Classic Christmas Markets
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ABTA & ATOL protected holidays
Low risk-free deposit
Flexible change options
Free 3 day booking hold
Committed to your wellbeing
Step into the magic of the Classic Christmas Markets journey, where storybook villages glow with festive lights and timeless charm. Wander through cobbled streets lined with wooden stalls, sample traditional treats made by local artisans, and watch as children swap screens for the simple joy of handcrafted toys. The air is rich with the scent of cinnamon, roasting nuts, and the unmistakable warmth of the season.
Cruise through the heart of Christmas country, from Frankfurt’s famous apple cider to Nuremberg’s legendary gingerbread. Sip steaming mugs of glühwein as you explore each market, embracing the tradition of collecting unique keepsake mugs along the way. In Germany, where many of our most treasured Christmas customs began, you’ll discover a festive spirit that feels both authentic and unforgettable.
Itinerary
DAY 1 Nuremberg (Embark)
Arrive at Nuremberg Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
*Itinerary also available from Frankfurt to Nuremberg
DAY 2 Nuremberg
For a holiday extravaganza, look no further than Nuremberg, which boasts the largest and grandest Christmas Market in all of Germany— and that’s really saying something. The “Gingerbread Capital of the World” pulls out all the stops during the holidays, as you’ll see for yourself on a panoramic tour guaranteed to put you in a festive mood. You could not ask for a more perfect place to begin an exploration of Christmas traditions than Nuremberg. Stroll through the castle gardens and enjoy breathtaking views of the city, then walk through a maze of cobblestone lanes down to the central Market Square. There, spread out before the Church of Our Lady, is the largest Christmas Market in Germany.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
Featured Excursion: Nuremberg city tour with Christmas market
A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
DAY 3 Bamberg
The fact that Bamberg still exists today is something of a miracle—it survived WWII bombing virtually unscathed. It’s a superb example of a medieval German city, one compact enough to explore on foot with a local expert. You’ll also have free time to visit not just one but four Christmas Markets and a captivating amount of nativity scenes located along nativity trail.
Featured Excursion: Bamberg Walking Tour and Christmas market.
DAY 4 Kitzingen (Rothenburg) Wurzburg
Rothenburg looks like something straight out of the pages of a storybook, with its medieval walls, cobbled streets, Gothic churches, and Hansel-and-Gretel houses. Join a local expert for an insightful walking tour, and then wander amongst the stalls at one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets
Featured Excursions: Full-Day Rothenburg with Walking Tour and Christmas Market and Würzburg Christmas Market Night Stroll
DAY 5 Wurzburg
This morning, you’ll head off to see the Würzburg Residence, a baroque-style palace famous for its gigantic ceiling fresco. Later, visit the town’s renowned Christmas Market, held in front of the old City Hall, for some one-of-a-kind gifts for friends back home. Beautifully decorated wooden booths are illuminated by the soft glow of Christmas lighting, and the air is filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and the sound of Christmas carols. One of the best ways to embrace a different culture is through encounters with local residents, which you’ll experience this afternoon in a typical Franconian village. Make new friends over hot drinks and homemade seasonal treats.
Featured Excursions: Würzburg Residence Visit with Christmas Market and Village Day: Franconian Christmas
DAY 6 Wertheim
Located at the confluence of the Tauber and Main rivers, Wertheim is a lovely village dating back over a thousand years. It epitomizes the friendly, slow-paced small-town atmosphere of many German villages; here, residents greet each other by name as they do their daily shopping for fresh bread and sausage in tiny shops. On your guided walking tour of the village, you’ll hear a lot about daily life in Wertheim, as well as facts about the town and its history. Its many well-preserved medieval buildings—complete with low doors and tiny windows—attest to the inconveniences of life in the Middle Ages.
Featured Excursion: Wertheim Walking Tour with Mulled Wine and Christmas Stollen Demonstration
DAY 7 Frankfurt
Frankfurt is known as the “Mainhattan” of Europe, a financial powerhouse with soaring skyscrapers, but that’s done nothing to diminish the cultural heart of the city. Frankfurt’s old town, the Altstadt, is as charming as it gets, and has hosted some of the best Christmas markets on the continent for centuries. Opt to stay in town today for a “Taste of Christmas” walking tour featuring all sorts of sugary and savory treats, or alternatively, head out of town on an excursion to the Christmas market in Wiesbaden.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Featured Excursions: Wiesbaden Twinkling Star Christmas Market and “Taste of Christmas” Frankfurt Walking Tour
DAY 8 Frankfurt (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to the Frankfurt International Airport for your flight home.
About this trip
1 country: Germany
Departure Months
December
What's included
7 NIGHTS
Accommodation
PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners, Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners. Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water
ON-TRIP TRANSPORT
All transport shown
Sightseeing highlights
One of the most stylish ships on Europe’s rivers, the S.S. Elisabeth blends contemporary design with signature boutique elegance. Featuring luxe velvet furnishings, marble accents, and original artwork throughout, this stunning ship offers some of the largest suites in Europe. With beautifully appointed dining venues, a relaxing pool, and serene wellness spaces, the S.S. Elisabeth is a sophisticated floating hotel crafted for an exceptional river cruise experience.
A cruise for those wanting to experience the quintessential magic of the holidays.
Guided “Taste of Christmas” and “Village Day” programs.
The Bressenden difference
DINING
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water
EXCURSIONS
6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Guided “Taste of Christmas” and “Village Day” programs
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
LUXURIOUS SHIPS
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the S.S. Elisabeth.
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
Free Internet and Wi-Fi access
EXPERIENCES
1 country: Germany
2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
Captivating onboard local entertainment
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Booking protected.
Generations Family Program (select sailings)
Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they’re also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.
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Included
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Not Included
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