8 Day Danube Holiday Markets

Arrive in the beautiful city of Budapest, home to one of Europe’s largest Christmas markets. You'll be greeted at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and transferred to the S.S. Maria Theresa. Unpack, relax and spend the rest of the day at leisure as you explore your festive surroundings.

Spend the day exploring this magical city. Choose from a Budapest city tour or a Budapest walking tour, which both take in the city's highlights and festive markets. Get your fill of holiday shopping and discover Hungarian specialities, including garlands of paprika, delicious gingerbread, and intricate arts and crafts.

In the evening, you can enjoy a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner and reflect on the day’s activities with your fellow travellers.

Arrive in Bratislava and disembark for a walking tour with a local guide. You'll see the blend of Gothic, Baroque and Art Deco buildings, and learn the rich history of this Slovakian city. Alternatively, take a hike to Bratislava Castle which takes pride of place on the city skyline, and boasts incredible views of the town below. Then you can walk back via the Presidential Palace, the UFO Bridge and the historic Old Town.

The Old Town is where Bratislava’s Christmas markets are in full swing. Discover beautiful handicrafts, intricate jewellery, and colourful pottery. And make sure you try a warm glass of local honey wine.

Explore Vienna, a city revered for it art and music. Spend the morning exploring the renowned Vienna Art History Museum, followed by your choice of a Vienna city tour with Christmas Markets, or a ‘Taste of Christmas’ Vienna walking tour

Vienna’s Christmas markets are located around St. Stephens Square and do not disappoint. Browse the colourful stalls, with the scent of mulled wine and the sound of Christmas carols as your backdrop.

Continue along the Danube through Austria, and stop in the pretty town of Dürnstein. Here, you'll enjoy a spiced wine tasting and organ concert in an old monastery. Wander the cobblestone lanes, browse the boutiques, and see the castle ruins. Alternatively, join a guide for a walking tour around the charming town of Krems, where you can visit the Christkindlmarkt and stock up on beautiful crafts and delicious treats.

Your next stop along the river is Melk. Pay a visit to Melk Abbey and its beautiful library, which is home to over 100,000 volumes. You'll have the rest of the day to explore Melk at your leisure.

En route to Salzburg, you’ll dock in the town of Linz and explore on foot with a local expert. Stop for a taste of a traditional Linzer Torte – a buttery pastry made with ground nuts, filled with fruit preserves, and topped with a lattice crust. You’ll also visit a cider farm where you'll be treated to a delicious lunch and, of course, some house-made cider.

Continue onto the UNESCO World Heritage Listed town of Salzburg, where the Oscar-winning movie The Sound of Music was filmed. The city is spectacular year-round, but is particularly magical at Christmastime. 

Depart the fairytale town of Salzburg for Passau – a town where the Dabube, Ilz and Inn rivers meet, and the home of Europe’s biggest pipe organ. Join a walking tour with a local expert and explore the picturesque streets of Passau. You can also stroll among the Christmas markets, where artisans include glass-blowers, candle-makers, wood-carvers, and confectioners.

Enjoy a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner in the evening, as you spend your final night onboard.

Disembark from the ship in Passau, and transfer to Munich Airport for your flight home.