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Uniworld River Cruises, Grand Danube Holiday Markets, Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Priced From: $ 2179 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Nov, Dec
Ship: River Duchess
From: Budapest to Regensburg
Traveling from one beautiful country to another is like unwrapping one exquisite gift after another
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany await your arrival for one unique festive party after another. These countries are fascinating any time of the year, but during the holidays, they come alive with deep-rooted traditions, and Christmas Markets are part of these traditions. Christmas Markets are in full swing—from the large Christmas Markets of Vienna to the more intimate Christmas Markets of Bratislava, Passau and Vilshofen—each combining timeless traditions with pageantry.
Celebrate the deep-rooted holiday traditions of four countries
A huge decorated Christmas tree sits regally in the main square of each city, glittering lights adorn the streets, and aromas of roasted chestnuts and Christmas punch fill the air as Austria prepares for its biggest party of the year. Germany celebrates the season in the same fashion, and Christmas Markets provide the perfect gathering place for friends to meet for a mug of mulled wine or two, then stroll in search for the perfect one-of-a-kind gifts—wooden toys, knitted woolens, glass-blown Christmas decorations in all shapes and sizes, nutcrackers, candle-driven Christmas carousels, angels and incense-burning figurines—and more! Bratislava’s Christmas Market, located right in the historic town center, is renowned for traditional ceramics, metalwork, woodwork, straw-work, textiles, glass and hand-made Christmas ornaments. In addition, you can taste all the typical Slovakian Christmas treats. Try lokše, larded bread with onions and potato pancakes. Sink your teeth into strudel, crepes and Christmas cakes. In Budapest, admire the 6-foot advent wreath or a crib with live animals in it whilst savoring local delicacies such as honey cake and lángos.
No matter the country, you will unwrap one special tradition after another as you feel the welcoming warmth of each destination you visit. See first-hand how gingerbread is made while in Passau. Enjoy a horse sleigh ride in the Bavarian Forest. Learn about the art of glass-blowing in a small Bavarian town. Warm your hands and your spirits with a mug of glühwein while listening to the sounds of music while in Salzburg. And embrace all the glory and magic of the season in grand European style as you sail along the Danube.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Everyone will delight in celebrating the holiday traditions of Austria, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary. Admire delicate glass-blown ornaments, sip mulled wine, nibble on gingerbread and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts to put under your own Christmas tree.
Itinerary
 DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Budapest
DAY 2: Budapest (embark)
Arrive in Budapest where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
DAY 3: Budapest
Featured Excursion: Budapest city tour and Christmas Market
Irresistible Optional Tour: Szentendre – artists’ village
The “Queen of the Danube” is even more regal during the holidays. From the Castle Hill district, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the grand Parliament Building, to St. Stephen’s Basilica, the city will leave you mesmerized as we guide you from one historical place to another. And in the center of it all is the Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square, where you’ll get to shop for traditional Hungarian wares and delightful treats like apricot brandy and cinnamon-spiced gingerbread. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)
DAY 4: Bratislava
Featured Excursion: Bratislava city tour and Christmas Market
The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises. Straddling both banks of the Danube, this vibrant capital city is quite a melting pot of cultures. Your tour will acquaint you with the diversity of cultures, as well as eclectic architecture. You’ll visit Bratislava’s Christmas Market, established only in 1993, though the Slovakians have quickly embraced the holiday traditions of their Austrian and Hungarian neighbors, and you’ll get to embrace them as well. (BB, L, D)
DAY 5: Vienna
Featured Excursion: Vienna city tour with Christmas Market
Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Schönbrunn Palace and its Christmas Market or a Mozart and Strauss concert
Decorative lights blanket the city and aromas of roasted chestnuts and Christmas punch fill the air as Vienna prepares for its biggest party of the year. Your tour takes you along the stately Ringstrasse with its impressive monuments that evoke a distinctive imperial air. You’ll then move on to the classic Christmas Market in front of Vienna’s neo-gothic City Hall with a hugely decorated Christmas tree. (BB, L, D)
DAY 6: Scenic Cruising Wachau Valley, Melk
Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey
A cruise through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley with its abruptly rising hills, nestling baroque villages and ancient monuments is a wonderful beginning to your afternoon in Melk. You know you have arrived in Melk when you spot the 900-year-old baroque abbey high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. While touring the abbey, enjoy the spectacular views from its terrace, and even more splendid to see are the frescoes, the marble, and the famous Benedictine library. (BB, L, D)
DAY 7: Linz (Salzburg)
Featured Excursion: Full-day excursion to Salzburg with walking tour and lunch at the Fortress
Linz will be your gateway for your full-day excursion to the city of Salzburg. With a magnificent cathedral, inspired by St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican, and the Hohensalzburg Fortress towering over the city, Salzburg will enchant you. You’ll enjoy a tour of the Old Town, and lunch at the Fortress restaurant before attending an exclusive choir performance of a local children’s choir – certain to lift your spirits high. (BB, L, D)
DAY 8: Passau, Vilshofen
Featured Excursion: Passau walking tour, Christmas Markets in Passau and Vilshofen and a gingerbread demonstration and floral decoration workshop
Your tour takes you past baroque, rococo, and neo-classical architecture, along with a visit to St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the world’s largest pipe organ. Our walking tour of Old Town lanes explores the New Residence and the Town Hall, before we visit Passau’s charming Christmas Market, with St. Stephan’s as its backdrop. The Christmas Market features unique crafts such as hand-painted porcelain and Bohemian glass ornaments. See first-hand how gingerbread is made and be inspired at a floral decoration demonstration. A short scenic afternoon cruise takes us to Vilshofen, with a unique floating Christmas Market. Craftsmen carve, sew and make pottery and lace on a decorated ship on the Danube, while festive booths along the river promenade create a Christmas atmosphere. (BB, L, D)
DAY 9: Deggendorf
Featured Excursion: Horse sleigh ride in the Bavarian Forest and visit to a glass workshop
After a morning cruising the Danube, we’ll board our coaches for a scenic ride through the mountains to the town of Zwiesel. A small, family-operated glass manufactory welcomes us with hot mulled wine. Next, horse-drawn sleighs await us in a neighboring Bavarian Forest village for a sleigh ride through the hills and woods. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
DAY 10: Regensburg
Featured Excursion: Regensburg walking tour and Christmas Market
Lively Regensburg is home to 2000 years of history and is a well-preserved medieval gem listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our guided walking tour takes us to the Cathedral of St. Peter, the town’s famous 12th-century Stone Bridge, and the city’s romantic Christmas Markets. (BB, L, D)
DAY 11: Regensburg (disembark), transfer to airport in Munich
Disembark the ship in Regensburg and transfer to the airport in Munich for your flight home.
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the Uniworld River Cruise vacation planner to be contacted by Our Uniworld, Europe River Cruise vacation specialist.
Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
12/08
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