Germany & Austria
Danube Christmas Markets Gay Group Cruise 2027

6 nights from Nuremberg, Germany to Vienna, Austria

December 01 – 07, 2027
Avalon Waterways Avalon Impression

If you're a sophisticated traveler who's been watching everyone else have the kind of Christmas you stopped believing in, join us for a December river cruise through Europe's most magical markets so that you can remember what it feels like when the whole world smells like cinnamon and possibility. Seven glittering days of Christmas markets, baroque cathedrals, and mulled wine on the move - a private ship gliding down the most storied river in Europe.

Picture a town square — usually a very old one, often hemmed in by Gothic spires and timber-framed houses — taken over for roughly four weeks each Advent by row upon row of small wooden chalets. Each chalet is its own tiny shop: hand-carved nativity figures, beeswax candles, blown-glass ornaments, woolen mittens, sheepskin slippers, smoked sausages, sugared almonds, marzipan in every conceivable shape.

Strings of warm white lights criss-cross overhead. Brass bands and church choirs perform on the half-hour. Children skate. Adults clutch ceramic mugs of Glühwein — hot spiced red wine - and shuffle slowly from stall to stall in the cold.

They've been doing this in Germany and Austria since the late Middle Ages. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt dates to the 1500s. The smell - woodsmoke, cinnamon, roasting chestnuts, hot wine - is essentially unchanged. Once you've stood in one, with snow on your shoulders and a mug in your hands, the rest of December at home feels a little quiet.

Tired of holidays that feel like obligation more than adventure?
You'll spend seven days surrounded by the best of European Christmas culture — markets, music, and meals that remind you why this season exists in the first place.

Wish travel felt less like logistics and more like experience?
Every meal, every excursion, and every detail is handled. You show up. The Danube does the rest.

Craving beauty you can touch and taste?
From Regensburg's Roman fortress walls to Vienna's Habsburg palaces, this route is a masterclass in European civilization — and it's outside your window the whole time.

Ready to stop watching other people's travel photos and start taking your own?
Five cities in seven days, each one distinct, each one magnificent — and all connected by one of the most storied rivers in the world.

Longing for the kind of travel that changes something in you?
This cruise gives you space — real space — to be curious, to wonder, and to come home a little different than you left.

Meet the Avalon Impression

A 443-foot Avalon Suite Ship launched in 2014, built for slow travel done beautifully. Part of Avalon's "67-Suite Ship" series, she carries 83 staterooms and suites with Open-Air Balcony accommodations — about 80% of them Panorama Suites with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows — and a crew of 47 whose entire job is to make your week exceptional.

The first thing you notice is the windows. Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling — Avalon calls them Open-Air Balconies. You'll call them the best reason you've ever had to get up early. Your Comfort Collection bed faces the glass; you wake up, and the Danube is already doing something cinematic with the morning light.

At 200 square feet, the Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than industry standard. Premium L'Occitane bath products, plush robes, a well-stocked mini-bar, and a bed that quietly ruins every other bed for you.

Up on the Sky Deck: a whirlpool, premium loungers, al fresco dining at the Sky Grill. The Club Lounge runs 24 hours — cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate, something sweet always within reach. The Panorama Lounge has premium spirits, panoramic windows, and a dance floor.

Down at water level, the Panorama Dining Room is open-seating and chef-led, with regional menus that change as the river does — Franconian one night, Bavarian the next, Austrian by the time you reach Vienna. Wine and beer pour freely with lunch and dinner; the sommelier has opinions and is delighted to share them. Afternoon Tea appears, quietly and on time, every day at four.

And then there is the part nobody quite prepares you for: the rhythm of it. You unpack once. The scenery rearranges itself overnight. You wake in a new country without having packed a bag, queued for a taxi, or surrendered a passport. By day three you stop checking which city is outside the window — you simply look up, decide whether it's a glühwein morning or a second-coffee morning, and let the day unfold accordingly.

You will not go hungry. Not even close.

On board, meals are chef-prepared with regional ingredients — dinner on the Danube tastes like where you actually are. The Panorama Dining Room is open-seating, because assigned tables are for people who haven't yet discovered river cruising.

Dinner is four courses. Wine and beer are complimentary with lunch and dinner. The Panorama Bistro offers a tasting menu. Afternoon Tea every day, because a civilization that invented the waltz also understood a mid-afternoon pause.

Every evening, Happy Hour is included. The Club Lounge runs 24 hours. This ship does not believe in thirst. Ashore: bratwurst varieties you didn't know existed, mulled blueberry wine, candied almonds, gingerbread in every possible format. Afternoon strudel in Vienna at a café by a fire.

Here's what you're actually saying yes to.

• A holiday experience with real depth — five distinct cities, seven days of genuine discovery, and a route that reads like a love letter to Central Europe in December.

• Complete ease from the moment you board — every meal, every excursion, all port charges, onboard gratuities, and Starlink Wi-Fi taken care of so you can be fully present instead of perpetually planning.

• A ship designed around the view — floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall panoramic windows, Open-Air Balcony® suites across 4 decks, and a crew of 47 whose entire job is to make your week exceptional.

• The Christmas market experience done properly — Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, and Vienna, with time to actually taste the gingerbread.

• The kind of trip that stays with you — because the Danube in December under a cathedral's worth of lights has a way of rearranging your sense of what travel is supposed to feel like.

Because we couldn't quite help ourselves.

Every single evening after embarkation, Happy Hour is on us — house beer, wine, signature cocktails, and a fresh drink of the day, included. The Panorama Lounge & Bar serves it all up beside panoramic windows and an honest-to-god dance floor.

The Avalon Adventure Center is stocked like a very stylish gear closet: bikes, hiking and jogging maps, walking sticks, binoculars, daypacks, yoga mats, fitness bands — all curated by your Avalon Adventure Host.

Welcome and farewell cocktails with sparkling wine and canapés. Afternoon Tea every single day. 24-hour Club Lounge. Complimentary room service. Starlink Wi-Fi throughout. These aren't upgrades — they're just Tuesday.

The Danube in December. There's nothing else like it.

The Danube is Europe's second-longest river, running through ten countries before it's done. This route takes you through Germany and Austria — specifically the stretch through some of the continent's most historically and architecturally significant territory. Nuremberg. Regensburg. Passau. Melk. Vienna.

Early December in this part of the world is cold, clear, and very beautiful. Average temperatures range from 30–45°F. The Christmas markets are in full swing. Pack layers, waterproof shoes, and a coat that means it.

Both Germany and Austria are safe, easy, and extremely well-organized destinations. Nuremberg has a well-connected international airport. English is widely spoken. We will provide full pre-departure logistics — what to pack, how to get there, and everything else you need before you set foot on the ship.

What's Included With Your River Cruise Experience

• Exceptional Accommodation
7 nights aboard a luxurious Avalon Waterways ship, featuring Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall windows and Deluxe Staterooms designed for ultimate comfort. Wake up to breathtaking views of historic cities and scenic riverscapes right from your bed.

• Seamless Airport & Port Transfers
We arrange hassle-free arrival and departure transfers so you can step off the plane and into relaxation mode. (Free if you arrive on the day of departure, otherwise a cost may be incurred.

• Chef-Prepared Breakfasts
Start your mornings with a lavish breakfast buffet, featuring freshly baked pastries, European cheeses, made-to-order omelets, and barista-crafted coffee—all with a front-row view of the river.

• Exquisite Dining Experiences
From four-course gourmet dinners on board to unforgettable meals in charming cities, every bite tells a story. Savor fine Belgian chocolate, Dutch stroopwafels, and Michelin-worthy meals in historic settings.

• Premium Beverages Included
Enjoy regional wines, craft beers, and specialty cocktails during lunch and dinner. Plus, access to all-day coffee, tea, and infused waters as you cruise.

• Daily Explorations & Exclusive Activities
• Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom—a breathtaking sea of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.
• Guided city tours in Antwerp, Ghent, and Rotterdam, led by local experts who bring history to life.
• Optional excursions like a canal cruise in Amsterdam, a Belgian beer and chocolate tasting, or a full-day trip to Bruges.

• Effortless In-Town Exploration
Whether wandering medieval streets, modern harbors, or flower markets, we’ve arranged seamless group excursions and transportation where needed.