Christkindlmärkte along the Danube River

Experience the magic of the holiday season on an elegant journey through Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets from December 4 to 12, 2026. Twinkling lights, festive music and the scent of spiced mulled wine create an unforgettable atmosphere as you explore charming stalls overflowing with handcrafted ornaments and delectable seasonal treats.

This refined seven-night cruise follows the legendary Danube River, sailing from Nuremberg to Vienna aboard the specially chartered MS Amadeus Imperial. Along the way, encounter rich traditions of the Advent season at Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau and Vienna — each a showcase of European heritage and holiday spirit. Tailor your experience with Traveler’s Choice excursions in Linz and Vienna. Marvel at the magnificent Melk Abbey, a 900-year-old masterpiece, and enjoy a special organ recital at Dürnstein Abbey. For a deeper immersion, extend your stay with our Vienna Post-Program.

Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today.

Dates and Rates:

Trip Dates: December 4 – 12, 2026

Rates: from $2,995 – 4,995 per person based upon double occupancy

Traveling Solo? Single supplements apply to select categories at 125% of the per person double rate and are subject to availability. All other categories are at 200% the cabin fare. (Cabin fare is the standard rate less taxes.)

Deposit: $1,500 per person (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions)

Trip Type: River Cruise

Trip Status: Confirmed & Open for Reservations. Request a reservation today!

 

Program Itinerary:

Day 1 | Friday, December 4 – DEPART HOME CITY
Depart for Nuremberg, Germany on independently scheduled flights.

Day 2 | Saturday, December 5 – NUREMBERG, GERMANY R | D
Arrive at Nuremberg Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing customs screening, transfer to a group hospitality room at the Park Plaza Hotel. Later this afternoon, transfer with the group to embark the Amadeus Imperial. After settling into your cabin or stateroom, attend a Welcome Briefing and lifeboat drill.

Captain’s Welcome Reception: Join your fellow passengers for the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening, followed by dinner on board.

Day 3 | Sunday, December 6 – NUREMBERG B | L | D
Home to Europe’s first printing press, Nuremberg is often associated with expansions in science and technology. Ancient city walls from the 14th and 15th centuries lead to an array of medieval gates and towers.

Nuremberg Walking Tour. Your walking tour begins in Nuremberg’s old town, where you can see the original city walls and visit the castle complex. Admire the medieval, Gothic-style St. Lawrence Church, damaged during World War II and later masterfully restored. In the Hauptmarkt, or market square, see the Frauenkirche Gothic church, and the Schöner Brunnen fountain before returning to the boat for lunch on board. (Moderate)

Return to the ship for lunch.

Free Time: Return to the city for an afternoon at leisure to explore the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest holiday markets in the world. In addition to Old World Christmas decorations, the market is renowned for preserving Nuremberg’s famous Rostbratwurst and Lebkuchen, a 17th-century gingerbread recipe.

Enjoy dinner back on board as the ship sails to Regensberg.

Day 4 | Monday, December 7 – REGENSBERG B | L | D
Regensburg is our next port of call. Once a booming merchant city, Regensburg today is dotted with impressive Roman ruins, Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque churches, and colorful houses from the 12th and 13th centuries. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and time at leisure on board.

Regensburg Walking Tour. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its many bridges, cathedrals and squares, the city of Regensburg has a history that spans more than 2,000 years. Its old town center was once the site of a Roman stronghold, reflected in remnants of walls that remain to this day. Even though it suffered repeated bombing during World War II, most of its medieval structures survived. Take a stroll back in time during a walking tour through Regensburg. Festooned with pine boughs and sparkling lights, the city features four enchanting Christmas markets — each purveying distinctive handmade pottery, carved figures and Bavarian delicacies. (Moderate)

Gather with friends tonight for a delicious dinner and conversation.

Day 5 | Tuesday, December 8 – PASSAU B | L | D
Arrive in Passau, nestled at the confluence of the Danube, Ilz and Inn rivers. Picturesque Passau has been called “one of the most beautifully situated towns in the world.”

Passau: In the heart of old town, step into St. Stephen’s Cathedral, famous for its Baroque architecture and the world’s largest cathedral organ, with 17,974 pipes and 233 registers, creating a majestic sound. This has been the cathedral’s site since the 8th century, with the current structure completed in 1688. The breathtaking baroque interior features elegant white and gold stucco adornments and ornate ceiling
frescoes depicting biblical scenes in stunning detail. (Moderate)

Return to the boat for lunch on board.

Free Time: After lunch, savor the aromas of Christmas as you explore the Passau Christkindlmarkt. Shop the stalls and taste the gingerbread and other aromatic treats with the splendor of the city all around. As we depart Passau, relax in your cabin or find your favorite chair out on the deck before enjoying dinner on board this evening.

Day 6 | Wednesday, December 9 – LINZ, AUSTRIA | SALZBURG B | L | D
Arrive in Linz, Austria. Disembark after breakfast for your selected full-day excursion.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions:

Salzburg City Tour: Enjoy the scenery on a drive from Linz to Salzburg. This UNESCO World Heritage-inscribed city flourished from the Middle Ages through the 19th century as the center of art and culture — attracting artists and architects from throughout Europe with styles that ranged from Gothic to baroque. Begin your discovery of this legendary city with a walking tour of its historic center and old town. See St. Peter’s Cemetery, the Residenz Palace and Festival Halls before strolling along the 12th-century Getreidegasse shopping boulevard. Walk past Mozart’s birthplace at Getreidegasse No. 9 before arriving at the Mirabell Castle Cathedral for a Mozart string quartet concert. After the concert, continue past the majestic Dom Cathedral for a visit to the traditional Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Dom and Residenzplatz Square, one of the world’s oldest Advent markets. Enjoy a lunch of local specialties for lunch before visiting the 11th-century Fortress of
Hohensalzburg, the largest, fully preserved fortress in central Europe. (Note: This is an Active, full-day tour, requiring two hours in transport each way to Salzburg.)

Linz Walking Tour: Step off the ship and discover the charming city of Linz on foot. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Mozart House, followed by the historic Landhaus. Next, you’ll admire the impressive Neuer Dom, the largest church in Austria, where you’ll also find one of the country’s most elaborate Nativity scenes. Take a break at a local café to sample the famous Linzer Torte, a beloved regional treat. The tour concludes at the festive Christmas Market, where you’ll have time to soak in the seasonal atmosphere. Afterwards, return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a relaxing, free afternoon to explore Linz at your own pace. (Mild)

Return to the boat for dinner on board this evening.

Day 7 | Thursday, December 10 – EMMERSDORF | MELK | DURNSTEIN B | L | D
After breakfast, visit the former site of an ancient Roman garrison and a legendary abbey, built high atop the town with views over the lower Alps and the Danube below. Melk Abbey Tour. Encounter this 900-year-old Benedictine abbey complex, a landmark that includes remnants of an 11th-century castle where Austria’s Babenberg rulers once lived and a baroque-style façade built in the 18th century. The abbey’s elaborate cloister has been ruined and rebuilt over the centuries and contains such artistic treasures as original frescoes, statuary and medieval manuscripts. (Mild)

Return to the boat for lunch on board as we cruise to the picturesque Austrian town of Dürnstein, nestled in the heartland of UNESCO-inscribed Wachau Valley’s wine country.

Dürnstein Walking Tour:  Tiny and charming, Dürnstein is most famous for its Künringer Castle, where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way back from the Third Crusade. Your walking tour begins at the Dürnstein Abbey, which began in 1372 as a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Look above to view the ruins of Künringer Castle, situated high on a hill, before enjoying a short organ recital at the cathedral in Dürnstein. (Mild)

Once you’re back on board, you can enjoy dinner of local cuisine, after which you can relax under the nighttime sky.

Day 8 | Friday, December 11 – VIENNA B | R | D
Linger over a satisfying breakfast on board, then venture out for an insightful tour of Vienna. From its ancient origins as the site of Celtic and Roman settlements, medieval Vienna was at the epicenter of the Baroque movement. In addition to ushering in the golden age of Viennese classical music, Austria’s capital city is home to stunning architecture and splendid gardens. The UNESCO World Heritage- designated historic city center features baroque castles and the impressive late 19th century Ringstrasse, lined with landmark monuments and parks.

Vienna City Tour: This panoramic excursion passes the magnificent Vienna State Opera House, which opened in 1869 with Mozart’s “Don Juan” to an audience that included Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. It is today considered one of the most important opera houses in the world. From there, witness the Austrian Parliament; the 19th-century Burgtheater (known locally as “The Burg”); the historical Vienna City Hall; and several unique Catholic church buildings — culminating with the spectacular St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Admire the Gothic beauty of St. Stephen’s, or Stephansdom, a structure that represents eight centuries of architectural history on your way to visit the Spanish Riding School. (Moderate)

Spanish Riding School. Visit the magnificent riding hall of the Spanish Riding School, an institution that demands the Renaissance tradition of classical dressage. (Moderate)

Enjoy lunch on your own. Perhaps try experiencing Viennese coffee house culture, an integral part of the Viennese lifestyle. Pair your coffee with a slice of Sacher torte, a decadent chocolate sponge cake made with layers of apricot jam and a chocolate ganache topping! Traditionally served with whipped cream, the recipe is a closely guarded secret! Proceed to your selected Traveler’s Choice excursion

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions”

Schönbrunn Palace; Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the baroque Schönbrunn Palace was originally commissioned by Emperor Leopold I at the end of the 17th century as an imperial hunting lodge. By the end of the 18th century, the chateau grew into the palatial imperial residence you will see today. Gain insight into the Austrian empire and its extravagant Hapsburg rulers as you stroll through these lavish hallways and enjoy leisure time in the palace park. (Moderate)

Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz: Peruse Vienna’s most famous Christkindlmarkt! Held on the square front of Vienna’s City Hall, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt is surrounded by Vienna’s largest display of holiday lights, decorations and the remarkable Rathaus Christmas Tree with a large nativity scene at its foot. The lively atmosphere is comprised of a variety of incredible market stalls, including endless food options featuring traditional seasonal cuisine. (Moderate)

Return to the boat for a special a cappella performance by Alpine carolers. Tap your toes during some delightful Christmas music.

Farewell Reception: Join your fellow passengers for the Farewell Reception this evening, followed by
dinner on board with views of Nuremberg at night.

Day 9 | Saturday, December 12 – VIENNA | RETURN TO HOME CITY B
Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Vienna Airport for your return flight home. Arrive in your home city and go through immigration and customs.

B | L | R | D denotes included breakfasts, lunches, receptions, and dinners

ACTIVITY LEVELS: The Activity Level ratings indicate each excursion’s physical expectations. To make the best personal choice, please evaluate each excursion’s rating and your ability to meet the tour’s physical demands.

Mild excursions involve:
– Walking for 1.5 hours or more over uneven terrain
– Walking on challenging surfaces: cobblestones, uneven paths and/or pavements
– Climbing stairs and hills and crossing rail tracks
– Ascending and descending narrow (and sometimes steep) gangplanks
– Stepping on and off motorcoaches with 3-6 steep steps
Moderate excursions could involve the above, plus:
– Walking for 3 hours for distances of a mile or more
– Walking on uneven terrain: narrow cobblestone streets, stone floors, and/or slippery surfaces.
There may be several flights of stairs, some without railings
Active excursions could involve the above, plus:
– Walking on uneven terrain: sandy or rocky beaches, snowy surfaces and/or steep inclines
– Standing for 2 hours or more at a time, possibly without areas to sit
– Climbing 100 stairs or more

*Depending on the excursion, more leisurely alternatives to active excursions may be available.

 

 

Not included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed in the “terms and conditions” at https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms/ ; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed as included; and all other services not specifically mentioned.