Christmas Markets Europe Cruise

2.  Arrive Budapest                                           
On arrival Budapest transfer  from the airport to the center of Budapest for an orientation tour. Time for lunch on your own before transfer to deluxe ship.  Time to relax before Welcome Reception and Captain’s Gala Dinner. Gypsy entertainment is included.
Included Meals: Dinner

3.  Depart Budapest                                 
After breakfast depart for a morning sightseeing tour that includes historic Buda Castle, where we have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. The tour also features 500-year old Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more in this city, the former co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, redolent with splendid palaces and magnificent buildings.
After lunch, the ship starts its cruise to on the Danube for overnight cruise to Vienna.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Arrival Vienna                                                   
Arrive in Vienna after breakfast onboard. Start your morning guided tour of one of Europe’s most elegant and romantic cities. Your tour features the remarkable Ringstrasse, lined with imposing palaces and grand residences, encircling the medieval Innere Stadt (Inner City). See the magnificent Hofburg Palace, glorious St. Stephan’s Cathedral with its gleaming spire and the beautiful State Opera House. Return to the ship for lunch.
During the afternoon, make your way to the Rathausplatz, site of Vienna’s Christmas Market. Begun on a small scale in 1294, it has grown to be Austria’s largest Christmas Market and truly transforms beautiful Vienna into an enchanted holiday wonderland.  During your free time, you may want to take a ride on a traditional horse-drawn fiaker, have some mouth-watering Viennese pastry such as the famous Sacher Torte, or visit the wonderful Art History Museum.  After dinner onboard ship, you may want attend an Optional concert. Held in one of the city’s palaces, the concert features compositions by Mozart and Strauss performed by a Viennese orchestra.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. In Melk                                 
This morning cruise through a beautiful untouched stretch of the Danube called the Strudengau, arriving in Melk.  Disembark for an excursion to the dramatic 900-year-old baroque Melk Abbey, perched on sheer cliffs high above the Danube. Its cherub-filled library boasts 365 windows—one for every day of the year. The interior of the abbey’s church is a kaleidoscope of red, orange and gold—with a magnificent carved pulpit and shimmering ceiling frescoes.  The ship continues cruising through the evening  and docks in Linz in the early hours of the morning.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Linz/Salzburg/Passau                                  
Morning arrival in Linz and time to explore Linz before for cruise to Passau.
Morning arrival in Linz  and time to explore Linz before for cruise to Passau. On arrival in this charming city, there is time to visit the jolly Christmas Market.
R & J Tours has arranged for a special included full day excursion to Salzburg, “one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.” Salzburg is an architectural jewel. This is also Mozart’s hometown, and the setting of the world-famous movie, The Sound of Music. Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. Later re-embark  your ship in Passau, Germany. For those staying on board, enjoy a relaxing day of cruising.   
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Regensburg                                                         
The ship docks in Regensburg after breakfast. Disembark for a walking tour of the town, one of Germany’s largest and (since it suffered virtually no damage in World War II) best-preserved medieval cities. See the gleaming spires of Gothic St. Peter’s church with its stained glass, the Old Town Hall and the 12th century Stone Bridge, which is Germany’s oldest bridge. After the tour, you’ll enjoy a visit to the town’s Old Corn Market, which is the location of Regensburg’s venerable Christmas Market.  You have time to stroll through the stalls and do some shopping at your own pace.  This evening we’ll enjoy a Bavarian folklore performance on board.

8. Arrive in Nuremberg                                        
During the morning, enjoy your passage through the amazing engineering marvel, the Main-Danube Canal. After lunch, disembark ship in Mühlhausen and drive to Nuremberg for a panoramic tour of this medieval city surrounded by 13th-century walls. Today Nuremberg evokes the notorious post-World War II war crimes trials, but throughout its history, the city was known for its handcrafts, particularly toys and fancy metalwork. You’ll see where the trials were held and the grounds where Nazi rallies were held, as well as the imposing Imperial Castle.  After the city tour, visit the city’s renowned Christmas Market. With a 400-year history, Nuremberg’s Christkindelsmarkt (Christ Child Market) is one of Germany’s largest and most famous.  Amidst beautiful holiday decorations, you’ll stroll past stall after stall offering everything from ceramics and porcelain to Christmas decorations and toys. Sample mouth-watering local delicacies from hot mulled wine and marzipan to Nuremberg’s famous bratwurst and gingerbread.  After the tour, you have free time to do some shopping or explore on your own. Perhaps you’ll visit the Germanic Museum, containing the largest collection of Germanic art and culture from pre-history to the present. You return to the ship, which has sailed to Nuremberg to meet you, for  your Farewell dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner