Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll board your cruise ship and get settled into your stateroom in Budapest. The day is yours to explore Hungary's capital, where the Danube River separates the traditional Buda side from the modern Pest side. There's art nouveau architecture to see, historic castles scattered throughout, and thermal spas if you want to relax. By evening, head to the water's edge and watch the city lights reflect off the Danube.
Optional Activities
- Explore Budapest's art nouveau buildings
- Visit thermal spas
- Walk across the Chain Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Danube River 
- Day 2
Danube Bend
Budapest's Christmas markets are the focus today, happening right now during the festive season. You'll check out Vörösmarty Square's largest market, then head to St. Stephen's Basilica's cozy market where you can grab mulled wine and catch the nightly light shows. After that, your ship cruises through the 40-mile Danube Bend. You'll see peaceful farmland pass by, historic castles on the banks, and steep forested hills between the Börzsöny and Pilis Ranges.
Included Activities
- Visit Vörösmarty Square Christmas market
- Visit St. Stephen's Basilica Christmas market
- Explore Fő Square Christmas festivities in Buda
- Cruise the Danube Bend
Landmarks/POIs Vörösmarty Square St. Stephen's Basilica Fő Square Danube Bend - Day 3
Vienna
You'll arrive in Vienna and walk through the city's Christmas markets that have transformed squares into festive spots. The Schönbrunn market sits at the baroque Habsburg summer palace, the Freyung market is in the city center, and Am Hof Square hosts seasonal music and caroling. If you want to shop and get palace views, Belvedere Square offers both, plus you can see the stately palace and adjacent lake from there.
Included Activities
- Visit Schönbrunn Christmas market
- Visit Freyung Christmas market
- Explore Am Hof Square Christmas festivities
- Visit Belvedere Square Christmas market
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace Freyung Market Am Hof Square Belvedere Palace 
- Day 4
Vienna
This is a full day in Vienna, Europe's center for classical music where Strauss and Mozart wrote their major works. You'll stroll along the elegant Ringstrasse and see baroque, neo-Renaissance, and Gothic-Romanesque architecture lining the street. The city has green parks to wander through, famous Viennese cafés to try, and quieter areas with footpaths that show Vienna's intimate side. Don't skip the local Sachertorte, a delectable chocolate cake.
Optional Activities
- Stroll the Ringstrasse
- Visit parks in Vienna
- Explore Viennese cafés
Landmarks/POIs Ringstrasse - Day 5
Wachau Valley
Your ship heads to Krems, a university town in Austria's Wachau Valley surrounded by terraced vineyards. You can walk the cobblestone streets and check out taverns, wine bars, and cafés with real character. Later, the ship sails through 18 miles of the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley, which is one of the Danube's most beautiful stretches. Forested slopes, castle ruins, and charming wine villages line both banks as you cruise through.
Included Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional Activities
- Explore Krems cobblestone streets
- Visit wine bars and taverns in Krems
- Wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Wachau Valley Krems 
- Day 6
Linz
You'll visit Linz's Christkindlmarkt, centered around St. Stephen's Cathedral which holds Europe's largest pipe organ. Browse handmade goods from local craftspeople, including treats and ornaments. During the holiday season, the cathedral hosts yuletide concerts where choirs sing carols that echo through the courtyard and the narrow streets around it.
Included Activities
- Visit Christkindlmarkt at St. Stephen's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Attend yuletide concerts at St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 7
Regensburg
Arriving in Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage city that's decorated with holiday cheer right now, you can wander through narrow medieval passageways that open up to hidden courtyards full of handcrafted items like dolls, pottery, and silk paintings. The air smells like home-baked spiced gingerbread, cinnamon, and glühwein. While you're there, learn about the Regensburger Domspatzen boys' choir, which was formed at the cathedral back in 975.
Included Activities
- Explore Regensburg's medieval Christmas markets
Optional Activities
- Visit cathedral to learn about Regensburger Domspatzen choir
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Cathedral 
- Day 8
Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you'll see why as you explore. Visit the Old Stone Bridge, a 12th-century engineering feat with 16 arches. St. Peter's Cathedral is considered Bavaria's finest Gothic architecture and worth spending time in. The Old Town's Neupfarrplatz square has layers of history as a former Jewish quarter, marketplace, and site of Nazi book burning. After breakfast, you'll leave the ship and head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Old Stone Bridge
- Visit St. Peter's Cathedral
- Explore Neupfarrplatz square
Landmarks/POIs Old Stone Bridge St. Peter's Cathedral Neupfarrplatz
