Day 1Nuremberg
Arrive in Nuremberg and transfer from the airport to embark your ship.* After boarding, relax and get settled or begin exploring this historic city a bit on your own. After dinner, relax and enjoy musical entertainment in the Viking Lounge. (D)
Day 2Nuremberg
Take a morning tour of the city’s most prominent landmarks, and enjoy the iconic Christmas market laid out in the Old Town’s Main Market Square. Browse the booths with their colorful ornaments, gifts and fragrant treats; there is no better place to shop for handmade wooden toys and nutcrackers, and you may even spot the golden curls of the Christkind, an angel who brings children’s toys. You must taste the traditional lebkuchen (gingerbread), skinny local bratwurst (sausages) and glühwein (hot spiced wine), and chances are you will hear carolers harmonizing. Take free time this afternoon to further explore Nuremberg; return aboard for dinner and early evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 3Bamberg
This morning visit Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late-Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on an island in the middle of a river. Take free time to walk around Bamberg or visit its traditional Christmas markets. You can also follow Bamberg’s popular “Route of Nativity Scenes” to view diverse crèche displays at a few dozen churches, museums and other public spaces. (B, L, D)
Day 4Würzburg & Rothenburg
Disembark in Gerlachshausen after breakfast for a full day in two of Northern Bavaria’s most charming destinations. A walk through Würzburg and a tour of the Bishops’ Residenz, a beautiful baroque palace with many paintings and frescoes, give you a sense for this extraordinary town. Then, ride in a deluxe motorcoach along the Romantic Road to Rothenberg ob der Tauber. Stop for a hearty lunch in a local restaurant and take time to explore this medieval town and its joyful Christmas market. Rothenberg is also home to Germany’s Christmas Museum, open all year, and offers a local pastry, the Schneeball (snowball), to try. Your ship awaits you in Würzburg; return aboard for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5Wertheim
Enjoy scenic cruising this morning; sail into Wertheim, located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers, while you are finishing lunch. During your afternoon walking tour, experience life in a typical small German town. Take some free time to visit Wertheim’s Christmas market or explore the town on your own. The ship awaits you in Freudenberg; return aboard for dinner. This evening, see an interesting demonstration of Wertheim’s traditional glassblowing art as we sail toward Frankfurt. (B, L, D)
Day 6Heidelberg
Arrive at Frankfurt around breakfast and disembark for a full-day excursion to Heidelberg, home to Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Tour the imposing red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, originally built in the 12th century. Your guided walk ends at Heidelberg’s Old Town and marketplace, where you will encounter our final Christmas market. Shop for gifts, sample delightful local treats, or perhaps get some lunch at a local café. Return aboard for dinner; feel free to explore Frankfurt, a stunning blend of traditional charm and modern elegance, this evening. (B, D)
Day 7Frankfurt
After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the airport for your return fight.* (B)