NUREMBERG, BAMBERG, WURZBURG, MILTENBERG, AND FRANKFURT
Discover where Christmas markets originated with this journey to Germany. Cruise down the Main River and visit colorfully lit markets filled with holiday treats from the most popular markets in Germany like Nuremberg’s market famous for its gingerbread and sausages to Frankfurt’s market, which dates back to 1393 and is the country’s largest market. We’ll also visit Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its manger displays, and Wurzburg where we can sample Christmas cookies, roasted almonds, and traditional “Gluehwein”, a famous hot spiced red wine. We’ll also explore the highlights of these Bavarian towns during our walking tours, savor the local cuisine, and enjoy scenic cruising sprinkled with onboard musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and so much more!
Itinerary at
a Glance
- Overnight international flight
- 6-night cruise through Germany:
- Nuremberg
- Bamberg
- Wurzburg
- Miltenberg
- Frankfurt
Tour
Highlights
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- 6-night cruise aboard the MS Crucevita
- Ground transportation in air-conditioned motor coach
- 17 meals: 6 buffet breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners
- 2 glasses of wine, beer, or soda with dinner onboard
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours including admission fees as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager and local English-speaking guides throughout
Tour Itinerary A - Nuremberg to Frankfurt
Nuremberg
After breakfast today, enjoy a city tour of Nuremberg! We’ll visit the ruins of Zeppelin field, and stop by the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. See the historic Gothic churches and illuminated Old Town. After a special Franconian lunch featuring the famous Nuremberg sausages enjoy some free time to explore. Perhaps peruse the city’s famous Christmas Market with its delicious treats. Consider trying holiday specialty, Lebkuchen (gingerbread) or the famous Bratwurst and see the centuries old traditional toymaking and metal work traditions. Return to the…
Bamberg
This morning we’ll take a walking tour of medieval Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 902 and located in northern Bavaria where the Regnitz and Main Rivers meet, this picturesque town’s architecture was strongly influenced by both northern Germany and Hungary and has retained its medieval aesthetic. On our tour, we’ll visit Bamberg’s medieval city center, followed by a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral which was reworked in the late Romanesque style in the 13th century. Afterwards, take some time to enjoy the charming and decorated…
Wurzburg
We arrive in Wurzburg this morning, also known as “the Pearl of the Romantic Road”. Enjoy a walking city tour with a stop to admire the Wurzburg Bishops’ Palace, one of Germany’s largest and ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on the ship, we’ll enjoy some free time in the early afternoon at one of Germany’s most picturesque and enchanting Christmas markets consisting of more than one-hundred decorated wooden booths. Don’t forget to try a cup of Wurzburg’s famous ‘Gluehwein’, a famous hot spiced red…
Miltenberg
This morning, consider participating in a towel folding demonstration in the lounge where we’ll learn how to fold towels and create animals and/or objects. After we arrive in Miltenberg, a charming Bavarian village, we’ll have some free time before lunch on board the ship. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of medieval Miltenberg. During the tour, we’ll marvel at the history embodied in the pristine, half-timbered houses and crooked, cobblestone streets found in this well-preserved city. We’ll find history in the preserved Bronze Age tumuli, Celtic hill forts, and…
Frankfurt
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a guided tour of Frankfurt, a culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse global hub for commerce, culture, education, tourism and transportation. This metropolitan city showcases a magnificent blend of modernization and historical preservation from the city center’s skyscrapers to Frankfurt’s unique Old Town, which is the largest timber-framed old town in all of Europe. From here, we’ll tour Frankfurt’s famous Christmas markets, which is a massive street market held annually in the town’s square where seasonal drinks,…
Tour Itinerary B - Frankfurt to Nuremberg
Frankfurt
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a guided tour of Frankfurt, a culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse global hub for commerce, culture, education, tourism and transportation. This metropolitan city showcases a magnificent blend of modernization and historical preservation from the city center’s skyscrapers to Frankfurt’s unique Old Town, which is the largest timber-framed old town in all of Europe. From here, we’ll tour Frankfurt’s famous Christmas markets, which is a massive street market held annually in the town’s square where seasonal drinks,…
Wurzburg
We arrive in Wurzburg this morning, also known as “the Pearl of the Romantic Road”. Enjoy a walking city tour of the Wurzburg Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll enjoy some free time at one of Germany’s most picturesque and enchanting Christmas markets consisting of more than one-hundred decorated wooden booths. Don’t forget to try a cup of Wurzburg’s famous ‘Gluehwein’, a famous hot spiced red wine! This afternoon we set sail for Bamberg while we enjoy a…
Bamberg
This morning we’ll take a walking tour of medieval Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 902 and located in northern Bavaria where the Regnitz and Main Rivers meet, this picturesque town’s architecture was strongly influenced by both northern Germany and Hungary and has retained its medieval aesthetic. On our tour, we’ll visit Bamberg’s medieval city center, followed by a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral which was reworked in the late Romanesque style in the 13th century. Afterwards, take some time to enjoy the charming and decorated…
Nuremberg
After breakfast today, enjoy a city tour of Nuremberg! We’ll visit the ruins of Zeppelin field, and stop by the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. See the historic Gothic churches and illuminated Old Town. After a special Franconian lunch featuring the famous Nuremberg sausages enjoy some free time to explore. Perhaps peruse the city’s famous Christmas Market with its delicious treats. Consider trying holiday specialty, Lebkuchen (gingerbread) or the famous Bratwurst and see the centuries old traditional toymaking and metal work traditions. This evening,…
Guided Tour Pricing
There are currently no future departures for this tour.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
The following optional tours may be offered on during your trip. Note that not all optional tours are available on all departures. Pricing is subject to change. Payment (non-refundable) should by made by cash only.
Featured Accommodations
MS Crucevita
This elegant, luxurious, boutique style vessel was designed in an old world grand yacht style. All cabins are approximately 150 sq feet with modern amenities including beds that can be stowed away during the day to create extra space to relax, air-conditioning/heating which can be regulated individually, a mini safety deposit box, a telephone, and a hair dryer. Cabins on the main deck have panorama windows while cabins on the upper Promenade deck will have new french balconies. The superb public areas include a panorama restaurant, cozy bar and lounge, a fireplace, a gym, sauna, library,…
Before You Depart
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your flights from New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport) to Germany and back to New York (John F. Kennedy Airport) are on the following airlines with the corresponding schedules. We recommend that you arrive in JFK at least 3 ½ hours before the scheduled departure.
| Departure Date | Airport | Airline | Depart | Return |
| 2020: Dec. 9 | New York (JFK) | Lufthansa Airlines / Swiss Airlines | 10:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 2020: Dec. 15 | New York (JFK) | Swiss Airlines / Lufthansa Airlines | 9:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
| 2020: Dec. 21 | New York (JFK) | Lufthansa Airlines | 10:00 PM | 3:45 PM |
Please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting flight. We recommend at least 3 ½ hours. Please note that flight times are always subject to change.
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
Lufthansa does not assign seats in advance. Please note that smarTours is not involved with your seat assignment. It is between you and the airline! Seat assignments can only be arranged upon check-in at the airport.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour: Land-only services start upon ship embarkation on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. Land-Only services end after breakfast on the boat on Day 8 of the itinerary listed on our tour page.Please be sure to schedule your departure flight in the afternoon to accommodate disembarkation.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A visa is not required for American passport holders. Non U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Your airline tickets along with final instruction and some additional travel tips will be sent to you 10 – 7 days before the scheduled departure of your tour.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are NOT currently required; however, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local public health authorities as to their suggestions.
CLIMATE
In December you can expect daytime highs in the upper 30s with nighttime lows in the upper 20s. Please note it is wintertime and many walks will be outside so please pack and dress accordingly.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency. You can either exchange U.S. Dollars into local currency in advance of your trip, or you may use your debit card to withdraw local currency from an ATM. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase) maximum 44 pounds and one carry-on piece. Your carry-on must not exceed 18″x10″x8″. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.