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Christmastime from Budapest to Vienna 2027

From Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria
Length: 6 Days - Departs: Fri, Nov 26, 2027
Operator
Departure
Nov 26, 2027
Arrival
Dec 01, 2027

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River Cruise Itinerary

Make your holiday wishes come true with special Christmastime departures to experience Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets and festivities. Enjoy the jolly atmosphere on our decorated Suite Ships® as you delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local Christmas traditions along your Danube River cruise. Enjoy stunning winter views on the Danube with the warm glow of Christmas markets, beautifully adorned with ageless traditions.Begin your cruise in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with guided sightseeing and free time to explore one more Christmas market and buy one-of-a-kind gifts. Next, you’ll sail to the centuries-old Slovakian city of Bratislava with guided sightseeing and time to browse the beautiful Christmas markets. Take a guided tour of its cobblestone streets and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Next, cruise to wonderful Melk for guided sightseeing in Austria’s Wachau Valley, including the magnificent Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. Continue your festive Danube River cruise to Vienna—the “City of Music.” Enjoy guided sightseeing and the glow of sparkling Christmas markets while exploring the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

  1. Day 1
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
    Fri, Nov 26, 2027
    Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

    Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

    With a free day to explore before your cruise, take time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Enjoy the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition before boarding your Suite Ship®.

    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

    (D)

  2. Day 2
    BUDAPEST
    Sat, Nov 27, 2027
    Christmas Lights and Classic Sights

    CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour to see majestic Heroes’ Square and Budapest’s classic sites, OR:

    DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit to a Christmas decorations manufacturer and marvel at the deft hands of the craftsmen as they shape molten glass into delicate bulbs with intricate details and designs.

    Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, and don’t miss the unique Christmas markets that Budapest hosts every year during the Festive season.

    This evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard

    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA

    (B,L,D)

  3. Day 3
    BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
    Sun, Nov 28, 2027
    Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle

    CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the Gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral—Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church.

    Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Bratislava.

    AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

    (B,L,D)

  4. Day 4
    MELK, AUSTRIA
    Mon, Nov 29, 2027
    Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

    CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

    DISCOVERY Enjoy an Austrian Cookies Tasting while sailing through the splendid Wachau Valley to Vienna.

    VIENNA

    Vienna’s Winter Wonderland

    This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

    (B,L,D)

  5. Day 5
    VIENNA
    Tue, Nov 30, 2027
    Royal Collections and Christmas Confections

    DISCOVERY Explore the city of Vienna and sample local winter specialties on a Guided Walk through the city’s Old Town and Christmas markets, OR:

    CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

    Spend free time on your own to enjoy the Christkindlesmarkt or relax by the fire’s glow in a Viennese café this evening.

    Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire.

    OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA

    (B,L,D)

  6. Day 6
    VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION)
    Wed, Dec 01, 2027
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

    (B)

Countries Visited

Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

Rivers Visited

Danube

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Inclusions

•In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
•Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
•Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
•Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.

Meals:



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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers
  Ask A Question

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.3
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.3
Professional Staff
4.6
Repeat with Operator
4.2
Value for Money
4

Ratings based off 76 reviews - currently showing 15 reviews with comments only

The agent was a delight to work with because of her top of the line service. Had a wonderful trip on Avalon Waterways up the Danube and Rhine Rivers from Vienna, and Salzburg was great! Thanks again for a wonderful trip.

The trip was fine, but we wished we would have had more 'side trip' choices, or actually, transportation choices. We wanted to take the tour bus places, but once there we would have rather gone in a different direction, I mean, it seems every tour brought us to a church/cathedral, and once you have seen 3 or 4, it got real old. The tour to the winery in Serbia (I think - maybe Bulgaria) was terrible, the wine was awful, I did not see a single person buy any of it. This is one tour where we wanted to go elsewhere but could not. Same with the tour to Tera Nova in Bulgaria - we wanted to wander the town, instead we had to follow the tour to yet another church. But this was OUR thoughts, for many others I am sure it was fine.

Every aspect of this trip was top notch!

I couldn't have asked for more with Avalon. The whole staff and crew were so friendly and helpful. The trip was a trip of a lifetime thanks to Avalon!

My only comment of concern was that when on ship we were asked to leave dining room rather abruptly when it was closing and the bar would be closed during all performances. And bar drinks were super expensive other than happy hours...I felt like we had to conform more than was necessary...could have been more customer sensitive...it was the cruise director who at times treated us this way. Otherwise excellent and I would encourage others to use Avalon.

Once we were booked, everything was seemless.

A truly wonderful vacation. Everything was first class - the hotel in Prague, the Avalon Illumination, and all the excursions. Our cruise director was outstanding.

My 1st river cruise. It was handled professional and smoothly. My consultant and her team did a great job. I will definitively book again.

The cruise was just as advertised - even better.

Everything was wonderful! The Avalon Illumination river boat was beautiful and our cabin was nice with a panoramic view. The tour director and staff were super. The places we visited for the Christmas markets were beyond description -- absolutely fabulous! Very relaxing trip aboard the river boat.

Aga was extremely helpful in booking our trip and in providing valuable information about the excursions and Amsterdam. We would like to work with her again in the future.

This trip covers a longer stretch of the Danube and many of the tours off the ship are an hour or more by bus. Average age on this trip was older than many other European river cruises. It was a fascinating trip.

The changes to my itinerary, due to the low water level of the Danube, were well beyond acceptable and made my trip that much more enjoyable. Mother Nature has a mind of her own and Avalon kept me informed prior to and on the trip. I highly recommend Avalon.

This was our first river cruise and our first experience with Avalon. The entire trip was very enjoyable and we look forward to traveling on another river cruise with Avalon. Our tour included the Christmas Markets along the Danube and it would be fun to return to the same places during the spring and summer months. It was very nice to unpack only once.

Nico, Cruise director, made this trip extra special. He is very organized and knows the history of the areas we traveled.

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