7-night Christmas on the Danube Cruise

Welcome to Budapest, capital of Hungary. Transfer to your ship from the airport (ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase). After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or do a bit of exploring. Tonight, return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (D),

Your morning begins with a panoramic tour of the Pest side of the city. Journey along Andrássy Avenue and see the 19th- and 20th-century mansions, National Opera House, Parliament Building, and Chain Bridge. Drive through Heroes' Square and learn more about Hungarian history, then cross the Danube to Buda's Castle District. Visit Matthias Church and enjoy brilliant views of the Danube and the beautiful Hungarian Parliament building from Fisherman's Bastion. Rejoin your ship in Visegrád for lunch as we cruise along the scenic Danube River. Enjoy a midafternoon Viennese coffee workshop, complete with apple strudel. (B,L,D),

Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstraße, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city's Baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to explore further. As always, your program director can help you plan your free time. Or, you may choose to join us for an optional excursion to visit Schönbrunn Palace, erected in 1778 and admired as the "Versailles of Vienna". This evening, you might celebrate the bottling of this year's wine vintage among the locals at a high-spirited optional Heuriger dinner.,

Today, spend time exploring Vienna. You may choose to join one of our many optional excursions, including a panoramic tour of Vienna by bike or an all-day optional excursion to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, filled with lovingly restored Baroque city palaces and leafy squares. Perhaps venture to the local Farmers' Market with a local chef. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own or on board, after which you may choose to join us for a Mozart and Strauss concert. We are docked here overnight.,

After breakfast, disembark in Krems and set off for Göttweig, a working Benedictine abbey that owns many of the vineyards along the Danube. See the splendid ceiling fresco in its imperial stairwell, one of the largest in the world. Visit the abbey church, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Alternatively, you may instead choose to explore your environs by bicycle, enjoying a ride along a riverside bike path considered one of Europe's most scenic. Afterward, rejoin your ship and cruise leisurely through the captivating Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Taste some local Austrian specialties during lunch onboard, taking in views of attractive towns and castle ruins along the way. (B,L,D),

Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town's narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. See the New Bishop's Residence and view the impressive Baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. Alternatively, you may instead journey into the countryside on an optional excursion to a local farm where you will have the opportunity to join a festive Bavarian party, experiencing traditional German music and food and tasting locally brewed beer. Or, you may choose a full-day optional excursion to explore glorious Salzburg; visit the Italianate Old Town, see locations from the film The Sound of Music and enjoy lunch at Austria's oldest restaurant. We cruise through the night. (B,L,D),

After breakfast, meet your local guide for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers, and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral, and a number of idyllic courtyards. Take time to stroll the streets, shop, or visit Germany's oldest restaurant, the Alte Wurstküche. Lunch is served onboard your ship. This afternoon, take an optional excursion to visit Weltenburg Abbey and experience a short cruise through a stunning mountain pass, one of the most breathtakingly scenic bends in the Danube Narrows (available only from May to October). Alternatively, you may choose a full-day optional excursion to see the highlights of the grand city of Munich or a full-day optional excursion to Nuremberg, one of Germany's most renowned and intriguing cities. (B,L,D),

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight (ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase). (B),