Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Zurich
Welcome to Switzerland. Be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Later, meet your fellow travellers at a welcome reception.
Day 2: Zurich, Basel
Explore Zürich on a guided tour before travelling to Basel to enjoy a Signature Experience. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Basel, Bern, Montreux
This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Basel. Later, stop in the Swiss capital of Bern en route to Montreux. Here, your hotel, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, is situated in a prime position overlooking Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps. Set out on an orientation tour of Montreux and discover the magical Christmas markets.
Day 4: Montreux, Vevey
Call into the lakeside town of Vevey before a visit to Chaplin’s World, dedicated to the film artist Charlie Chaplin. Here, embark on a cinematic journey through time as you enter the manoir, a beautiful home that depicts the final 25 years of Chaplin’s life. You will also visit the museum’s old Hollywood-style studio where you can immerse yourself in the world of silent film. Afterwards, take a stroll around the surrounding four-hectare garden estate. This afternoon, browse the displays of the Vevey Christmas markets.
Day 5: Montreux, Gstaad, Grindelwald
Today you will board the Golden Pass train and journey to Gstaad where you will learn why Switzerland is renowned for having some of the finest cheese in the world. Visit Kase-Grotte (the Cheese Grotto), where you’ll enter the magnificent cave that houses more than 3,000 cheese varieties, which of course is followed by a tasting. Later, reboard the Golden Pass to Zweisimmen where you will travel by coach to the quintessential Swiss resort village of Grindelwald. Here you’ll stay in a traditional hotel with rooms offering stunning views over Eiger mountain.
Day 6: Grindelwald, Jungfraujoch
Today you will ascend 3,466 metres above sea level as you board a funicular train to Jungfraujoch. Affectionately known as the ‘Top of Europe’, this climb up the Bernese Alps offers sensational views along the journey and at the summit. Here, we’ve organised a special Signature Experience.
Day 7: Grindelwald
We’ve set aside a full day for you to explore more of this Swiss resort village at your leisure.
Day 8: Grindelwald, Lucerne
After breakfast, travel to Lucerne and explore this picturesque lakeside town. This evening enjoy dinner at a traditional fondue restaurant.
Day 9: Lucerne
Today enjoy a magical Christmas walking tour. On your tour, hear about the seasonal traditions of Lucerne while wandering the many stalls of Lucerne’s Christmas markets. You’ll be sure to feel the magic of the festive spirit come alive.
Day 10: Lucerne, Bad Ragaz, St Moritz
Today you will travel to Bad Ragaz, a region renowned for its thermal springs and wine. Here, visit a family-run local winery to sample some of the wines produced on the estate, and gain an insight into how wine and other fresh produce was cultivated here over 1,000 years ago. Enjoy a light traditional lunch and later journey to the ski resort town of St Moritz.
Day 11: St Moritz
Enjoy a day at leisure today. You may like to explore St Moritz or relax at your luxurious hotel and savour a spa treatment (own expense).
Day 12: St Moritz, Zurich
Travel to the Lindt Home of Chocolate for a guided tour. Return to Zurich and browse the enchanting Christmas markets. This evening, a farewell dinner awaits.
Day 13: Zurich, Budapest, Embark Ship
Be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Budapest. On arrival transfer you to your luxurious floating home for the next 15 days. Unpack, relax and get acquainted with your ship.
Day 14: Budapest
Start the day with a choice of tours. This afternoon, set sail for Vienna.
Day 15: Vienna
Take in Vienna’s Ringstrasse, plus enjoy a visit to St Stephen’s Cathedral. Afterwards, wander through the Christmas markets and perhaps pick up a souvenir or two. As the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the wintry air, you’ll come to realise that the festive season in Europe is nothing short of magical.
Day 16: Vienna
Spend this morning on your preferred activity and this evening on a Signature Experience.
Day 17: Durnstein, Melk
Enjoy free time to explore Durnstein, before sailing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Here, visit the statuary-adorned Melk Abbey, one of the finest Baroque buildings in the world.
Day 18: Linz, Salzburg, Passau
Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience.
Note: Guests on our Christmas and New Year’s Eve departure will celebrate a magical Christmas Day sailing towards Passau, where you’ll disembark for a special guided walking tour. Later, enjoy a traditional Christmas feast on board your ship with all the trimmings.
Day 19: Regensburg
Discover Regensburg today. Explore its atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria.
Day 20: Nuremberg
Set out on a guided exploration to discover Nuremberg’s history, with its Gothic churches and World War II sites. Afterwards, explore the Christmas market, one of the oldest and most well-known Christmas markets in the world. You’ll also have the opportunity to sample gluwhein, traditional German spiced wine.
Day 21: Bamberg
On arrival into Bamberg, join an exploration with a local expert to uncover everything this World Heritage-listed city has to offer.
Day 22: Wurzburg
Choose from three exciting activities today.
Day 23: Miltenberg
Step ashore in Miltenberg today and set out on a guided exploration. Wander through cobblestoned streets and admire the town’s enchanting half-timbered houses before time at leisure to explore on your own.
Day 24: Rudesheim,
Dock in Rudesheim, where you’ll choose your activity, followed by free time to enjoy the festive atmosphere or perhaps sample a local Rudesheimer coffee in a cosy cafe.
Day 25: Andernach
Today enjoy a Signature Experience. The afternoon will be spent sailing onwards to the Netherlands.
Day 26: Amsterdam
Arrive into Amsterdam and set out on your chosen activity. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner.
Day 27: Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam
Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye and be transferred to the airport.
