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Hungarian parliament, Budapest

Iconic Christmas Markets - Cruise Only

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard MS Amasonata
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Travel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and historic towns bedecked with twinkling Christmas trees and lined with wooden huts gleaming with handcrafted treasures. Iconic Christmas Markets are plentiful and are on full display for your pleasure: Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square, where all products sold in the market are guaranteed as traditionally handmade; Vienna with its impressive Christmas Markets that seem to majestically appear around every corner; Nuremberg’s festive Christkindlesmarkt, the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Germany; and Regensburg’s Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle, considered one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic—along with many others throughout your journey—are yours to explore.
HungaryFrauenkirche church in NurembergVisit charming PassauRathaus in ViennaPassau at sunset, GermanyNurembergViennaHungarian parliament, Budapest
Highlights
  • Visit the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs
  • Tour "Vienna by Night" Christmas Markets at the Maria Theresaplatz Christmas Market
  • Explore Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries
  • Take a guided bike ride along the Danube and through the scenic Strudengau Valley
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark | Budapest, Hungary

Arrive in Budapest and embark on your luxurious river cruise ship. During the evening, cruise along Budapest’s famed illuminated riverfront. 

Day 2: Budapest

Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Your tour through this sprawling World Heritage city offers splendid views from the historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both river banks. You’ll also visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, and more. Later, explore Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market, the largest and most popular Christmas Market in Budapest. Alternatively, you can hike to Castle Hill, walk along Fishermen’s Bastion, and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration.     

“Queen of the Danube” tour and Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market
OR Castle Hill Hike

Day 3: Vienna, Austria

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Afterward, you’ll visit the Christmas Markets where you can purchase delightful delicacies and hand-made gifts. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. Cap the day off with “Vienna by Night” Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Town Hall (Rathaus), Vienna’s largest Christmas Market.

    
“Imperial Vienna” tour with Christmas Markets
OR Vienna City Tour by Bike (Illuminated Christmas Markets) by Night

Day 4: Melk

High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent and storied abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. During the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley. 

Melk Abbey visit
OR Melk bike tour
Scenic Cruising Strudengau Valley

Day 5: Passau, Germany

Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and Christmas Market, which is a feast for the senses. For the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. 

Day 6: Regensburg

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria before visiting the Old Town Christmas Market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to Walhalla where you will see the neo- Classical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis Castle, where you can watch artisansmake their unique arts and crafts.

Day 7: Nuremberg

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main- Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to Bratwurst, Rotbier (red beer) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market), one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas Markets. Stroll along as the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread fill the air and browse through over 100 red and white canvas-topped booths offering an assortment of unique treasures, toys and seasonal goodies. 

Day 8: Nuremberg | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning, disembark your cruise in Nuremberg. 

Ship/Hotel

MS Amasonata

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Danube River Cruises.
Amasonata E cabin
Cat. E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
Amasonata D cabin
Cat. D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 160 sq. ft.
Amasonata C
Cat. C
Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
Amasonata BB cabin
Cat. BB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft
Amasonata BA cabin
Cat BA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
Cat AB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft
Amasonata AA cabin
Cat. AA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
Cat. AA+
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 250 sq. ft.
Suite
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.

Notes

Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Bottled water replenished daily
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  • Beverages: Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
  • Beverages: Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Personal headset for excursions. 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Laundry 

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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