2021 Daily Itinerary for the Danube Christmas Markets Cruise (revised)
This is the day by day itinerary for our 2021 “Danube Christmas Markets” cruise and is in two parts.
1. The blue section immediately following details the optional pre-tour extensions in Budapest and optionally also Prague, prior to the main cruise portion.
2. The green section in the middle is the main cruise
The main page explaining the cruise and with the joining form is here.
Possibly Tuesday 7 December : Leave Home
If you’re flying from North America to Europe, you probably have an overnight flight.
So you’d start your journey today, in order to arrive into Prague, Vienna, or elsewhere in Europe tomorrow.
NOTE : Of course, you might choose to fly earlier or later. You can choose as much or as little of the pre-cruise optional extra time as you wish.
Let us know how you’d best like to enjoy some time in Europe before the actual cruise, and we’ll suggest what to do and when and how.
Possibly Wednesday 8 December : Arrive Prague or Vienna
Based on past tours, we’ve found most people like to have three nights in Prague. This suggested pre-tour itinerary works on that basis, but you can arrive later or earlier, of course.
If today is your arrival day, then depending on your flights, you’ll probably arrive somewhere between mid/late morning and mid/late afternoon. We can arrange an airport pickup with a private car and English speaking driver if you wish.
You’ll be spending your time in Prague in a lovely central city historic hotel, full of charm and character.
If Vienna is your destination, similar comments apply.
Thursday 9 December : City Tour
Whichever city you’re in, we’d recommend you treat yourself to a half-day city tour this morning.
The afternoon is free to stroll around, take in more of the ambience, the Christmas markets and ethnic delicacies of course, and perhaps even a touch of shopping.
Friday 10 December : Perhaps an out-of-town day tour
On one of the cruise days, you have a choice of three tours, two of which we have on our “must do” list – day excursions to either Český Krumlov or Salzburg.
So, our suggestion is, if you’re in Vienna, do a day tour to Salzburg today, and go to Český Krumlov for the ship tour; or if you’re in Prague, go to Český Krumlov today and do the Salzburg tour from the ship. That way you will get to see both lovely towns.
Of course, lots of other choices abound for how to spend your day today, both themed tours within the city, or tours out into the countryside. We can help you choose, of course.
Saturday 11 December :
Boarding the Ship in Vienna
If you have been in Prague, take the five hour train to Vienna mid-morning, to arrive mid-afternoon. If you’re already in Vienna, enjoy more time in Vienna and make your way to the ship in the mid-afternoon.
This is the end of the two suggested pre-cruise options. Please now scroll down to Saturday 11 December in the main cruise (green) section immediately below to continue the itinerary.
Friday 10 December (or earlier!) : Fly to Vienna
If you’ve decided to go straight to the cruise, then you’ll probably start your travels today with an overnight flight to Vienna, usually with a change of plane (or even two) en-route.
We do recommend you leave home a day or two earlier, to arrive at least one day early, giving you some “just in case” margin for unexpected delays and challenges.
Saturday 11 December : Board Amacerto in Vienna
All going well, today should see you in Vienna, and arriving on board the Amacerto some time mid/late afternoon.
This evening sees the Welcome Cocktail Reception, followed by the first of the seven lovely multi-course dinners we’ll be enjoying on board.
If you’re not jetlagged, you might think about visiting one of the markets after dinner (depending on when the dinner on board finishes)
Sunday 12 December : A Day in Vienna
This morning we enjoy a tour around the center of Vienna, and of course, a visit to one or two of Vienna’s many Christmas markets too. If you were with us in Budapest, you can decide which of the former twin capitals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is the more impressive. We like Budapest, but we love Vienna, which we feel has more style and grace, as befits the city that was the home of Johann Strauss, the “Waltz King”.
You then have the option of returning to the ship for lunch or staying in the city.
In the afternoon there’s an optional tour to Schonbrunn Palace, and in the evening there’s an optional visit to a concert in one of the many lovely palaces, where a small ensemble plays favorite Strauss waltzes and other light classical pieces.
Monday 13 December : Cruising via Durnstein and Melk
Today we have two stops during our cruising through the beautiful Wachau Valley of Austria.
The first stop is the small town of Durnstein, with the castle ruins above, being where King Richard the Lionheart of England was captured and held in 1193. Durnstein is a lovely little town and in one of Austria’s wine growing areas. You have a choice of three different tours while we’re in Melk, including a wine-tasting or going up to the castle ruins above the town.
In the early afternoon we continue on to Melk, renowned the world over for its stunning Abbey, the incredible library full of rare medieval manuscripts, and church with its extraordinary High Baroque style within. No wonder it has been given World Heritage status. Our visit to the Abbey will surely be one of your highlights of the cruise.
Tuesday 14 December : Linz and/or Elsewhere
We arrive into Linz about 8am this morning. After breakfast, you have several choices – do you want to spend a day in Linz, and possibly enjoy a side trip to beautiful Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic that afternoon, or do you want to do a day tour to Salzburg?
There’s no wrong answer, just a glorious range of right answers, indeed all three locations – Linz, Český Krumlov, and Salzburg are World Heritage designated.
We can help you weigh up the options and implications, and whichever you don’t see this year, well, come back next year!
As was the case in Vienna, we also stay until midnight in Linz, so if you wish to dine/drink off-ship this evening, you certainly can.
Wednesday 15 December : Passau
Passau is right on the border between Germany and Austria, and is where three rivers meet – the Inn, the Ilz, and, of course, the Danube. It dates back 2,000 years and is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture.
We have a generous six hours in Passau, and a choice of three tours in and around the city. There is also time for your individual walking around as you wish, and of course, for the Christmas markets.
Thursday 16 December : Regensburg
We arrive into the glorious city of Regensburg, a major town dating back to the 9th century, and with World Heritage status, early this morning.
After breakfast we have a chance to tour the town and visit the markets, including my favorite of all the markets in Europe, at the Turn und Taxis Palace.
Another option is to go for a bike ride to the curious Valhalla temple, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, and built by “Mad” King Ludwig (of Neuschwanstein Castle fame) between 1830-1842.
While you could lunch on the ship, maybe you could also eat instead (or, as well!) at the oldest continuously open restaurant in the world, the Sausage Kitchen, just a short walk from where the ship will be moored.
We leave Regensburg in the early afternoon, and soon afterwards also leave the Danube River, turning onto the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal that takes us up to Nuremberg.
Friday 17 December : Arriving into Nuremberg
We have a nice relaxing morning cruising along the Rhine-Main-Danube canal.
Early in the afternoon, Amacerto arrives into Nuremberg, and we’ll head into the city. You’ve a couple of different afternoon tour opportunities, including a “foodies” tour that includes a chance to sample some local specialties.
We are moored in Nuremberg overnight, so if you wished to dine ashore or sample shore-side entertainment this evening, you certainly could.
Saturday 18 December : Cruise ends in Nuremberg
Our lovely cruise ends this morning. Because the ship arrived yesterday afternoon, you can leave as early as you need to if you have an early flight, or alternatively, stay for one last lingering breakfast before going to your next destination.
Maybe you’re flying home today, or maybe you’re staying on. Two possible choices could be Berlin or Munich.
You could also have us arrange the Amawaterways extension on to Prague if you didn’t enjoy time in Prague before the cruise.
Indeed, please, let us help you, however/whatever you wish!
Please click here to return to the main page for more information about our 2021 Danube Christmas Markets Cruise, or click the golden up arrow on the right to jump to the top of this page.
