Walnut Grove Cruise & Travel presents… 
Christmas on the Danube 
featuring a 6-Night Danube River Cruise 

Departing December 2–10, 2023 

Highlights... 
Würzburg ● Rothenburg ● Nuremberg ● 6-Night Danube River Cruise ● Regensburg ● Passau ● Wachau Valley ● Glühwein Party ● Vienna ● Hofburg Palace ● Vienna Opera House ● Christmas Markets

A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlesmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, Austria, and Alsace. The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe. The Nuremberg Christmas market, first held in 1628, is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. It attracts 2 million visitors annually and has over 250 wooden stalls offering traditional ornaments, gifts, handicrafts, and fresh food. Generally held in the town square and adjacent pedestrian zones, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing, the market sells local food, drink, and seasonal items from open-air stalls. 

9 Days ● 19 Meals: 7 Breakfasts ● 5 Lunches ● 7 Dinners 

Lower Outside Cabin Rates: Double $4,818 

Middle Outside Cabin Rates: Double $5,298
Upper Outside Cabin Rates: Double $5,848 

Suite Cabin Rates: Double $6,873

Included in Price: Round Trip Air from Vancouver Intl Airport, Air Taxes, and Fees/Surcharges of $190 per person (subject to increase until paid in full), Hotel Transfers
Not included in price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $649 per person
* All Rates are Per Person and are subject to change
Limited Availability. All space is on a first come first serve basis.
Limited space in each cabin category, all cabins and singles are on a first come first serve basis.

Day 1: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 through some of Europe’s most renowned Christmas markets. Your holiday tour begins with an overnight flight to Germany.

Day 2:Würzburg, Germany - Tour Begins
Start in a historic Bavarian town along the banks of the Main River. Enjoy time to unwind and soak in the charms of Franconia. Meet your fellow travellers at tonight’s welcome dinner and toast to your upcoming adventure. Today dinner will be included.

Day 3:Würzburg - Rothenburg - Nuremberg - Board Cruise Ship
Join a local guide on a leisurely paced walking tour of Würzburg, an ancient wine town. Your journey takes you to Rothenburg, a town of Medieval walls, fairytale houses, and Christmas markets. Continue on to Nuremberg to board your ship. Your home for the next six nights, this vessel has modern amenities such as the newest technology, panoramic deck café, panorama salon and bar, exceptional service, and delicious cuisine and wine with every dinner. This evening, enjoy a special dinner onboard. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 4:Nuremberg
Stroll through historic Nuremberg with an expert guide and see Old Town, the 900-year-old ramparts, and the Imperial Castle. Your city tour concludes at Nuremberg’s 17th-century Christmas market, which is Germany’s oldest. Wander along the local goods and perhaps you’ll shop for handcrafted nutcrackers or treat your taste buds to Nuremberg’s famous Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Cruise across the continental divide and through the Main Danube Canal to Regensburg. Today breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included.

Day 5:Regensburg
With an expert guide, discover Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved 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. Today breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included.

Day 6: 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- spend time at one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Europe, the Veste Oberhaus, perched high above the old town of Passau. Never conquered and never completely destroyed, the view of the city from above is breathtaking. Today breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included.

Day 7:Wachau Valley, Austria - Emmersdorf - Dürnstein -Vienna
Cruise to the quaint town of Emmersdorf. Relax and take in the scenery before visiting Dürnstein and the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey. Take a sip of local traditions at a Glühwein Party and then continue 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. Today breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included.

Day 8:Vienna
Join a local expert and explore Vienna's architecture, including Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse, and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral. The afternoon is yours. 
Perhaps you’ll join an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs’ summer retreat. Celebrate the end of your trip at the Captain's Gala Dinner, followed by a special Christmas concert performed by the ship’s orchestra. Today breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included.

Day 9:Vienna - Disembark Ship - Tour Ends
Disembark after breakfast and say goodbye to the iconic Danube. Today breakfast will be included.

 

Please Note:
A deposit of $898 per person is due upon reservation. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Final payment is due by August 04, 2023.
Deposits are refundable up until April 03, 2023.
Economy air rates schedules and schedules are applicable for groups of 10 or more travelling on the same flights and dates.
Smart casual wear is recommended throughout the trip. For the welcome and farewell dinners, a dinner dress for the ladies and a jacket and tie for the gentlemen is recommended.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended throughout the tour.
Gratuities for cabin stewards, bus boys, and waiters on board the ship are not included.
Single accommodations are extremely limited. Triple and child accommodations are not available.
Ports of call are subject to change based on pier availability and weather conditions.
Coffee or tea is included in all meals. Wine, beer, and soda are included with each dinner onboard the ship.
To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you with ,,the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at prescheduled times.
Cabins are available on lower (Hadyn), middle (Strauss) and upper (Mozart) decks. Please note that river cruises are smaller ships and only have a finite number of each cabin category available. Specific categories are available on a first-comethe  first served basis. Every effort will be made to accommodate your cabin choice at time of booking; however, if that cabin category is no longer available, the closest available category will be offered. Please enquire at time of booking for any upgrade fees which will apply for different cabin categories. Suites the,(Amadeus Suites) are available on a very limited basis.
This itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen changes in water levels, delays at the locks and other circumstances that may arise along the waterways. These changes may include items being missed during the tour; however, every effort will be made to substitute another attraction, if possible.
Air passengers will arrive into Frankfurt, Germany airport and depart from Vienna, Austria airport. All transfers will depart from/return to these airports.
Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline's terms and conditions.
The cruise line reserves the right to charge a supplemental fuel charge. Should this charge be incurred, you will be notified in advance.
An early morning departure from the cruise ship may be required due to air schedules to some U.S. and Canadian cities.
Embarkation on day 3 is after 4:00 p.m.; on day 9, disembarkation is normally at 9:00 a.m.
PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Documentation is required by foreign governments for all trips outside Canada. You should visit Global Affairs Canada at https://travel.gc.ca/ for general information about passports and visa requirements. Some countries require a visa in addition to a valid passport for entry, so it is important that you check with the appropriate foreign consulate or embassy for specific entry requirements and details you need to know regarding how and when to obtain the visa. Please remember the possession of valid passports and necessary visas are the responsibility of each client/passenger. If you would like assistance in ensuring you have the proper visa(s) for your trip outside of Canada, we would be happy to refer you to a company that can assist you.
We strongly recommend that you have a valid passport (with seven-month validity) for all travel outside Canada.
Please be advised transit visas may be required if connecting through a country on route to your final destination.
INSURANCE
When travelling outside Canada, health insurance is required. Contact your booking agent for more details.
TRAVEL CONDITIONS
There may be different living standards and practices and different standards and conditions with respect to the provision of services and accommodations outside of Canada.
Effective for travel after November 2023, all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Europe will be expected to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization, for a fee, when visiting a Schengen Area Country. To identify Schengen Area Countries and to complete the ETIAS application, please visit https://www.etiasvisa.com/
The overall activity level of this tour is level 2. This means you like a balanced approach to travel. You feel confident walking at least 30-45 minutes at a time over a variety of terrains – from cobblestone streets to easy pathways; a couple of hills or a few flights of stairs. You’re comfortable walking a few city blocks at a time but need some time to unwind and relax.
BC Reg. #23337; Travel Industry Council of Ontario Reg. # 3206405