Christmas Markets on the Danube

Day One - Overnight Flight to Budapest

Your adventure begins today! After a day of excitement and anticipation, it’s time to embark on your journey on an overnight flight to the enchanting city of Budapest.

Day Two - Budapest

Welcome to Budapest. You’ll be greeted by an Emerald Cruises representative at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. After boarding, you’ll have time to enjoy Budapest at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music and dance on board.

Day Three - Budapest

Join a local guide for a tour of the Hungarian capital today, covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the stalls of Budapest’s main Christmas market, where handcrafted ornaments are plentiful and colorful strings of lights line the streets.

Included Excursion
Guided coach tour of Budapest

Day Four - Bratislava

Across Europe, different cultures intertwine at Christmastime, sharing their traditions, treats, and unique customs. The Slovakian capital is a truly charming city whose roots can be traced across the continent. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bratislava, including its enchanting historic district and some of its many bustling Christmas markets.

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Bratislava

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Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family

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Carpathian wine route (extra expense)

Day Five - Vienna

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

Included Excursion
Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum

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Viennese evening concert (extra expense)

Day Six - Krems

Enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Constructed in 1083, it’s one of Austria’s most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from across the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.

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Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey

Day Seven - Passau, Engelhartszell

A blanket of powdered snow graces the European countryside at Christmastime, creating a magical setting as we cruise into Passau. On this afternoon’s included walking tour of the town, enjoy visiting the annual Christkindlmarkt, set in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Almost a hundred gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs and handmade gifts are found here, each connected to the next by strings of twinkling fairy lights.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Passau

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Visit to Schuetzmuseum Engelhartszell (extra expense)

Day Eight - Regensburg

Today, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Regensburg. Our guided walking tour will explain the history behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, as you stroll across one of the oldest bridges on the Danube and witness its ancient fortifications. Stop to visit one of the loveliest Christmas markets in the region at Thurn and Taxis Palace, with its many quaint wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and festive goods adorning hidden passageways and narrow cobblestone streets.

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Visit to the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace Grounds

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Traditional Bavarian band on board

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Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting

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Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense)

Day Nine - Fly Home

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship in Regensburg for your transfer to Munich Airport and take memories of handcrafted ornaments and gingerbread stalls with you.