Avalon Waterways, Christmastime from Vienna to Frankfurt, December 5, 2023

Cruising from: Vienna, Austria;

Departure Date: 5 December, 2023;

Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways;

Cruise Ship: Impression;

Duration: 12 days;

Ports of Call: Vienna, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Main River, Frankfurt;

Day 0 Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the federal capital, largest city and one of nine states of Austria. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psychoanalyst - Sigmund Freud. Vienna is Austria's main centre of education and home to many universities, professional colleges and high schools.

Day 1 Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the federal capital, largest city and one of nine states of Austria. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psychoanalyst - Sigmund Freud. Vienna is Austria's main centre of education and home to many universities, professional colleges and high schools.

Day 2 Melk, Austria

Melk, located on the banks of the River Danube, is a picturesque city with a rich history in lower Austria's Wachau valley. Melk is best known for its massive Benedictine Abbey, one of the most splendid monastic houses in Austria. The countryside surrounding Melk also has several attractions for tourists. The Donauradweg cycling path is one of the loveliest bicycle routes in all Europe, connecting riverside towns and scenic natural areas. Several castles are within a few kilometers, including the 900-year-old Renaissance Schloss Schallaburg, Schloss Schonbuhel, and Aggstein Castle, in romantic ruins.

Day 3 Passau, Germany

Passau in the southeast of Germany is located at the Austrian border. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau is worldwide known as "The Three Rivers City". In the heart of Passau on the Old Town's highest point rises St. Stephen's Cathedral, in which the world's largest cathedral organ sounds. The majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus on the Danube's side and the Pilgrimage Church "Mariahilf" on the Inn's side give the city outstanding beauty.

Day 4 Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg is a city in south-east Germany, at the confluence of Danube, Naab and Regen rivers. Long an important trade and cultural center, Regensburg's medieval Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of lovely churches and fine old aristocratic houses from the 13th and 14th centuries.Located near the Stone Bridge in Old Town lies the Domplatz, the Cathedral Square, for centuries the hub of the city.

Day 5 Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria and the unofficial capital of Franconia. Beautiful German, medieval Old Town is home to a 1000 year-old castle. The Imperial Castle in Nuremberg was one of the most important fortified imperial palaces of the old Holy Roman Empire., Nuremberg is also famous for its bratwurst and Franconian beer.

Day 6 Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria and the unofficial capital of Franconia. Beautiful German, medieval Old Town is home to a 1000 year-old castle. The Imperial Castle in Nuremberg was one of the most important fortified imperial palaces of the old Holy Roman Empire., Nuremberg is also famous for its bratwurst and Franconian beer.

Day 7 Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria and the unofficial capital of Franconia. Beautiful German, medieval Old Town is home to a 1000 year-old castle. The Imperial Castle in Nuremberg was one of the most important fortified imperial palaces of the old Holy Roman Empire., Nuremberg is also famous for its bratwurst and Franconian beer.

Day 8 Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a German medieval town in Upper Franconia, Bavaria. The town consistently charms tourists with its beautiful architecture, abundant culture, beauty spots and lively gardens. Some of the main sights are: Cathedral, Altenburg, and The Neue Residenz and its Rosengarten with over 4500 roses. Bamberg is known for its smoked Rauchbier and is home to nine breweries.

Day 9 Wurzburg, Germany

Wurzburg, a city in the region of Franconia, is located on the Main River. The city itself is set in a beautiful hilly location on a river and possesses a wealth of history. One of the city's most important sites is the Fortress Marienberg, a castle on a hill across the Old Main Bridge, that overlooks the whole town area as well as the surrounding countryside. Another significant point-of-interest is the Wurzburg Residenz, a vast compound on the eastern edge of the town. Wurzburg is also smack in the middle of one of Germany's biggest wine-producing areas and has superb connections to other parts of the country.

Day 10 Main River, Germany

The Main river cruises provide travellers with the opportunity to cruise along the serene waters of the Main, through the heart of Germany. The Main river is considered the most significant right tributary of the Rhine and bridges western and eastern Europe together by connecting to the Danube via the Main-Danube canal. Cruising the Main is a nice way to take in the beauty of Germany's rolling countryside, forests, and vineyards, and charming architecture.

Day 11 Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt is a metropolis and the fifth-largest city of Germany. Frankfurt has also long been an important center for cultural and tourism activities. Its huge trade fair complex, Messe Frankfurt, hosts important events such as the Frankfurt Book Fair (the world's most important publishing event). Frankfurt is an unexpectedly traditional and charming city, with half-timbered buildings in medieval Altstadt (old town), cosy apple-wine taverns serving hearty regional food, neighbourhoods filled with outdoor cafes, boutiques and street art, and beautiful parks, gardens and riverside paths.