Board your Avalon Suite Ship® in Basel, Switzerland. This Christmas river cruise begins in Switzerland and takes you down the Rhine River to France, Germany, Austria and Hungary, with beautiful passing views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated—a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your ship in Basel, Switzerland, then stop in Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. Strasbourg, France, is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits. You’ll go on an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany, to visit the fascinating ruins of Heidelberg Castle, towering magnificently over the city. This time of year, an ice rink can be found at the foot of the castle and the Christmas market is spread over five town squares. Stop in Frankfurt and then sail to visit a picturesque Main River Village before stopping in Würzburg to savor the sights, sounds, and confections of its warm Christmas markets. Continue your festive European vacation to enjoy Christmas in the heart of Europe with a guided sightseeing tour of the glowing Christkindlesmarkt of Bam-berg—complete with dozens of nativity scenes of every size. While sailing, you’ll hear an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions in Europe and choose from two guided excursions—a classic sightseeing tour of Nuremberg, or a tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds of WWII notoriety. Board your second Avalon Suite Ship in Nuremberg. Your Danube River cruise continues to Melk, where you’ll see its magnificent Benedic-tine Abbey, with fantastic frescoes, statures, library, and ornate pipe organ. Sail on your European river cruise to visit Vienna and through beautiful views of the rich wine-growing region of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your Main and danube River cruise vacation concludes Budapest, called the “Pearl of the Danube,” with wonderful experiences and memories of Christmas markets, scenic splendors, and inspiring discoveries to treasure always.

1. Day 1
   BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)

   Mon, Dec 01, 2025

   Welcome to Switzerland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
   
   Flights into Zürich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.
   
   Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
   
   Stroll through the city center, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.
   
   EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
   
   (D)
   
   
2. Day 2
   BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

   Tue, Dec 02, 2025

   German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
   
   CLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley. OR:
   
   DISCOVERY 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 visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings. Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach’s lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.
   
   OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
3. Day 3
   STRASBOURG, FRANCE

   Wed, Dec 03, 2025

   Joyeux Noël in Strasbourg
   
   CLASSIC 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)
   
   
4. Day 4
   SPEYER, GERMANY. HEIDELBERG EXCURSION

   Thu, Dec 04, 2025

   Winter Wonders Fit for a King
   
   DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg.
   
   Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
5. Day 5
   FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM

   Fri, Dec 05, 2025

   Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
   
   DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
   
   (B,D)
   
   
6. Day 6
   MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

   Sat, Dec 06, 2025

   Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
   
   Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
   
   AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
7. Day 7
   WÜRZBURG

   Sun, Dec 07, 2025

   Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet
   
   CLASSIC 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)
   
   
8. Day 8
   BAMBERG

   Mon, Dec 08, 2025

   Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
   
   DISCOVERY 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.
   
   Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
9. Day 9
   NUREMBERG

   Tue, Dec 09, 2025

   Legends and History Lessons
   
   CLASSIC 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 Christkindlmarkt culinary delights.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
10. Day 10
    NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION). EXCURSION TO MUNICH. NUREMBERG (EMBARKATION)

    Wed, Dec 10, 2025

    This morning say goodbye to your Avalon Suite Ship and get ready to embark your second Avalon vessel which will take you to Basel.
    
    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.
    
    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
    
    (B,D)
    
    
11. Day 11
    NUREMBERG

    Thu, Dec 11, 2025

    Legends and History Lessons
    
    CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
    
    CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
    
    Spend free time on your own to browse the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—from dozens of bratwurst varieties, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other culinary delights of the Christkindlmarkt.
    
    Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
    
    AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
12. Day 12
    REGENSBURG

    Fri, Dec 12, 2025

    Christmas Magic in Bavaria
    
    CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.
    
    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)
    
    
13. Day 13
    PASSAU

    Sat, Dec 13, 2025

    Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
    
    CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”.
    
    Spend free time in Passau’s charming Christkindlmarkt near magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
    
    Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart and learn how Austrians celebrate Christmas.
    
    Sail to Linz this afternoon, or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion.
    
    Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
    
    OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
14. Day 14
    MELK–WACHAU VALLEY

    Sun, Dec 14, 2025

    Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
    
    CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
    
    DISCOVERY Enjoy a Christmas Traditions Lecture on board.
    
    VIENNA
    
    Viennese Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube
    
    This 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)
    
    
15. Day 15
    VIENNA

    Mon, Dec 15, 2025

    Royal Collections and Culinary Confections
    
    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.
    
    Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
16. Day 16
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

    Tue, Dec 16, 2025

    War Heroes and Hot Water
    
    CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
    
    Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs or nightlife and don’t miss the unique Christmas market that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.
    
    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
17. Day 17
    BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

    Wed, Dec 17, 2025

    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
    
    (B)