Christmas Markets of the Danube 2027 (Vienna to Budapest)

Travel to Vienna and embark Spirit of the Lorelei. Your all-inclusive cruise begins with dinner tonight.

Depart 2300.

Vienna is the capital of Austria: home to the waltz, coffee houses, the Prater wheel and one of the world's finest opera houses. It is the city where Marie Antoinette grew up and where Mozart died, and for 600 years was the centre of the Hapsburg Empire. The Spittelberg quarter in the Neubau district is home to Biedermeier-style buildings occupied by bars and restaurants. Sail overnight.

Included visit

Take our complimentary transfer service into the city, where highlights include the Ringstrasse and Opera House, and head to the Krippenmarkt, December market, to browse the stalls independently. Various art ware, silver jewellery, enamel and ceramics can be purchased here.

Optional excursion

Enjoy an evening concert.

Arrive 0800.

Arrive this morning in Slovakia's capital where you can walk into the city to explore streets adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas trees. The city’s Christmas market, usually held at the Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square, has stalls laden with tempting goodies. Perhaps treat yourself to a mug of mead or steaming mulled wine while enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Included visit

Step aboard the Bratislava Land Train with a local guide, taking you on a sightseeing adventure around the Slovakian capital. The journey will take you past the Slovak Philharmonic Hall, through to one of the oldest local theatres, the Slovak National Theatre, and around the historic Old Town to Bratislava Castle. You should expect to walk approximately one mile.

Depart Bratislava, 0400.
Scenic Cruise, Danube Bend.
Arrive Budapest, 1900.

Enjoy a leisurely day cruising the Danube River and picturesque scenery of the Danube Bend.

Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character. Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.

Included visit

Walk to Vörösmarty Square where you can explore the city’s oldest and largest Christmas market independently. Numerous food merchants and craft vendors sell their wares here and the venue is popular with Hungarian musicians who can often be heard entertaining the shoppers.

Disembark Spirit of the Lorelei after breakfast and begin the return journey to the UK.