Enjoy the best of Austria and Germany at this wonderfully festive time as we cruise on the beautiful 'River Empress' along the Danube River from Vienna to Nuremberg for 7 nights. Enjoy wonderful meals and entertainment on board our river cruise, the most enjoyable way to travel through Europe. We will attend a Mozart and Strauss concert while in Vienna, enjoy wine tasting in the Wachau Valley and dinner in a Bavarian brewery, and visit six classic Christmas markets: Vienna, Salzburg, Linz, Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg !
We have also added an exciting pre-cruise option: a 5-night Spa package at the deluxe ARCOTEL Elisabethpark in the ancient spa town of Bad Gastein, Austria. This package includes spa treatments and fabulous walking opportunities on sections of the 'Stubnerkogel' that overlooks the town. Our resort hotel is located in one of Austria's three biggest skiing areas featuring well-groomed slopes and cross-country trails in spectacular surroundings. We have made arrangements with Austria Airlines for a great group rate that we can offer to any of our passengers – Let us tell you about it !
CRUISE ITINERARY
Fri. Nov. 28 Depart
Depart home city for Vienna.
Sat. Nov. 29 Vienna
Arrive Vienna airport and transfer to your festively decorated 'floating hotel'. This evening, enjoy dinner on board with your fellow passengers.
Sun. Nov. 30 Vienna
Today we will have a guided tour of St. Stephan's cathedral and the Christmas market outside city hall. This evening attend a Mozart and Strauss concert in an old Viennese palace.
Mon. Dec. 01 Wachau Valley
Enjoy a guided walk and wine tasting in the fairytale village of Durnstein. Relax on board as your cruise continues through the scenic Wachau Valley to Linz, arriving in time to visit the Baroque market square, festively decorated for Christmas.
Tue. Dec. 02 Salzurg - Passau
Depart by motorcoach for a scenic drive through upper Austria to Salzburg. Tour this charming city of Mozart's birth and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. There will be free time to explore on your own, or visit the Christmas market before rejoining the ship at Passau.
Wed. Dec. 03 Passau
Tour the beautiful city of Passau, visiting its Baroque cathedral and Christmas market. This afternoon your cruise continues along the Danube.
Thu. Dec. 04 Regensburg
Discover Regensburg's charming market square and Christmas market. This afternoon, cruise the 106-mile long Main-Danube canal. Tonight enjoy dinner at a typical family-owned Bavarian brewery, complete with oom-pah-pah band.
Fri. Dec. 05 Nuremberg
The highlight of your Christmas markets cruise is Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided city tour, then explore Germany's most famous Christmas market at your own pace. This evening, join the Captain for cocktails and dinner.
Sat. Dec. 06 Depart Nuremberg
Disembark the River Empress at Nuremberg. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vienna and onward flight home.
COST AND INCLUDED FEATURES:
Cruise cost:
- Per person from $2289.00 CAD based on Category 2 on the Danube deck.
- Port charges: $115.00 CAD / $ 70.00 USD
- Single supplement on request.
Included Features:
- 7 nights accommodation aboard the River Empress
- All meals including Captain's cocktail evening
- All on-board entertainment
- Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna
- Wine tasting in the Wachau valley
- Dinner in a Bavarian brewery
- Visits to 6 classic Christmas markets
- Ground transportation as per itinerary
- Guided sightseeing and entrances fees as per itinerary
- Fully escorted by Canadian Woman Traveller staff member
PRE-CRUISE SPA PACKAGE AT BAD GASTEIN, AUSTRIA
Meet at Salzburg airport on November 24. Transfer from Salzburg to our spa resort in the center of Bad Gastein. Our hotel for the next 5 nights is the ARCOTEL Elisabethpark. This spa hotel has an indoor thermal pool where swimming in the warm water is made more wonderful by the spectacular views of the ancient village and surrounding mountain peaks behind it. Relax and unwind in this spectacular spa amid the famed Austrian mountains.
COST AND INCLUDED FEATURES:
Cost of Spa package:
Per person based on twin share $ 979.00 CAD/ $600.00 USD
Single supplement $ 159.00 CAD/ $100 USD
Included Features:
- 5 nights at the deluxe Elisabethpark Spa hotel
- Full breakfast daily
- 4-course dinner daily
- All hotel taxes
- Spa package including 2 mud treatments, 2 full-body massages. 1 solarium session, complete use of thermal water indoor pool, sauna, steambath and fitness room
- Transfers to/from Salzburg airport
- Shuttle service to/from the Stubnerkogel ski lift station
- Fully escorted by Canadian Woman Traveller staff member
