Signature Christmas Markets River Cruise 2024

Immerse yourself in the festive ambiance as you cruise along the legendary Danube, from Prague to Vienna, on an enchanting holiday voyage with the Women’s Travel Club. Experience guided sightseeing in each city and savor the enchanting atmosphere of centuries-old Christmas markets in Vienna, Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Prague. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in the flavors of Glühwein, Lebkuchen, and other traditional holiday delights! Highlights of the journey include a guided exploration of the breathtaking Benedictine Abbey in Melk, a delightful wine tasting, a fun-filled beer tasting, and a visit to the magnificent grounds of Hradcany Castle in Prague. Embark on this fantastic journey to kick off your holiday season in style!

 

INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

  • 6 Nights Elegant River Cruise Accommodations
  • 2 Nights superior hotel Accommodations
  • Included excursions with Certified Local Guides.
  • Guided Prague tour
  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Beer tasting
  • Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
  • Cookie tasting
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
  • 24-hour self-serve beverage station.
  • Premium coffees, cappuccinos & lattes.
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
  • All meals
  • Complimentary bottled water daily.
  • Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
  • Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions and dinners with sparkling wine and canapés
  • Shipboard gratuity if group minimum is met.
  • Women’s Travel Club Tour Host

ITINERARY

  • Day 1 – Welcome to Prague!

    Welcome to the Golden City of Prague. Explore the City of 100 Spires Enjoy free time to explore Prague and its surrounding countryside. Sample delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager beside the Vltava River. Arrive anytime today and settle into the hotel. We will meet tonight for a quick welcome meeting and to get acquainted.
    Accommodations: Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague (or similar)

  • Day 2 – Prague

    Take a guided city walk to see the grounds of Hradčany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Spend the afternoon on your own to browse the exquisite Christmas markets in Prague. Stroll through the brightly colored wooden stalls for ornaments, handmade toys, and handicrafts.
    Accommodations: Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague (or similar)

  • Day 3 – Nuremberg Embarkation

    The perfect Christmas wish comes true Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul before your transfer to Nuremberg and board your Avalon ship.
    Accommodations: Avalon Passion or Envision (2025)

  • Day 4 – Nuremberg Christmas Markets

    Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it has been restored to its former glory as the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Choose a guided sightseeing tour and marvel at this thousand-year-old city’s medieval fortifications, gothic churches, and the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), or join a Nuremburg Ralley Fairgrounds tour.
    Spend your free time at Christmas Markets of Nuremburg. The Old Town is illuminated with festive lights and decorations, and the Christmas market is one of the most famous in the world. The market has dozens of stalls offering traditional wares, including Lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread), baked goods, and typical Christmas decorations and ornaments. After your free time at the Christmas market, a shuttle bus service will be at your disposal to take you back to the ship.
    Accommodations: Avalon Passion or Envision (2025)

  • Day 5 – Regensburg Christmas Markets

    This morning, during a relaxing morning of sailing, enjoy an on-board lecture about Christmas traditions. After lunch, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during WWII, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of “historic interest.” Highlights included on your guided sightseeing tour are the 13th-century Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Wander through the city’s alleys to discover the many mansions with high towers, built by wealthy families in the Middle Ages to emphasize their status.

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  • Day 6 – Passau

    Uniquely located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge, Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses. The Christkindlmarkt, Passau’s charming Christmas market, is set against the stunning backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture. Take in the highlights of the “City of Three Rivers” on an included guided walk. Alternatively, you might like to join a full-day optional excursion to Salzburg to see some of the sites from The Sound of Music, find out how mice caused the composition of the famous Silent Night Christmas carol, and learn how the Austrians celebrate Christmas.

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  • Day 7 – Melk

    This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Melk’s 11th-century Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. Words cannot describe the splendor of the frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola. During lunchtime, cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, the landmark of Dürnstein.

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  • Day 8 – Vienna Christmas Market

    Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boy’s Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House; the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral; and countless other sights you’ll see on your guided sightseeing tour. Alternatively, we will offer you a special culinary tour at the Viennese Christmas markets, where you can taste all the best flavors that Austria offers during this time of year

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  • Day 9 – Depart Vienna

    Time to say good-bye to this beautiful destination and wonderful new friends. You will be transferred to the airport after breakfast.
    Accommodations: Avalon Passion or Envision (2025)

Show full itinerary

**Prices are subject to change and availability. Space is limited and activities and specific hotels are subject to change. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. In the event of water level problems or maintenance on the locks on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motor coach. Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

DETAILS & PRICING

Rates

Category A – Panorama Suite – Open Air Balcony – 2 spots left

Double Occupancy – $5,554 CAD per person (sharing a cabin) 
Single Occupancy – $8,870 CAD per person (your own room)

Category E – Deluxe Suite – 1 spot left

Double Occupancy – $4,269 CAD per person (sharing a cabin) 
Single Occupancy – $6,878 CAD per person (your own room)

Category P – Panorama Suite – On Request

(Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards accepted.)

If you would like the double occupancy rate but don’t have a roommate, we will match you with a suitable roommate. The single occupancy rate will give you your own room. Single occupancy may be limited. CAD = Canadian dollars. USD = United States of America dollars. Conversion to USD is approximated by current exchange rates and subject to change. You will be charged in CAD and your bank may charge a slightly different rate or fee.

Full payment due at time of booking.

*Any payments are non-refundable if you cancel after their due date. We strongly recommend travel insurance. Please see full terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change and based on availability.

Activity Level

Low-moderate activity
This is a fairly relaxed tour. Some walking while visiting areas and a few shorter walking tours.

Group Size

Minimum: 10 members
Maximum: 18 members

Exclusions

  • International Airfare
  • Visa/passport handling fees
  • Meals not listed in itinerary
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Gratuity if minimum travelers not met
  • Optional Activities
  • Expenses of a Personal Nature
  • Early check-in and late check-out of hotel
  • Airport transfers

Tour Host

Women’s Travel Club tours are hosted tours. Your tour host is in addition to local tour guides. Your Women’s Travel Club tour host is your tour concierge and she is there to make sure every part of the tour runs smoothly. Our trained hosts are seasoned travelers who are with you every step of your tour so that you only have to worry about enjoying yourself and having fun.
The Women’s Travel Club Tour Host for this tour is Irene Murray.

Roommate Matching Policy

Roommate matching is done as a courtesy and while most matches result in wonderful friendships, success is not guaranteed. If, during the tour, you decide you would no longer like to share a room with your roommate, you will need to request (and pay for) a single room at all accommodations. This can be shared between the two people in the room if it is a mutual decision. If you are a very light sleeper or snore, you may want to consider getting your own single room.

Flight Information

The Women’s Travel Club recommends booking flexible/refundable air tickets when possible.

Arrive to Prague – Václav Havel Airport Prague – PRG at any time on or before first day of tour.
Depart from Vienna – Vienna International Airport – VIE – anytime after 6 AM on the last day of the tour.

If you would like assistance booking international flights for your tour, please use the form below. The Women’s Travel Club Flight Desk will work with you to arrange the best options.
Our Flight management fee is CAD 100.00 + HST, per tour.

FLIGHT QUOTE

Travel Insurance:

Out-of-country medical insurance is required. We strongly recommend that you obtain cancellation and interruption insurance to protect your investment.
Use this link to request an insurance quote.

INSURANCE QUOTE

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Avalon Passion

Yet another beautiful Suite Ship graces the rivers of Europe in 2016. The Avalon Passion welcomes passengers to their home-away-from-home with two full decks of Panorama Suites, featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform into a unique Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than industry standard and ideal for stretching out and relaxing-or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. On board, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi access, complimentary computer use in public areas, a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, a hair salon, elevator, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare.

Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague

Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Prague. The hotel is ideally located on a quiet street of the Prague Old Town, only a few steps from all important shopping and sightseeing attractions.

** Occasionally, due to situations beyond our control, specific hotels may change. Any accommodation changes will be to a similar hotel.

FAQ's

Through our own clients and networking clubs we have realized a general desire for women to travel but they don’t always have a companion. We developed the Women’s Travel Club for these women to have a fun and safe group to travel with. We offer a wide range of destinations, so that there is something for everyone.

We have women of all ages, with the average being 45 to 65 years. However, we do have regular travelers anywhere from 30 years to over 80 years of age.

We do not include international flights in the price of our tours. Not including the cost of international flights in the cost of the tour allows members the flexibility to get the flight schedule, price and class of service that best suits them. The Women's Travel Club flight desk will be happy to help arrange your international flights.

Yes, we always negotiate the best possible single supplement rate for our trips. Single spots fill quickly and may be limited so we suggest you book early for a single spot.

Yes, each of our booking forms has an area for you to request to be matched with a roommate. We get some general information that will help us match you with a great new friend.

These countries are in the Schengen area. Canadian and US citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area for up to 90 days. However, travel requirements may change at any time. Please visit your governments travel recommendations page. Canada - Canada Travel Recommendations & Information USA - USA Travel Recommendations & Information

Weather will be cool. Temperatures will average between 5 C (41 F) and -2 C (28 F)

Signature Christmas Markets River Cruise 2024

Dec 07 - Dec 15 2024

Tour Level: Signature Tours,
Tour Type: Cruises,
Activities:

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