Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)

Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city's Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. You will also visit the city's famed Christmas Markets. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Buda city tour and Christmas Markets OR Castle hike
• Pest city tour

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you'll discover during your walking tour. You'll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava's charming Christmas market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. Enjoy a free evening to explore Vienna on your own. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Coronation city walking tour with Christmas Market visit OR Tastes of Slovakia OR Bratislava Castle hike

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride through Vienna. In the afternoon, experience the spectacular festive atmosphere of the Schönbrunn Christmas Markets. at the beautifully decorated Christmas Markets in this magnificent city. In the evening, spend some free time at the beautifully decorated and illuminated Rathaus Square and the Chirstkindlmarkt, Vienna's largest Christmas Market. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour with Maria Theresa Platz Christmas Market OR Vienna bike tour
• Schönbrunn Christmas Markets
• Rathaus Christmas Market by night

After reaching Weissenkirchen, you'll have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then taste some of the village's distinctive wines. Or visit a local boutique to taste Durnstein's special apricot treats, such as jams and chocolates. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided bike tour from Weissenkirchen to Melk. For those not biking to Melk, you'll sail through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Melk, where you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Dürnstein walking tour and wine tasting OR Dürnstein Apricots & Sweets tastings
• Weissenkirchen to Melk bike tour OR Benedictine Abbey visit

Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of three excursions. The first is a morning walking tour through Linz's old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz's Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city's famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube River. Or go on a full-day visit to Salzburg where you'll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its breathtaking Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, a guest favorite located just over the Czech-Austrian border, on a full-day excursion. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour and Christmas Market OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with Christmas Markets OR Full-day Cesky Krumlov excursion with Christmas Markets

During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf or join a guided bike ride along the Danube. Later, sail for Vilshofen, where you'll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “City of Three Rivers” walking tour and Christmas Markets OR Passau hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf OR River Inn bike tour
• Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Vilshofen as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)

Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city's Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. You will also visit the city's famed Christmas Markets. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Buda city tour and Christmas Markets OR Castle hike
• Pest city tour

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you'll discover during your walking tour. You'll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava's charming Christmas market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. Enjoy a free evening to explore Vienna on your own. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Coronation city walking tour with Christmas Market visit OR Tastes of Slovakia OR Bratislava Castle hike

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna's historic city center. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride through Vienna. In the afternoon, experience the spectacular festive atmosphere of the Schönbrunn Christmas Markets. at the beautifully decorated Christmas Markets in this magnificent city. In the evening, spend some free time at the beautifully decorated and illuminated Rathaus Square and the Chirstkindlmarkt, Vienna's largest Christmas Market. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour with Maria Theresa Platz Christmas Market OR Vienna bike tour
• Schönbrunn Christmas Markets
• Rathaus Christmas Market by night

After reaching Weissenkirchen, you'll have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then taste some of the village's distinctive wines. Or visit a local boutique to taste Durnstein's special apricot treats, such as jams and chocolates. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided bike tour from Weissenkirchen to Melk. For those not biking to Melk, you'll sail through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Melk, where you will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Dürnstein walking tour and wine tasting OR Dürnstein Apricots & Sweets tastings
• Weissenkirchen to Melk bike tour OR Benedictine Abbey visit

Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of three excursions. The first is a morning walking tour through Linz's old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz's Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city's famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube River. Or go on a full-day visit to Salzburg where you'll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its breathtaking Christmas Markets. Alternatively, you can visit the charming mountain town of Český Krumlov, a guest favorite located just over the Czech-Austrian border, on a full-day excursion. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour and Christmas Market OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with Christmas Markets OR Full-day Cesky Krumlov excursion with Christmas Markets

During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf or join a guided bike ride along the Danube. Later, sail for Vilshofen, where you'll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “City of Three Rivers” walking tour and Christmas Markets OR Passau hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf OR River Inn bike tour
• Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Vilshofen as you prepare for your flight home. (B)