Savor, 7 Night Christmas Markets Along the Danube – Eastbound ex Nuremberg, Germany to Vienna, Austria

This Danube river cruise from Nürnberg to Vienna aboard ms Savor or ms Joy offers a new approach to discovering the magic of the Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria… a 700-year holiday tradition!
Enjoy Tauck’s signature sightseeing and exclusive events… gain insights from the personal experiences of your local guides as they recall the Christmas Markets of their childhoods… and celebrate the holidays with special yuletide events on the ship and off! Aboard your riverboat, decorated in holiday style, you can sample glühwein and other seasonal goodies. Attend a festive European Christmas dinner with all the fixings… and a performance by alumni of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir! Explore the Baroque architecture of 900-year-old Melk Abbey… have lunch at the Palais Pallavicini in Vienna, and take a tour of the Thurn und Taxis family’s Palace of St. Emmeram in Regensburg, with a visit to its private Christmas Market – and more!

Day 1
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Nürnberg, Germany. A transfer is included from Nürnberg Airport to ms Savor or ms Joy. Guests enjoying a pre-cruise stay in Nürnberg will receive a transfer from the Tauck hotel to the riverboat. You’ll find Nürnberg all done up for the holidays; like its neighboring countries, Germany during the season of the Christmas Markets is at its most festive. Join the captain for his welcome reception followed by dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.

Day 2
Nürnberg – On Nürnberg’s main market
square opposite the Church of Our Lady sits perhaps the most famous of Germany’s Christmas
Markets, with its iconic, golden-haired Christmas
Angel and charming Zwetchgenmannle (“Plum People”) – unique to Bavaria
and made from dried plums and other fruits. By the time Christmas Eve
rolls around, this “Little Town from Wood and Cloth” will have welcomed
two million folks from around the globe – including you – delighting them with its
authentic ornaments, Bavarian crafts, Christmas candles, lebkuchen and other kinds of cookies, tasty fruit loaves,
tangy gingerbread, handmade toys and glühwein!

Sightseeing in historic Nürnberg this morning includes a visit to old Nürnberg with a walking tour along its centuries-old ramparts and defensive walls, past the opera house and St. John’s Cemetery to the old city and marketplace, as well as past the Dürer House. Following your visit to Nürnberg’s famous Weihnachtsmarkt, you’ll have lunch and some time to spend as you please before rejoining the riverboat and continue cruising to Regensburg. After dinner tonight, you might want to join in as we trim the riverboat’s Christmas tree for the holidays and enjoy some special treats.

Day 3
In Regensburg, visitors to the centuries-old Christkindlmarkt on the Neupfarrplatz feast on the city’s famed sausages, along with steamed dampfnudel dumplings, gingerbread, roast chestnuts and, naturally, glühwein from Bavarian claret, as they admire the work of glassblowers, chandlers and potters – it is one of Europe’s most unique markets. You’ll understand why Regensburg calls itself “Europe’s best-preserved medieval city” as you explore its Christmas Market set against a backdrop of centuries-old buildings during a walking tour and some free time to enjoy the town on your own. Return to the ship this aftgernoon and join us this evening for a performance by the Regensburg Spitzweg Quartet aboard the riverboat.

Day 4
Passau – Navigating the narrow lanes and archways of this Bavarian town on the Danube, Ilz and Inn rivers is a pleasure any time of year – but never more so than now, when one of the Christmas Markets Germany is most famous for transforms Passau’s historic Baroque center into a wonderland brimming with bratwurst, lebkuchen, glühwein and good cheer. At the center of it all is St. Stephan’s Cathedral, whose massive pipe organ – the largest in Europe – stars in concerts throughout the season.

Enjoy a walking tour of the city and its Weihnachtsmarkt, the afternoon is yours to explore as you wish. Please join us back aboard the riverboat for a discovery briefing with your Tauck Director before a special Chef’s Signature Dinner this evening.

Day 5
Salzburg / Linz – The angelic voices of choirs singing carols in Salzburg’s Cathedral Square… the pealing bells of old Salzburger Dom, overlooking neat rows of lit-up booths fragrant with the aroma of roasted almonds and hot mulled wine… ornate Baroque domes, towers and rooftops tipped with snow in the heart of Old Town… the clatter of horse-drawn carriages over cobblestoned streets… sweet candy apples and marzipan… the warm laughter of families having the time of their lives… and music everywhere, in the city that gave us Mozart. The Christmas Markets of Salzburg, a true feast for the senses… and Linz’s Christkindlmarkt, the curving roofs of its stalls symbolizing the waves of the Danube.

The riverboat arrives in Linz, Austria, for a full-day excursion to Mozart’s magical hometown of Salzburg, with its Baroque town center dressed in its holiday best. After a walking tour and wander through the Christkindlmarkt in this charming city, enjoy a special festive lunch with your fellow travelers. Following some free time, return to Linz for a different Christmas Market experience… and, as you’ve learned, each town’s market has something all its own to offer. Or, if you prefer, spend the entire day in Linz, enjoying its Christmas Market, exploring on your own, or just relaxing aboard the riverboat. Enjoy a live musical performance by Donau Klang aboard ship tonight.

Day 6
Melk – Perched high on a rocky bluff overlooking the Danube and the town of Melk, Stift Melk (Melk Abbey) has shone as a beacon of culture and learning since its founding nearly a millennium ago. The 18th-century Baroque complex is home to a magnificent church and its own Christmas legend – about a miraculous visit from the Virgin Mary and the Christ child, and a young novice whose juggling so entertained the infant that he clapped for joy.

A visit to one of the world’s most famous monasteries, beautiful Melk Abbey, inspires with Baroque architecture and facades, soaring ceilings, magnificent frescoes, gold and marble statues and artistic treasures. Black-robed Benedictine monks go about their simple daily lives here today, just as they have done for hundreds of years. Situated high above the town overlooking the river, the Abbey is home to a stunning library housing a massive collection of medieval tomes, including a famous group of musical manuscripts. Be sure to take time to admire the views of the Danube from its terraces. From Melk, you’ll cruise through the Wachau Valley this afternoon, arriving in grand old Vienna after dinner tonight.

Day 7
Vienna – Images of St. Nicholas – with his devilish nemesis, Krampus – Advent wreaths, twinkling lights, roasting chestnuts, sausages and kartoffelpuffer (potato cakes), hot glühwein and fruity punsch… all signs of Christmastime in Vienna! Many Christkindlmarkts big and small grace Austria’s capital at yuletide, and you’ll explore two of the major ones. Magic’s in the air at the Wiener Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz in front of the city hall, Vienna’s oldest and largest Christmas market… live music, tastefully lit trees, holiday arts and crafts, tempting treats and smiling faces are everywhere. And at opulent Schönbrunn Palace, you’ll tour rooms that the Habsburgs once lived in, and browse through lovely hand-blown glass ornaments, red Viennese hearts, Victorian-style sweets and other treasures in the palace’s own, equally impressive Christmas Market… guaranteed to warm your heart.
“Imperial” Vienna, which you’ll explore on a sightseeing tour this morning, seems even grander with Christmas decorations everywhere you look. Get a glimpse of what “happy Habsburg family holidays” might have been like on a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, and take in the palace’s own Christmas Market. After a holiday lunch at the historic Palais Pallavicini, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to sample more of Vienna’s holiday cheer and its many Christmas Markets; complimentary shuttles run back and forth between the city and the riverboat. Share your memories of this wonderful week with your new friends at the captain’s farewell reception, followed by dinner this evening… as your Christmas Market cruise draws to a close.

Day 8
Tour ends: Vienna. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Vienna International Airport. Guests enjoying a post-cruise stay in Vienna will receive a transfer from the hotel to the airport. Please allow at least 3 hours for airport check-in.

Accommodating up to 130 passengers as she winds her way along the mighty Danube River to offer our guests exclusive Tauck discoveries in timeless cities like Munich, Nürnberg, Vienna, Passau, Bratislava and Cesky Krumlov, our new Inspiration Class riverboat ms Savor leads the way in spacious comfort with the most space per guest on Europe’s rivers.

Inspirational cruising… and the promise of fun. Cruise travel at its best.

What makes Tauck’s Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is our focus on the destination – in scenic ports of call that connect you with people and places… moving, compelling and heart-warming experiences onboard and ashore… inspiration through Tauck’s cruise travel. We cast anchor in pristine bays, off island beaches and at docks accustomed to personal yachts… in small towns and villages along the great rivers of Europe… and in some of the world’s favorite cities. Our time ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Our cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You’ll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. And after a day of extraordinary sightseeing, we welcome you back onboard our hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that’s inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Savor - Emerald Deck

Savor - Diamon Deck

Savor - Ruby Deck

Savor - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 7 Suite

22 luxurious 300-square-foot Category 7 suites on the Diamond Deck boast two floor-to-ceiling French balconies with sliding door and large marble baths with double sinks.

Suite Facilities:

1. Two floor-to-ceiling French balconies, each 98 inches x 75 inches with one sliding door that opens
2. 32″ LED TV
3. Pull-out sleeping couch (triple & quad capacity; quads for children only)
4. Walk-in closet with built-in shelves and a safe
5. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
6. Storage / drawers
7. Coffee maker
8. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, marble counters, additional storage and a hair dryer
9. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head (note: no bathtub)
10. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed capacity)
11. Padded headboard with reading lamps

Additional Amentities

Elegantly designed 300 sq. ft. suites

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

Breakfast room service

Iron plus ironing board

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 6 Cabin

Sixteen elegant 225-square-foot Category 6 cabins, each featuring a floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door, are situated aft on the Ruby Deck.

Cabin Facilities:

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens
2. 32” LED TV
3. Full-sized window (98 inches x 37.5 inches)
4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
5. Padded headboard with reading lamps
6. Storage / drawers
7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
8. Large closet
9. Safe
10. Full-sized bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer
11. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amenities

Elegantly designed 225 sq. ft. cabins

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 5 Cabin

Located on Ruby Deck and Diamond Deck. (NOTE: Images shown are for Ruby Deck.)

Eight spacious, Category 5 cabins on the Ruby Deck measuring 225 square feet.

Two 190-square-foot Category 5 corner cabins are set extreme forward on the Diamond Deck.

Cabin Facilities:

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens
2. 32” LED TV
3. Storage / drawers
4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
5. Padded headboard with reading lamps
6. Safe
7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
8. Large closet
9. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer
10. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amentities:

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 4 Cabin

Two spacious 190-sq. ft. Category 4 cabins are situated extreme forward on the Ruby Deck, featuring one floor-to-ceiling French Balcony and bathrooms with marble counters.

Cabin Facilities:

Elegantly designed 190 sq. ft. cabins

Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

Bathroom with marble counters, larger showers with rainfall shower heads, enhanced lighting, and under-sink storage space

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

32” LED TV

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet and drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone, safe and individual climate control

2 chairs

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 3 Cabin

On the Emerald Deck, 8 innovatively designed, 225-sq. ft. Category 3 loft cabins with large marble bathrooms extend from the first to second deck for additional views.

Cabin Facilities:

1. One-and-a-half deck window that opens at the top, electronically controlled
2. Loft sitting area
3. 4 steps up to loft area
4. Railing
5. Full-sized bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and a hair dryer
6. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head
7. Closets
8. Storage / drawers
9. Safe
10. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily
11. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
12. Padded headboard with reading lamps
13. Storage / drawers (credenza not visible from this perspective)
14. 32” LED TV (on credenza below; not visible from this perspective)

Additional Amenities

Innovatively designed 225 sq. ft. “split-level” loft cabins

400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Window (98 inches x 114 inches) can be partially opened

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet with drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone and individual climate control

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 2 Cabin

Three Category 2 cabins are located on the Ruby Deck, measuring 150 square feet and featuring one floor-to-ceiling French Balcony with one sliding door.

Cabin Facilities:

Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins

Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

Marble bath with shower

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

32” LED TV

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet with drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone, safe and individual climate control

2 chairs

Onboard wi-fi available

Category 1 Cabin

Situated on the Emerald Deck, six 150-square-foot Category 1 cabins each feature a marble bath with shower with Molton Brown toiletries, a Tauck Exclusive.

Cabin Facilities:

Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins, including four dedicated solo traveler cabins

Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

Two 2’ by 3’ fixed windows
Marble bath with shower

Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

32” LED TV

220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

Built-in closet with drawers

Easy under-bed luggage storage

Telephone, safe and individual climate control

2 chairs

Onboard wi-fi available