Budapest parliament panorama
Christmas Markets Tour & Danube River Cruise
Itinerary
Your tour can start at any time from the end of November to Mid-December. Choose your start date to tie-in with the Danube river cruise start date from Passau. (2nd and 9th of December 2020)
Prague Day 1 & 2 Start of Christmas Markets Land Tour
Your English speaking driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel right in the centre of the city. Take the afternoon and evening to familiarize yourself with this UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage listed inner city and its amazing architecture, winding streets and famous sights. In the evening enjoy a traditional Czech dinner.
A local guide will take you on a leisurely walking tour of the historical buildings of ‘Old Prague’. Stroll around the spectacular Prague Christmas Market where you will find local handicrafts, like Bohemian crystal and lace and listen to local and international choirs singing Christmas carols on the stage in the Old Town Square while you browse the market stalls and enjoy the food and hot Christmas punch.
Berlin Day 3 & 4
Start your experience of a festive illuminated Berlin with a guided 'Christmas Lights Tour'.
Berlin offers you a choice of 60 Christmas markets, traditional, historic or lively, modern. At the Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market the castle and its park are immersed in a special romantic light and the stalls present carefully selected arts and crafts and ancient handicrafts. In the festively decorated cabins and exclusive glass pagodas you can enjoy delicious Christmas treats.
The Highlights at the Christmas Market on the Reformationsplatz'are a Nativity scene with living animals and a medieval plague procession that takes place every Wednesday.
The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market takes place in one of the most beautiful squares of the city. Apart from the interesting offerings at the stalls there is plenty of entertainment provided by jugglers, acrobats, fire artists, dance groups, choirs, classical, jazz and gospel ensembles and famous international artists.
Take a nostalgic carriage ride through 'old Berlin' past the delightful backdrops of the Christmas Market at the State Opera House and the Opera Palais. Children in particular will enjoy the crib with live animals, the 200 wooden stalls and an antique wooden horse carousel.
Take part in a guided tour of the Reichstag (German Parliament) and view the city from the roof terrace of this spectacular and world famous glass dome. (Saturdays only).
Dresden Day 5 & 6
Familiarize yourself with this city with a 'Hop-on/Hop-off' bus tour and visit the Zwinger Palace and Pillnitz Castle.
The 'Striezelmarket', Germany's oldest Christmas market, has its origins in the early 15th Century. Traditional Christmas gifts, toys and decorations were invented hundreds of years ago in the nearby Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). Today most of the Christmas markets in Germany are still being supplied from this region and the traditional Dresden Christmas Market with its romantic and festive charm is a treasure trove of traditional hand made crafts. Admire Dresden's Christmas pyramids, smoking figures, printed textile products and pottery from Lusatia, gingerbread from Pulsnitz, filigree lace products from Plauen, Herrenhut Advent stars and blown glass tree decorations from Lauscha. Take this opportunity and watch the carvers, glass-blowers and bakers in action at the crafts market.
The focal points of the Dresden Christmas Market is the world's tallest Christmas pyramid, with a height of 14 metres and the world's biggest nut cracker.
Nürnberg Day 7
A pleasant walking tour through the Old Town offers insights and information about the history of this ancient town, the castle, fortifications, wells and art treasures.
Every year Germany's most famous Christmas markets commences with a moving ceremony on Friday evening before the first Advent Sunday. 180 stalls, festooned with red and white cloth have given this Christmas market its name: Little town of wood and cloth.
Münich Day 8 & 9
Start your visit to Münich with a guided tour to several of Münich's Christmas markets. Your guide will lead you through the Old Town to visit Münich’s most enchanting market stalls, steeped in history and festively decorated with fairy lights and Christmas decorations. Your guide will tell you stories about German Christmas traditions and history. See the nativity scene at Old City Hall and the Christmas Village in the Royal Palace courtyard and the Medieval Market near Odeonsplatz.
From Münich take an excursion to King Ludwig's dream castles, fairytale-like Neuschwanstein.
Passau Day 10 Start of Danube River Cruise
After boarding your ship use your free time to explore delightful Passau or join the other travellers for a “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)
Passau Day 11
Take a walking tour of elegant Passau, called the Dreiflüssestadt (City on Three Rivers), which is situated at the confluence of the Danube, Ilz and Inn Rivers. You will see the impressive Veste Oberhaus, a 13th Century fortress that served as the bishops' stronghold for several centuries. In the afternoon you are free to further explore Passau. See the sights and experience the local culture, or simply relax on board before dinner. (B, L, D)
Linz & Salzburg Day 12
This day's activity is an excursion to the legendary Austrian city of Salzburg, known as the location for the film, The Sound of Music. Ride through the scenic Austrian countryside to Salzburg’s Old Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a walking tour featuring the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Hohensalzburg Fortress just above the city centre. Take free time to explore Salzburg’s narrow cobbled streets and colorful buildings and get lunch in one of the charming cafés; return aboard for dinner and a late-evening departure. (B, D)
Melk & Dürnstein Day 13
In the morning visit the 900-year-old abbey at Melk, a Benedictine monastery that was originally one of Leopold II’s castles. See its spectacular wall and ceiling frescoes, note the library’s comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts, and admire the graceful spiral staircase. After lunch aboard, the ship stops at the picturesque Wachau Valley town of Dürnstein, where you can explore on your own, sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region, or join an optional walking tour of the town’s highlights. Dine aboard as you depart. (B, L, D)
Vienna Day 14
Enjoy the tour of the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Or you may take an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the Versailles of Vienna, graced by a number of formal gardens, classical statuary, the world’s oldest zoo and the “Roman ruin” erected in 1778. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)
Bratislava Day 15
Arrive in Bratislava in the morning and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital—the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary—with a long and fascinating history. See attractions like the medieval Town Hall complex and fortifications at Michael’s Tower, baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, and pass by several Habsburg-era baroque palaces before returning to your ship for lunch and departure. Enjoy relaxing Danube cruising; sail into Budapest late in the evening. (B, L, D)
Budapest Day 16
Visit the highlights of both the older “Buda” and more the cosmopolitan “Pest” sides of the city, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Fishermen’s Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard with the rest of the day to explore on your own—you may wish to visit the Art Deco Gellért Spa or one of the many other lavish facilities in this “City of Healing Waters.” Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
Budapest Day 17
After breakfast your Danube river cruise comes to an end. Disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)
The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Tour Prices 2024
From AUD $4,490 per person twin share for the land component of your tour.
Prices for the cruise component vary and depend on the choice of cabin, optional excursions or extensions. At times discounts or special offers are available. Click here for further cruise information, departure dates, itinerary and price details.
Inclusions River Cruise
Accommodation
- Deluxe river-view stateroom
Meals
- All onboard meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 7 dinners
- Complimentary beverages - wine, beer & soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner
Shore excursions
- 6 included guided tours as per itinerary
Other
- Port charges
- Shipboard gratuities
Inclusions Land Tour
Accommodation
- 9 nights in first class, 4 and 5 star centrally located hotels
Travel
- First class train rides between destinations with seat reservations where required including from Munich to Passau.
- Transport by chauffeured car from the airport to hotel in Prague on arrival
- Transport to Budapest airport on departure. (or at extra cost to Vienna airport)
Meals
- 9 full breakfasts
Sightseeing, activities and excursions
- Christmas markets in Prague, Berlin, Dresden, Nürnberg and Münich,
- Walking sightseeing tour in Prague
- Christmas Lights tour in Berlin (weekends only)
- Guided tour of the Government district, Parliament house and visit to the glass dome in Berlin (Saturdays only)
- Hop-on/hop-off bus tour in Dresden
- Admission to the the Zwinger Palace and Pillnitz Castle in Dresden
- Excursion to King Ludwig's fairytale castle Neuschwannstein
We also cater for solo travellers, families and groups. Prices by application.
These prices and tour information are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
Single and triple share travellers please note that some changes to inclusions are necessary. Please contact us for details.
Click here to see all our White Christmas Tours.