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 Christmas markets 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. 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. "Imperial" Vienna, which you'll explore on a sightseeing tour this morning, seems even grander with Christmas decorations everywhere you look. Get a glimpse of what "happy Habsburg family holidays" might have been like on a tour of Schonbrunn Palace, and take in the palace's own Christmas market. After a holiday lunch at the historic Palais Pallavicini, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to sample more of Vienna's holiday cheer and its many Christmas markets. Complimentary shuttles run back and forth between the city and the riverboat. Share your memories of this wonderful week with your new friends at the Captain's farewell dinner this evening... and perhaps later with a final toast in the lounge... as your cruise draws to a close. ...
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