Christmas on the Danube Budapest to Regensburg

Begin your journey in the enchanting city of Budapest. Settle into your stateroom and prepare for an exciting adventure. Explore the city's astounding art nouveau buildings, castles, and palaces. As night falls, witness the city's lights dancing on the Danube waters, with the Chain Bridge serving as a dramatic centerpiece.

Experience the Christmas season in Budapest. Explore the city's largest yuletide market in Vörösmarty Square, where the aroma of national specialties fills the air. Visit the cozy St. Stephen's Basilica market and enjoy the nightly light shows. Across the Danube in Buda, join the festivities in Fő Square, home to seasonal events and an outdoor ice rink.

Arrive in Vienna, where the yuletide season transforms the city's beautiful squares into delightful Christmas markets. Visit the Schönbrunn and Freyung markets for unique handmade decorations. Enjoy the merry ambience of holiday festivities in Am Hof Square, and experience the fairytale atmosphere at Belvedere Square, with its stately palace and adjacent lake.

Spend another day in Vienna, renowned as the 'City of Waltzes' and Europe's center of classical music. Take a stroll along the Ringstrasse, lined with baroque, neo-Renaissance, and Gothic-Romanesque structures. Discover Vienna's more intimate side by exploring its green parks and famed Viennese cafés, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and the city's delectable Sachertorte.

Arrive in Krems, a small university town at the eastern end of the Danube's Wachau Valley. Surrounded by terraced vineyards, Krems is known for its cobblestone streets, taverns, wine bars, and cafés. Sail through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the serene tapestry of terraced vineyards, forested slopes, charming towns, and castle ruins.

Arrive in Regensburg, centered around the beautiful St. Stephen's Cathedral, home to Europe's largest pipe organ. Explore the romantic market stalls of the Christkindlmarkt, where you can find an array of handmade goods. Listen to the sound of choirs singing as their voices echo through the cathedral's courtyard and the town's narrow streets.

Spend another day in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Regensburg. Explore the city's medieval streets adorned with festive cheer. Discover hidden courtyards filled with stalls laden with handcrafted wares. Enjoy the scent of home-baked spiced gingerbread, cinnamon, and glühwein filling the air. Don't miss the performance of the world-famous boys' choir, the Regensburger Domspatzen.

Spend your final day exploring Regensburg, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. Visit the Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the historic Neupfarrplatz square. After breakfast, disembark your ship and prepare for your journey home, taking with you the memories of an unforgettable European Christmas tour.