ICONIC CHRISTMAS MARKETS

November 23-30, 2020 

Few events are awaited with as much anticipation as Europes Christmas Markets. Join AmaWatereways and FAMTrips.travel for a special FAM aboard the AmaWaterways AmaViola as we embrace the holiday spirit in Germany, Austria and Hungary, where many Christmas traditions began on this magical journey through time to experience the Iconic Christmas Markets. You will be spellbound by the Christmas markets in Vienna, Nuremberg, and every other stop, as well as Prague, if you elect to come in early for an optional three night stay in this magical city with its famous and inviting Christmas markets! During this same week, you will also have the opportunity to tour some of the most incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites including such treasures as beautiful Regensburg and Salzburg, two special gems that will leave you spellbound during this Christmas season!
While in Vienna, you can visit several of the most joyful and beautiful Christmas Markets in the world, with each one being more spectacular than the one before! They are easy to access, cozy and yet extravagant at the same time! You can certainly begin your fascinating experience prior to the beginning of the cruise by taking part in a three night pre-stay in Prague which will include a city tour along with free time to visit their magnificent Old Town, home to some of those most talked about Christmas markets in the world, too! Your cruise will end in Budapest, a city with such diversity and magnificent history, also sure to be sparkling with its Christmas festivities, as well! In addition to bringing one guest in your own stateroom, Travel Agents may also bring added non industry guests in separate staterooms for a very special FAMTrips.travel discount based upon availability!

Day 1:  - EMBARKATION - NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Board your cruise in Nuremberg. Tonight, gather on board your ship and meet your fellow passengers. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. 
If you have elected to take part in the optional pre stay in Prague, you will arrive by train to join your fellow passengers and enjoy a lovely evening onboard the AmaViola. (D)

Day 2:  - NUREMBERG
Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts, followed by a visit to some of the local Christmas markets. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets. You will also cross the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal as the day ends. (B,L,D)

Day 3:  - REGENSBURG
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas market. As you explore Regensburg, with its Old Town Hall and Roman gates, you can rowse for one-of-a-kind gifts at the Old Kornmarkt Christmas Market, or watch craftsmen at work in the "royal" markets. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties - beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)


Day 4: - PASSAU and SALZBURG TOUR
Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and Christmas Market, which is a feast for the senses. For the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. (B,L,D)


Day 5: - MELK, AUSTRIA - VIENNA

Cruise to Melk, known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride along the Danube and through the scenic the Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)

Day 6: - VIENNA

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Afterwards, you'll visit the Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas Market. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, visit the Karlsplatz (Artisans) Christmas Market, a local favorite, and the market at Schonbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. Cap the day off with "Vienna by Night" Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Maria Theresaplatz Christmas Market, set amongst the world-renowned sights of Vienna's majestic Ringstrasse, and at the illuminated Rathaus, Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)

Day 7: - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture, tradition and even a secret labyrinth of caves and caverns under the city. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest. (B,L,D)

Day 8: - BUDAPEST - DISEMBARKATION

Bid farewell to Budapest as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Agent Rate for Category D Picture Window: $1595 pp plus tax
( For comparison retail rate is $3398 pp plus tax) Agent Rate for Category CA is $1795 pp plus tax
( For comparison retail rate is $ $3598 pp plus tax)

Agent Rate Category BB Twin Balcony $1995 pp plus tax
( For comparison, retail rate is $3598 pp plus tax)

Agent Rate Category BA Twin Balcony $2095 pp plus tax
( For comparison, retail rate is $3698 pp plus tax)

Agent Rate Category AB Twin Balcony $2295 pp plus tax
( For comparison, retail rate is $3798 pp plus tax)

Agent Rate Category AA Twin Balcony $2395 pp plus tax
(For comparison, retail rate is $3898 pp plus tax)

Port tax $186 pp

Non Industry guests add only $300.

Additional specially priced staterooms for - Friends and Family - at same great non industry guest rate are available on a space available basis!



To Book this FAMTrips.travel 
"Iconic Christmas Markets" FAM