Christmas Markets Along the Danube: A Rail and River Cruise Adventure

This morning after breakfast, we’ll begin our day with a tram ride through Munich to the Deutsches Museum, one of Germany’s great institutions of discovery and invention. Standing on an island in the Isar, this vast museum has long celebrated the country’s achievements in science, engineering and transport, making it an especially rewarding visit for those with an interest in the technologies that shaped the modern railway age. There will be time to explore at leisure, whether admiring historic locomotives and transport displays or simply enjoying the extraordinary breadth of the collection.

From here, we’ll continue into the heart of the old city for the famous Glockenspiel performance in Marienplatz, when figures dance high above the square from the neo-Gothic Town Hall. The festive spirit is never far away in Munich at this time of year, and you’ll have some time at leisure to enjoy lunch and soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas markets, with their twinkling stalls, spiced aromas and cheerful winter bustle.

Later this afternoon, we’ll regroup and walk to the Munich Residenz, the largest city palace in Germany, and once the seat of Bavaria’s Wittelsbach rulers, for a guided tour through its opulent rooms and richly layered interiors. Construction began in 1385 with Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, and Neoclassical elements being added over the centuries. Much of the palace was heavily damaged by Allied bombing during World War II and meticulously reconstructed afterward. Highlights include the Antiquarium, a vast hall (one of the largest north of the Alps) originally built to display the duke’s collection of ancient sculptures; King Ludwig I’s State Apartment; the Grottenhof (Grotto Courtyard) with its whimsical dripstone fountain and shell decorations; the Cuvilliés Theatre (built 1751–1755), a rococo gem with red-and-gold interiors, multi-tiered boxes, and chandeliers and the premiere venue of Mozart’s Idomeneo; and the attached Treasury (Schatzkammer) displaying over 1,200 exquisite items, including crown jewels, royal regalia, and precious artifacts like a Romanesque chalice linked to Emperor Henry II.

As daylight fades and the city takes on its evening glow, the day concludes at the Residenz Christmas Market, tucked within the palace courtyard, where the setting feels especially magical in the early winter dusk. You’ll be able to graze dinner at leisure here, or dine at a restaurant of your choice nearby.

Overnight: Platzl Hotel Munich or similar, Munich (B)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll make our way to München Hauptbahnhof and board a regional train south through Upper Bavaria to Garmisch-Partenkirchen – a wonderful rail journey, with the city gradually giving way to open countryside, church spires, broad fields and the first dramatic rises of the Alps. On arrival, we’ll connect with the Bavarian Zugspitze Railway, a line with a long and distinguished history that has been carrying travellers into Germany’s highest mountain landscape since the late 1920s. The journey itself is spectacular, climbing steadily into a world of snow peaks, high valleys and crisp alpine air.

At the summit station, we’ll transfer to the cable car and continue to the peak of the Zugspitze for extraordinary panoramic views across the surrounding mountain ranges – on a clear day, you can see far into Austria and beyond. Lunch today will be at Panorama 2962, a restaurant setting that more than lives up to its name. There will be ample time to enjoy the far-reaching views across four countries, visit the famous golden summit cross just beyond the station and browse the exhibition devoted to the history of the mountain railway that made this extraordinary journey possible. Those who wish may also take in the little chapel on the plateau, quietly set amid this dramatic high-alpine setting, just don’t forget to rug up!

After lunch, we’ll descend by cable car to Lake Eibsee, whose dark green waters and forested shoreline create one of Bavaria’s most picturesque alpine scenes. From here, you’ll rejoin the railway for the return to Munich, arriving in the late afternoon with the evening free to enjoy the city’s festive atmosphere at leisure.

Overnight: Platzl Hotel Munich or similar, Munich (B,L)

After enjoying a relaxed morning in Munich and checking out of our hotel, we’ll hand our luggage over to our private courier and head to the station and take your First Class seat on the the train to Nuremberg – a route that offers a comfortable introduction to one of Germany’s most historic rail corridors. 

Nuremberg is one of Germany’s great historic cities – a fascinating blend of medieval charm, dark 20th-century history, and vibrant modern life. The old town is still enclosed by medieval walls and is long associated with imperial history, craftsmanship and trade; it’s the home of the world’s oldest railway station; and reminders of Germany’s confronting history are preserved to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. In December, it becomes especially atmospheric, for this is the home of the Christkindlesmarkt, widely regarded as one of the world’s best-known Christmas markets. 

On arrival in Nuremberg, we’ll transfer directly to our centrally-located hotel and check in before enjoying lunch at leisure, either in the hotel or one of the many cafes at your doorstep. We’ll regroup in the mid-afternoon and walk the short distance to the DB Museum, also known as the German Railway Museum or DB Museum Nürnberg – the world’s oldest railway museum, with roots dating back to 1882. Nuremberg holds special significance as the starting point of Germany’s first railway line in 1835 (between Nuremberg and Fürth, powered by the steam locomotive Adler) and the museum covers over 200 years of German railway history, blending technical developments with social, political, economic, and cultural impacts.

As evening falls, we’ll walk to a local restaurant for dinner to enjoy our first taste of Nuremberg’s festive atmosphere.

Overnight: Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg or similar, Nuremberg (B,D)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll leave our bags for private transport to our Avalon Cruise ship and set off for a guided visit to the former Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Spread across a vast area in the south-east of the city, this monumental site stands as one of the most confronting physical legacies of the Nazi era, its architecture and scale revealing the regime’s determination to project power through spectacle and mass gathering. A guided visit provides important historical context, offering insight into the role Nuremberg played in the propaganda machinery of the Third Reich and the ways in which the city continues to confront its difficult past.

After some time at leisure for lunch, we’ll transfer to our ship and board the Avalon Panorama, your home until we reach Budapest. After time to settle in to your boutique-hotel-inspired suite featuring wall-to-wall windows that bring the outside-in, and a bed that faces out to the ever-changing views of the Danube, you’ll enjoy a welcome reception with the Cruise Director, an opportunity to be introduced to life on board as your Danube voyage begins.

The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax and become acquainted with the ship before dinner is served. 

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll set out on a guided tour of Nuremberg, a city whose old town remains one of the most evocative in Germany. Still enclosed by medieval walls and crowned by the Kaiserburg Castle, it speaks of the centuries when Nuremberg was an important imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire, before being regarded as a Renaissance cultural centre, and later gaining global attention for Nazi Party rallies and the post-WWII Nuremberg Trials.

With your guide providing context and history, you’ll admire the rich architectural legacy of its Gothic churches, handsome historic buildings and the celebrated Beautiful Fountain – its gilded details adding a note of splendour to the market square. 

It’s then time at leisure in the famous Christkindlesmarkt, a highlight of the city in December. Held in the Hauptmarkt beneath the Frauenkirche, this magnificent market dates back to at least the 17th century and is famed for its red-and-white striped wooden stalls, its long tradition, and its emphasis on classic festive wares rather than novelty gimmicks – from handmade ornaments and nutcrackers to the city’s celebrated gingerbread and other seasonal treats. 

Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to our ship and settle into your new daily ritual of afternoon cake and coffee on board, followed later by dinner as we slip away on the Danube to our next destination. There’s an opportunity to participate in a gingerbread cooking demonstration on board this afternoon before dinner if you’d like to learn how to replicate those you saw in the market!

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,L,D)

This morning upon waking you’ll find yourself in Regensburg – a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city with nearly 2,000 years of history. Featuring one of the best-preserved medieval old towns north of the Alps, and largely spared from WWII bombing, its compact, walkable centre blends Roman ruins, Gothic architecture, and tall patrician tower houses earning it the nickname “Manhattan of the Middle Ages”. 

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided walking tour through its narrow lanes and lively squares, immersing ourselves in a city of patrician houses, church spires and old stone towers, where layers of Roman, medieval and mercantile history remain vividly present. Highlights include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall); the Steinerne Brücke (Old Stone Bridge), a 12th-century engineering marvel spanning the Danube; Regensburger Dom (St. Peter’s Cathedral), a masterpiece of pure Gothic architecture with twin spires and stunning stained-glass windows; and Porta Pretoria – built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

You’ll then have time to wander the Regensburg’s Christmas Market, where stalls filled with seasonal decorations, warming treats and festive handicrafts add colour and cheer to the old town, making this a delightful opportunity to soak up the pleasures of a German Christmas market in a deeply historic setting. 

An additional optional activity available today at your own expense is a ferry boat cruise to visit Bavaria’s oldest monastery, 7th-century Weltenburg Abbey with its stunning setting in the Danube Gorge, splendid interior, and the oldest monastic brewery in the world! Pricing for this will be available a few months prior to departure.

Back on board, settle in to your now daily ritual of cake and coffee on board while enjoying a Christmas Traditions Lecture, Christmas carols with live entertainment, or just quietly watching the river scenery unfold as the ship departs for Passau, our stop tomorrow. 

Dinner is served on board this evening.

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided walking tour of Passau, often called the “City of Three Rivers,” due to its location at the dramatic confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This compact, picturesque town, that once prospered from salt trade along the rivers, boasts one of the most beautiful Baroque old towns in Germany, largely rebuilt after devastating 17th-century fires. There is a distinctive grace to Passau, with its Italianate character, riverside views and layered history creating a setting that feels both grand and intimate.

After our walking tour, there’ll be time to enjoy Passau’s Christmas Market, where the festive season brings added warmth and charm to the old town against a backdrop of church towers and historic squares. 

Return to the ship and settle in for your now familiar afternoon tea as your Danube voyage continues across the Austrian border to Melk. 

For those who may like to do something different today, two alternative full-day excursions are available at your own expense – a trip to Salzburg for an in-depth look at this city steeped in musical history; or feel like you’ve stepped right into the Middle Ages on an excursion to Ceský Krumlov, the “Pearl of the Bohemian Forest”. Pricing for this will be available a few months prior to departure.

Dinner is on board this evening. 

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll explore Melk Abbey, one of the great Baroque landmarks of Austria and a highlight of the Wachau Valley. Rising above the Danube in a commanding position, the abbey has been a centre of spiritual and cultural life for centuries, and its scale and splendour speak to the wealth and confidence of the Benedictine order. Inside, richly decorated halls, grand staircases and the magnificent church reveal the exuberance of the Baroque age, while the library stands as a reminder of the abbey’s long scholarly tradition. The setting itself is equally memorable, with broad views across the river and surrounding landscape adding to the sense of occasion.

After returning to the ship, we’ll continue cruising east towards Vienna, passing through some of the most scenic stretches of the Danube. This afternoon, enjoy an Austrian cookie tasting on board, a fitting touch as the voyage unfolds through one of the country’s most celebrated river landscapes as we float into Vienna, the former imperial capital, where grand boulevards, palaces and a rich musical inheritance create a setting of unmistakable elegance. 

After dinner on board, you may like to enjoy the optional activity of a Classical Concert, at your own cost – an evening of classical works by Mozart and Johann Strauss, performed brilliantly by professional Salon Orchestra Alt-Wien musicians in one of Europe’s prettiest venues. Pricing for this will be available a few months prior to departure.

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll discover Vienna on a guided tour through one of Europe’s great imperial capitals, including the Imperial Palace complex – the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For centuries the seat of Habsburg power, the city still bears the imprint of dynastic ambition in its grand architecture, ceremonial avenues and richly layered cultural life. Elegant squares, monumental buildings and imposing palaces speak of an empire that once stretched across much of Central Europe, while Vienna’s enduring reputation for music, art and refinement gives the city a character quite unlike any other on the Danube. 

We’ll then immerse ourselves in Vienna’s Christmas markets, set against a backdrop of illuminated facades and grand civic buildings. Return to the ship in the afternoon and settle in as your journey continues east towards Budapest. 

An additional activity offered today at your own expense is a comprehensive visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family. Pricing for this will be available a few months prior to departure.

Afternoon tea awaits as usual on our return to the ship. Dinner is onboard this evening.

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,L,D)

This morning offers a festive change of pace with a guided visit to a Christmas decorations manufacturer, providing an opportunity to look behind the scenes at one of the crafts most closely associated with the season. In a city where Christmas traditions are warmly observed, this visit offers insight into the artistry, care and workmanship behind the ornaments and decorations that lend such charm to Advent celebrations. It is a chance to see how colour, craftsmanship and seasonal symbolism come together in objects designed to bring warmth and delight to homes and festivities alike.

Budapest offers numerous opportunities to more deeply explore specific areas of interest and there are three additional optional excursions at your own expense to choose from today – experience some of Budapest’s most famous sights and most delectable foods on a unique guided foodie tour; or travel back to the Golden Age of Budapest’s Belle Époque on a captivating guided excursion featuring Andrássy Avenue where you’ll visit the crown jewel of Budapest – the incomparable Hungarian State Opera House; or travel into the beautiful Hungarian countryside for an enriching half-day discovery of the Etyek wine region, including two wine cellar visits with wine tasting. Pricing for these excursions will be available a few months prior to departure. 

Return to the ship later in the day and enjoy time at leisure on board as your stay in Budapest continues. With the Danube outside and the city’s winter atmosphere all around, there is time to savour the final stages of the cruise before our final dinner on board is served this evening.

Overnight: Avalon Panorama (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll say farewell to our home on the water, leave your luggage for separate transport to our hotel, and set out to explore the Hungarian capital on a morning tour. 

Budapest is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most stunning cities, often called the “Paris of the East.” Straddling the Danube River, it unites the hilly, historic Buda side (west) with the flatter, vibrant Pest side (east), blending grand Habsburg-era architecture, thermal baths, ruin bars, and rich history from Roman times through Ottoman rule, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the 20th century. Its UNESCO-listed Danube banks, Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue showcase an outstanding urban landscape.

Our day begins with a ride on Tram 2, one of Europe’s great urban tram journeys, travelling along the Danube embankment with splendid views across the river to the Buda Hills and the grand buildings of Pest. Continuing by funicular up to Buda Castle, we’ll arrive in time to watch the changing of the guard before a private tour through the Castle District. This area, high above the Danube, preserves some of the most evocative corners of old Buda, from the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion to the richly decorated Matthias Church, long associated with Hungarian coronations and royal ceremonies.

After lunch together in the Royal Guard and Riding Hall precinct, we’ll descend to our hotel and check-in for an afternoon at leisure. After sunset in the late afternoon, we’ll regroup and walk to St Stephen’s Basilica for a tour that includes the Treasury and the panoramic terrace where elevated views offer a memorable perspective over the city as night falls and festive lights begin to glow. 

The rest of the evening is ours to spend time browsing the Christmas markets of St Stephen’s Basilica Square and Vörösmarty Square, where seasonal stalls, warming food and the energy of Advent give the city a particularly lively charm. 

Overnight: Intercontinental Budapest or similar, Budapest (B, L)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll walk to the nearby tram stop and travel across the city to Budapest Keleti, the capital’s grand historic railway station, whose vast iron-and-glass train shed remains one of the most impressive monuments of the Austro-Hungarian railway age. From here, we’ll take an inter-regional train for a short journey through the surrounding countryside to Gödöllő Palace, one of Hungary’s most significant royal residences. We’ll enjoy a private tour of this elegant Baroque estate, best known as the beloved Hungarian retreat of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, or Sisi. Following the guided visit, there’ll be time to further explore the palace museum and enjoy lunch at leisure. 

Later, we’ll return by rail to Budapest for a few hours at leisure to continue exploring this magnificent city at your own pace, before gathering for a special farewell dinner, a fitting final gathering after a journey of festive markets, grand cities and winter travel along the Danube.

Overnight: Intercontinental Budapest or similar, Budapest (B,D)

Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. Transfers to the airport are included and will be scheduled to accommodate your flight booking. If you’d like to stay in Budapest for a little longer, please reach out to our office on 1300 800 977 so we can arrange your post-tour accommodation at our hotel. Additional nights are subject to hotel availability, so early requests are advised.

(B)