Christmas on the Danube

Soak up the splendor of one of Germany’s hidden gems with this magnificent walking tour of Regensburg. The city is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; its architectural charm dates back more than 2,000 years. Best explored on foot, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in Regensburg’s festive atmosphere as you admire the city’s twinkling lights. Witness historical sights that were untouched by World War II bombings, including the medieval stone bridge, the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and the Gothic-style St. Peter’s Cathedral, where you can marvel at the superb stained-glass windows. Delight in the charm of the Christmas market in front of the cathedral and enjoy the atmosphere of an organ concert at the Cathedral Parish Church, before heading back to your ship at your leisure.

Discover Regensburg during a walking tour and learn more about the city’s Jewish heritage. This tour contains all the same elements as the regular Regensburg Walking Tour but adds stops at several Jewish-related sights. Meet your guide at the pier and set off on foot, admiring Roman-era ruins and the many landmarks that date back to the Middle Ages. Continue your journey, delving into the city’s Jewish heritage, with stops at important monuments. Learn more about its history at Neupfarrplatz, in what was once the Jewish Quarter. Here, where the Synagogue once stood, is the site of a striking memorial. You will also see the former residence of Oskar Schindler, who saved more than 1,200 Jews, and the tombstones at the Old Town Hall and the Stumbling Stones memorial. These small brass plaques on the pavement commemorate the Jewish residents who died in the Holocaust.

See the sights of one of Germany’s most popular cities and revel in the lively atmosphere of its Christmas market. Drive to the Bavarian capital of Munich, where you will pass the Olympiapark, constructed for the 1972 Olympics, and the green spaces of the Königsplatz, center of the city’s museum quarter. Continue along three of the city’s royal avenues, lined with public buildings and built to befit an imperial city: Ludwigstrasse, Prinzregentenstrasse and Maximilianstrasse. Visit the city’s main square, Marienplatz, and its famous Kripperlmarkt (manger market). Set in front of the striking neo-Gothic Town Hall, this traditional Christmas market dating back to the 14th century has everything imaginable to create a nativity scene, from manger lanterns to Three Wise Men gifts. After lunch at a renowned Bierkeller, enjoy free time at the Christmas market before returning to your ship.

Visit Nuremberg, a city with an intriguing past, and get into the yuletide spirit at the Christkindmarket. In the Old Town, admire the half-timbered houses as you stroll the pretty cobblestoned streets of the historic walled city. Pass landmarks including the 11th-century Imperial Castle, which towers above the medieval center. See one of the oldest churches in Nuremberg, St. Sebaldus Church, then stop to see the famous Toy Museum and learn about the city’s 600-year old tradition. Stop at the Christkindlmarket and savor culinary delicacies, including grilled sausages, typically accompanied by sauerkraut and a serving of mustard. A staple of the city for more than 700 years, its grilled aroma wafts through the market, along with glühwein and spiced gingerbread. The fragrant treat comes in various shapes, including large, frosted hearts, making for a sweet souvenir.

Sample a selection of Bavaria’s best-loved brews, accompanied by classic biergarten fare. Meet your knowledgeable guide for a walking tour and a brief introduction to Bavaria’s lively beer culture. During your brewery visits, you will learn about the art of brewing from a specialist and Bavaria’s strict Purity Law. You will also sample a traditional wheat beer, produced with more wheat than barley, as well as a refreshing pilsner from Kneitinger and a dark beer from Weltenburger. Snack on homemade Bavarian sausages and sauerkraut, and enjoy a breze, along with a tasting of different local mustards, for a full brauhaus experience. After your tour, you may return to the ship with your guide, or enjoy time to explore independently before returning to your ship.

Visit the palace central to the creation of Europe’s 16th-century postal services and its beautiful holiday market. The House of Thurn and Taxis helped establish a mail system that, in their day, accomplished a five-day delivery from Innsbruck to Brussels. With their fortune, they built several castles throughout Germany. Join your guide for a short drive to their Regensburg palace, a wonder of neo-Renaissance design and Roman accents. Particularly magical during the holiday season, view the marble staircase in the grand entry hall and marvel at the ballroom, a mirror-lined masterpiece of shimmering chandeliers and rococo design. You will also glimpse the monastic tradition in the house chapel. Then, step outside to the courtyard and visit one of the world’s most romantic Christmas markets, normally only accessed for a fee. Sip on a warming mug of glühwein and indulge in a yuletide treat.