Christmas on the Danube rail from London

Your festive vacation begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and traveling group, ready to board the Eurostar to Brussels. From the Belgian capital, we switch to a regional service and travel in First Class to Frankfurt, a lively and modern city in central Germany.

Arriving in the evening, we check in to our central hotel for an overnight stay. Tonight, we gather for our first dinner together in the hotel restaurant, as we look forward to the seasonal cruise ahead. Overnight Frankfurt.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we board a high-speed train to Passau, traveling in First Class. At the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is known today for its location near the Austrian border and its historic architecture. The setting of the Old Town, constructed by Italian Baroque masters in the 17th century, is filled with soaring towers, picturesque landscapes, enchanting promenades and winding alleyways.

From the station, we transfer by coach to our cruise ship, decked out in its Christmas finery. We're greeted by our friendly crew and enjoy a welcome drink while taking in the waterside views from the lounge.

After settling into your cabin and familiarizing yourself with our ship's facilities, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking on Christmas Eve, you can choose between two excursions. You might like to stay in Passau, joining a guided tour of this charming German city whose Old Town is filled with Baroque architecture, including St. Stephen's Cathedral. If you choose this option, you'll have some time to unwind on the ship after the tour as we sail through picturesque scenery.

Your second option is to join a tour of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for The Sound of Music, which is particularly magical at Christmas. On a morning tour, we stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, admiring churches, squares, alleyways and Baroque spires. In the afternoon, you might like to take a walk along the river, visit Mirabell Gardens or take a cable-car ride up Untersberg Mountain for spectacular views across the Berchtesgaden Alps.

Returning to our ship in the evening, we enjoy spiced mulled wine before dinner, looking forward to tomorrow's Christmas celebrations. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Christmas Day brings a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the magnificent Melk Abbey. Standing atop of a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, this golden 11th-century complex is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. We disembark at Emmersdorf for a guided tour of the abbey's beautiful church, historic library and ornate halls.

Back on the ship, we enjoy lunch while sailing through the picturesque UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley to the riverside village of Dürnstein. Famed for its apricots and fruit-infused liquor, you can wander the charming streets, sample local produce or admire the powder-blue church tower.

Returning to the ship in the evening, we enjoy a gingerbread-making demonstration. After learning how to make this authentic regional treat, we indulge in the last of this special day's highlights: a Christmas-themed gala dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we board a coach for a guided tour of the elegant city of Vienna. With our expert guide, we pass the illustrious Ringstrasse boulevard, the world-renowned Opera House and the monumental parliament building.

After lunch on the ship, you can choose between two excursions. The first is a trip to Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family. During the festive season, the forecourt is transformed into a magical Christmas market. Listening as the live band plays festive melodies in front of the beautifully decorated tree, you can wander the stalls selling handmade goods, art and gourmet treats.

Your second option is to return to Vienna, where you can stroll along the scenic boulevards, marvel at the striking St. Stephen's Cathedral or enter one of the countless museums and galleries that bring the city's history to life. Don't forget to indulge in a slice of famous Sachertorte, a delicious Viennese cake, at one of the city's grand coffeehouses. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed overnight sailing, we make our way to Slovakia's capital, where we are welcomed by views of Bratislava Castle's gleaming white walls. Arriving this morning, we set out on a guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district.

Despite being a national capital, beautiful Bratislava is nicknamed the 'Little Big City' due to its compact size. Wandering the charming streets, where each corner reveals delightful new views, we admire attractive squares, idyllic streets, grand palaces and historic churches. On the tour, we enjoy a ride on the Bratislava City Train up to Bratislava Castle.

We return to the ship for lunch and begin sailing to the Austrian city of Linz. In the afternoon, we indulge in a delightful Christmas-themed afternoon tea of mince pies, stollen, gingerbread, sausages wrapped in bacon, turkey and stuffing sandwiches, with mulled wine. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a free morning as we continue to cruise along the Danube toward Linz. You might like to step out onto the ship's terrace to enjoy panoramic views of the riverbanks, stop by the fitness room or enjoy a massage in the wellness center.

After lunch, we moor in Linz and board a coach for a sightseeing tour of the city. Linz has a deep connection to the Danube; in the Middle Ages, the city's location at a bend in the river made it an important trade and transport hub. As our guide narrates the journey, soak up views of Linz's beautiful Baroque architecture. We see the Old Cathedral (Alter Dom), a 17th-century masterpiece; the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus); and Hauptplatz, the Old Town's main square.

Returning to the ship in the evening, we enjoy our final dinner as we continue sailing back to Passau. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast today, we transfer to the station, where we board a high-speed train to Cologne, traveling in First Class. Arriving in the afternoon, we check in to our hotel before a few hours at leisure in the city.

You might like to stroll through Cologne's charming Old Town, where you can admire the tall and narrow pastel-colored houses, set out along the winding streets, or wander to the Rhine Promenade for a stroll along the river. There are many traditional brewery taverns close to the Old Town, all of which serve Kölsch beer, brewed only in Cologne. You may wish to visit at least one of these to sample the beer for yourself.

You're welcome to explore the city at leisure, enjoying the sights, sounds and scents as the dusk begins to fall. In the evening, we gather at the hotel for our final dinner of the vacation. Overnight Cologne.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spending the holidays on the Danube was a uniquely enchanting experience. From Passau to Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava and Linz, the towns and cities along the river revealed their seasonal charm as we soaked up the festive atmosphere. Celebrating Christmas Day with a tour of the magnificent Melk Abbey was a highlight, and enjoying a gingerbread-making workshop and a Christmas-themed afternoon tea set the scene for this magical cruise.

After breakfast this morning, your vacation comes to an end as we board a regional train to Brussels, traveling in First Class. In the Belgian capital, we board the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your tour concludes and you are free to make your own way home.

• Breakfast