Magna on the Danube (A Taste of Christmas Markets) (Budapest to Vilshofen)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – EMBARKATION. Arrive in Budapest and board the luxurious AmaMagna. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. 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. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant 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 Vörösmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. Then, cruise through the scenic Danube Bend where you’ll see the Börzsöny and Visegrád hills and some of Hungary’s oldest settlements, including Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre. Nature, culture and history intertwine into a picturesque sight as the Danube River turns into a sharp bend.

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Following your city tour, you’ll visit the beautifully decorated Maria Theresaplatz Christmas market. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, visit the market at Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree.

DÜRNSTEIN – SPITZ, AUSTRIA. Enjoy your morning in the lovely Baroque village of Dürnstein. Stroll along Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower on a walking tour. For a more culinary-focused experience in Dürnstein, enjoy an apricot liqueur and brandy tasting and special apricot treats from a local boutique. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to historic Dürnstein Fortress or cycle through Dürnstein. During the afternoon, explore Spitz, where you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube; or get active with either a Spitz bike tour or hiking adventure. During the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine tasting experience where you’ll enjoy some of the regions famous wines, including Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

LINZ, AUSTRIA. For those who love The Sound of Music, enjoy a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes. Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube.

PASSAU – VILSHOFEN. 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. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike ride along the picturesque River Inn. Later, sail to Vilshofen, where you’ll be treated to an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration.

VILSHOFEN – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to the ship and prepare for your flight home.