AVALON – Christmas in the Heart of Germany 2014 – Prague to Frankfurt – 8 days
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Introduction
Enjoy Christmas and the festive season in the heart of Germany aboard a deluxe 5-night Main River cruise tour. Explore enchanting winter wonderlands and traditional Christmas Markets in Miltenberg and Rothenburg. Visit the Bishop’s Residenz in Würzbur ; take an included excursion to the famed Romantic Road; and enjoy a baking demonstration in Miltenberg. In Prague, see the city’s best known treasures and stroll through the wonderful Christmas market in the Old Town.
Itinerary
Day 1 Prague.
On arrival in Prague you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Prague Hotel for two nights.
On arrival in Prague you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Prague Hotel for two nights.
Day 2 Prague. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Arguably Europe’s most beautiful city, 1000-year-old Prague straddles the Vltava River and is an architectural treasure box filled with spires, towers and pinnacles hardly touched by time. Today, stroll the magnificent, statue-lined Charles Bridge, marvel at the famous Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all Europe, and gaze in awe at St Vitus Cathedral and the monumental Hradcany Castle. Also delve into the narrow streets of the atmospheric Old Town, browsing its shops for art books and hand cut crystal before exploring the magnificent Christmas Market. Spread out in the huge Old Town square and crowned by a magnificent Christmas tree, this brightly lit circus of wooden huts is fantastic for souvenir shopping. Shop for hand-painted Christmas ornaments, traditional Czech handicrafts and cheerful wooden toys, perhaps stopping for a cup of ‘svarene vino’, the local hot and sweet mulled wine, and a plate of traditional roast pork. (B)
Day 3 Prague – Nuremberg. Drive to Nuremberg, where your cruise ship is docked, board the ship a Welcome Reception. (B, D)
Day 4 Nuremberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Nestled near Germany’s border with the Czech Republic, medieval walled Nuremberg suffered catastrophic damage during WWII but this beautiful town has gradually been restored to its former glory. Wonder at its fine gothic churches, mighty walls and elegant, timber-framed patrician houses, all festooned in festive lights and decorations, before heading to the stunning central marketplace. Every December, this charming square comes alive up with Germany’s best-known Christmas Market – the ‘Christkindle’, which originates back to 1628. With over 200 pretty wooden stalls brimming with speciality foods, sparkling gifts and hand-crafted wooden ‘nutcracker’ toys, this wonderfully atmospheric market is steeped in festive spirit. Enjoy a tasty hot ‘glühwein’ – the local mulled wine, sample some tempting ‘Lebkuchen’ sweet treats, and savour the enticing aromas of spiced biscuits, cinnamon cookies and the region’s delicious soft gingerbread. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Bamberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Today, explore another stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site today as you disembark at Bamberg. Founded in 902 AD, this wonderfully preserved medieval town boasts over 2000 protected buildings and monuments set on the banks of the Regnitz River. This morning, admire the frescoed Town Hall straddling the river and imperious ‘Kaiserdom’ cathedral before viewing the winding streets lined with handsome houses and 18th-century mansions. At this time of year the whole town twinkles with Christmas lights and is decorated with delightful nativity scenes hand-crafted by local people. There’s more to enjoy after dinner this evening when you’re invited to sample some of Germany’s best-known beers. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Würzburg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. Framed by vineyard-cloaked hills, Würzburg is known as the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’ and a regional hub for trade and wine. Its showpiece is the magnificent Bishops’ Residenz – a majestic 18th century baroque palace designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its spectacular Mirror Cabinet, a room encased in mirrored walls, breathtaking frescoes and vaulted chambers. This afternoon, travel to Rothenburg via the most scenic section of the famous ‘Romantic Road’, the spectacular route curling through Bavaria to the Alps. Regarded as one of Germany’s most beautiful medieval towns, Rothenburg still has well-preserved walls enclosing a storybook old quarter of cobbled passageways and gothic churches, gabled houses and fountains. Step back in time as you walk the enchanting streets and perhaps try a ‘schneeball’, the town’s famous snowball-shaped sweet, at its fantastic Christmas market. Although Rothenburg’s market runs throughout the year, it is especially impressive during the festive season. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Wertheim – Miltenberg. Included today: Guided sightseeing. This morning, enjoy some free time to explore Wertheim. Threaded with winding streets and half-timbered houses, this charming town is renowned for its glassblowing, which in wintertime, specialises in producing exquisite glass Christmas tree baubles. Admire these marvellous decorations in Wertheim’s shop windows before strolling through its fairytale Christmas Market. Later, continue your journey to Miltenberg – a medieval Bavarian village on the banks of the Main River that once thrived on income from its busy river traffic. Enjoy a guided walking tour of this picturesque town to admire its splendid Gothic Merchant Hall, its gabled medieval houses and slender cobbled streets. The town’s fabulous Christmas Market is within strolling distance of your ship. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Frankfurt. Disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Featured Hotel – Hilton Prague
Price & dates
All prices and supplements are per person. The prices and departure dates listed in the table below do not show live availability therefore may not be up-to-date. To find out the latest availability please call us on 0800 612 5677 for information.
| Departure Date | Booking Code | Your Ship | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 Dec 2015 | WNF | Avalon Vista | £1670 |
Upgrade supplements
| Category | Deck | Vista |
| Cat D | Indigo | £85 |
| Cat B | Sapphire | £389 |
| Cat A | Sapphire | £410 |
| Cat P | Royal | £459 |
| Suite | Royal | £749 |
Travel Options
Prices are based on flights from Heathrow with British Airways. Flights are also available at a supplement from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Durham Teeside, Edingburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Norwich.
The Avalon experience
Included Highlights
- PRAGUE Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds
- NUREMBERG Guided sightseeing
- BAMBERG Guided sightseeing, see the Old Town Hall; beer tasting
- ROTHENBURG Excursion
- WÜRZBURG Guided sightseeing, visit the Bishop’s Residenz
- MILTENBERG Guided sightseeing
- WELCOME RECEPTION, CAPTAIN’S RECEPTION AND FAREWELL DINNER
Included in the price
- Private door-to-door home pick-up service by executive car for you and your travelling companions
- Flights from London Heathrow with British Airways; regional flights at a supplement
- 5 nights deluxe accommodation in a spacious stateroom with hotel-style beds, ensuite facilities and river views. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and a French balcony in most staterooms; 2 nights at the Hilton Hotel, Prague
- All meals on board including full breakfast, buffet lunch and waiter service dinner with quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions; afternoon tea with cakes and sweet treats; a choice of teas and coffees throughout the day. Buffet breakfast in Prague
- Included excursions and sightseeing trips with Local Guides and a choice of optional tours; headsets provided on excursions
- Services of an experienced Cruise Director
- Gratuities for Cruise Director and crew
- On board lectures, activities and nightly piano music
- Welcome reception, Captain’s Reception and Farewell Dinner
- All transfers, local port charges and airport taxes