30TH ANNIVERSARY CRUISE
In celebration of R&J Tours’ 30th Anniversary, Ralph & Jan have planned this special European Christmas Markets Cruise to celebrate! Join R&J Tours for an evening or two of walking down memory lane!
FRANKFURT
Located on the River Main, Frankfurt is the transportation center of Germany and home of the European Central Bank & the German Stock Exchange. Every year, the scent of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and grilled sausages fill the air above the Roemerberg during the holiday season. Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is famous for a number of traditional Christmas delicacies.
ROTHENBURG
To the west of the Franconian countryside is the medieval city of Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved medieval town. As you stroll the cobblestone streets, you are spellbound by the city’s 700-year-old charm. The quaint buildings with the original half-timbered walls and the town hall square are lined with festively decorated booths. Maybe visit Kathe Wohlfahrt, a famous family run Christmas shop brimming with gifts for you to take or send home.
NUREMBERG
The world’s best known Christmas Market visited by more than 2 million people every year. Located inside this medieval city’s walls on the Market Square around the St. Lorenz Church, the Christmas Market has survived in its original state with specialty stalls and booths. Nuremberg’s street lamp posts are decorated with Christmas symbols, garlands of natural fir and colored lights. Of course the Nuremberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread), as well as the original Nuremberger Wuerstle (small grilled pork sausages), are known worldwide.
REGENSBURG
Situated in Eastern Bavaria, Regensburg is one of Germany’s oldest towns, founded by the Romans in 179 A.D. Today it is a prosperous city with 3 universities and many landmarks dated to the Middle Ages. Enjoy a Regensburg Walking Tour through one of the most visited cities in Germany and its Medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spend time at the colorful Christmas Market.
PASSAU
Passau is one of Germany’s oldest cities situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Passau is a beautiful and fascinating fairy-tale town with cobblestone streets and the famous baroque Cathedral of St. Stephen.
VIENNA
Enjoy an included Vienna City Tour. For over 600 years, the magnificent baroque capital city of Vienna was the seat of the mighty Hapsburg Emperors, a heritage that has bestowed it with many dazzling palaces and monuments: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House and the majestic Ringstrasse. The capital is also known as the “City of Music” for having once been the home of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Johann Strauss. At the traditional Vienna Christmas Market, the Rathausplatz becomes a shining fairy-tale land with 150 stands offering Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks. Maybe visit the Schoenbrunn Palace dressed for the season.
Day 1 – Home to Frankfurt, Germany
Day 2 – Arrive Frankfurt
Arrive Frankfurt & check into hotel
Meet your Cruise Manager
Experience the Frankfurt Christmas Market & enjoy a Welcome Drink at the hotel
Included Meals: Welcome Drink
Hotel: Frankfurt area hotel
Day 3 – Frankfurt – Rothenburg – Nuremberg
Travel via motorcoach to Rothenburg to enjoy a Rothenburg City Walking Tour & Christmas Market Experience.
Travel to Nuremberg & board the MS Amadeus Queen for 6 Night Cruise.
Welcome Dinner Onboard – Ship docked overnight in Nuremberg
Included Meals: Breakfast; Welcome Dinner (onboard)
Ship – MS Amadeus Queen (6 Nights)
Day 4 – Nuremberg
Morning Nuremberg City Tour & Christmas Market Experience. Afternoon Cruising – Passage of the Continental Divide
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner (onboard)
Day 5 – Regensburg
Morning Regensburg Walking Tour & Christmas Market Experience. Ship docked into the evening in Regensburg
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner (onboard)
Day 6 – Passau
Morning Passau Visit & Danube Cruising or Salzburg Optional Tour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner (onboard)
Day 7 – Melk – Vienna
Morning visit to Melk Abbey & Gluehwein Tasting.
Afternoon Cruising to Vienna. Evening arrival in Vienna
Vienna Christmas Market by Night Optional Experience
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner (onboard)
Day 8 – Vienna
Morning Vienna City Tour – Optional Tour to Schoenbrunn Palace. Gala Farewell Dinner Onboard
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Farewell Dinner (onboard)
Day 9 – Vienna to Home
Transfer to the Vienna Airport for your flight home with grand memories of the Christmas Markets of the Danube!
Included Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
R&J Tours has decided to leave the excursions highlighted below as optional so that our Travelers may decide if they’d prefer to experience any of these excursions or if they’d rather be at leisure during any of these times.
Day 6: Salzburg – Full Day Excursion
Travel to Salzburg for a walking tour of the famous Old Town, Mirabel Gardens, Mozart Square, the Dom Cathedral and historic center made famous by the “Sound of Music.” See Mozart’s Birthplace located at No. 9 Getreidegasse, the home where the Mozart family lived from 1747-1773. Enjoy time at leisure to shop, visit a cafe, stroll the wonderful Getreidegasse & experience the famous Christmas Markets throughout this walkable city. Later head to the picturesque village of Mondsee, another film location of “The Sound of Music”. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you return to the ship.
Total Duration: Approx. 8-9 hours / Cost: Approx. $155 per person
Includes: Transportation, Admission, Local Guide & Lunch
Day 7: Vienna Christmas Market by Night Experience
Tonight experience an incredible Vienna Christmas Market by Night. Join your fellow travelers and transfer to the center of Vienna to visit a spectacular Christmas Market in the shadow of Vienna’s Town Hall. Listen to your guide tell holiday stories about Christmas traditions important to locals and make your way through the wonderful market. The experience comes alive at night with millions of lights and traditional Christmas decorations. Enjoy an included local Holiday Treat and time at leisure to shop and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
Total Duration: Approx. 3 hours / Cost: Approx. $59 per person Includes: Transportation, Local Guide, Holiday Treat
Day 8: Schoenbrunn Palace
Visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the Baroque summer residence of the Hapsburgs. The 1,441-room Palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in the country. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. Only during the holiday season, also enjoy an extraordinary Christmas season experience on the splendidly decorated parade court of Schönbrunn Palace. Take a guided tour of some of its extravagant staterooms to see how the royal family once lived and enjoy some time at leisure to relax with a coffee or snack.
Total Duration: Approx. 4 hours / Cost: Approx. $85 per person Includes: Transportation, Admission & Local Guide
***Please note: Optional Excursions will be available to purchase onboard (not in advance). A Cruise Manager will go through all the options onboard and take sign ups at that time. *Discretionary tips for optional excursion guides are at your own expense.
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
RT Airfare including all taxes, surcharges & baggage fees! 18 Meals, Activities as stated, All Gratuities onboard are included!
**PLEASE DOWNLOAD PDF TO THE RIGHT FOR LIST OF CABIN OPTIONS & PRICING OR CALL R&J TOURS AT 1-800-758-6877 FOR THIS INFO!!**
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
European Christmas Markets
Enjoy a breathtaking, 6-night cruise along the Danube River in comfort and luxury aboard the MS Amadeus Queen to experience this magical time of year as Europe’s countries hold steadfastly onto Old World holiday traditions and transform into fairy-tale Christmas settings! The sights and sensations of the holiday season are everywhere: locals and guests savor the tastes of chocolate covered Lebkuchen (gingerbread), sizzling grilled sausages and spiced hot “Gluehwein” (mulled wine). Delight in the festively decorated markets and shopping for ornaments, crafts, candles, nutcrackers, winter hats, roasted nuts and other traditional items.