- 7 Night river cruise from Budapest to Passau onboard S.S. Maria Theresa in a French Balcony Stateroom.
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners.
- All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients.
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell Receptions.
- Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners.
- Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water.
- 6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts.
- Guided 'Taste of Christmas' program.
- State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions.
- Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks.
- 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Cultural enrichment, including captivating onboard local entertainment.
- Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager.
- Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour.
- The service of a dedicated Travel Advisor managing your booking.
Airfares are additional and can be arranged by your Travel Associates Advisor to suit your travel plans.
Celebrate the season in the birthplace of many beloved holiday traditions.
Budapest has celebrated Christmas for a thousand years, since the reign of St. Stephen, the king who founded Hungary and encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout his realm. As you ramble through the Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square, admiring the handmade porcelain, stop to watch as kurtos kalacs (a pastry) is baked on rods over an open fire and then coated with sugar before it's handed to you.
In Bratislava, where a lively young art scene is revitalizing the compact city core, stalls abound with traditional Slovakian Christmas items such as medovniky (spiced ginger cookies) and supolie (figurines made from corn husks). Experience Uniworld's exclusive "Taste of Christmas" program in the heart of Vienna during the day.
Glorious baroque architecture, delightful concerts and ravishing scenery will make this Christmas season unforgettable as you sail through the holidays on the Danube.
Day 1 Budapest (Embark)
Arrive at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer, or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Day 2 Budapest
Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. You'll get a taste of this dynamic capital city with your choice of tours, and visit Budapest's celebrated Christmas Market- one of the largest in Europe. Christmas has been celebrated in Budapest for a thousand years, since the time of St. Stephen, the king who founded the nation of Hungary and encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout his realm, but the city began as a Roman encampment almost a millennium before that. Over the centuries it was controlled by Germans, Austrians, Ottomans, and Communists, all of whom have left traces.
A special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
Day 3 Cruising the Danube River, Bratislava
Once hidden from the world behind the "Iron Curtain," Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. You'll learn more about Bratislava's past from a local expert and also visit the local Christmas Market - a relatively new (and thoroughly delightful) tradition for Slovakians. How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Slovak? "Vesele Vianoce!" The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises. The city straddles the mighty Danube and has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries. Unlike cities with venerable Christmas Markets, Bratislava just established its first holiday market in 1993. But the Slovakians have quickly embraced the seasonal traditions of their Austrian and Hungarian neighbors-and you'll get to embrace them as well.
Day 4 Vienna
Renowned for its art and architecture, its classical music, its decadent pastries, and its lengthy list of famous former residents, the refined city of Vienna is a cultural treasure trove. Experience the city with your choice of tours, as well as something extra special-VIP access to an extraordinary collection of art.
Day 5 Krems, Melk
Enjoy a handful of delightful excursions that inspire the holiday spirit in this beautiful millennium-old town and surrounding valley - both of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You'll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck today as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian Mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful; UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape. Castle ruins dominate hilltops; baroque church towers appear on the riverbanks, marking historic villages and splendid abbeys; and vineyards and apricot orchards cling to the rocky slopes. Some of Austria's finest white wines are produced from grapes grown on the dry-stone terraces above the river, where grapes were first planted 2,000 years ago.
Day 6 Linz (Salzburg)
Your ship docks at Linz, a modern yet historic city that extends across the shimmering waters of the Danube. From there, you'll head to Mozart's birthplace of Salzburg, which is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland this time of year. Fans of "The Sound of Music" may recognize locations from the Oscar-winning film in the city's Old Town, the site of the grand cathedral and absolutely enchanting Christmas Market.
Day 7 Passau
Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one - three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town with a guided stroll, then visit the local Christmas Market on the square in front of the cathedral. You'll find a lot to enjoy here - from miniature houses and blown-glass ornaments to spun-sugar confections - in more than 70 stalls.
A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Day 8 Passau (Disembark)
Disembark the ship in Passau. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer, or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Munich Airport for your flight home.
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