Christmas Markets on the Danube & Prague
| Resort: | Christmas Markets on the Danube & Prague |
| Operator: | Emerald Waterways |
| Destination: | |
| Price From: | £4820.00 |
OverviewItineraryDay 1 – UK > BudapestReturn economy flights from one of up to 15 UK regional airports are included in the price of your holiday. Please call us to check if we can offer your local airport. Welcome to Budapest! You will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Budapest. This evening, join your fellow travellers with a traditional Hungarian welcome dinner. Later, enjoy a Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board. Meals Included: Dinner Day 2 – BudapestBudapest is Eastern Europes liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest or an exciting hike on the Buda Hill. On your free time, stroll the Christmas market on Budapests main square near Vci Utca Street. This afternoon you depart for Bratislava. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 3 – BratislavaThis morning we arrive at the city of Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. Bratislava also charming Christmas markets throughout the city, which you can enjoy. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 4 – ViennaToday, you will explore Austrias capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, where we will see the sights of Viennas worldfamous attractions such as the Opera House, Burgtheater, Town Hall, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. After the tour, enjoy your free time to visit the wonderful Christmas markets of Vienna which are set up in 15 different squares in the city. DiscoverMORE: Taste of Vienna Tour (extra expense) Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 5 – Drnstein – MelkIn the morning you will arrive in Drnstein, one of the Wachau wine regions most enchanting villages and home to the medieval castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the Crusades in the 12th century. Those feeling more active can join a guided hike to this historic landmark, before returning to the ship to sail through the spectacular Wachau Valley and on to Melk. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour along the Danube River to Melk, where your Star-Ship will be docked. The 11th century Austrian city is home to an imposing 900year-old Benedictine Abbey, a fine example of Italian Baroque architecture, with its ornate gold leaf walls, 640ft Imperial corridor and fresco ceilings. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6 – PassauCruise along the Danube this morning, in the afternoon we reach Passau. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city. On this afternoons walking tour, stroll through the ancient centres narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europes largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. Passaus annual Christmas market, or Christkindlmarkt, takes place in front of the St. Stephan Cathedral. Around 70 gingerbread-like stalls selling festive souvenirs, handmade gifts and delicious treats are illuminated by strings of twinkling fairylights, as the smell of Glhwein and fresh baking fills the cool air. Indulge on gingerbread as music groups and choirs take to the stage as the perfect accompaniment. DiscoverMORE: Tour to Salzburg (extra expense) *** Please note, you can only choose either included tour of Passau or the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours run at the same time. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 7 – RegensburgAfter breakfast we arrive in magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Regensburg. On our guided walking tour, youll have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the citys architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall. Regensburg is also home to one of the loveliest Christmas market of the German-speaking countries. With its many quaint wooden stalls, the market is located around the Neupfarr Church and the city Guard House, adorned by row-upon-row of twinkling lights. Taste your way through the narrow streets and hidden passageways, picking up a mug of delicious Glhwein and treating yourself to homemade gingerbread and cookies. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 8 – Nuremberg Disembarkation – PragueSituated on the banks of the River Vltava in central Bohemia, this beautiful city is rich in history and is home to some of the worlds most pristine collections of architecture. Included is a three-night stay in Prague. Meals Included: Breakfast Day 9 – PragueThis morning we explore the sights of the Old Town Square on a guided walking tour. We see Mozarts Theatre, Little Square and Astronomical Clock. We continue our tour and walk across the Charles Bridge spanning the River Vltava and full of portrait artists and small vendors, to board our coach to drive to the 1,000yearold Prague Castle area. With our local guide we walk through Hradcany Square, for the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard. See the magnificent Loreta Monastery, and arrive at Hradcany Castle. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 10 – PragueYour Tour Director is on hand to help plan your days exploring. The baroque quarter of Mala Strana is a must see, as is Josefov, the Jewish quarter. You will no doubt return to the lively atmosphere around the Charles Bridge for another look. DiscoverMORE: Tastes of Czechia Meals Included: Breakfast Day 11 – Prague – FarewellAfter breakfast, it is time to farewell your fellow passengers and transfer to the airport for your flight. Meals Included: Breakfast |
