Vienna - Images of St. Nicholas - with his devilish nemesis, Krampus - Advent wreaths, twinkling lights, roasting chestnuts, sausages, and kartoffelpuffer (potato cakes), hot gluhwein 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 Schonbrunn 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. Your Austria and Germany Christmas Markets river cruise along the Danube begins: 4 PM, Vienna, Austria. A transfer is included from Vienna International Airport to ms Savor or ms Treasures. Guests enjoying a pre-stay in Vienna will receive a transfer from the hotel to the riverboat. Welcome to old Vienna... bright with decorations and buzzing with holiday spirit! The magic begins right away with a walking tour of the Wiener Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz - the city's largest yuletide market - where you may feel like you've stepped into a snow globe as you're surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights! Return to the riverboat for the captain's welcome reception and dinner early this evening... followed by another visit to Vienna's Christmas markets, illuminated at night. ...
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