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Four countries - Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany - await your arrival for one unique, festive party after another. From the large Christmas Markets of Vienna to the more intimate Christmas Markets of Bratislava, Passau, and Salzburg
- each combines timeless traditions with elegant pageantry.
Discover the heart and soul of Slovakia as you tour Bratislava and enjoy its Christmas Market. Celebrate Mozart's musical genius in one of Vienna's well-known concert halls. Participate in a gingerbread-baking demonstration in Passau. Listen to the sweet-sounding voices of a children's choir in Salzburg.
Cherish all the glory and magic of the season in grand European style as you cruise along the Danube during the holiday season.
Who will enjoy this cruise: Music aficionados will rejoice in the "sounds of the season" from a classical concert in Vienna to a children's choir in Salzburg and to an exclusive organ recital at Gottweig Abbey. Everyone will delight in discovering the unique gifts and collectables found along the way.
Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Munich
Day 2: Transfer to Passau (embark)
Arrive at the Munich airport, then transfer to the ship in Passau.
Day 3: Passau
Your guided walk starts in the Medieval section of Passau and takes you past St. Stephan's Cathedral, the New Residence,and Town Hall, to theconfluence of the three rivers that converge in Passau. At Passau'sChristmas Market, set against the glorious backdrop of St. Stephan'sCathedral, you'll find unique crafts including Bavarian-style housesand glass ornaments. And as an added treat, you'll see both agingerbread-making and a floral-decorating demonstration. (BB, L,Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Passau walking tour, Christmas Market, and gingerbread-making and floral-decorating demonstrations
Day 4: Linz (Salzburg)
Become acquainted with magical Salzburg on your walking tour of the OldTown and its magnificent cathedral, which was inspired by St. Peter's Cathedral at the Vatican. In the afternoon, visit Salzburg's ChristmasMarket, located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and aroundthe venerable cathedral. (BB, D)
Featured Excursion: Full-day Salzburg with walking tour
Day 5: Cruising the scenic Wachau Valley, Krems
You'll visit the beautiful Göttweig Abbey, a UNESCO World HeritageSite, which has a spectacular location on a prominent hill on theeastern edge of the world famous Wachau Valley. While at the abbey,you'll be treated to a special organ recital. After lunch, depart Kremsand enjoy a scenic cruise through the heart of the UNESCO-designatedWachau Valley with its abruptly rising hills, nestling Baroquevillages, and ancient monuments. (BB, L, D) Note: Organ concert may take place in different location if the Göttweig Abbey visit falls on a Catholic holiday.
Featured Excursion: Benedictine Göttweig Abbey with organ recital
Day 6: Vienna
This regal city becomes even more dazzling during the holidays. It's atreasure trove of secular and sacred gems, many of which you will seeduring your panoramic city tour of Vienna. You'll travel the statelyRingstrasse and see St. Stephen's Cathedral, where Mozart was marriedin 1782. Afterward, you'll walk with your tour guides to two ChristmasMarkets. Austria's most famous Christmas Market, with over 140 woodenhuts, is set in front of City Hall. Macaroons with nutmeg and rum ballsare treats you won't want to miss. You'll also visit a smaller but noless charming Christmas Market at Freyung Square, which has taken placeevery winter since 1772. Later in the evening, you'll celebrate thespirit of Mozart's musical genius in one of Vienna's well-known concerthalls. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Vienna city tour with Christmas Market, and Mozart and Strauss concert
Day 7: Bratislava
The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises, manyof which you'll discover on your city tour. While Bratislava's veryfirst Christmas Market was only established in 1993, the Slovakianshave quickly embraced the holiday traditions of their Austrian andHungarian neighbors with stalls filled with folk handicrafts from theregion. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Bratislava city tour and Christmas Market
Day 8: Budapest
Explore Budapest, an enchanting city often referred to as the “Queen ofthe Danube.” Made up of two parts-Buda, the hills, and Pest, the flatlands-the city is divided by the Danube. It's an architectural dream,which you'll discover on your city tour. You'll visit the UNESCO WorldHeritage-designated Castle Hill district, you'll see dramatic vistasfrom the 19th-century Fisherman's Bastion, and you'll cross the famousChain Bridge, an early 19th-century bridge that was the first toconnect Buda with Pest. And in the center of it all is the ChristmasMarket, where you'll get to shop for traditional Hungarian wares anddelightful treats like apricot brandy and cinnamon-spiced gingerbread.(BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Budapest city tour and Christmas Market
Day 9: Budapest (disembark), transfer to the airport
Disembark the ship in Budapest and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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