Magic of Advent on the Danube

While it may take days or weeks to fully discover Vienna, this tour will give you an overall impression of the most important sights Vienna has to offer. First, you will drive along the famous Ringstrasse, passing several magnificent buildings like the stunning opera house, the parliament, the Court Theatre and Vienna’s imposing city hall.

The panoramic drive is followed by a guided walk through the city center where you will get to know Vienna at its fullest. Begin at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace, walk along the Kohl market and finish at Vienna’s iconic St. Stephen’s cathedral. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time to stroll along the pedestrian area.

Travel by coach to one of the most beautiful sights of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace. As one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Austria, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens were declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The reign of Maria Theresia signified the most splendid era for Schönbrunn. The castle and park were the center of court and political life. Under the personal guidance of the Empress, it was remodelled and expanded to become a royal residence; a complex with a total of 1,441 rooms and halls was created. Visit many of the ceremonial rooms and then have the opportunity to walk around the beautifully designed gardens of the palace.

Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to marvel at the variety of products and traditional Austrian handicrafts in the unique ambience of the Christmas market in front of the palace.

The art history Museum in Vienna, which was officially opened by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1891, is one of the largest and most important art history museums in the world. The museum, located in the museum quarter on the Ringstrasse, contains pieces from the great collectors of the  House of Habsburgs from the 16^th and 17^th centuries. The museum contains the world's largest Bruegel collection, numerous major works including Raphael's "Madonna in the Green", Vermeer's "Painting", the Infanta paintings by Velazquez as well as masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto. Along with beautiful masterpieces, the museum’s collections also include the Egyptian and Near Oriental collection with over 17,000 pieces dating back almost 4,000 year and a section of Roman and Greek antiquities among others. Immerse yourself on a journey of exploration and discovery during the visit to this world-class museum.

In the very place where Johann Strauss himself once directed his orchestra from his position as first violin, the true essence of Vienna’s classical music can once again be heard daily. The “Salonorchester Alt Wien”, one of the best-known interpreters of classical Viennese music, presents an evening full of Viennese charm with the lilting sound of waltzes, polkas, arias and duets, as well as operetta and piano concert melodies. Accompanied by excellent opera singers and enchanting ballet soloists, Vienna’s classical music reveals itself as a living firework display for the senses.

Melk Abbey is an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736 and is the biggest monastery complex of the Austrian baroque period. The abbey’s church, with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger are particularly noteworthy.

A guided tour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, through the marble hall, the balconies and the library.

Dürnstein is one of the most beautifully situated towns in the Wachau River Valley, nestled along the side of the Danube River amongst the many terraced vineyards.  

Your walking tour offers views of breathtaking scenery, traditional architecture and historic sights. Explore the picturesque old town, the city walls, the Prager Platz with a beautiful view of the castle ruins high above, where King Richard I was held captive by Leopold V, Duke of Austria after a dispute during the Third Crusade. Walk along the Clarissan Monastery to the Baroque Canons' Abbey, which was founded in 1410 and rebuilt in the baroque style in 1710. Enter through the monastery portal and discover the beautiful baroque courtyard as you explore the abbey. A highlight is the breathtaking view from the Danube terrace underneath the iconic blue tower visible from the Danube.

Join us on a gorgeous walk through the old city of Passau. The baroque city on three rivers has long been a magnet for traders and travellers.  Our “Little Venice” will astonish you from your first moments in its winding streets. In the heart of the Old Town lies our most known site – St Stephen’s Cathedral, often known as a baroque cathedral with a gothic soul. The impressive pipe organ helps make St Stephen’s a true highlight of our three river city. High above the Old Town sits one of the largest fortress complexes in all Europe – the Veste Oberhaus which can be discovered on your own at the end of the walking tour. Accessible via the exterior walls, never conquered, never completely destroyed; the Veste Oberhaus is a prime example of long term historical construction.

(Please note: Visit to the cathedral is subject to opening hours, availability and Holy Masses or similar).

Regensburg is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany and its historic buildings are very impressive. Among these architectural treasures are churches, monasteries, the town hall and one of Europe’s oldest bridges that has spanned the Danube since the 12th century. During this walk you will feel the former power and wealth of this city, which once controlled the trade route to the Orient.

During a short visit to the Regensburg Cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, you can admire this masterpiece of Gothic architecture in southern Germany (Visits depend on the opening hours of the Cathedral and/or if a mass is celebrated, etc.).

Explore the beautiful historic Thurn & Taxis Palace in Regensburg. The Palace has roots in German nobility was built in the 18th century. During the guided tour, view the beautiful marble staircase in the south wing of the palace, which leads to the magnificent rooms of the princely residence. The entire neo-Renaissance style interior is modeled after Roman antiquity. 

Afterwards, visit the traditional brewery at the castle, for a short guided tour followed by a beer sampling and typical Bavarian pretzel.

Weltenburg Monastery is a Benedictine abbey in Lower Bavaria, which is located on the banks in the Danube loop at the mouth of the romantic Danube Gorge. The monastery was founded in the year 600 by missionary monks and is the oldest monastic settlement in Bavaria. The beautiful baroque abbey church was built and embellished by the Asam brothers, between 1716 and 1739.  During the visit, immerse yourself in the history of the monastery and learn more about the way of life of the monks, the Benedictine life and the construction of the monastery in this magical setting.

The city tour leads you to the major sites and highlights of the city, from its medieval beginnings to the present. The historic town of Nuremberg, once a free imperial city, is the second largest city in Bavaria and the capital of Franconia. During the reconstruction work following the devastation of the Second World War, the style of the old town was maintained. Ringed walls, towers and the castle provide a vivid image of the town as it may have looked during medieval times.After passing the Palace of Justice, the venue of the Nuremberg trials, the coach will take you to the old town at the heart of Nuremberg. The walk through the narrow medieval alleyways starts at the foot of the castle. The final stop of this tour is the main market, where you can stroll through the shops, or enjoy coffee before the coach takes you back to the ship.

Before returning to the ship, enjoy a stroll through one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world. Here Christmas is at home, with original gingerbread and mulled wine.

No trip to Nuremberg is complete without tasting the world famous 'lebkuchen' or gingerbread. Lebkuchen was invented by monks in the 13th century in Franconia, Germany and recorded as early as 1395 in Nuremberg. Today, Nuremberg is the most famous exporter of the product know as Nuremberg Lebkuchen - gingerbread decorated with almonds. During this excursion, visit the Nuremberg Gingerbread and Pastry Specialties shop - Schmidt. Over coffee and samples fresh from the oven, a short film will introduce you to the realm of the sweet delicacy made of honey and spices.