The Festive Spirit of Switzerland with Magnificent Europe

Discover Switzerland at its most charming at the height of the festive season. Encounter bustling Christmas markets, enjoy a drink in a Glacier Bar and admire snow-dusted alpine landscapes. Then cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on the Danube, Main and Rhine through fairytale landscapes. 

Itinerary

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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.

Accommodation: Zurich Marriott Hotel

Day 2: Zurich, Basel

Explore Zurich on a guided tour before travelling to Basel to enjoy a Signature Experience. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Signature Experience – Leckeli Cookie Workshop

In Basel, delight in a leckerli cookie workshop. Originating in Basel, these traditional Swiss cookies were created by local spice merchants in the 1400s, and are now a popular treat and the pride of Basel. After learning how to bake like the locals do, indulge in sampling these chewy, nutty cookies flavoured with spices.

Accommodation: Basel, Hotel D

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.

Accommodation: Two Nights, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, in a guaranteed Lake View Room

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.

Accommodation: Three Nights, Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald

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.

Signature Experience – Glacier Bar

Make the most of the fairy-tale winter setting with a private reception at the Glacier Bar.

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.

Accommodation: Two Nights, Lucerne, Art Deco Hotel Montana

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.

Accomodation: Two Nights, Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains

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.

Accommodation: Zurich Marriott Hotel

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.

Accommodation: 14 Nights, a Concerto River Ship

Day 14: Budapest

Enjoy a morning city tour of Budapest taking in its historic monuments. This afternoon, set sail for Vienna.

Day 15: Vienna

Enjoy a relaxing morning sailing to Vienna. On arrival, take in the city’s many landmarks along the Ringstrasse, as well as St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Day 16: Vienna

After your chosen activity this morning, we have arranged a special Signature Experience.

Freedom of Choice – Schonbrunn Palace Visit

Tour inside Schonbrunn Palace, the summer palace of the Habsburgs. Discover the apartments of former emperors and take some time to wander the immaculate grounds.

Freedom of Choice – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia

Tick another country off your list and journey to Slovakia’s Bratislava, where a mixture of 18th-century rococo design and communist era architecture make this a city of alluring contrasts. See some of the architectural landmarks that were built during the city’s time under Communist rule. These include the UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev.

Signature Experience – Cocktail Party and Private Performance at Vienna’s City Palace

After dinner, head to the princely family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. A full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss. You will also be enchanted by an operatic recital and a performance by some members of the Mozart Boys’ Choir. 

Day 17: Durnstein, Melk

Explore the beautiful town of Durnstein before choosing your activity.

Freedom of Choice – Cruise Through the Wachau Valley

Cruise through the Wachau Valley to Durnstein, where you’ll roam its cobblestoned lanes at your leisure.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride from Melk to Durnstein

Take a guided bike ride along the Danube Rriver from Melk to Durnstein and take in the beautiful scenery of Wachau Valley along the way.

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.

Signature Experience – Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘Sound of Music’ Show

Be welcomed by a Jagdhornblaser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a ‘Sound of Music’ show. 

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 World Heritage-listed Bamberg, another of the few German cities that wasn’t destroyed during World War II. As you explore the Old Town with a guide, you will discover a range of historic churches and buildings, including the town hall on the River Regnitz. Otherwise, take it easy and relax on board.

Day 22: Wurzburg

Your day unfolds on your terms thanks to a choice of activities today.

Freedom of Choice – Visit the Wurzburg Residence

The immense architectural beauty of Wurzburg is on display today as you stroll through this fascinating city to the Würzburg Residence. An 18th-century palace that once belonged to the Prince-Bishops of Wurzburg, this regal building is home to a number of historic wonders. Inside, you’ll marvel at the intricate tapestries, gilded stucco work and ceiling frescoes by famed Tiepolo.

Freedom of Choice – Explore Rothenburg

Travel to the walled town of Rothenburg and immerse yourself in medieval life. Wander the narrow cobblestoned streets and admire the pretty coloured-fronted houses as you stroll. During free time, you may wish to visit Käthe Wolfhart’s ‘Christmas Village’, where you’ll find the largest selection of Germany Christmas decorations in the world. 

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, Andernach

Dock in Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most revered cultural and historic cities. Here, you’ll set out on your chosen activity. Later, cruise through the Rhine Valley to Andernach, where your ship will dock overnight.

Freedom of Choice – Gondola Ride

Glide over the emerald vineyards of the Rhine Valley in a gondola, enjoying stunning vistas. At the top, arrive at the Niederwald Monument, commemorating the unification of Germany in the late 1880s.

Freedom of Choice – Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

Take a tour of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, an eccentric and unique museum which is home to a beautiful collection of fascinating automated musical instruments from all stages of history.

Freedom of Choice – Visit a Historic Wine Cellar

Visit a historic wine cellar for a tasting of Rhine Valley wines. Discover why this location is one of Germany’s most well-known wine regions.

Day 25: Andernach

Today enjoy a Signature Experience. The afternoon will be spent sailing onwards to the Netherlands.

Signature Experience – Namedy Castle

Princess Heide von Hohenzollern graciously welcomes APT guests into her home, Namedy Castle, a 14th century residence set near the Rhine River in Germany. Go beyond the gates and wander about the rooms, hidden nooks and manicured grounds. You’ll then enjoy a cocktail party where a pianist playing classical music sets the mood.

Day 26: Amsterdam

Arrive into Amsterdam and set out on your chosen activity. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s farewell dinner.

Freedom of Choice – Glass-Top Boat Canal Cruise

A peaceful way to see the best of Amsterdam, board a glass-top boat and admire the city’s unique architecture as you cruise the maze of World Heritage-listed canals for which the city is famous.

Freedom of Choice – Visit Zaanse Schans

Visit the typically Dutch village of Zaanse Schans, famous for its wooden windmills, traditional Dutch houses and specialty produce.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride

Join a guided bike ride through the countryside to the village of Durgerdam before visiting the Street Art Museum. 

Day 27: Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam

Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye and be transferred to the airport.