and the Palace of Justice where the famous Nuremberg Trials took place, then proceed to the medieval Old Town area within city walls. Take a short walk from the imperial castle down to the Main Market Square with its distinctive Gothic fountain. Here we encounter our first Christmas market, where we spend the afternoon-sample spicy gingerbread and roast sausages, sip from mugs of mulled wine and shop for ornaments, candles and handmade crafts. Dinner is served aboard as we begin sailing along the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel completed in the 1990s. (B, L, D)
Day 3Regensburg
Just after breakfast we visit the Bavarian city of Regensburg, whose city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See some of the city's 13th- and 14th-century churches and patrician houses, as well as the landmark 12th-century Old Stone Bridge. After lunch on board, proceed to Thurn and Taxis Palace, where the Christmas market is held each year. Listen to festive music as you wander among the craft stalls and demonstrations, snack on sausages or try the steamed Dampfnudel dumplings with vanilla sauce. We remain docked until early morning so after dinner you can take an evening stroll or return to the Christmas market for a warm mug of Gluhwein. (B, L, D)
Day 4Passau
Enjoy idyllic scenery as we sail along the beautiful Danube today. This afternoon we arrive in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers, and disembark for a city tour. You will walk through the town's narrow cobbled streets, see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral with its ornate interior. Just outside the Cathedral is a small Christmas market featuring distinctive craft items like hand-carved Nativity scenes and clever Christmas incense holders; mingle with and enjoy performances by local students and families. Dinner is served aboard and once again we remain docked overnight so you can take an after-dinner walk. (B, L, D)
Day 5Prague
After a final breakfast aboard, disembark and transfer to Prague. After hotel check-in and lunch on your own, enjoy an afternoon tour of the "City of a Hundred Spires." We will walk through the Old Town, seeing monuments such as Prague Castle, National Theatre and Wenceslas Square, to the iconic Charles Bridge. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore more of the city or visit one of its charming Christmas markets-the main ones are in the Old Town Square and Wenceslaus Square, within easy walking distance of one another. See the spectacular Christmas tree lit up at about 5:00 p.m., enjoy the Nativity scenes and carolers, taste local specialties as you shop for Bohemian crystal ornaments, hand-carved wooden toys and puppets, and knitted hats and scarves. (B)
Day 6Prague
The day is yours to explore Prague on your own-see the Museum of Fine Arts or one of the city's many other museums, visit the famous Astronomical Clock, or take an excursion to Josefov to see the old Jewish quarter and the Altneushul, Europe's oldest active synagogue. A Viking host is available to help you plan your time in Prague and assist with logistics, so you can make the most of your visit. (B)
Day 7Prague
Today you have a full day to experience Prague's unforgettable charms. See more of the Old Town and Christmas markets dotting the area, or enjoy some of the more modern sights like the Frank Gehry-designed Dancing House, the poignant John Lennon Wall or the Zizkov Television Tower with its automated "crawling babies." Be sure to visit the Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka lived and worked, and sample some of the hearty local cuisine and exquisite pastries. (B)
Day 8Prague
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Please note, Viking can only offer air to guests traveling from the U.S. or Canada.
