Enchanting Christmas & New Year's
Overview
Commemorate a splendid musical heritage as you lift your voice and sing “Silent Night” in Oberndorf, where the beloved Christmas carol was composed. Meet the Count of Castle Clam. Spend Christmas Day in Salzburg and enjoy read more a holiday lunch within the walls of St. Peter’s Abbey. Discover the seasonal delicacies of Slovakia in Bratislava’s picturesque downtown and enjoy the merriment of traditional hospitality in an Austrian wine village. Ring out the old year and ring in the new with art, wine, and song as you cruise through four nations during this enchanting season.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
Itinerary
Arrive at Munich Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship docked in Passau.
Old-town Passau is built on a spit of land that looks almost like a ship with its narrow prow jutting into the water, a fitting shape for a city that has been an important center of river trade since it was founded by the ancient Romans. Today a local expert shows you the highlights of this delightful and accessible town located at the confluence of three rivers— the Danube, Inn, and Ilz. A special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Featured Excursion: Passau Walking Tour
Your ship docks in Linz today. From there, you'll travel to the alpine city of Salzburg for a delightful full-day excursion. Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg, is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland. Fans of “The Sound of Music” may recognize locations from the Oscar-winning film in the city's Old Town, the site of a grand cathedral and a wonderful Christmas Market..
Featured Excursion: Full-Day Salzburg
On today's agenda—a walk through charming Grein and a peek inside Austria's oldest theater.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Grein Walking Tour with Oldest Austrian Theater OR Private Clam Castle Visit
Melk Abbey has an unexpectedly opulent library filled not only with rare and precious books but also secret doors and optical illusions. After your visit, cruise the Wachau Valley to the tiny village of Dürnstein, where you can browse the shops selling apricot schnapps, hike up to the ruins of a castle, taste mulled wine, and attend an organ concert at a local church. Your river adventure today takes you through one of the most beautiful regions in Austria, bookended by two picturesque and historic towns, Melk and Dürnstein.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Melk Abbey with Library Visit OR Dürnstein Village Stroll with Spiced Wine Tasting and Organ Concert in a Monastery
Renowned for its art and architecture, its classical music, its decadent pastries, and its lengthy list of famous former residents, the refined city of Vienna is a cultural treasure trove. Experience the city with your choice of tours, followed by an evening concert of Mozart and Strauss, performed at a 12th-century monastery.
Featured Excursions: Choice of “Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum OR Nights Out: House of Strauss Concert OR Vienna - Imperial City Highlights OR Vienna's Historic Trails and Local Treats
A day of free time to explore Vienna at your leisure awaits. Maybe the Viennese love for music, food, drink, and stunning architecture will compel you to visit one of the many pubs, coffeehouses, wine taverns, art museums, and sprawling palaces.
Featured Excursion: Schönbrunn Palace After Hour Visit
Once hidden from the world behind the “Iron Curtain,” Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. You'll learn more about Bratislava's past from a local expert, then have free time to check out the whimsical street art and sample delicious delicacies found only in Slovakia.
Featured Excursion: Bratislava Walking Tour with Christmas Market
Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. Get a taste of this dynamic capital city during today's tour. This evening, celebrate the new year with a special dinner, then join us in the lounge after for a festive night of music and dancing.
Featured Excursions: Choice of Budapest Panoramic Highlights with St. Stephen's Cathedral OR Budapest Walk with Local Treats & Christmas Market OR Jewish Budapest
Start off the New Year on a high note with an excursion to a village of talented artisans and craftspeople who live and create beautiful things together. The village is also home to two museums you're welcome to visit—one devoted to lovely ceramics and the other to the art of marzipan. A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. (B/L/FD)
Featured Excursion: Szentendre Artists' Village
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer, or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for your flight home.
Tour Inclusions
- 4 countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
- 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
- Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
- Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment
- 8 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
- State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
- Use of Nordic walking sticks
- All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
- 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell Receptions
- Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
- Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
- 10-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stately S.S. Maria Theresa
- Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites on the cruise have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, custom cotton sateen sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
- Free Wi-Fi
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Life On Board
We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination more in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life.
Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
Named for Gustav Klimt’s muse Emilie Flöge, Uniworld's latest Super Ship blends rich Art Nouveau design with modern elegance. Read more
Uniworld has elevated all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to an entirely new level. Read more
Shore excursions for every traveler type. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Your Uniworld experience includes many options for you to stay fit both on board and onshore. Read more
Uniworld strives to go above and beyond to deliver you a truly exceptional travel experience. Read more
Be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit. Read more
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Uniworld Italy (2025-26)
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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. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Uniworld. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and 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.
