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Christmas Markets
on the Danube
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Christmas Markets on the Danube
Experience a lavish and traditional European Christmas in some of the world’s most famous capital cities – Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest – all decked in seasonal and festive splendour.
Cruise the renowned Blue Danube in style and embark on an enchanted AmaWaterways River Cruise with glittering Christmas trees and angelic choirs set against historic architecture and famous landmarks.
Visit some of Europe’s finest Christmas Markets, with the fragrance of mulled wine and hot chestnuts accompanying your stroll around the stalls to shop for handcrafted gifts and toys for the festive season. Give yourself the gift of unforgettable memories on this incredible Danube River Cruise.
Christmas Markets on the Danube Cruise Prices
Christmas Markets On The Danube Cruise Gallery
Christmas Markets on the Danube Cruise Itinerary
This 7-night festive cruise combines the style and excitement of Christmas with some of Europe’s most famous cities. Enjoy festive cuisine, tours to famous landmarks, and some of the world’s most iconic Christmas Markets with luxury river accommodation, memorable views, and fine dining.
Day 1
Budapest
Embark in Budapest.
Day 2
Budapest
Known as the ‘Queen of the Danube’, Budapest is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites. A guided tour takes you to the highlights of this fascinating city, including the Buda Castle quarter and Heroes’ Square, plus Vorosmarty Square, home to Budapest’s most spectacular and traditional Christmas Market. Guests also have the choice of a hike to Castle Hill, a walk which takes in the Fisherman’s Bastion and many iconic Budapest landmarks.
Day 3
Bratislava & Vienna
Explore Bratislava’s history on the Coronation City walking tour, a chance to learn about the 11 Hungarian monarchs crowned here between 1536 and 1830. There’s also an opportunity to visit one of Bratislava’s charming Christmas markets. For spectacular views, hike up to Bratislava Castle; this symbol of old Bratislava has stunning river views. Guests who want to learn more about local Hungarian cuisine can join the Tastes of Bratislava tour with a chance to sample the world-famous goulash and potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese. The Rathaus Christmas Markets are the destination for another excursion with classic street food and handmade gifts.
Day 4
Vienna
Tour historic imperial Vienna and explore the most important landmarks, including the Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, the Opera House and the UNESCO-designated city centre. This excursion also includes a visit to the Maria Theresa Platz Christmas Market. Explore more of the city on a guided bike ride. For those who just can’t resist all things festive, the excursion to the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace and gardens with their illuminated Christmas Markets won’t disappoint. Enjoy Vienna after dark as the light fades and visit the legendary Rathaus Christmas Markets. One of the largest Christmas Markets in the world with legendary illuminations, this is a fantastic destination to buy glass decorations, handicrafts and traditional ceramics.
Day 5
Weissenkirchen/Melk
Explore the pretty Austrian riverside town of Dürnstein on a walking tour with a wine tasting for some tasty refreshments. This area is well-known for wine-making, with the flavour of the grapes reflecting the beautiful vineyard locations in which they are grown. Dürnstein is also famous for apricot treats, jams and chocolates, and a Sweet Treats excursion allows guests to sample these delicious confections. However, if you want to get out and about, take the bike tour from Weissenkirchen to Melk. If the river is just too tempting, relax and cruise through the beautiful and UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley and visit the famous Benedictine Abbey in Melk at the end of your journey.
Day 6
Linz
There are three excursions in Linz. Take the walking tour and meander through the old city centre with a visit to the Linz Christmas Markets or bike along the city’s famous ‘Culture Mile’, which runs parallel to the Danube with some fascinating art galleries and installations reflecting the last three centuries. In the afternoon, visit Cesky Krumlov, a pretty Czech mountain town. There is also a full-day trip to Salzburg, where guests can visit Mozart’s House, the majestic cathedral and the stunning Hellbrunn Palace, home to one of Austria’s most beautiful Christmas Markets.
Day 7
Passau & Vilshofen
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Passau on the ‘City of Three Rivers’ walking tour, with plenty of opportunities to visit Passau’s Christmas Markets along the way, including St. Stephen’s Square, where there is also a magnificent cathedral. Guests can shop for unique crafts and Bavarian-style glass ornaments. An alternative excursion is a hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf or enjoy the River Inn bike tour. In Vilshofen, experience an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration, for perfect memories of this remarkable cruise.
Day 8
Vilshofen
Disembarkation.
Day 1
Vilshofen
Embark in Vilshofen.
Day 2
Passau & Vilshofen
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Passau on the ‘City of Three Rivers’ walking tour, with plenty of opportunities to visit Passau’s Christmas Markets along the way, including St. Stephen’s Square, where there is also a magnificent cathedral. Guests can shop for unique crafts and Bavarian-style glass ornaments. An alternative excursion is a hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf or enjoy the River Inn bike tour. In Vilshofen, experience an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration, for perfect memories of this remarkable cruise.
Day 3
Linz
There are three excursions in Linz. Take the walking tour and meander through the old city centre with a visit to the Linz Christmas Markets or bike along the city’s famous ‘Culture Mile’, which runs parallel to the Danube with some fascinating art galleries and installations reflecting the last three centuries. In the afternoon, visit Cesky Krumlov, a pretty Czech mountain town. There is also a full-day trip to Salzburg, where guests can visit Mozart’s House, the majestic cathedral and the stunning Hellbrunn Palace, home to one of Austria’s most beautiful Christmas Markets.
Day 4
Weissenkirchen/Melk
Explore the pretty Austrian riverside town of Dürnstein on a walking tour with a wine tasting for some tasty refreshments. This area is well-known for wine-making, with the flavour of the grapes reflecting the beautiful vineyard locations in which they are grown. Dürnstein is also famous for apricot treats, jams and chocolates, and a Sweet Treats excursion allows guests to sample these delicious confections. However, if you want to get out and about, take the bike tour from Weissenkirchen to Melk. If the river is just too tempting, relax and cruise through the beautiful and UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley and visit the famous Benedictine Abbey in Melk at the end of your journey.
Day 5
Vienna
Tour historic imperial Vienna and explore the most important landmarks, including the Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, the Opera House and the UNESCO-designated city centre. This excursion also includes a visit to the Maria Theresa Platz Christmas Market. Explore more of the city on a guided bike ride. For those who just can’t resist all things festive, the excursion to the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace and gardens with their illuminated Christmas Markets won’t disappoint. Enjoy Vienna after dark as the light fades and visit the legendary Rathaus Christmas Markets. One of the largest Christmas Markets in the world with legendary illuminations, this is a fantastic destination to buy glass decorations, handicrafts and traditional ceramics.
Day 6
Bratislava & Vienna
Explore Bratislava’s history on the Coronation City walking tour, a chance to learn about the 11 Hungarian monarchs crowned here between 1536 and 1830. There’s also an opportunity to visit one of Bratislava’s charming Christmas markets. For spectacular views, hike up to Bratislava Castle; this symbol of old Bratislava has stunning river views. Guests who want to learn more about local Hungarian cuisine can join the Tastes of Bratislava tour with a chance to sample the world-famous goulash and potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese. The Rathaus Christmas Markets are the destination for another excursion with classic street food and handmade gifts.
Day 7
Budapest
Known as the ‘Queen of the Danube’, Budapest is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites. A guided tour takes you to the highlights of this fascinating city, including the Buda Castle quarter and Heroes’ Square, plus Vorosmarty Square, home to Budapest’s most spectacular and traditional Christmas Market. Guests also have the choice of a hike to Castle Hill, a walk which takes in the Fisherman’s Bastion and many iconic Budapest landmarks.
Day 8
Budapest
Disembark in Budapest.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS ON THE DANUBE CRUISE SHIPS
CHRISTMAS MARKETS ON THE DANUBE RIVER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
Visit some of Europe’s most treasured cities on your Christmas Markets on the Danube River Cruise
Christmas Markets on the Danube Deals
Experience the Christmas Markets on the Danube with Crui.se
AmaWaterways 
Departure:
VISITING: Budapest Bratislava & Vienna Vienna Weissenkirchen/Melk Linz Passau & Vilshofen Vilshofen
AVG PER PERSON*
£
2,393
AmaWaterways Departure:
Nov to
Dec
VISITING: Nuremberg (EMBARK) Nuremberg Regensburg Passau / Salzburg Melk & Wachau Valley & Vienna Vienna Budapest Budapest (DISEMBARK)
AVG PER PERSON*
£
3,114
AmaWaterways Departure:
January
VISITING: Amsterdam Cologne Rhine Gorge / Rüdesheim Ludwigshafen Strasbourg Breisach Basel
AVG PER PERSON*
Price on Request
AmaWaterways Departure:
VISITING: Vilshofen Vilshofen / Passau Linz Weissenkirchen Vienna Bratislava Budapest Budapest / Mohacs Vukovar / Ilok / Novi Sad Belgrade Iron Gates / Scenic Cruising Vidin Rousse Giurgiu
AVG PER PERSON*
£
4,247
AmaWaterways Departure:
VISITING: Budapest Budapest / Mohacs Vukovar / Ilok / Novi Sad Belgrade Iron Gates Vidin Rousse Giurgiu
AVG PER PERSON*
£
2,653
Christmas Markets on the Danube Cruise Review
Christmas Markets on the Danube FAQ
I have a nut allergy, and nuts are common in most cuisines, particularly at Christmas. Can the chefs adjust the menus to accommodate this?
Our gourmet chefs produce fresh menus daily and can accommodate any changes or variations to suit the requirements of different guests. Just let us know when you book. We offer international and regional cuisine using local produce at each sitting, and there are vegetarian and vegan options every day. Taste and flavour are always top priorities, and every dish is made with the skill and expertise we are renowned for.
As this is a long-awaited extended family trip, can we celebrate Christmas aboard this cruise?
We are delighted to cater for special events and occasions on our cruises. Just tell us what would make your cruise memorable when you book. We can adjust menus and dining options for a festive meal to remember and help you plan port excursions that guarantee an unforgettable Christmas.
Do I need visas to travel on this cruise?
The Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise passes through four countries, and passengers are responsible for sourcing their visas before travelling. Our booking team can chat through some general points with you so you understand what’s involved. Just ensure you apply early enough, as there can be longer waiting times during busy periods.
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