In each town along the way, you'll feel the old world charm and unique traditions as you stroll the expansive markets for souvenirs, lifted along by the sweet and savory smells of the fresh food and local flavors. Enjoy a holiday like no other! Board the MS Amaserena in Budapest and cruise through the charming region where so many of today’s most beloved Christmas traditions originated. Experience a number of enchanting Christmas markets in places such as Bratislava and Vienna, each with its own local flavor and traditions. Celebrating the magic of the holiday season and concluding your holiday cruise in Vilshofen.
Highlights
Explore historic Melk and its famous Benedictine Abbey
Sightsee in picturesque Passau, home to Europe's largest pipe organ
Visit Vienna's landmarks and tour the Schonbrunn Palace
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. Tonight, the ship will sail a special Illuminations Cruise past the capital’s glittering river front.
Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterward, you’ll visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration.
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you'll discover during your walking tour. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. Tonight, explore Vienna’ssplendid Rathaus (Town Hall) Christmas Market.
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. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, visit the market at Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. Cap the day off with “Vienna by Night”Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated MariaTheresaplatz Christmas Market, set amongst the world-renowned sights of Vienna’s majestic Ringstrasse, and at the illuminated Rathaus, Vienna’s largest Christmas Market.
After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then a visit to a local boutique where you’ll enjoy a tasting of special apricot treats. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided bike tour from Weissenkirchen toMelk. For those not biking to Melk, you’ll sail through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Melk. Once inMelk, you’ll visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey.
Linz is known for being the city of Christmascrèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of three excursions. The first is a full-day visit to Salzburg where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. Alternatively, you can choose a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas Markets. Or you can go on a guided bike tour through Linz and along the city’s famed“Culture Mile” and the Danube. During the afternoon, you can join a half-day excursion to Salzburg.
During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ridealong the Danube. Later, sail for Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,299
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Piano deck, fixed windows
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Violin & Cello deck, French Balcony
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BB
Cello deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
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Suite
Violin deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.6 | 108 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 108 reviews on
23 hours ago
Personal knowledge of the trip I was considering. Patience with our figuring out which dates we could travel.
Brian
1 day ago
Clara and Rhenee were gracious and available. Phone contact is so important to answer questions and discuss all aspects of trip. If not immediately available they scheduled a time to speak.
They were knowledgeable, honest, realistic and very friendly. They are both very professional and take their role seriously.
Happy Camper
1 day ago
Jason has been wonderful. He is full of information and was very willing to listen to what was of interest to us.
Lee
3 days ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
3 days ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.