Christmas Markets Cruise - Half Price
15 night European Christmas Markets Cruise - Amsterdam to Budapest
Departs November 22 2009
A truly grand cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest on APT AMAWATERWAYS through the heart of Europe and across the Continental Divide. Experience five countries and three rivers during your 15 days of cruising onboard your luxury river ship. Visit some of Europe’s finest cultural cities including Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Passau, watching colourful landscapes unfold before your eyes.
Brochure Fares from £1995 per person
Our 2-for-1 prices from just £998 per person based on two sharing.
CRUISING HIGHLIGHTS
- Cruise through the lush wine-producing region of the Wachau Valley
- Absorb the gorgeous riverside scenery along the majestic Danube River, finishing in Budapest, Hungary
- Cross Europe’s Continental Divide
- Traverse the engineering marvel that is the Main-Danube Canal, with its fascinating stair-step locks
- Glide through the picturesque valleys of the meandering Main River
- See legendary Lorelei Rock
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge, known to many as the Rhine’s most beautiful stretch
- Cruise past castles, quaint villages and fertile fields along the River Rhine
- Discover regional folklore and traditions through a range of entertaining evening performances on board
APT EXCLUSIVE SAILINGS - FULL ITINERARY
ARRIVE AND EMBARK CRUISE IN AMSTERDAM
Day 1. Amsterdam, Embark Ship
Arrive in Amsterdam and transfer to your river ship.
Day 2. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Take a canal cruise or visit the famed Van Gogh Museum. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.
Day 3. Cologne - Koblenz
Tour Cologne then continue to Koblenz. After dinner, take a walk to see the city’s glittering Christmas lights.
Day 4. Koblenz - Rüdesheim
Today arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum for a tour.
Day 5. Wertheim, Miltenberg
Arrive in Wertheim, then travel to Miltenberg for a tour and perhaps a visit to the Miltenberg Christmas Market. Return by coach to Wertheim, enjoy free time then re-board the ship.
Day 6. Würzburg
In Würzburg, take a tour. Later, travel by coach to Rothenburg, where one of Germany’s most celebrated Christmas markets, the Reiterlesmarkt, is held.
Day 7. Bamberg
After a tour of Bamberg, visit a Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew. Or follow the ‘Route of Nativity Scenes’ a trail linking churches, museums and places of interest with special Christmas cribs.
Day 8. Nuremberg - Continental Divide, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Nuremberg, choose from a medieval tour or a World War II tour. Then, during free time, discover the world’s largest Christmas market with more than 150 booths offering a range of toys, arts and crafts, ornaments, gingerbread and more. As you wander, get into the Christmas spirit and sample local treats such as Nuremberg roast sausages and mugs of mulled wine.
Day 9. Regensburg
Today tour Regensburg, then perhaps visit the Old Kornmarkt Christmas Market and shop at festive stalls adorned with fir branches. Or visit the ‘royal’ Christmas Markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, a handicraft market, where you can watch craftsmen make goods.
Day 10. Passau - Linz, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, travel to Salzburg and visit the Christmas Markets. You may prefer to tour Passau then cruise to Linz or take an excursion to Cesky Krumlov.
Day 11. Melk - Dürnstein - Weissenkirchen
Take a tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, then cruise to Dürnstein for a tour. Cruise back to Weissenkirchen. Sample Wachau Valley wines.
Day 12. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, take a city tour or visit Schönbrunn Palace. With the rest of the day free, perhaps visit Vienna’s Christmas Market.
Day 13. Vienna - Bratislava, Freedom of Choice Touring
On arrival in Bratislava, visit Bratislava Castle, then take a medieval tour or visit landmarks of the city’s Communist past. Later, during free time, perhaps head for the Christmas Market in the Main Square.
Day 14. APT EXCLUSIVE! Budapest, Hungarian State Opera House Performance
Tour Budapest this morning, then visit the Hungarian State Opera House, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour, a private opera recital of two or three ariettas and a glass of champagne.
Day 15. Budapest, Disembark Ship
Enjoy breakfast then disembark the ship.
APT’s EXCLUSIVE DIFERENCE
- The services of a dedicated APT Cruise Director throughout the entire cruise
- Cruise staff gratuities included - saving you up to £270 per couple
- Free airport transfers on first and last day - saving you up to £135 per couple
- Freedom of Choice Touring in Vienna, Linz, Nuremberg & Amsterdam
- Exclusive to APT! Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and private music recital at Hungary’s State Opera House
OUTSTANDING ACCOMODATION
- 14 nights cruising aboard one of APT’s luxury European river ships
FINEST DINING - Includes 41 Meals
- Enjoy 14 Breakfasts (B), 13 Lunches (L) and 14 Dinners (D)
- All meals as well as sumptuous local wines with dinner are included when on board
- Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner
- Gala Farewell Dinner
- Also includes wine tastings and traditional theme dinners
APT GUARANTEED INCLUSIONS
- Explore 18 different cities, towns and villages with a guide during our included tours, shore excursions and Freedom of Choice Touring activities
- Discover the sights of Budapest, including Buda Castle and the Royal Palace, on a guided city tour
- Take a city tour of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, including Mirbach Palace, the Old Town Hall and much more
- In Austria’s capital, Vienna, visit the majestic Schönbrunn Palace or take guided sightseeing tour of the city
- Sample delicious Wachau Valley wines during a wine tasting in Weissenkirchen
- Enjoy a guided walking tour of Dürnstein
- Explore Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey on a guided tour
- Enjoy a guided evening stroll through the town of Linz after dinner
- From Passau, take a city tour and scenic cruise, visit Salzburg and see its ’Sound of Music’ sights or take a full day tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic
- Take a tour of Regensburg, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria
- In Nuremberg, choose between a medieval tour of the city or take a close look at a range of World War II sites
- Walk the streets of World Heritage-listed Bamberg on a guided city tour
- Absorb the sights of Würzburg on a guided city tour
- Watch a glass-blowing demonstration in Wertheim, on the Main River
- Take a walking tour of Miltenberg
- In Rüdesheim, take a mini-train ride to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for an intriguing tour
- Enjoy a guided evening stroll through the lovely city of Koblenz
- Take a guided walking tour of Cologne
- Cruise past the city of Düsseldorf
- In Amsterdam, choose from a guided canal boat cruise through the city or visit the fascinating Van Gogh Museum
* Port charges of £180 per person are additional. Contact us for chauffeur services, meet and assist at the airport, porters, flights and pre/post cruise hotel stays.
Pricing on this offer is no longer valid. For the latest prices call one of our tailor-made travel experts now on 0845 643 6563.
To book, call 0845 643 6563
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX552.
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