Christkindlmärkte along the Danube River

• Exclusive journey from Vienna to Nuremberg through the picturesque Wachau Valley.
• Created in our tradition of innovative programming and educational travel.
• Access to ports unavailable to larger vessels and included excursions throughout your program.
• Specially arranged full-day excursion in Salzburg, one of Austria’s loveliest cities.
• Four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Historic Centre of Vienna, Austria; Wachau Cultural Landscape, Austria; Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, Austria; and Old Town of Regensburg.
• Vienna Optional Extension and Munich & The Romantic Road Optional Extension.

*This departure operates in the reverse order.

Arrive at Vienna International Airport. Proceed through immigration to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Company representative. From there, you will transfer to a group hospitality room at the InterContinental Vienna hotel.

Shuttle service from the hospitality room will be available for those who’d like to visit the Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz, a renowned holiday market held on the square in front of Vienna’s city hall. Later this afternoon you will then travel with the group to embark the Viva Enjoy.

Join your fellow passengers for the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening, followed by dinner on board the river boat with views of the lovely Vienna harbor.

After a breakfast on board this morning, you will embark on a 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.

Explore the best of Vienna on a driving excursion that takes you past 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. Today, it is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world. From there, you will see the Austrian Parliament building; the 19th-century Burgtheater (known locally as “The Burg”); the historic 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 representing eight centuries of architectural history, on your way to visit the Spanish Riding School, located just minutes away. Witness a morning exercise and learn more about how riders train with their famous Lippizaners.

Find a local place nearby for lunch on your own before rejoining the group for a visit to Schönbrunn Palace. 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.

Free Time. After visiting the palace, you will have free time to explore the elegant Schönbrunn Christmas Market. Set in front of the palace and its outbuildings, this popular market is known for its nativity scene, high-quality wares and fairytale setting.

Return to the river boat for a special performance by Alpine carolers prior to enjoying dinner on board.

We depart Vienna this morning to cruise toward the picturesque Austrian town of Dürnstein, where you will disembark after breakfast for an excursion.

Nestled in the heartland of UNESCO-inscribed Wachau Valley’s wine country, the tiny town of 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. You will then visit the ruins of Künringer Castle, situated high on a hill, before enjoying a short organ recital at the cathedral in Dürnstein.

Return to the boat for lunch on board as we cruise to Melk, 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.

Disembark for a visit to the 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 artistic treasures such as original frescoes, statuary and medieval manuscripts.

Enjoy a stroll through this historic Danube River town as you walk back to the boat for dinner on board this evening, after which you may relax on board under the nighttime sky.

The boat arrives in Linz this morning, where you will disembark after breakfast for a full-day excursion to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The UNESCO World Heritage-inscribed city of Salzburg flourished from the Middle Ages through the 19th century as the center of art and culture, attracting artists and architects from throughout Europe in styles ranging from Gothic to baroque. Mozart was born here in 1756 and lived with his family on the third floor of the Hagenauer House for 26 years.

Enjoy the scenery as we drive from Linz to Salzburg. 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. You will also 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, your tour continues 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, it has been spreading holiday cheer since the late 15th century. Choose your favorite local specialty, baked good or mulled wine for lunch.

From there, you will visit the 11th-century Fortress of Hohensalzburg, the largest, fully preserved fortress in central Europe, offering a panoramic view of the city.

We arrive in Passau this morning, where after breakfast you will embark on a walking tour that concludes at the city’s renowned Christmas market. Your discovery of Passau begins with a stroll down its cobblestone streets to behold the wonder of the 17th-century St. Stephan’s Cathedral, after which we will stop for a visit to the Christmas market.

Savor the aromas of Christmas as you explore the Passau Christkindlmarkt at leisure. Shop the stalls and taste the gingerbread and other aromatic treats with the splendor of the city all around you.

Return to the boat for lunch on board as we depart Passau. Relax in your cabin or find your favorite chair out on the deck before enjoying dinner on board this evening.

Savor breakfast on board this morning before disembarking for a walking tour of picturesque Regensburg in eastern Bavaria.

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.

A stroll through Regensburg is like walking back in time. During the holidays, it’s like being immersed in a holiday card. Festooned with pine boughs and sparkling lights, the city features four enchanting Christmas markets — each purveying distinctive handmade pottery, carved figures and Bavarian delicacies.

Return to the river boat for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. This evening, gather with the group for dinner on board.

Today we arrive in Nuremberg, where after breakfast on board, you will embark for an excursion.

This city of stories has a history that goes from its 12th-century fortress to the German renaissance of the 15th and 16th centuries to the famous Nazi trials held here in 1946. Divided by the River Pegnitz, Nuremberg’s medieval city walls and imperial castle evoke epic tales from another era.

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

Disembark for an afternoon at leisure to explore the Nuremberg Christkindlmarkt, 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.

Join your fellow passengers for the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner this evening. While sailing, enjoy the views of Nuremberg at night.

After breakfast on the river boat, transfer to Nuremberg Airport for your flight home or continue your travels with the Munich & The Romantic Road Post-Tour Extension.

Arrive in your home city and go through immigration and customs.