Voyages with Vicki: Christmas Market Edition

Christmas markets aren't something you can do just any time — for a few weeks each December, entire towns transform: wooden stalls strung with lights, the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine drifting through the square, carols rising from corners that go quiet again by January. This is the year you see it for yourself.

Seven nights along the Danube, where every stop reveals something worth remembering:

• Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's oldest and most famous Christmas markets
• Vienna's Imperial splendor, from the Hofburg to Schönbrunn Palace's dazzling Christmas Market
• Regensburg's UNESCO-listed old town and the romantic Thurn und Taxis Artisan Christmas Market
• Budapest's Buda Castle District, aglow with holiday lights above the Danube

Vicki's support from planning through disembarkation — questions answered, details handled

And because this is AmaWaterways — the ship itself gets decked out for the season with trees, wreaths, and twinkling lights at every turn. All excursions, wine and beer with meals, and nightly cocktail hour are already included in your fare.

Book your deposit through Outlander Travel's group space by September 30, 2026 and you'll receive:

• $1,000 off per person ($750 Early Booking Rewards + $250 group savings)

After September 30, 2026, current AmaWaterways promotions will apply — still great, just not this great. Book early. Pricing for Christmas Market cruising only goes up.

Be among the first 5 to book and you'll also receive the following (exclusively through Outlander Travel, not available direct):

• Reduced deposit of $200 per person (regularly $400)
• An additional 5% off your cruise fare, after all other discounts have been calculated (port charges of $290 not eligible for this discount)

Final payment is due September 5, 2028.

Perks subject to AmaWaterways terms; final confirmation provided at booking.

Ship: AmaBella | 7 nights | Budapest to Nuremberg

Dates: December 4–11, 2028

• Budapest, Hungary — Embark in Hungary's grand capital, straddling the Danube between hilly Buda and flat Pest
• Budapest, Hungary — Explore the Castle District's Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church, or hike Castle Hill; wander Pest's Christmas Markets, Parliament Building, and Heroes' Square
• Vienna, Austria — Tour the "City of Waltzes," from the Opera House to the Habsburgs' Imperial Palace, or bike along the Danube; visit Schönbrunn Palace's Christmas Market
• Vienna & Melk, Austria — Browse the Rathaus Christmas Market by night, then visit the Baroque splendor of Melk Abbey, or bike around Melk
• Passau, Germany — Walk the Gothic and Baroque streets of the 2,000-year-old "City of Three Rivers" and its Christmas Market, bike along the Danube, or venture into the Austrian Alps for a full-day excursion to Salzburg
• Regensburg, Germany — Tour one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit the romantic Thurn und Taxis Artisan Christmas Market
• Nuremberg, Germany — Cross the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal; explore the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts, and browse the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's most famous Christmas Markets
• Nuremberg, Germany — Disembark and bid farewell to a week of twinkling lights and centuries-old tradition

Optional pre-cruise extension: 2 nights in Budapest

Optional post-cruise extension: 2 nights in Nuremberg or 3 nights in Prague

Why go all the way to Europe and rush home? Arrive early or stay on a little longer. Select an extension with AmaWaterways below or let's chat about planning a custom extension.

Pre-Cruise Options

2 Nights in Budapest — From $800 per person, double occupancy ($1,100 single) | December 2–4, 2028. Settle in before the cruise with time to explore Hungary's grand capital at your own pace.

Post-Cruise Options

2 Nights in Nuremberg — From $1,180 per person, double occupancy ($1,740 single) | December 11–13, 2028. Linger a little longer in Bavaria's Christmas market capital.

3 Nights in Prague — From $1,080 per person, double occupancy ($1,530 single) | December 11–14, 2028. One of Europe's most beautiful cities, dressed for the holidays.

A note on both extensions: dates connect directly to the cruise, so getting to and from the ship is seamless. Reach out to Vicki for full day-by-day details on either extension.

AmaBella is an intimate small ship, and the rates below reflect Outlander Travel's group pricing on this sailing. You can choose any available category below.

Starting at $3,889 per person, double occupancy (after the $1,000 group promo)

Pricing is based on stateroom availability at the time of booking. Rates shown include port charges ($290 per person). Single occupancy will incur a single supplement. The first 5 to book also receive Outlander Travel's exclusive Cruise Benefit — a reduced $200 deposit and an additional 5% off cruise fare (port charges not eligible). If available, this benefit is not included in the prices above.

Not sure which cabin is right for you? Reach out and I'll walk you through every option — no pressure, just good advice.

If you've ever dreamed of wandering Europe's Christmas markets — mulled wine warming your hands, gingerbread on the breeze, carols drifting from a candlelit square — 2028 is the year.

This trip is for:

• The couple ready to fall in love with the season all over again, hand in hand beneath a thousand twinkling lights
• The friends who've said "we should do a trip" one too many times — this is the year you finally say yes
• The solo traveler craving good company for the adventure, without giving up an ounce of independence
• Anyone who believes in a little Christmas magic — market stalls glowing gold, mulled wine warming your hands, and centuries of tradition drifting by along the Danube

AmaBella is a floating retreat — intimate, elegant, and wrapped in holiday warmth from bow to stern. Everything about the experience is designed so you can simply be present for the magic.

• Onboard holiday traditions — tree trimming, gingerbread decorating, and caroling, plus a beloved European custom: leave your shoes outside your door one enchanted evening and wake up to a sweet surprise
• Excursions included in every port, from castle courtyards to candlelit market squares
• Complimentary beverages with meals, including wine, beer, and soft drinks
• Regionally inspired dining and a signature Chef's Table experience that changes with the scenery outside your window
• Sip & Sail cocktail hour nightly in the Lark Lounge & Bar, toasting each new port as the lights come into view
• A small ship built for connection, not crowds — room to truly savor the season instead of rushing through it
• No nickel-and-diming — the fare you pay is the magic you get, wellness amenities and all

AmaWaterways runs a beautiful ship — but who helps you get there is up to you. That's where I come in.

• Expert guidance from the very first "what if we..." conversation through the moment you step off the ship
• Exclusive pricing and perks, made possible through Outlander Travel's group space on this sailing
• Clear, honest communication at every step — no surprises, no fine print
• Someone in your corner before you sail, and just a message away while you're gone — AmaWaterways and their wonderful crew take excellent care of you once you're onboard

Is this trip right for me?

If you're drawn to twinkling Christmas markets, storybook riverside towns, and a slower, more magical kind of travel — yes. Reach out and let's talk through whether this sailing is the right fit for you.

What's included in the price?

Your fare covers accommodations aboard AmaBella, all onboard meals and included beverages (wine, beer, and spirits with lunch and dinner), every AmaWaterways excursion in port, onboard entertainment, and gratuities for the ship's crew.

Is airfare included?

No, airfare is booked separately. I'm happy to help you find the best options once you're ready to book.

When is final payment due?

Final payment is due September 5, 2028. Your deposit today locks in your cabin and your pricing.

What's the group discount, and is there a deadline?

New bookings deposited by September 30, 2026 can combine AmaWaterways' Early Booking Reward with Outlander Travel's group discount for a combined savings of $1,000 per person off the retail fare. The first 5 to book also receive an additional 5% off cruise fare through Outlander Travel's exclusive Cruise Benefit. After Sept 30, there's still a group discount of $250 per person and sometimes AmaWaterways may offer additional promotions.

Will I be traveling with other Outlander Travel clients?

You might be — booking through Outlander Travel's group space is simply how I unlock better pricing on this sailing, not a curated group tour. You likely won't know your fellow travelers going in, and AmaWaterways runs the cruise and all onboard programming. I'm here to help before, during, and after your trip with anything you need.

I'm traveling solo — is that okay?

Absolutely — solo travelers are very welcome. A single supplement applies, and I'm happy to talk through what makes the most sense for you.

Should I get travel insurance?

I strongly recommend it. Ask me about options to protect your investment.

🎄 Market lights, mulled wine, and cobblestones dusted with snow.

🏰 Castles on the hillside, glowing gold against the winter sky.

🥂 A crew ready to welcome you like family, one twinkling port at a time.

🍪 Gingerbread, carols, and a little shoe-outside-the-door surprise along the way.

This is the trip you'll be telling stories about for years to come.

Ready to claim your cabin? Reach out to Vicki today — let's turn this Christmas into the unforgettable one.