Feel the old-world charm and unique traditions in each town along the way 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 Amabella in Budapest and cruise eight days through the charming region where so many of today’s most beloved Christmas traditions originated. Experience several enchanting Christmas markets in places like Bratislava and Vienna, each with its 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
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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, walk along Fishermen’s Bastion, and take in all of Budapest's iconic sites 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 also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. Or join a unique “Tastes of Slovakia” time. 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 have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then visit a local boutique where you’ll enjoy a tasting of special apricot treats. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided bike tour from Weissenkirchen to Melk. For those not biking to Melk, sail through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Melk. Once in Melk, 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 to 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 Advent season, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor for you to 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 ride along 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.
$3,6992-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Select a Date
Category E
Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Category D
Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Category C
Cello Deck, French Balcony, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Category BB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Category BA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Category AB
Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Category AA
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
Select a Date
Suite
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 350 sq. ft.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 251 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 251 reviews on
1 day ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
2 days ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.
Mary Warren
3 days ago
Jess was very easy going and answered all our questions. It’s not easy dealing with 6 people at once but she did an outstanding job!
Diane Foster
5 days ago
Kassandra and the Adventure Life team have been incredible! Kassandra was very knowledgeable and attentive to our asks while making sure we kept within our budget. This was our first experience with a travel agent and we were blown away by the booking/initial exploration service. We will use Adventure Life again.