Avalon Waterways 15 Nights Europe

Christmastime From Basel To Vienna

Avalon Envision • Embarkation: Zurich

Voyage Overview

Embark Date 02-Dec-2028
Disembark Date 17-Dec-2028
Duration 15 Nights
Vessel Avalon Envision

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Basel, Switzerland (Embarkation)

BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Zürich must arrive by 3 pm. Flights into Basel must arrive by 4 pm.Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Stroll through the city centre, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)

Day 2: Breisach, Germany Excursion To Black Forest

BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Join a Guided Tour through storybook Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic buildings and monuments, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.In the afternoon you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach’s lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board including the best Christmas carols.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

Day 3: Strasbourg, France

STRASBOURG, FRANCE Joyeux Noël in StrasbourgCLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion in a wine country village in beautiful Alsace. Spend free time this afternoon strolling through the glowing winter markets of Strasbourg.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER(B,L,D)

Day 4: Speyer, Germany Heidelberg Excursion

SPEYER, GERMANY. HEIDELBERG EXCURSION Winter Wonders Fit for a KingDISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Tun—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)

Day 5: Frankfurt Excursion To Rudesheim

FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country CLASSIC Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE(B,L,D)

Day 6: Main River Village

MAIN RIVER VILLAGE Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.DISCOVERY Get into the holiday spirit as cheerful carolers come aboard to fill the air with beloved Christmas songs.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG(B,L,D)

Day 7: Wurzburg

WÜRZBURG Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers SweetCLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG(B,L,D)

Day 8: Bamberg

BAMBERG Christmas Customs and Cradle ScenesDISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing. CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size. Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.DISCOVERY Join an onboard workshop to learn how to create traditional straw star decorations. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG(B,L,D)

Day 9: Nuremberg

NUREMBERG Legends and History LessonsCLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights. DISCOVERY Join an onboard workshop to learn how to create beautifully decorated candles.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)

Day 10: Nuremberg Excursion To Munich

NUREMBERG. EXCURSION TO MUNICH CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.Return to Nuremberg in the late afternoon.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG(B,L,D)

Day 11: Nuremberg

NUREMBERG Living Heritage and History LessonsA day to relax and enjoy Nuremberg at your own pace. Stroll through the festively lit streets, buy those last-minute Christmas gifts, or ask your Cruise Director for suggestions of things to do.Enjoy live entertainment as you sail.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG (B,L,D)

Day 12: Regensburg

REGENSBURG Christmas Magic in Bavaria CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—entrance to the Castra Regina fortress built in 179 AD. Take time to browse Regensburg’s sparkling Christmas markets. Enjoy hot-mulled wine, candied almonds, gingerbread, or bratwurst. DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU(B,L,D)

Day 13: Passau

PASSAU Saint Stephen’s, Salzburg, and the Story of Silent NightCLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”You may like to join a Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg, Austria. See the setting of The Sound of Music, and learn the story behind the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night. Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlesmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Take a brief evening cruise to Linz. Enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK(B,L,D)

Day 14: Melk, Austria

MELK, AUSTRIA Frescoes Above the Wachau ValleyCLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings.DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookie Tasting while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna.VIENNAVienna’s Winter WonderlandThis evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)

Day 15: Vienna

VIENNA Royal Collections and Amusing Attractions DISCOVERY Explore the city of Vienna and sample local winter specialties on a Guided Walk through the city’s Old Town and Christmas markets, OR: CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening. You may join a Guided Optional Tour of Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg dynasty for 300 years.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA(B,L,D)

Day 16: Vienna (Disembarkation)

VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

About Avalon Envision

Avalon Envision
  • Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways
  • Guest Capacity: 2 guests
  • Vessel Type: Luxury River Vessel
  • IMO Registration:
Starting From
$10,637
per person / based on double occupancy
Category Estimates
Inside Cabin: Call
Oceanview Cabin: $10,637
Private Balcony: Call
Luxury Suite: $15,137
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