2025 : Iconic Christmas Markets : 7-Night Cruise With 3 Nights Prague Pre-Cruise : Prague to Budapest : ms AmaLea
Overview
Cruise From: Nuremberg to Budapest
Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas Markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure. Nuremberg's festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Germany; Regensburg's Artisan Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria's most beautiful and romantic; Vienna with its impressive Christmas Markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; and Budapest, where products sold in the market are traditionally handmade. Revel in a feast for the senses: sparkling lights; festive sounds of children dressed as angels singing carols; and enticing smells of hot-mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, sausages and sweet treats of every kind.
COUNTRIES: Austria, Germany, Hungary
RIVERS: Danube
Iconic Christmas Markets
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Included Features
SPACIOUS STATEROOMS
AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES
AWARD-WINNING DINING
A WORLD OF EXPLORATION
Land Program
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - EMBARKATION
Check into your hotel in Prague for the beginning of your hotel/land extension.
Day 2 : PRAGUE
The fairytale city of Prague always enchants, but it really sparkles even more during the holiday season. Prague offers a collection of Art Nouveau, Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture, which you'll get to see on your tour. You will visit 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital's famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and the statue of Jan Husek. You may also hike to Prague Castle. Later in the day, you will have free time to explore Prague's renowned Christmas markets in the Old Town Square. (B)
Day 3 : PRAGUE
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery established in 993. Beer is a core part of the country's national identity, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech's beer some of the very best in the world. (B)
Day 4 : PRAGUE - NUREMBERG, GERMANY - EMBARKATION
Check out of your hotel in Prague and drive through the pastoral countryside to head to Nuremberg, where you will have some free time to enjoy the Christmas Markets. Afterwards, join your ship moored in Nuremberg. (B,D)
Day 5 : NUREMBERG
Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg's cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts, followed by a visit to Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's largest and most famous Christmas Markets. You can also choose to spend the entire morning exploring this iconic Christmas Market. For those looking for a taste of Nuremberg, depart for Nuremberg Imperial Castle and visit City Brewery where you will delight your palate with savory Nuremberg sausage and beer. Then continue to Sebalder Kirche (church) where you will nibble on sweet and spicy lebkuchen, a baked treat similar to gingerbread. End the day crossing the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal. (B,L,D)
Day 6 : REGENSBURG, GERMANY
Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas Market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria's specialties-beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. For those in a festive mood, head to one of Bavaria's most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)
Day 7 : PASSAU, GERMANY
Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 8 : MELK, AUSTRIA - VIENNA, AUSTRIA
High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe's most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent and storied abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. (B,L,D)
Day 9 : VIENNA
The 'City of Waltzes'offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs along with an opportunity to visit the city's Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. In the afternoon, visit Schonbrunn Palace Christmas Market and its spectacular festive atmosphere. (B,L,D)
Day 10 : BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city's Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. You will also visit the city's famed Christmas Markets. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square and the moving 'shoes on the Danube Bank'memorial. (B,L,D)
Day 11 : BUDAPEST - DISEMBARKATION
Disembark the ship in Budapest and bid farewell to the city before preparing for your return flight home. (B)
Call (336) 222-1000 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18956868
- Cruise Line
- AmaWaterways
- Offer
- Offer valid through 3/31/2025
- Duration
- 11 Days
- Cruise Ship
- ms AmaLea
Click for more information on this ship.
| Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Day 1 | Prague | ||
| Day 2 | Prague | ||
| Day 3 | Prague | ||
| Day 4 | Nuremberg | ||
| Day 5 | Nuremberg | ||
| Day 6 | Regensburg | ||
| Day 7 | Passau | ||
| Day 8 | Melk | ||
| Day 9 | Vienna | ||
| Day 10 | Budapest | ||
| Day 11 | Budapest |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
NOTES:
Christmas Markets Notice Note: Most Christmas Markets open during the last week of November and remain open until approximately Dec. 22. Check with each country's tourist office for more information.
Modified Daily Itinerary AmaViola embarking December 8 sails from Budapest to Vilshofen.
Important Dates, prices & itineraries are subject to change.
Port Charges (included in cruise price) $240 per person.
Single Supplement for Cruise 50% of twin price; AA+ and Suite 100% of twin price.
Single Supplement for Land A single supplement charge will be applied to pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions. Please call for pricing details.
Bedding Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking. The Options are: Option A: Two twin beds Option B: One large bed (larger than queen size).
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
All rates are per person for cruise only, include port fees and are based on double occupancy in an entry level category stateroom unless stated otherwise. Offers are valid on select sailings only and applicable to new bookings only. Unless explicitly stated that single supplement is waived, solo travelers in a double occupancy stateroom must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any discounts. Ask about Solo Traveler promotions. Offers are not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. Stateroom upgrades, optional land programs and round-trip airfare are not included in cruise price. Other restrictions apply. AmaWaterways reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions at any time. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
