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Cruising through Christmas between three capitals, this tour sails the Danube from a Viennese waltz to ballet in Budapest and Bratislava’s traditional tunes, seeing the cities’ splendid sights, hearing the music of Mozart and Strauss, and including private recitals
(limited dates/availability)
Day 1 - Vienna
Day 2 - Vienna
Days 3 & 4 - Budapest
Day 5 - Bratislava
Day 6 - Return Flight
With a soundtrack of classical music, a backdrop of the omnipresent Danube, and the added pizzazz of Christmas festivities, this joyous cruise is a journey through past and present, from the buzz of a festive market to the Habsburg fusion of Austrian, Slav and Magyar culture. Sailing on the stylish MS Vivaldi, a premium vessel of the renowned CroisiEurope river fleet; the tour begins in Vienna, a city of music and grandeur, its historic centre a UNESCO World Heritage site, its regal façades, historic courtyards, and lavish palaces creating a picture-perfect place, and its Christmas Market a colourful throng of stalls and baubles. We celebrate Christmas in Hungary’s captivating capital, Budapest, hemming the Danube with character and culture, and brimming with beautiful architecture, from Buda’s castle district on the west bank hills to the broad boulevards of Pest on the fairly flat east. Bratislava is a brilliant blend of capital status and country town tempo, straddling the river and the centuries, the labyrinthine lanes of its atmospheric Old Town clustered beneath massive fortress ramparts. From majestic monuments to medieval streets and magnificent music, this is a leisurely route to a lovely Christmas.
Jules Verne Sightseeing
No Single Supplement
Drinks on cruise vessel
Jules Verne Representative
Enjoy a private Schubert concert in the Vienna Woods at the Inn where he composed ‘The Linden Tree’, 'Nutcracker' ballet at the Opera House, gypsy music in Bratislava and visit to the home of Mozart (with music) – plus a light concert of Strauss & Mozart at the Baroque Palais Auersperg, where Strauss once conducted.
Day 1 Fly from London Gatwick to Vienna, and take a drive along the avenues of The Ring, encircling the city centre; where landmarks include the Renaissance Revival façade of the Vienna State Opera, the epic scale of the Natural History Museum, and gloriously grand Hofburg Palace. Continue for a visit to the traditional Christmas Market by the City Hall, and transfer to the mooring to embark on the MS Vivaldi for the five-night cruise. (D)
Day 2 A walking tour of Old Vienna visits the ‘Haus der Musik’ museum of musical history, and the Mozarthaus, a museum celebrating Mozart and his music, in his own 18th-century townhouse; and includes a lunchtime private piano recital of the composer’s most famous pieces. This evening, enjoy a Strauss & Mozart concert. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Sail downriver for Budapest, cruising across the Slovakian border, and navigating the sweeping curve of the Danube Bend as it changes direction in Hungary on the journey south. Christmas Eve special dinner aboard. Optional Midnight Mass in a Hungarian church in Budapest (transfer payable locally). (B, L, D)
Day 4 A morning tour of Hungary’s capital takes you to Buda’s castle district, to see the majestic Matthias Church, where Hungarian kings were crowned, and the fabulous views from Fisherman’s Bastion. Enjoy a spellbinding touch of Christmas spirit with a lunchtime performance of The Nutcracker ballet at the Hungarian State Opera House; and, this afternoon, tour the boulevards of Pest to view the splendid Parliament Building; the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe; and Andrássy Avenue, lined with the fabulous façades of 19th-century mansions. Visit Heroes’ Square, with an open-air ice rink and statues of the Seven Magyar Chieftains. Join us for a Jules Verne Christmas drinks party aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Arrive in Bratislava for a tour of its medieval Staré Mesto (old town). The little maze of lanes and squares is the city’s heart and soul, where cafés, churches and pastel-painted palaces are crammed cheek-by-jowl. Pause for coffee, cake, and gypsy music. Enjoy a Gala Dinner aboard this evening, and cruise back to Vienna overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Disembark the cruiser and travel into the Vienna Woods biosphere park for a walking tour of beautiful Baden, a spa town set on the vineyard slopes; and complete the tour with a private Schubert concert at the inn where he composed The Linden Tree. Transfer to the airport for the return flight. (B, L)
Notes
All drinks, except premium brands, are included throughout the cruise.
Whilst the vessel carries more, the group size specified refers to transfers and excursions.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
A Premium vessel launched in 2009, MS Vivaldi is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope established over 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family.
All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise (except 1/4 Dec, where drinks are included with meals only). Enjoy International and French cuisine in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service. The vessel does sail at night.
Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, sun deck, lift and WiFi (free/limited). 88 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV. 41 twin/double cabins with picture windows and French balcony (145 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck, 21 twin/double cabins with picture windows (145 sq. ft.) on the Middle Deck And 26 twin/double cabins with porthole (145 sq. ft.) on the Main Deck.
Vienna Extension
Spend more time in the magnificent Austria's capital to explore the imperial heritage which is housed in a fine array of museums and palaces. Stay at Hotel Regina. Breakfast daily.
Day 1 Transfer to the 4-star Hotel Regina for two nights. (B)
Day 2 At leisure. (B)
Day 3 Return flight. (B)
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A historic 4-star hotel located in the centre of Vienna next to the Votive Church and a few steps away from the Ringstraße boulevard and the University of Vienna. Restaurant, bar and WiFi (free). 165 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer. safe, minibar and satellite TV.
2023
per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin
WizzAir from Gatwick
| December 22 | £2695 |
per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin
WizzAir from Gatwick
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
(limited availability)
Cabin Upgrades
Middle Deck £155
Upper Deck £185
Extension Options
Extension - Vienna
Hotel Regina
2 nights £245
Single supplement £375
Tour Only
Save £200
Arrival or departure transfer with group included
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 5-night cruise, full board and drinks on cruise vessel, excursions, Jules Verne Representative, local expert guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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