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
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, 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.
$3,699
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
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Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Piano Deck, Fixed window, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Cello Deck, French Balcony, private facilities, 170 sq. ft.
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Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
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Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 210 sq. ft.
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Cello Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
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Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 235 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck, French Balcony & Outside Balcony, private facilities, 350 sq. ft.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 129 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 129 reviews on
26 minutes ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
10 hours ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
18 hours ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.
trudy
1 day ago
For our first trip to Costa Rica, Adventure Life designed a tour that meets the interests, ecological and adventure, of our party; but also takes into account our physical limitations sine we are all septuagenarian. We are looking forward to the trip.
John Zent
2 days ago
Adventure Life is my favorite travel company due to their genuine care for their customers. They make every effort to ensure a wonderful travel experience for you. Their personal touch really gives the customer a lot of confidence with their travel plans and the trip leaders are always outstanding. They are truly consistent and accountable with the great service they provide. I can't thank Adventure Life enough for the incredible trips I have enjoyed thanks to them and their attention to detail.