16 day Christmas and New Year Cruise overview

Enjoy a truly magical Christmas this year on a luxury cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. You'll depart on 21 December 09 and visit an array of beautiful towns and cities, all decorated for the festive season, before enjoying a delicious dinner on board on Christmas Day and a gala dinner on New Year's Eve. This spectacular cruise is one not to be missed!

DAY 1 | AMSTERDAM

Fly from one of 15 UK airports into Amsterdam with KLM with no supplements to fly from the airport of your choice. On arrival, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your luxury river cruise ship, where a warm welcome awaits you from the crew.Enjoy the Captain's welcome dinner this evening.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 1 | AMSTERDAM - COLOGNE

FreeChoice inclusions - choose from a sightseeing cruise aboard a glass top canal boat; or a visit to the Van Gogh Museum. This afternoon we sail towards Germany.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 | COLOGNE


We arrive in Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities in time for the last day of the famous Christmas markets. Enjoy shopping with the locals for traditional gifts and explore the city at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 | COLOGNE


Join your guide and explore the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. This evening, a treat awaits as a local choir entertains us before dinner with traditional Christmas Carols to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 | RÜDESHEIM

Merry Christmas! This morning we cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, with its stunning vistas of castles perched above steep vine-covered slopes. We'll pass the infamous Lorelei Rock and arrive at Rüdesheim in time to enjoy our Christmas lunch onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 | MILTENBERG
A quaint medieval village on the Main River, Miltenberg boasts an impressive Old Town. Our guided walking tour includes many well-preserved half-timbered buildings and Renaissance houses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 | WÜRZBURG
With our guide we explore the old town on a walking tour of Würzburg and the magnificent Prince Bishop's Residenz Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site acclaimed for its baroque architecture and manicured gardens.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 | BAMBERG
This afternoon, we explore Bamberg with our guide and see the largest preserved old quarter in Europe. Enjoy beer tasting at the Zehnthaus, a private brewery established in 1533, where we are greeted by the cellar master and taken to an underground vault to sample his selection of brews, including the famous smokey beer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 | NUREMBERG

We commence with a guided orientation tour of the old town and see the Justice Palace and Imperial Castle. This afternoon we see the site of the Nuremberg Rallies and visit the Documentation Centre which has archived all Trial materials.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 | REGENSBURG

Regensburg is one of Germany's finest preserved cities and during our guided walking tour we get to see the Old Chapel and visit Thurn and Taxis Castle as well as the medieval stone bridge across the Danube.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 | PASSAU - LINZ
FreeChoice inclusions - choose from a guided tour of Passau; a visit to charming Salzburg; or a full day excursion to the beautiful medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. Enjoy your New Year's Eve celebrations this evening with a gala dinner onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12 | MELK - DÜRNSTEIN - VIENNA

We celebrate New Year's Day by discovering the magnificent Benedictine Abbey on our guided city tour of Melk. The ship sails through the spectacular Wachau valley to picturesque Dürnstein. This evening we arrive in Vienna.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13 | VIENNA

This morning we explore the famous sights of Vienna, including the Ringstrasse and the Hoftburg
Palace. Scenic FreeChoice inclusions - choose from a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace; or visit the Opera House before enjoying coffee and cake. This evening enjoy a glass of champagne at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, followed by a private Viennese concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14 | BRATISLAVA

Our guided walking tour of Bratislava reveals an enchanting Old City. At the Primatial Palace we encounter royalty as 'Maria Theresa' will present us each with a traditional gingerbread crown to welcome us to her city. This evening, enjoy gypsy music on board before the Captain's gala dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15 | BUDAPEST

Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's most ancient cities. Visit the Parliament Building, Matthias
Church, Fisherman's Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill. This evening, be entertained by classical music on board prior to your farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16 | BUDAPEST - RETURN TO UK

After breakfast it's time to disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices from £2795 per person