Grand Danube Christmas Markets (Vilshofen to Giurgiu)

EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN, GERMANY. Board the ship in Vilshofen for your Grand Danube Christmas Markets Cruise. In the evening, be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive.

VILSHOFEN – PASSAU. During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. Or join a guided hike up to the the Mariahilf pilgrimage church and monastery, which offers magnificent views across the old town and surrounding countryside.

LINZ, AUSTRIA. The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. While there, visit the beautiful Christmas Markets, renowned for local handicrafts and unusual holiday presents. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas markets. Or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. During the afternoon, visit charming Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. (B,L,D) *Not available with full-day excursion

WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA. Head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau valleys. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or hike the trail up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you’ll find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. You can also choose to cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour. For a more culinary-focused experience, sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. In the evening, enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” is a treasure trove, and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in the UNESCO-designated historic city center and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more.

VIENNA. Explore Bratislava, host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, thus earning this city the title “Coronation City of Kings,” on your guided walking tour, which includes a visit to Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. You can also opt to visit the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, with its giant Christmas tree and festive atmosphere.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. You cannot help but fall in love with Budapest, known as the “Queen of the Danube.” Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest. Alternatively, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city.

BUDAPEST. Start by heading to the 18th century Gödöllő Palace. Explore its labyrinth of 31 colorful rooms lit by elaborate chandeliers as you learn the palace’s history through striking art galleries and antiquities. After touring the royal residence and the Baroque theatre, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then head for Puszta, the Great Hungarian Plain stretching across the East. Here you can find Hungarian cowboys still wearing traditional dress and practicing the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Next, we will tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-driving world-champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship before returning for the evening.

MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. In the afternoon, you can take a guided tour to Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, where you will visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the delightful Pécs Christmas Market. Or choose a guided bike tour through Mohács. For wine connoisseurs, travel to to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago.

VUKOVAR, CROATIA – NOVI SAD, SERBIA. Vukovar is a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you’ll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovčara Memorial and Eltz Castle. While there, experience the festive, warm atmosphere of the holidays when visiting a traditional Croatian Christmas Market. You can also choose to experience the city on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, travel to the Serbian city of Novi Sad for a full day tour that begins at the Dunavski (Danube) Park; stroll through Stari Grad, the old town center; and explore Liberty Square, which is dominated by the Old Town Hall. You will also have the option to visit the Petrovaradin Fortress, originally built to defend against the Ottoman Turks, but now home to summertime festivals and beautiful views of the Danube below. In the afternoon, enjoy a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you’ll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.

BELGRADE, SERBIA. Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Alternatively, you can hike to Belgrade Fortress. Later in the day, enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery. For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour.

GOLUBAC – SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES. Visit Golubac Fortress – one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains.

VIDIN, BULGARIA. Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make. You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle.

ROUSSE, BULGARIA – GIURGIU, ROMANIA. Visit Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples. Enjoy the magic of the holidays when learning about the Bulgarian traditions and folklore during Christmastime. You can opt instead to go to Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings. Or travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture, followed by a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bucharest Christmas market, shining bright in festive holiday lights, right in front of the Palace of the Parliament.

GIURGIU – DISEMBARKATION. Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Giurgiu as you prepare for your flight home.