Danube Christmas Markets (2027) - 8 days Budapest to Passau

Destination:

Austria,

Czech Republic,

Germany,

Hungary,

Slovakia,

Duration:

8 days

Style:

River/Small ship/Barge,

Travel Period:

December 2027 - December 2027

Overview

Cruise the Danube and uncover a mix of history, culture and local traditions wrapped in the spirit of the season. Visit Budapest’s Heroes’ Square, stroll through Bratislava’s medieval Old Town and see Vienna’s historic landmarks. Explore Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets by day, then unwind on board Trafalgar Reverie by night. Share stories over regional wines, soak up the ever-changing scenery and festive cheer at every stop. This Danube river cruise offers you discovery, fun and relaxation during the most magical time of year.

Ships

Trafalgar Reverie

Start:Budapest, Hungary
Finish:Passau, Germany

Type:Group tour (max 128)

Tripcode:

332_2027_A

Options and details

Select your preferred date or enquire

Number of Passengers:

Adults16 to 110 Years

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Dates

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Your Itinerary

Day to day notes

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All included and optional excursions must be booked onboard. Included excursions are available with no additional cost. Descriptions for the Optional Experiences will be provided onboard along with pricing and availability. Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard, the first day of your cruise

Day 1 - Embark in Budapest

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Step aboard the Trafalgar Reverie, your floating home for your Danube Christmas river cruise, and settle in for the night. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over dinner hosted by your Experience Director.

Day 2 - Cruise the Danube Bend

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Discover both sides of Hungary’s capital today with your Local Specialist on a city tour. In historic Buda, head up Castle Hill and admire the Gothic spires, of Matthias Church before stepping onto Fisherman’s Bastion for sweeping views across the Danube. Cross into Pest to see Heroes’ Square, a tribute to Hungary’s national identity. Later, join your Experience Director and Experience Manager to explore Budapest’s Christmas markets at your own pace, where you could find local pastries, roasted nuts and mulled wine. Or choose an Optional Experience to explore the Jewish district, including a visit to the Dohány Street Synagogue.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour through Budapest’s rich history and stunning architecture. Visit Heroes’ Square, a tribute to Hungary’s national leaders, before heading up Castle Hill. Pass the striking Matthias Church and step inside Fisherman’s Bastion, where you’ll be rewarded with views over the Danube and the city below.

Optional Experience

Explore Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, starting with a panoramic drive along Andrássy Avenue, passing Heroes’ Square and the House of Terror. Arriving at Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe, uncover the rich history of Jewish Budapest in this culturally significant district.

Pricing Info
€79.00

Day 3 - Onto Bratislava

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Arrive in Bratislava for a Be My Guest experience and meet a head brewer for a tasting of traditional lagers, dark beers and local ales, followed by lunch at one of the city’s most celebrated microbreweries. In the afternoon, you can choose between two included experiences to deepen your understanding of the local sites and culture. Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through the old town, passing through Michael’s Gate to see the Town Hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral. You’ll wander among wooden chalets as you explore Bratislava’s Christmas markets, filled with handmade gifts and local delicacies. Or you can choose to dive into history during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to hear powerful stories from the communist era and Velvet Revolution.

Excursions

Included Option

Explore Bratislava’s Old Town with your Local Specialist. Wander its historic streets, see the Old Town Hall, pass through Michael’s Gate and admire St. Martin’s Cathedral. Along the way, soak up the atmosphere of the Old Town’s Christmas markets.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience

Discover Bratislava’s Cold War history as you discover key Communist-era sites with a Local Specialist, hearing stories of life under Soviet rule. You’ll meet a representative of Post Bellum, a non-profit preserving first-hand accounts of life under totalitarian regimes, ensuring these stories continue to inspire conversations about democracy and freedom today. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Be My Guest experience

Join a head brewer at DOCK7 in Bratislava for a tasting of traditional Czech-style lagers, dark beers and local ales. Over lunch, learn how their passion for craft brewing blends innovation with Slovak tradition in one of the city’s most celebrated microbreweries.

Day 4 - Culture and Architecture in Vienna

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Welcome to Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Get to know this buzzing city with a drive along the Ringstraße before exploring the old town’s Baroque architecture on foot with a Local Specialist. Pass imperial landmarks, admire festive displays in shopfronts and visit Vienna’s Christmas markets, where wooden stalls, mulled wine and hand-blown ornaments fill the historic streets. There’s free time to explore the Christkindlmarkt in front of the town hall, one of Europe’s most iconic settings. Choose to visit Schönbrunn Palace for an Optional Experience, where the courtyard transforms into a picture-perfect Christmas village. After a day of discovery, why not end the evening with an optional classical concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart?

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Discover Vienna’s historic heart with your Local Specialist. Drive along the Ringstraße, passing landmarks like the State Opera House and Parliament, before walking through the old town and its holiday markets. End at the Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus, where you’ll have time to shop, explore and enjoy seasonal specialities beneath the glowing lights.

Optional Experience

Visit the Habsburgs’ summer palace with your Local Specialist and explore its lavish rooms and ceiling frescoes. Wander through the gardens and take in the views before browsing the
Christmas market in the palace courtyard, filled with seasonal crafts, sweet treats and classic Austrian charm.

Pricing Info
€89.00

Optional Experience

Spend an evening with the music of Vienna’s most famous composers. In a historic concert hall, talented musicians and singers bring the works of Strauss and Mozart to life. Sit back, enjoy the music and experience the city’s musical heritage in the way it was meant to be heard.

Pricing Info
€89.00

Day 5 - Cruise the Wachau Valley

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Cruise through Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed landscape of terraced vineyards, hilltop castles and riverside villages. Arrive in the historic town of Krems an der Donau and join a Local Specialist to visit the Kremser Adventzauber, where the old town glows with seasonal lights and stalls showcase regional crafts and Christmas specialities.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Join a Local Specialist to explore Krems an der Donau, a charming town in Austria’s Wachau Valley known for its medieval streets and wine heritage. Discover the Kremser Adventzauber, where the town’s historic centre transforms with lights, music and Christmas stalls offering regional crafts and seasonal flavours.

Day 6 - See Historic Linz

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Spend the day in Linz, Austria’s third-largest city, known for its elegant main square and riverside charm. Join a Local Specialist for a guided walk through the old town and enjoy time to browse the Christmas markets, where handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats bring the square to life. Alternatively, choose an Optional Experience to Salzburg and step into the story of The Sound of Music. Visit Maria’s church in Mondsee and explore Salzburg’s baroque streets. Along the way, discover the city’s musical heritage and enjoy one of Austria’s most enchanting Christmas markets.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Discover Linz with a Local Specialist and explore the historic heart of Austria’s third-largest city. Stroll through its elegant main square, see the baroque facades and riverside views, then enjoy time at the Christmas markets. Here, seasonal stalls offer everything from hand-carved gifts to Linzer torte and mulled punch in a cheerful setting.

Optional Experience

Follow in the footsteps of The Sound of Music on a guided tour through Salzburg. See Maria’s church in Mondsee, stroll through filming locations and explore the city’s baroque streets. Along the way, discover Salzburg’s musical roots and drink in the seasonal atmosphere at one of Austria’s most enchanting Christmas markets.

Pricing Info
€119.00

Day 7 - Discover Passau

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Join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through Passau’s medieval lanes and baroque squares before browsing the city’s Christmas markets, where merry stalls line the cobbled streets. Alternatively, choose a guided hike along the Ilz River and enjoy a more active perspective on this scenic region. Later, you can opt to join a Bavarian beer experience, complete with traditional folk music and freshly baked pretzels. Raise a stein with locals and take in the warm, welcoming spirit that makes Bavaria so memorable during the season.

Excursions

Iconic Experience

Walk through Passau’s historic streets with a Local Specialist, where medieval lanes lead to grand baroque buildings and colourful facades. Enjoy the city’s unique character before browsing the Christmas markets. End your visit at the scenic point where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet.

Optional Experience

Enjoy an authentic taste of Bavaria with local brews, warm pretzels and lively folk music. You’ll mingle with locals, learn about Bavarian traditions and experience the region’s famous hospitality.

Pricing Info
€69.00

Day 8 - Farewell Passau

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This morning, disembark the Trafalgar Reverie and bid farewell to the captain and crew, taking with you memories of the Christmas magic you’ve experienced along the Danube.

Travel Partner

Get ready for a trip like no other. Since 1947, more than five million happy past guests have discovered our difference. You’ll see top destinations, iconic sites, and get treated to exclusive local experiences – all with our team taking care of all the details. You’ll also discover the ways WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, and how your journey leaves a positive impact. Do good, feel good, and make memories that last a lifetime.

Price from

$4,999*

per person*

Options and details

Enquire now

Tripcode: 332_2027_A

Start:Budapest, Hungary
Finish:Passau, Germany

Type:Group tour (max 128)

Tripcode:

147218

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Danube Christmas Markets (2027) - 8 days Budapest to Passau

Destination:

Duration:

Style:

Travel Period:

Overview

Options and details

Number of Passengers:

Your Itinerary

Day to day notes

Day 1 - Embark in Budapest

Day 2 - Cruise the Danube Bend

Day 3 - Onto Bratislava

Day 4 - Culture and Architecture in Vienna

Day 5 - Cruise the Wachau Valley

Day 6 - See Historic Linz

Day 7 - Discover Passau

Day 8 - Farewell Passau

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