Lately, we’ve spent a lot of time covering various Christmas Markets itineraries, and for good reason: Not only do they provide travelers with an opportunity to experience the magic and traditions of a European winter wonderland, but they’re also one of the most popular seasonal river cruises. And in a few short weeks, we’ll provide you with a firsthand experience.

We’re sailing aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaLyra from historic Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Austria, this December. Departing on 11 December, our voyage will take us along the magnificent Danube River to explore some of Europe’s most historic cities and storybook villages, hopefully under a soft blanket of crystal-white snow.

Along the way, we’ll find time to take you on a virtual journey through the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg and walk the snow-covered streets of beautiful Regensburg. We’ll transit the mechanical marvel of the Main-Danube Canal, with its locks that raise and lower ships to properly meet the Danube River. After that, it’s off on a Christmas walk through Passau, or maybe even an optional excursion to Salzburg, Austria – home to The Sound of Music – before re-joining the ship in the Austrian town of Linz.

We’ll guide you through the famous canary-yellow Benedictine Abbey that graces Melk, Austria and sip warm coffee in one of Vienna’s many cafes. Perhaps there will even be time to take in the optional Strauss and Mozart concert that evening, before touring this splendid city and its Christmas Markets the following day.

Finally, the cruise wraps up with a journey into the Hungarian capital of Budapest. With the gothic building of the Hungarian Parliament standing watch over the icy Danube, a day of exploration and a nighttime “Illuminations” cruise are the perfect way to end our journeys here.

The full itinerary, both here and onboard:

Stay tuned – live coverage begins on Saturday, December 10 and continues until Sunday, December 18! And we’ll follow it up with plenty of original content right here on River Cruise Advisor, including a complete, deck-by-deck photo-tour of the AmaLyra and a special focus on each of our “winterized” ports.

For more information on AmaWaterways and the luxurious AmaLyra, be sure to read our complete line and ship profiles here on River Cruise Advisor, and watch for our Live Coverage beginning on December 10^th!