Day 1: Vienna

Depart from London by air to Vienna and upon arrival transfer to your ship. After boarding, take some time to relax and enjoy your evening on board. Dinner included.

Day 2: Vienna

After breakfast, embark on a tour of this “City of Waltzes,” where Mozart and Strauss composed many of their finest works. Ride along the Ringstrasse to see the Opera House and beautiful Hofburg Palace. Lunch is served on the ship, then you have the afternoon free to shop along the Kärtnerstrasse or visit one of the city’s Christmas markets.† After dinner aboard, you may opt to attend an optional evening classical concert. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 3: Melk

Arrive during lunch and take a coach to the top of the hill where the abbey overlooks the river. Tour this 900-year-old Benedictine monastery and see its baroque splendour inside and out. The lavish interior is decorated with elaborate frescoes, and a highlight is the spectacular library with its comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts. Depart late afternoon and cruise through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4: Linz

Wake up in Linz. After breakfast, take a walking tour past the city’s baroque facades to the Hauptplatz. Continue through the medieval town and old market. From here, tour inside the cathedral and stroll other squares and markets before returning to the ship for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore Linz’s stores or Christmas market. Instead of touring Linz, you may choose an optional full-day excursion to Salzburg, home to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Dine aboard; remain moored overnight in Linz. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5: Passau

Cruise the scenic Danube this morning and enjoy its quiet winter landscape and quaint riverside towns. Arrive during lunch in beautiful Passau, set at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Take a walking tour along narrow cobblestone streets and through graceful arcades to visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Enjoy afternoon free time to explore the Christmas market or shops. Depart during dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6: Regensburg

Arrive mid-morning in medieval Regensburg, whose history dates back nearly 2,000 years to its founding by Marcus Aurelius. Take a walking tour through this well-preserved city and explore its historic splendour. See the Old Town, St. Peter’s Cathedral and the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge. Eat lunch aboard or take free time to visit Germany’s oldest restaurant, the 800-year-old Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). Dinner aboard is followed by an evening departure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7: Nuremberg

This morning’s cruise is highlighted by the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal and its many locks. Arrive during lunch in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city. The afternoon tour begins with a journey to see former Nazi rally grounds and the Palace of Justice, site of the historic Nuremberg Trials. From the walled section of downtown, walk up to the Imperial Castle grounds for amazing city views. Or, take our optional World War II history tour visiting the Documentation Centre Museum. Then, descend into the Old Town, past Albrecht Dürer’s House and Main Market Square. Stay in the city to visit Nuremberg’s world-famous Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) or enjoy free time. Dinner is served aboard; ship stays docked overnight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8: Nuremberg

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Munich airport for your return flight to London. Breakfast included.