Experience the beauty of Prague and Budapest with private expert guide during Christmas Time. Celebrate the magic of the wonderful winter season with a fascinating cruise journey along the majestic Danube River. Embark from Nuremberg, crossing the Continental Divide on the Main-Danube Canal. Visit charming towns where so many Christmas traditions began, visiting enchanting Christmas markets and sharing local traditions in medieval Regensburg, musical Salzburg, vibrant Vienna and more. Conclude your holiday cruise in magnificent Budapest.

Cruise Departure Dates:
Nuremberg-Budapest (2012): Nov 29, Dec 5,13,19,27 , (2013) Jan 2, Nov 27,30, Dec 2,11,14,16,25,28
Budapest-Nuremberg (2012): Nov 28, Dec 6,12,20,26 (2013) Dec 4,7,9,18,21

Prague is picturesquely located on the banks of the Vltava (Moldau) River, and has always played an important part in the history of Europe. The ‘Paris of the East’ is noted for its magnificent architecture with the city’s historical center being listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Enjoy an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

The Crowne Plaza Prague Castle (4*), a charming hotel nestled in the grounds of the UNESCO protected site of Strahov Monastery is perfectly placed within the intimate ground of Prague Castle. The Crowne Plaza Prague Castle Hotel occupies a heritage building dating back to the 16th century.

Beautifully appointed fittings and friendly service combine to an unforgettable experience amidst Prague´s most charming location. In the vicinity are some of Prague‘s most delightful sights such as the Strahov Monastery, Prague Castle , the Astronomical Clock, the Powder Tower and the luxurius Parizska Street.

Overnight at Crowne Plaza Prague Castle (4*).

Enjoy a full day city tour with your private guide and driver to the State Opera, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, and Charles Square. Visit and walk around the Castle courtyards and see St. Vitus Cathedral. Continue along the Vltava to the Old Town, St. Nicholas Church, the Týn Cathedral and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock and apostles. Walk from the Powder Tower along the Royal Route to the Old Town Square, along Karlova Street to Charles Bridge and enjoy the view of Prague Castle. Your tour ends at Mala Strana (the Lesser Town).

Overnight at Crowne Plaza Prague Castle (4*).

Enjoy a half day tour with a private guide and driver to Karlstejn Castle which was built in the 14th century by the Czech King and Roman Emperor, Charles IV. At the time, the castle held the treasure of the Holy Roman Empire, including the imperial coronation jewels.

Overnight at Crowne Plaza Prague Castle (4*).

Cruise the waters of the Danube River, known to history as one of the long-standing frontiers of the Roman Empire. The river flows through or acts as part of the borders of ten countries, passing through four European capitals before emptying into the Black Sea. Aboard your luxurious cruise ship, you'll be able to relax in comfort as you traverse the river between interesting ports-of-call.

Meet your driver for a private transfer with vehicle to Nuremberg.  

This evening, gather on board your ship for a Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg.

With a design inspired by classic ocean yachts, the new 164-passenger MS Amacerto (2012) offers a distinctive river cruise experience on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Mosel. Featuring its exclusive “Twin Balconies” in the majority of spacious staterooms and suites (which range from 148 to 350 sq. ft) the ship also boasts a magnificent glass elevator. A member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, guests on the MS Amacerto enjoy fine dining in the main dining room, an intimate Chef’s Table restaurant, two wine bars plus a casual al fresco bistro. The MS Amacerto also features a heated Sun Deck swimming pool with a “swim-up” bar; fitness center, massage, hair and beauty salon; complimentary in-stateroom internet access and first-run Hollywood movies; ship-wide Wi-Fi plus a fleet of bicycles.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

Enjoy a guided morning tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches. See the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. After your tour, you will have time to visit the Christmas Market. Enjoy a complimentary drink of hot mulled Gluhwein in your own souvenir mug to ward off the chill.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and enjoy a guided tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your tour ends with a visit to the Old Kornmarkt Christmas market, where you can shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. In the alternative this afternoon, visit the “royal” Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a very traditional handicraft Christmas market, where you can watch the craftsmen make their goods.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a walking tour of this fairytale city that was founded more than 2,000 years ago. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Afterwards, take some time to experience the traditional Christmas Markets.

Or take an optional full day tour to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for “The Sound of Music.” Join in the merriment at the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents.

To participate in the optional tour, please contact your sales specialist.

After dinner, take a walk through the delightful town of Linz, Austria’s third largest city and a major river port.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley early this morning. A tour takes you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey.

This evening, you may explore Vienna on your own, or take an optional excursion to a Mozart and Strauss concert.

To participate in the optional activity, please contact your sales specialist.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

This morning, start your excursion with a driving tour of Vienna including the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of the city center. Afterwards, spend some time enjoying the festivities of the Christmas Markets at the Town Hall.

This afternoon, you can join an optional tour to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace, which features over 60 Christmas Market stalls and provides a spectacular festive atmosphere with the aroma of Gluhwein and gingerbread.

If you wish to participate in the optional activity, please contact your sales specialist.

In the alternative, you can stroll along the Kärntnerstrasse and stop to sample Vienna’s famous pastries.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

This morning, cruise the Danube Bend past beautiful towns nestled on the curve of the river bank to Budapest. Your Budapest sightseeing includes Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest is spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

You have the balance of the day to explore the Christmas markets. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner.

Overnight at AmaBella / AmaCerto / AmaPrima.

Budapest was originally two cities on each side of one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube River – Buda, the older, more graceful part, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings, and Pest, the commercial center. In Buda, Gellért Hill gives a wonderful view of the city, river and mountains. On the hill is the Citadella fort, the Royal Palace which houses the National Gallery, the rampart of Halászbástya (Fisherman’s Bastion), so called because it was the duty of the city’s fishermen to protect the northern side of the Palace during the Middle Ages, and the great Mátyás Templom (church) with its multicolored tiled roof. On the Pest side are the Parliament; the Hungarian National Museum, containing remarkable treasures ranging from the oldest skull found in Europe to Franz Liszt’s gold baton; the Belvárosi Templom, Hungary’s oldest church, dating from the 12th century, the Museum of Fine Arts housing European paintings and the Ethnographic Museum. Margaret Island, connected to both Buda and Pest by bridges, is a park with a sports stadium, swimming pool, spas, a rose garden and fountains. Budapest has about 100 hot springs.

After breakfast, you'll disembark your ship this morning in Budapest, as your cruise journey has come to an end.

Enjoy a full city tour of Budapest with your own guide and car. On the Pest side, visit the impressive Heroes’ Square, City Park, Széchenyi Spa, Grand Circus, and view the Vajdahunyad castle. The tour continues along Andrássy Avenue with its stately mansions. Take the opportunity and visit the impressive House of Parliament. After a walk around the largest building of Hungary, see the magnificent neo-gothic Parliament inside with a guide and walk along the splendid boardrooms and impressive staircases. Entrance fees to Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion and Parliament are included in the tour price).

Buda Castle Hotel (4*) can be found at the heart of the castle district, one of Budapest's more elegant quarters on the Buda side of the city. The local area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the historical streets, which were once the commercial and governmental centre of the city, provide a fascinating view of the city’s glorious past. Holy Trinity Square, Mathias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion are all a few steps from the hotel. The 25 rooms of the Hotel Buda Castle are all generously sized and elegantly furnished in a modern style. All enjoy such contemporary amenities as WiFi internet access, a laptop-size safe, a large flat-screen television and individually controlled air-conditioning. Rooms face onto either the quiet surrounding streets or the beautiful and tranquil interior courtyard. Breakfast is served in the Orangerie lounge, and the hotel also has a café and snack bar open daily until midnight.

Overnight at Buda Castle (4*).

Visit the former summer-residence of Queen Elisabeth (Sissi) and Francis Joseph in Godollo, one of the largest baroque palaces in the world. You will have a glimpse of the times under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Take a break to enjoy coffee and cake at the Palace Cafe.

Overnight at Buda Castle (4*).

Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .