Nov 28 — Dec 6, 2026
Christmas on the Danube
Sold out
About the tour
On a boat cruise along the Danube, explore charming Christmas markets and see Europe dressed in its holiday best. Discover Würzburg, a Bavarian city famous for its old town and Baroque architecture. Explore Nuremburg, home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in the world. Float through the Wachau Valley, dotted with castles and hillside houses. Visit the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Enjoy a Glühwein party – a German holiday gathering with mulled wine. Join a local expert and explore historic Vienna. Relax as you are transported to beloved riverside towns and delve into local holiday traditions.
Additional details
- Length of tour
- 9 days, 8 nights
- Included meals
- 19 meals — 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
- Activity level
- 2 — Moderate
Day by day
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Day 1 Saturday, November 28, 2026
Overnight Flight
Welcome the winter season with a timeless trip down the Danube River. Board your cruise and relax as you are transported along beloved cities, where age-old culture is interwoven into seasonal specialties. Peruse handcrafted trinkets, traditional sweets, and infectious holiday cheer as you make your way though some of Europe’s most renowned Christmas markets. Your holiday tour begins with an overnight flight to Germany.
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Day 2 Sunday, November 29, 2026
Würzburg, Germany
Würzburg, Germany 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.
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Day 3 Monday, November 30, 2026
Würzburg — Rothenburg — Nuremberg — Board Cruise Ship
Würzburg - Rothenburg - Nuremberg - Board Cruise Ship 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. (B, D)
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Day 4 Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Nuremberg
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-yearold 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. (B, L, D)
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Day 5 Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Regensburg
With an expert guide, discover Regensburg, one of Germany's bestpreserved 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. (B, L, D)
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Day 6 Thursday, December 3, 2026
Passau
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. (B, L, D)
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Day 7 Friday, December 4, 2026
Wachau Valley, Austria — Emmersdorf — Dürnstein — Vienna
Wachau Valley, Austria - Emmersdorf - Dürnstein - Vienna 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. (B, L, D)
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Day 8 Saturday, December 5, 2026
Vienna
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. (B, L, D)
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Day 9 Sunday, December 6, 2026
Vienna — Disembark Ship — Tour Ends
Disembark after breakfast and say goodbye to the iconic Danube.
Itinerary as published by Collette and subject to change. The brochure below is the authoritative version.
What it costs
Round-trip air from San Diego is included — along with air taxes, fees and transfers.
| Double | Single | |
|---|---|---|
| Lower outside cabin | $3,998 | $5,198 |
| Middle outside cabin | $4,798 | $6,498 |
| Upper outside cabin | $5,198 | $7,198 |
| Suite | $5,598 | $8,298 |
These were the published rates for this sailing. Per person; single accommodations are extremely limited and the single rate is subject to availability; triple and child accommodations are not available. Now that the tour is sold out, Steve will confirm current pricing with Collette for anyone coming off the waiting list.
Included in the price
- Round-trip air from San Diego International
- Air taxes, fees and surcharges
- Hotel and pier transfers
- 19 meals — 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
- Coffee and tea with every meal; wine, beer and soda with dinner on board
- Professional tour manager and local guides throughout
Not included
- Cancellation waiver and insurance — $699 per person
- Gratuities for your tour manager, driver and local guides
- Cabin steward gratuities
- Optional excursions listed below
Optional extras
- Palais Thurn & Taxis and its Christmas market — $80. Transportation included.
- Schönbrunn Palace & Christmas market — $90. Transportation included.
- Prague, 2 nights (after the tour) — $799 double, $999 single — land only. Runs only if at least 15 travelers book it.
Premium Economy $2,490; Business Class $4,490. Elite air pricing holds until eight months before departure, then moves to current rates.
This sailing is sold out and Collette’s final payment date has passed. The waiting list is real — cabins do come back. Call Steve on (619) 871-6725 and he will check with Collette on cost and availability before anyone registers.
Important tour dates
- Final payment
- July 31, 2026 — passed
- Departure
- November 28, 2026
- Return
- December 6, 2026
Before you book
Is this tour right for you?
Activity level 2 — Moderate. A level 2 suits a balanced approach to travel. Walking two to three miles over the course of a day is no problem for you, and you can handle cobblestone streets and moderate hills without assistance, climb two flights of stairs, and manage altitudes up to 6,000 feet. Expect full days balanced with free time.
River ships cannot accommodate wheelchairs or restricted mobility — gangway access, mooring arrangements and the lack of elevator access to every deck all make it impractical. Motorized scooters are not permitted. If you use a mobility assistance device you may need to sit out some included activities. The optional Mariahilf hilltop church hike involves more than 300 steps up and down.
Who you travel with
Steve and Therese lead this tour personally. It is operated by Collette under booking number 1408037, who handle the flights, hotels and ground arrangements and hold your deposit.
An average of 19 travelers, maximum 24.
Paying for it
You reserve with a deposit of $898 per person, non-refundable, and the balance is not due until the final payment date above. Once your deposit is in and Collette confirms the booking, your price is locked — it cannot rise except for government-imposed tax or fee increases.
Protecting your money
Collette’s cancellation waiver and insurance costs $699 per person and is not included in the tour price. It has to be bought with your first deposit — it cannot be added later. Without it you will pay change and cancellation penalties.
The waiver does not cover the single supplement you would be charged if the person you are rooming with cancels. That amount is deducted from their refund.
Tour brochure
Tour brochure
The full itinerary and inclusions, as a PDF.
This one is full
Christmas on the Danube has sold out. Get on the list and you will hear about the next departure before it is announced anywhere else — that is genuinely how most of these fill.