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Our Agents

Booval

07 3202 3355

Capalaba

07 3245 4377

Carindale

07 3369 5899

Mt Ommaney

07 3558 1556

Christmas on the Danube

Overview

On a boat cruise along the Danube, explore charming Christmas markets and see Europe dressed in its holiday best.

  • Collette Tours

From: $5,999

Save $0 – Twin Share (Per Person)

  • Trip Length: 8 Days
  • Trip Starts: Wurzburg, Germany
  • Trip Finishes: Vienna, Austria

All prices displayed on this website are subject to availability and may change without notice due to supplier price changes, taxes, fees, or currency fluctuations. Prices are indicative only and are not guaranteed until the booking is confirmed and full payment has been received. While we make reasonable efforts to ensure accuracy, errors may occur and will be corrected when identified. Nothing in these terms limits or excludes your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

Overview

On a boat cruise along the Danube, explore charming Christmas markets and see Europe dressed in its holiday best.

Itinerary

Start in Würzburg,* a historic Bavarian city along the banks of the Main River. Enjoy time to unwind and soak in the charms of Franconia. As arrival times will vary, there’s no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently. Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner and toast to your upcoming adventure.
Meals: Dinner

This morning, join a local guide on a leisurely paced walking tour of Würzburg, exploring this Baroque city and its famous Würzburg Residence. Continue to Rothenburg, a town of medieval walls, fairy-tale houses, and Christmas markets. Later this afternoon, board your ship in Nuremberg. Your home for the next six nights, this vessel features modern amenities, a panoramic deck café, panorama salon and bar, exceptional service, delicious cuisine, and wine with every dinner. This evening, enjoy a special dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After walking along the pier to your coach, join a local expert on a panoramic tour that will give you a taste of the city. Then, continue with a walking tour of Nuremberg, taking you on a stroll through the historic city for more than an hour. See Old Town, the 900-year-old ramparts, and the Imperial Castle. Your city tour concludes at Nuremberg’s 17th-century Christmas market, which is Germany’s oldest. Wander among the wooden booths of local goods, where perhaps you’ll shop for handcrafted nutcrackers or treat your taste buds to Nuremberg’s famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Spend the afternoon cruising across the continental divide and through the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With an expert guide, discover Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. See the first stone bridge built over the Danube and the Porta Praetoria – a Roman gate built in A.D. 179. Stroll through Old Town to Regensburg’s charming Christmas market and marvel at the festive lights and decorations. Browse and shop at the brightly lit wooden huts holding seasonal ornaments, wooden toys, and local handicrafts. Or perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion and experience the beauty and magic of the romantic Christmas market at Thurn and Taxis Palace in Regensburg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Amid the early morning light, cruise past scenic valleys and charming riverside towns to Passau, situated at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This morning, it’s your choice! Enjoy a leisurely paced guided walking tour of Passau, the 2,000-year-old fairy-tale city also known as the “City of Three Rivers” and take in its ornate Baroque architecture, the cobblestoned streets, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest church organ -OR- join a hike with a local guide up to the pilgrimage church Mariahilf** and be rewarded with spectacular views over Passau.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise to the quaint town of Emmersdorf. Relax and take in the scenery before visiting the cobblestone streets of Dürnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey. Enjoy some time dedicated to exploring this ancient town. Later, get a taste of local tradition at a Glühwein party before continuing through the Wachau Valley, dotted with castles and hillside houses. As the day draws to a close, say hello to Vienna, Austria’s capital city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It is time to step off the ship and explore. After walking along the pier to reach your coach, join a local expert on a panoramic city tour and see Vienna’s architecture, including Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and the Ringstrasse. Then, discover Vienna on foot while walking through the city’s charming cobblestone streets towards the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral and festive Christmas market. (Use caution, as these cobblestones may become slick with frost.) The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs’ summer retreat, to enjoy its festive atmosphere and courtyard Christmas market. Celebrate the end of your trip at the Captain’s Gala Dinner filled with holiday spirit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Disembark after breakfast and say goodbye to the iconic Danube.
Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Christmas Markets – The Christmas markets in Europe typically open the last week of November and close on Christmas Eve. The tradition began in the Middle Ages in central Europe, what is now Germany, eastern France, and Austria, and now there are markets in many European countries. There is usually a Christmas tree, a nativity scene, and many booths selling traditional regional toys, food, beer, and glühwein or vin chaud (hot mulled wine). Some famous markets are in Nuremberg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Strasbourg (France), and Rothenberg. As many as 3 million people will visit each one every year.
  • 6-Night Danube River Cruise – Carving its way through ten European countries, the Danube is the perfect waterway to take in the area’s best landscapes, charming vistas, and riverside castles. With a 6-night cruise, make your way through Germany and Austria.
  • Vienna – This is the capital city of Austria, located on the Danube, with a population of over 2 million in the metro area. It is known as the “City of Music” because of the numerous famous composers who have lived and worked here, such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, and also as the “City of Dreams” as it was home to Sigmund Freud. Some of its primary sights are Schonbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Vienna is also known for its coffee houses and restaurants.
  • Würzburg – This city of 125,000 is on the Main River, and traces of its history as a Bronze Age, Celtic and Frankish city can be found still. It was the site of one of the world’s largest witch trials in the 17th century with as many as 900 people executed. On one day in March 1945, 90% of the city was destroyed by British bombers and the firestorm which resulted. Now the city is an important administrative center and center of the local white wine industry.
  • Rothenburg – A town located in the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany, Rothenburg is known as a well-preserved and picturesque medieval old town, a popular destination for tourists from around the world. It was a Free Imperial City from the late Middle Ages to 1803. Rothenburg is also part of the popular “Romantic Road” through southern Germany. Rothenburg, which translates to Red Fortress (or burgh, a medieval fortified settlement), refers to the red color of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river. The name may also refer to the process of retting (“rotten” in German) flax for linen production. In October of 1631, during the Thirty Year’s War, Johann Tserclaes wanted to quarter his troops in Rothenburg, but rather than allowing them entrance, the town defended its self, but was quickly defeated. After the winter, Tserclaes and his troops left the town poor and nearly empty. The townsfolk remaining in Rothenburg were stricken and killed by the Black Death in 1634. Without money and power, Rothenburg stopped growing, which is why the town was able to preserve its 17th century state. While buildings within the walled city reflect the city’s medieval history, some parts of the town are more modern in concession to the tourist trade.
  • Nuremberg – Nuremberg has a population of 500,000 within the city itself and as many as 3.5 million in the metro area, and may be best known as the site of the Nazi war trials after WWII. It is located in Bavaria on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal and the Pegnitz River, and has always been a strategic site. Its most important attractions are the Imperial Castle, the city walls, artist Albrecht Durer’s House and in winter, the oldest Christmas Market in Germany. It is an industrial center, with companies such as Siemens and MAN, and is also known for traditional products such as gingerbread and pocket watches called “Nuremberg Eggs”.
  • Regensburg – This is a city at the confluence of the Danube and Regen Rivers in Bavaria, and its medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It dates from the Stone Age, and the Romans were here in the 1st century. Its 12th-century Stone Bridge over the Danube opened up important trade routes between medieval Europe and Venice, and helped it become an economic center. Other attractions are St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Old Town Hall.
  • Passau – Passau is in Lower Bavaria near the Austrian border, and is known as the “City of Three Rivers” because the Inn and Ilz Rivers join the Danube there. It dates from the Stone Age, and became an important religious center in the 8th century. Its major attractions include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, with the world’s largest organ, and the Bishop’s Castle. Passau was famous for manufacturing swords and other weapons during the Renaissance.
  • Wachau Valley – This Danube valley is 25 miles long and runs from Melk to Krems in Lower Austria, and is a UNESCO site. The valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and is a famous wine region. There are no bridges across the Danube in the valley, so ferries are the only way to cross. The town of Durnstein in Wachau Valley was where King Richard Lionheart was held captive by Duke Leopold.
  • Glühwein Party – Glüwhein is the traditional hot drink served during the winter period, especially around Christmas and Halloween in Europe and can be normally found at Christmas markets. Mulled wine is a beverage usually made with red wine, normally port and claret, along with various mulling spices, including cinnamon and raisins. Wine was first recorded as spiced and heated in Rome during the 2nd century. The Romans travelled across Europe, conquering much of it, bringing wine and viticulture with them up to the Rhine and Danube rivers. Guests will have a chance to taste this delectable beverage as part of an excursion in the Wachau Valley.

  • Join local experts as you discover Würzburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg and Vienna.
  • Browse the famous Christmas markets along the Danube.
  • Explore the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey.

  • Experience the picturesque region of the Wachau Valley.
  • Explore Regensburg, home of the first stone bridge built over the Danube.

  • Enjoy unlimited wine with every dinner on board your cruise ship.
  • Attend the Captain's Gala Dinner filled with holiday spirit.

Dates & Pricing

Trip Dates:

28 Nov 2026 27 Nov 2027 08 Dec 2027

Room Type:

Twin Share
Solo (Own Room)

  • Saturday

    28 Nov 2026

    Wurzburg, Germany

    Sunday

    06 Dec 2026

    Vienna, Austria

    Our Price

    AUD $5,999

    Twin Share (Per Person)

  • Saturday

    27 Nov 2027

    Wurzburg, Germany

    Sunday

    05 Dec 2027

    Vienna, Austria

    Our Price

    AUD $7,449

    Twin Share (Per Person)

  • Wednesday

    08 Dec 2027

    Wurzburg, Germany

    Thursday

    16 Dec 2027

    Vienna, Austria

    Our Price

    AUD $7,449

    Twin Share (Per Person)

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