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Overview

Make your holiday wishes come true with special departures for the festive season in 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 winter cruise on the Danube. Enjoy stunning winter views on the Danube with the warm glow of Christmas markets, beautifully adorned with ageless traditions.

Your Danube River cruise delights with gorgeous views, beginning in Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube.” Enjoy guided sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes Square and spectacular architecture. You’ll sail on the Danube River to the centuries-old Slovakian city of Bratislava with guided sightseeing and time to browse the beautiful Christmas market; you will take a guided tour of its cobblestone streets and Gothic cathedral. Next, cruise to marvelous Melk for guided sightseeing in Austria’s Wachau Valley, including the magnificent Benedictine Abbey perched above the Danube. Your Festive Season cruise on the Danube concludes in Vienna.

Book your cruise with or without flights

Cruise prices are shown without flights included in case you wish to book them separately, or aren't ready to return home when you disembark! Or we can book your flights for you from most UK airports, with overseas transfers and ATOL protection included. The choice is yours!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Itinerary

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Classic

<p>Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.</p>

Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Dinner

Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Spend the day on your own to browse the exquisite Christmas Markets of Budapest. Stroll through the brightly colored wooden stalls for ornaments and handmade toys and handicrafts.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA

Day 2 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture

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. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment by local musicians.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK

Day 3 MELK, AUSTRIA–WACHAU VALLEY–DÜRNSTEIN–KREMS

Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Ornate Architecture and Scenic Splendors Awaken the Imagination and the Senses

Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Melk’s 11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Explore its frescoes, statues, library, and spectacular pipe organ in the monastery’s lofty perch above the Danube.

Enjoy a brief sailing to Dürnstein through the stunning landscapes of the Wachau Valley. Spend some free time in Dürnstein before sailing to Krems.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

Day 4 VIENNA (DISEMBARKATION)

Meals included:
Breakfast

A Feast for the Soul in Vienna—Music, Food, Art, and Architecture

Venture into the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, OR:

Join a Guided Culinary Tour of Vienna’s magical Christmas Advent Markets to sample Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.

Day 5 VIENNA

Meals included:
Breakfast

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

Day 6 VIENNA

Meals included:
Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Questions? Our travel specialists can help with any queries, quotes or special requirements. Request a callback or email us.

Notes

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); the responsibility for obtaining a visa rests with the traveler.
Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.

Start sooner, stay longer

Start sooner, stay longer. Start your vacation earlier or stay longer with destination options before or after your Avalon cruise.

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Festive Season on A Taste of the Danube with 2 Nights in Vienna (Westbound)