Christmas Markets

Tour members from across Canada fly to Budapest. 

On arrival in Budapest, we are transferred to our hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city. This evening we gather for dinner. 

Hotel Zenit (2 nights)

Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities, with many of its most iconic sights just off the banks of the Danube River. Budapest is well-known for its fairytale-like Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Hill and its magnificent Hungarian Parliament building. However, this sprawling city is full of rich history and culture and offers many hidden treasures as you venture further pasts its river banks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites.

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore the city. Our hotel is located right downtown and within walking distance of the Danube, shopping, and even the famous Central Market Hall. When then gather and transfer to our ship.

ms AmaMagna (7 nights)

Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Visit both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, to Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in the city.

Enjoy a walking tour of this ‘Coronation City of Kings’, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace, and the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral or take a foodie tour to enjoy some Slovakian Specialities. Of course we shall also visit the charming Christmas Market. Continue onto Vienna where we have a free evening to explore on our own.

During our morning city tour of Vienna, you will see the impressive Vienna Opera House, the Imperial Palace, and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. This afternoon we visit the Schonbrunn Palace market with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. Cap the day off with the beautifully decorated Rathaus Christmas Market, Vienna's largest.  

Cruise through Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, you can choose to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets and to enjoy some of the distinctive local treats including wine, apricot sweets and chocolates. Sail onward to Melk and visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey.

Once the ship arrives in Linz, you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. Alternatively, you can join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, with of course a visit to the Christmas Market. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.

During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor. Our walking tour through the city will cover St Stephen’s Square home to the magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Market. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style glass ornaments. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike to Paulinerkloister Mariahilf or join a guided bike ride along the Danube. Later, sail for Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration.

This morning we disembark in Vilshofen and depart for Prague. Enroute we stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue on to Prague, taking in the scenic beauty of the countryside before arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon. 

Hotel Grandior (3 nights)

This morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic city centre recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before visiting  the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Afterwards, we will walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. This evening, we will enjoy a Folklore Dinner Show to learn about Czech music, dance, and traditions.

Spend a day at your leisure or take an optional tour to Terezín, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now  a memorial to all those who perished. This evening we gather for dinner.

Our journey comes to an end as we transfer to the airport to catch our flights bound for across Canada.