European Christmas Markets
Enjoy this magical time of year as Europe’s countries hold steadfastly to Old World holiday tradition and transform into fairy-tale Christmas settings. The sights and sensations of the holiday season are everywhere: locals and guests savor the tastes of chocolate covered Lebkuchen (gingerbread), sizzling grilled sausages, and spiced hot “Glühwein” (mulled wine).  Delight in the festively decorated markets and shopping for ornaments, crafts, candles, nutcrackers, winter hats, roasted nuts, and other traditional items.

To Austria
Transfer by Home Pick-up to your airport.  Depart today on your overnight flight for Vienna, Austria.

Welcome to Vienna
Arrive in Vienna, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to the hotel. Every year, the scent of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and grilled sausages fill the air during the holiday season. Visit Vienna’s Christmas Market, famous for a number of traditional Christmas delicacies.

Bratislava / Board Ship
Enjoy a Bratislava City Tour and walk through the city. See the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia. Traverse old town, from Michael’s Gate, and admire the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, former coronation cathedral for Hungarian Kings. Bratislava is a little jewel along the Danube with a wonderful Christmas Market. Then, travel back to Vienna and board the Amadeus Imperial for a 6 night cruise. Enjoy your Welcome Dinner onboard tonight.

Vienna
This morning enjoy a Vienna City Tour.  See the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, and the majestic Ringstrasse. The capital is also known as the “City of Music” for having once been the home of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart and Johann Strauss.  This afternoon, maybe join the optional and visit the Schoenbrunn Palace, dressed for the season. In the evening you have the option to attend a “Sound of Vienna” concert.

Melk Abbey
Visit and tour Melk Abbey, an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736. Later enjoy a mug of hot mulled wine (Glühwein) onboard the ship.

Passau / Optional Salzburg
Visit the fairy-tale town of Passau this morning, then leisurely cruise the Danube, or choose the full day optional to Salzburg. Travel to Salzburg for a Walking Tour and see Mozart’s Birthplace. Enjoy time to shop, visit a cafe, stroll the wonderful Getreidegasse, and experience the famous Christmas Markets throughout this walkable city.

Regensburg
Situated in Eastern Bavaria, Regensburg is one of Germany’s oldest towns, founded by the Romans in 179 A.D. Enjoy a Regensburg Walking Tour through one of the most visited cities in Germany and its Medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spend time at the colorful Christmas Market. Tonight your Gala Farewell Dinner is onboard.

Nuremberg
Experience the world’s best known Christmas Market visited by more than 2 million people every year. Located inside this medieval city’s walls on the Market Square around the St. Lorenz Church, the Christmas Market has survived in its original state with specialty stalls and booths. Be sure to try the Nuremberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread), as well as the original Nuremberger Würstel (small grilled pork sausages).

Munich / Fly Home
Transfer to the Munich Airport and fly home to the USA.

The Ship - Amadeus Imperial
The innovative 168-passenger Amadeus Imperial launched in 2020 and features all the amenities of a floating 5-star hotel while offering the effortless combination of vibrant energy & intimate small ship experience.  This Premium cruise ship features the most modern furnishings that blend masterfully with the architecture of the ship and a luxurious design that is the hallmark of the Amadeus fleet. The extensive Restaurant and the Panorama Bar offer divine views of the passing riverscapes, and the glass-shielded River Terrace allows you to relax in the open air. The attentive English-speaking onboard service staff will see to your comfort with typical European hospitality.  The cabin design plans are forward-thinking, bright & modern, all part of a premium focus with 72 large Staterooms & 12 Suites. The beauty of river cruising is that the most interesting destinations come to you. This Imperial charter features English-only onboard commentary with inclusive shore excursions balanced with choice to simply relax onboard, get a spa treatment or add sightseeing with optional excursions.    

All Meals Included Onboard
Three meals daily are served graciously in the exquisite restaurant and feature local & international specialties.  All dinners are four courses and are served with included hand selected Wines, Beer & Soft drinks. While dining, you have splendid views of the passing scenic landscapes through the large picture windows.  Enjoy afternoon and/or late evening snacks in the lounge based on the daily schedule.

Comfortable & Innovative Staterooms
After boarding, unpack once.  All staterooms are larger than traditional river cruise cabins & offer excellent river views.  The Mozart Deck features 12 Suites with Walk Out Balconies.  The other 19 Staterooms on the Mozart Deck & 35 Staterooms on the Strauss Deck feature innovative  panoramic Drop-Down Windows.  The 18 Staterooms on the Haydn Deck have a fixed window.  All staterooms are fully equipped with comfortable & modern furnishings including flat screen TV & large private bathrooms with shower.

Click here for a deck plan