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Along the peaceful Danube, visit Christmas markets, enjoy Christmas Eve in charming Dürnstein, awaken Christmas morning in magical Vienna and make a Connections-exclusive stop at Bratislava’s “Blue Church."
Important Terms
- * This product is priced in USD (USD), AUD rates can fluctuate depending on exchange rates, final rates in AUD will be confirmed by your consultant at time of booking.
- Rates are in AUD/USD
- Prices are per person, based on twin share, inclusive of port charges, taxes, and all discounts unless otherwise stated.
Single occupancy and 3rd guest rates are available upon request. - Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes unless otherwise stated.
- Advertised price includes any bonus nights, special offers or discounts listed in the inclusions.
- Surcharges may apply due to demand, Christmas & New Year's Eve, school or public holidays, trade shows, special events & other unforeseen circumstances.
- Prices may be based on Dynamic Rates and as such, may fluctuate at anytime without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases, or at the property's discretion.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Munich, Germany
Arrive in Munich, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your A&K Tour Director for a welcome dinner.
Hotel Torbräu | Meals: D
Day 2: Munich / Christmas Craftwork
Tour Munich’s old town today and visit the Frauenkirche, Munich’s cathedral. Shop for traditional crafts in the Christmas market before transferring to your stylish riverboat, moored in Passau, for priority embarkation. A welcome cocktail is followed by dinner.
‘Amadeus Silver II’ | Meals: B D
Day 3: Salzburg & Linz / Into Austria
Perhaps embark on an optional walking tour of Passau before your excursion to enchanting Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and a setting for The Sound of Music. Stroll the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoy lunch and visit the Christmas market in Domplatz (Cathedral Square). Later, shop the holiday market in Linz.
‘Amadeus Silver II’ | Meals: B L D
Day 4: Melk/Durnstein / Charming Christmas Eve
Enjoy an excursion into the lovely Wachau Valley, including a guided visit of the Benedictine abbey of Melk and a tasting of glühwein in charming Dürnstein. A special holiday celebration aboard ship completes this festive day. Later, you may choose to attend mass in town.
‘Amadeus Silver II’ | Meals: B L D
Day 5: Vienna / Enchanted Christmas Morning
Awaken Christmas morning in enchanting Vienna. Drive along the Ringstrasse, lined with lavish mansions and public buildings decorated in Christmas finery. Pass the stunning State Opera, see the unique architecture of Hundertwasser House and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After lunch aboard ship, disembark to visit magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, seat of the Habsburg dynasty. After dinner, gather for a joyful Christmas concert aboard ship.
‘Amadeus Silver II’ | Meals: B L D
Day 6: Bratislava, Slovakia / Historic Old Town
Embark on a Connections-exclusive tour of Bratislava that includes the castle district and restored old town. Visit the captivating Church of St. Elisabeth (“Blue Church”), a fairy-tale landmark on a quiet street. Proceed to the Slovak National Museum Residency. Later, enjoy a private pre-dinner cocktail party in the ship’s Amadeus Club, hosted by your Resident Tour Director, prior to a gala dinner.
‘Amadeus Silver II’ | Meals: B L D
Day 7: Grein & Linz, Austria / Half-Timbered Houses
Moor in Grein for an optional guided city walk. Later, in Linz, consider an optional walking tour to view the town’s colorful, half-timbered houses.
‘Amadeus Silver II’ | Meals: B L D
Day 8: Munich, Germany / Bavarian Panorama
Disembark and drive to Munich, stopping en route to visit 800-year-old Landshut and the ruins of its ancient castle, towering over the Isar River. Later, in Munich, check in to your hotel and gather for a farewell dinner.
Hotel Torbräu | Meals: B L D
Day 9: Depart Munich
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Meals: B
Cruise Line
Abercrombie & Kent River Cruises
A&K has a fleet of 20 beautiful hotel barges at its disposal. If you are looking for a European holiday with a focus on fine food, good wines, beautiful landscapes and an exciting new destination each day without ever leaving home, then canal and river cruising is for you. It is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to discover rural Europe, without the crowds and in great comfort.
Vessels
The exclusive vessels that A&K recommend all have charming cabins with private facilities, central heating/air-conditioning and portholes/windows. All offer exceptional service with distinctive dining and include spacious lounges and sundecks, some with Jacuzzi.
Food & Wine
One of the major highlights of any European sojourn is the regional cuisine. On board, your chef is a master whose gastronomic creations guests often rate higher than those in top restaurants. The vessel’s pantry is supplemented with fresh produce bought from lockkeepers’ gardens or local markets. Before you wake each morning, a crew member has already been ashore to collect fresh breads, croissants and pastries while the coffee brews. Lunch will be a selection of salads, pâtés, quiches and cheeses, with a four or five-course dinner each night. Enjoy regional specialities and the finest wines handpicked from the cellar.
Daily Excursions
Excursions into nearby villages or the surrounding countryside are either a quick journey in the barge minibus or just a short walk from the mooring. Touring may include the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley, wine tasting in Burgundy, an ancient abbey in the south-west or a gothic church in Franche-Comté. All excursions are included but are entirely optional.
Special Interest Cruises
For those who prefer a holiday with a specific focus, there are select itineraries which have been designed to cater to unique interests. These may be for golf or garden lovers, opera-goers, wine connoisseurs, antique collectors or families travelling with children. Most are available to whole boat charters only.
