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Christmas Markets on the Danube

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor

Christmas Markets on the Danube

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
River View
$4,450
Balcony
$5,470
Suite
$6,608
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Budapest
 Cruise Finishes
Munich
8 Day Christmas Markets on the Danube Itinerary (Emerald Cruises)
Countries Explored: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Budapest
 Cruise Finishes
Munich
8 Day Christmas Markets on the Danube Itinerary (Emerald Cruises)
Countries Explored: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany
Ship
Departures
Passengers
180
Crew
51
Launched
2017
Cruise Code
EWXD-2
Ship
Departures
Passengers
180
Crew
51
Launched
2017
Cruise Code
EWXD-2

Overview

This special festive twist of our classic itinerary down the Danube lets you explore the majestic architecture and markets of Budapest, before joining a local Slovakian family in Bratislava for home-hosted coffee and cake. Marvel at the classical surrounds of Vienna then wander the Christmas markets of Regensburg, highly regarded as 'one of the loveliest'.
This special festive twist of our classic itinerary down the Danube lets you explore the majestic architecture and markets of Budapest, before joining a local Slovakian family in Bratislava for home-hosted coffee and cake. Marvel at the classical surrounds of Vienna then wander the Christmas markets of Regensburg, highly regarded as 'one of the loveliest'.

Itinerary

Welcome to Budapest. You’ll be greeted by an Emerald Cruises representative at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. After boarding, you’ll have time to enjoy Budapest at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music and dance on board.

  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board

Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM. (D)

Join a local guide for a tour of the Hungarian capital today, covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the stalls of Budapest’s main Christmas market, where handcrafted ornaments are plentiful and colorful strings of lights line the streets.

  • Included Excursion Guided coach tour of Budapest
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Jewish heritage tour (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Across Europe, different cultures intertwine at Christmastime, sharing their traditions, treats, and unique customs. The Slovakian capital is a truly charming city whose roots can be traced across the continent. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bratislava, including its enchanting historic district and some of its many bustling Christmas markets.

  • Included Excursion Walking tour of Bratislava
  • EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
  • DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Carpathian wine route (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

  • Included Excursion Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Constructed in 1083, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from across the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.

  • EmeraldPLUS Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)
  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey (B/L/D)

A blanket of powdered snow graces the European countryside at Christmastime, creating a magical setting as we cruise into Passau. On this afternoon’s included walking tour of the town, enjoy visiting the annual Christkindlmarkt, set in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Almost a hundred gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs and handmade gifts are found here, each connected to the next by strings of twinkling fairy lights.

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Passau (B/L/D)

Today, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Regensburg. Our guided walking tour will explain the history behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, as you stroll across one of the oldest bridges on the Danube and witness its ancient fortifications. Stop to visit one of the loveliest Christmas markets in the region at Thurn and Taxis Palace, with its many quaint wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and festive goods adorning hidden passageways and narrow cobblestone streets.

  • EmeraldPLUS Visit to the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace Grounds
  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Bavarian band on board
  • EmeraldPLUS Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship in Regensburg for your transfer to Munich Airport and take memories of handcrafted ornaments and gingerbread stalls with you.

Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 02:00 PM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)

Welcome to Budapest. You’ll be greeted by an Emerald Cruises representative at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. After boarding, you’ll have time to enjoy Budapest at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a performance of Hungarian folk music and dance on board.

  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board

Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM. (D)

Join a local guide for a tour of the Hungarian capital today, covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. Following your guided tour, enjoy free time to explore the stalls of Budapest’s main Christmas market, where handcrafted ornaments are plentiful and colorful strings of lights line the streets.

  • Included Excursion Guided coach tour of Budapest
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Jewish heritage tour (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Across Europe, different cultures intertwine at Christmastime, sharing their traditions, treats, and unique customs. The Slovakian capital is a truly charming city whose roots can be traced across the continent. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bratislava, including its enchanting historic district and some of its many bustling Christmas markets.

  • Included Excursion Walking tour of Bratislava
  • EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
  • DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Carpathian wine route (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

  • Included Excursion Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Constructed in 1083, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from across the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.

  • EmeraldPLUS Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)
  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey (B/L/D)

A blanket of powdered snow graces the European countryside at Christmastime, creating a magical setting as we cruise into Passau. On this afternoon’s included walking tour of the town, enjoy visiting the annual Christkindlmarkt, set in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Almost a hundred gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs and handmade gifts are found here, each connected to the next by strings of twinkling fairy lights.

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Passau (B/L/D)

Today, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, Regensburg. Our guided walking tour will explain the history behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, as you stroll across one of the oldest bridges on the Danube and witness its ancient fortifications. Stop to visit one of the loveliest Christmas markets in the region at Thurn and Taxis Palace, with its many quaint wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and festive goods adorning hidden passageways and narrow cobblestone streets.

  • EmeraldPLUS Visit to the Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace Grounds
  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Bavarian band on board
  • EmeraldPLUS Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship in Regensburg for your transfer to Munich Airport and take memories of handcrafted ornaments and gingerbread stalls with you.

Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 02:00 PM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)

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Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Christmas Markets on the Danube' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
1 Review
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Fantastic European River cruise 2 , QLD, Australia, May 2019
We had a fantastic trip from the initial contact with Global Journeys to the final day of the cruise. Nothing was too hard for Hannah and her communication with us was excellent. Emerald were great, the organisation of the cruise left nothing wanting, from pickup in Amsterdam to drop off at Budapest Airport. The cruise itself was very well planned, ...read more the ship is only three years old which was great. Wonderful and friendly staff and of course the food: what can be said about it , other than excellent. We would highly recommend this cruise. Our Cruise Director could not have been better, she was very knowledgeable of all areas of the rivers travelled. The shore tour guides supplied by Emerald, also, were very good and enthusiastic about the towns they were showing us.

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Europe River Cruises

Emerald Europe River Cruises (2024)

As small ship experts, we know that our minimal guest numbers, relaxed ambience, and high level of personal service, provide the perfect setting from which to enjoy Europe’s network of iconic rivers. The small ship lifestyle brings you to the heart of each destination for an intimate look at the local life along the riverbanks. Revolutionary in design,...more life on board our deluxe Emerald Cruises Star-Ships, promises contemporary comfort and unique innovations, while our suite of generous inclusions delivers exquisite dining experiences, exceptional service, and handpicked immersive itineraries.

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Europe River Cruises

Emerald Europe River Cruises (2025)

Award-winning Emerald Cruises delivers exceptional small ship river cruising through the heart of Europe, on board our fleet of luxury Star-Ships. From the North Sea to the Black Sea, revel in a European river journey like no other. Our unique collection of itineraries — showcasing seven mesmerising rivers — offers you an immersive insight into the...more incredible history, culture and traditions of the diverse regions we visit.

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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Emerald Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Emerald Cruises. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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