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Christmas on the Danube

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River View
$4,450
Balcony
$5,242
Suite
$8,608
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Budapest
 Cruise Finishes
Regensburg
8 Day Christmas on the Danube Itinerary (Viking)
Countries Explored: Hungary, Austria, Germany
Cruise Line
Viking
Ship
Ship Class
Viking Longship
Departures
Passengers
190
Crew
50
Launched
2015
Cruise Code
VK-COD

Overview

Discover grand cities, medieval towns and quaint villages along the 'Blue Danube,' highlighting three countries: Hungary, Austria and Germany. Stroll among the stalls at Budapest’s Christmas market and immerse yourself in the cheerful atmosphere of Vienna as you shop for handmade decorations. Visit the fairy-tale village of Regensburg, one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, and delight in the city’s joyful festivities.

Itinerary

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Riverside beauty and a vibrant cultural scene blend together in Budapest to form one of Europe's most rewarding cities. Hungary's enchanting capital straddles the banks of the Danube, with traditional hillside Buda on one side and modern Pest on the other. By day, astounding art nouveau buildings, stalwart castles and glittering palaces set the stage for awe-inspiring strolls and long soaks in thermal spas. By night, a nostalgic glow settles in as the city's lights dance on Danube waters, the Chain Bridge uniting it all as a dramatic centerpiece.

The Christmas season adds another layer of beauty to the already romantic charms of Budapest. Nestled in the heart of Pest lies Vörösmarty Square, home to the city's largest yuletide market. The enticing aroma of national specialties permeates the air as vendors display traditional and contemporary handicrafts. At the cozy St. Stephen's Basilica market, mulled wine keeps revelers warm as nightly light shows illuminate the church's facade. Across the Danube in Buda, Old-World allure mingles with festivities in Fő Square, where seasonal events and an outdoor ice rink entertain.

Take in the natural beauty of the fabled 'Blue Danube' as you pass through the Danube Bend, considered one of the most beautiful sections of the river. Cruising this 40-mile stretch through northern Hungary, you will see peaceful farmland and an ancient castle that once served as hunting grounds for royals and visiting dignitaries. As you sail the passage between the Börzsöny and Pilis Ranges, you will marvel at the steep hills draped with bucolic forests. And delight in the majestic church domes peering at the waterway from inviting villages and historic cities.

The yuletide season transforms Vienna's beautiful squares into delightful Christmas markets. Festive lights illuminate the Old Town. The Schönbrunn market, set in front of the baroque Hapsburg summer palace, and Freyung market, nestled in the city center, are the perfect destinations for unique handmade decorations. Seasonal music and choral singing provide a merry ambience to holiday festivities in Am Hof Square, while the market at Belvedere Square mixes excellent shopping opportunities with views of the stately palace and adjacent lake to create a fairytale atmosphere.

Renowned as the 'City of Waltzes,' Austria's capital city of Vienna is Europe's center of classical music. Strauss and Mozart composed many of their finest pieces here. Vienna's musical history is matched by the elegant, graceful architecture that lines the Ringstrasse. Baroque, neo-Renaissance, Gothic-Romanesque and other splendidly styled structures take the breath away with their grand facades. Vienna has a more intimate side too: inviting footpaths lead through green parks and its famed Viennese cafés sweeten any stay with coffee and the city's delectable Sachertorte.

A small university town at the eastern end of the Danube's Wachau Valley, Krems is surrounded by terraced vineyards. In its heyday, during the 12th century, Krems held even more importance than Vienna for its iron, grain, salt and wine trade. As to the latter, the city has played a long and celebrated part in the popularity of the Wachau's wine culture; the valley's south slopes in Krems are bathed in sunlight all day and create some of the best Riesling and Veltliner wines in the world.

The city's cobblestone streets, taverns, wine bars and cafés have a timeless appeal. Sail through a serene tapestry of terraced vineyards, forested slopes, charming towns and castle ruins in Austria's Wachau Valley, celebrated as perhaps the most scenic stretch of the Danube. Journey 18 miles through this vast UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the river courses through picturesque hillsides. Gaze upon the prolific grapevines and quaint wine-producing villages hugging the shores—the legacy of vintners that stretch as far back as Celtic and Roman times and an echo of the more than 30 monasteries that served as vineyards in Renaissance days.

Centered around the beautiful St. Stephen's Cathedral, home to Europe's largest pipe organ, the romantic market stalls of the Christkindlmarkt are a delight to explore. An array of handmade goods, from tasty treats to ornaments, offer a wealth of opportunity to take home a unique artisan gifts created by local craftsmen. Periodically throughout the festive season, the cathedral hosts yuletide concerts; the sound of choirs singing can be heard as their voices echo through the courtyard and the town's narrow streets.

The UNESCO World Heritage city of Regensburg is transformed during the holiday season as its medieval streets are donned with festive cheer. Narrow passageways open to hidden courtyards with stalls laden with handcrafted wares, including dolls, pottery and silk paintings. The scent of home-baked spiced gingerbread, cinnamon and glühwein fills the air. The world-famous boys' choir, the Regensburger Domspatzen, was formed at the city's cathedral in 975 and travels the globe, performing to admiring audiences internationally.

Having escaped major damage during World War II, the picturesque town of Regensburg is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, the oldest city along the Danube and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Stone Bridge, constructed in the 12th century, is a masterpiece of medieval engineering with its 16 arches. St. Peter's Cathedral is widely considered Bavaria's best Gothic architectural work. The Old Town's Neupfarrplatz square is a cross section of history—it was once a thriving Jewish quarter, a bustling marketplace and the site of Nazi book burnings. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.

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Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details

Explorer Sale
Friday 29 Nov 2024
Friday 06 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Tor
River View
Save $1,052
$5,143
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Balcony
Save $1,060
$5,935
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Suite
Save $1,087
$8,608
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Explorer Sale
Sunday 01 Dec 2024
Sunday 08 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Atla
River View
SOLD OUT
Unavailable
Balcony
Save $1,068
$6,727
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Suite
SOLD OUT
Unavailable
Explorer Sale
Friday 06 Dec 2024
Friday 13 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Var
River View
Save $1,052
$5,143
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Balcony
Save $1,060
$5,935
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Suite
Save $1,087
$8,608
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Explorer Sale
Monday 09 Dec 2024
Monday 16 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Modi
River View
Save $1,053
$5,242
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Balcony
SOLD OUT
Unavailable
Suite
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Unavailable
Explorer Sale
Friday 13 Dec 2024
Friday 20 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Tor
River View
Save $1,052
$5,143
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $1,060
$5,935
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Suite
Save $1,087
$8,608
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Explorer Sale
Saturday 14 Dec 2024
Saturday 21 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Gullveig
River View
Save $1,049
$4,846
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Balcony
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Suite
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Explorer Sale
Sunday 15 Dec 2024
Sunday 22 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Atla
River View
Save $1,049
$4,846
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Balcony
Save $1,064
$6,331
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Suite
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Explorer Sale
Tuesday 17 Dec 2024
Tuesday 24 Dec 2024
Ship Viking Ve
River View
Save $1,045
$4,450
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Balcony
Save $1,053
$5,242
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Suite
SOLD OUT
Unavailable
Flights Included
Friday 28 Nov 2025
Friday 05 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Var
River View
Save $132
$6,463
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $150
$7,345
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Suite
Save $266
$13,029
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Flights Included
Saturday 29 Nov 2025
Saturday 06 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Gullveig
River View
Save $132
$6,463
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $146
$7,149
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Suite
Save $222
$10,873
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Flights Included
Sunday 30 Nov 2025
Sunday 07 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Jarl
River View
Save $132
$6,463
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Balcony
Save $146
$7,149
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Suite
Save $222
$10,873
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Flights Included
Tuesday 02 Dec 2025
Tuesday 09 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Ve
River View
Save $140
$6,855
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $156
$7,639
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Suite
Save $236
$11,559
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Flights Included
Friday 05 Dec 2025
Friday 12 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Tor
River View
Save $140
$6,855
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $160
$7,835
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Suite
Save $236
$11,559
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Flights Included
Saturday 06 Dec 2025
Saturday 13 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Egil
River View
Save $140
$6,855
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $156
$7,639
View Cabins
Suite
Save $236
$11,559
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Flights Included
Sunday 07 Dec 2025
Sunday 14 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Atla
River View
Save $140
$6,855
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $156
$7,639
View Cabins
Suite
Save $236
$11,559
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Flights Included
Friday 12 Dec 2025
Friday 19 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Var
River View
Save $140
$6,855
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $156
$7,639
View Cabins
Suite
Save $236
$11,559
View Cabins
Flights Included
Saturday 13 Dec 2025
Saturday 20 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Gullveig
River View
Save $140
$6,855
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $156
$7,639
View Cabins
Suite
Save $236
$11,559
View Cabins
Flights Included
Sunday 14 Dec 2025
Sunday 21 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Jarl
River View
Save $132
$6,463
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $150
$7,345
View Cabins
Suite
Save $222
$10,873
View Cabins
Flights Included
Tuesday 16 Dec 2025
Tuesday 23 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Ve
River View
Save $132
$6,463
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $150
$7,345
View Cabins
Suite
Save $222
$10,873
View Cabins
Flights Included
Friday 19 Dec 2025
Friday 26 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Tor
River View
Save $132
$6,463
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $146
$7,149
View Cabins
Suite
Save $222
$10,873
View Cabins
Flights Included
Saturday 20 Dec 2025
Saturday 27 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Egil
River View
Save $132
$6,463
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $150
$7,345
View Cabins
Suite
Save $222
$10,873
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Flights Included
Sunday 21 Dec 2025
Sunday 28 Dec 2025
Ship Viking Atla
River View
Save $126
$6,169
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Balcony
Save $140
$6,855
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Suite
SOLD OUT
Unavailable
Flights Included
Sunday 29 Nov 2026
Sunday 06 Dec 2026
Ship Viking Jarl
River View
Save $158
$7,737
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $176
$8,619
View Cabins
Suite
Save $290
$14,205
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Flights Included
Sunday 06 Dec 2026
Sunday 13 Dec 2026
Ship Viking Atla
River View
Save $158
$7,737
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $176
$8,619
View Cabins
Suite
Save $290
$14,205
View Cabins
Flights Included
Sunday 13 Dec 2026
Sunday 20 Dec 2026
Ship Viking Jarl
River View
Save $158
$7,737
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $176
$8,619
View Cabins
Suite
Save $290
$14,205
View Cabins
Flights Included
Sunday 20 Dec 2026
Sunday 27 Dec 2026
Ship Viking Atla
River View
Save $158
$7,737
View Cabins
Balcony
Save $176
$8,619
View Cabins
Suite
Save $290
$14,205
View Cabins
Note
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 Viking. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Viking. 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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