Dock in Passau, a picturesque city set on three rivers. Explore the narrow lanes and squares of Old Town dressed up with holiday decorations - a yuletide wonderland that will delight your family. You have a choice of activities. One is a walking tour of Old Town and a visit to a local cafe for a traditional sweets workshop. The family that owns the cafe has been making treats for the residents of Passau for four generations - and today they'll share some tips with your family. Another choice is to discover Old Town as you play a geo-caching game with a local guide. Or go on a guided hike with a holiday theme and interactive storytelling. Enjoy some free time in Passau before returning to your riverboat. As you to sail on to Linz in Austria, your Tauck Directors and Cruise Director have lots of fun activities planned for your family to share onboard ship, including holiday karaoke!

Early this morning your riverboat sails through Wachau Valley wine country before docking in Durnstein. Disembark for your choice of shore excursions. One possibility is to visit Melk Abbey, a sprawling Baroque edifice high on a hill overlooking the Danube. Softly golden in the winter light, Melk Abbey is filled with centuries of treasures. It's been a beacon of learning for generations and is still home to a secondary school today. On a guided tour, your family will love imagining going to school in these magnificent surroundings. According to the abbey's Christmas legend, the Virgin Mary and the Christ child made a miraculous visit to the abbey, where a young novice juggled oranges and entertained the infant so much that he clapped for joy and Mary gave the baby to the priest-in-training to hold. Your family's other choice this morning is to go on a walking tour in the charming riverside Old Town of Krems, set against a striking backdrop of terraced vineyards. After lunch onboard your riverboat, enjoy some local wines at a tasting and learn about wine-making in the Wachau Valley. Your riverboat sails for Vienna this afternoon.

This morning, enjoy a firsthand look at the Habsburg emperors' home life during your guided visit at Schonbrunn Palace, once their magnificent summer residence, boasting 1,441 rooms and exquisite gardens. This afternoon is free for exploring Vienna as you please; shuttles between your riverboat and central Vienna run throughout the afternoon. Then, it's time to dress up for a Tauck Exclusive evening at Palais Pallavicini, one of Vienna's few private palaces, where you'll enjoy a champagne (or juice) reception, dinner, a performance, and a waltzing lesson for a wonderful night of family fun.

Please Note: To preserve your sightseeing experience in Vienna and maximize our time there, we may rotate our activities on Days 5 and 6 on some departures.

Dock in Budapest this morning and disembark your riverboat for a tour of a city divided by the Danube River. Known for its stunning architecture as the Pearl of the Danube, Budapest was once two separate cities, Buda and Pest. Your family will go on a walking tour through the castle district and take in the amazing views from Fisherman's Bastion. See elegant Andrassy Avenue, monumental Heroes Square, and City Park. Tour ends: Budapest. A transfer is included from Kempinski Corvinus Hotel, Budapest to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Guests should book an afternoon flight home to be able to participate in Budapest sightseeing. Families enjoying a post-cruise stay at Kempinksi Corvinus Hotel, Budapest will receive a transfer from Tauck's hotel to the airport. Please allow at least 3 hours for airport check-in.