Day 1 - Monday, 12/2/2024 - European Christmas Markets
Enjoy this magical time of year as Europe’s countries hold steadfastly to Old World holiday tradition and transform into fairy-tale Christmas settings. The sights and sensations of the holiday season are everywhere: locals and guests savor the tastes of chocolate covered Lebkuchen (gingerbread), sizzling grilled sausages, and spiced hot “Gluehwein” (mulled wine).  Delight in the festively decorated markets and shopping for ornaments, crafts, candles, nutcrackers, winter hats, roasted nuts, and other traditional items.

To Germany
Transfer by Home Pick-up to your airport.  Depart today on your overnight flight for Frankfurt, Germany.

Day 2 - Tuesday, 12/3/2024 - Welcome to Frankfurt
Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Drink. Every year, the scent of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and grilled sausages fill the air during the holiday season. Visit Frankfurt’s Christmas Market, famous for a number of traditional Christmas delicacies.

Day 3 - Wednesday, 12/4/2024 - Rothenburg / Board Ship
Travel to Rothenburg via motorcoach for a Walking Tour of Germany’s best-preserved medieval town. Quaint buildings with their original half-timbered walls and town hall square are lined with festively decorated booths. Maybe visit Kathe Wohlfahrt, a famous Christmas shop brimming with gifts. Then, travel to Nuremberg and board the Amadeus Queen for a 6 night cruise. Enjoy your Welcome Dinner tonight.
- Breakfast - Dinner

Day 4 - Thursday, 12/5/2024 - Nuremberg / Christmas Markets
Experience the world’s best known Christmas Market visited by more than 2 million people every year. Located inside this medieval city’s walls on the Market Square around the St. Lorenz Church, the Christmas Market has survived in its original state with specialty stalls and booths. Of course the Nuremberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread), as well as the original Nuremberger Wuerstle (small grilled pork sausages), are known worldwide.
- Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 5 - Friday, 12/6/2024 - Regensburg / Christmas Markets
Situated in Eastern Bavaria, Regensburg is one of Germany’s oldest towns, founded by the Romans in 179 A.D. Enjoy a Regensburg Walking Tour through one of the most visited cities in Germany and its Medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and spend time at the colorful Christmas Market.
- Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 6 - Saturday, 12/7/2024 - Passau / Optional Salzburg
Visit Passau this morning, then leisurely cruise the Danube, or choose the full day optional to Salzburg. Travel to Salzburg for a Walking Tour and see Mozart’s Birthplace. Enjoy time to shop, visit a cafe, stroll the wonderful Getreidegasse and experience the famous Christmas Markets.  Later head to the picturesque village of Mondsee, another film location of The Sound of Music. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you return to the ship. - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 7 - Sunday, 12/8/2024 - Melk / To Vienna
Visit Melk Abbey, an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites, built between 1702 and 1736.  Continue by coach to the charming town of Dürnstein, one of the best-known wine villages in the Wachau. Later enjoy a mug of hot mulled wine. Cruise to Vienna and consider attending the optional Sound of Vienna concert. - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 8 - Monday, 12/9/2024 - Vienna
Enjoy an included Vienna City Tour.  See the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House and the majestic Ringstrasse. At the traditional Vienna Christmas Market, the Rathausplatz becomes a shining fairy-tale land with 150 stands offering Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, sweets, and warming drinks. You’ll have the option to visit to the Schoenbrunn Palace, dressed for the season. Enjoy your Gala Farewell Dinner onboard tonight. - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 9 - Tuesday, 12/10/2024 - Vienna / Fly Home
Transfer to the airport and fly home to the USA.

The Ship - Amadeus Cara
The innovative and custom designed 162 passenger Amadeus Cara, launched in 2022, offers all the amenities of a floating 5-star hotel.  This Premium cruise ship features the most modern furnishings that blend masterfully with the architecture of the ship and a luxurious design that is the hallmark of the Amadeus fleet. The extensive Restaurant and the Panorama Bar offer divine views of the passing riverscapes, and the glass-shielded River Terrace allows you to relax in the open air. The attentive English-speaking onboard service staff will see to your comfort with typical European hospitality.  The cabin design plans are forward-thinking, bright & modern, all part of a premium focus with 71 large Staterooms & 10 Suites. The beauty of river cruising is that the most interesting destinations come to you.  This Cara charter features English-only onboard commentary with inclusive shore excursions balanced with choice to simply relax onboard, get a spa treatment or add sightseeing with optional excursions.
 
Staterooms - 172 or 188 sq ft
Staterooms feature 2 twin beds that can be separated or put together, flat screen TV, private bath with shower, hair dryer, closet, phone, desk, chair, & safe. Mozart & Strauss Decks feature Drop Down Panoramic Window with 188 sq. ft. of floor space. Haydn Deck Staterooms have a fixed window with 172 sq ft floor space.

Suite - 284 sq ft with Balcony
Suites are on the Mozart Deck and have panoramic windows with exterior Walk Out Balcony, two twin beds that can be separated or put together, private sitting area, flat screen TV, mini-bar, private bath with shower, hair dryer, phone, closet, desk, chair, safe & offer 284 square feet of floor space. - Breakfast