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A short break during the weeks of Advent, this tour combines the history of the Habsburg Empire with the traditions of the Christmas Markets, cruising the Danube to a trio of riverside capitals, from elegant Vienna to beautiful Budapest and medieval Bratislava
Day 1 - Vienna
Day 2 - Vienna
Day 3 - Budapest
Day 4 - Bratislava
Day 5 - Return Flight
Enjoy the contemporary elegance of the MS Vivaldi as you sail to the capitals of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, cruising mostly overnight to maximise your time ashore. A leisurely passage through past and present, this delightful Danube journey highlights the Habsburg blend of Austro, Slav, and Magyar culture, from magnificent palaces to medieval streets; and adds the atmosphere of the cities’ Christmas Markets, a feast for the senses, with artisan crafts, nativity scenes, twinkling lights and warming wines. Vienna showcases the grandeur of royal architecture, and holds its atmospheric market in front of the striking City Hall façade, where stallholders feed the Christmas spirit with strudel, hot chestnuts, and fruity punch. The Danube divides Budapest, the bastions of Buda’s fortress crowning the west bank; Pest hemming the east with boulevards, and home to the Vörösmarty Square venue of their festive market, focused on a huge fir tree, and famed as one of Europe’s best. Bratislava’s Main Square tells its history with Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau buildings circling a Renaissance fountain; and hosts the cosy, authentic market with its soundtrack of folk songs and scents of sweet pancakes and honey wine.
2 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Excursions Included
Drinks with Meals
Jules Verne Representative
Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Vienna, its historic centre a UNESCO World Heritage site; its parks and promenades lining the omnipresent Danube; and its regal façades and historic courtyards creating a picture-perfect city. Transfer to the mooring to embark on the MS Vivaldi for the four-night cruise, and enjoy a welcome drink and an introduction to the crew. (D)
Day 2 A morning tour shows you landmarks along the avenues of The Ring, encircling the city centre; viewing the Renaissance Revival façade of the Vienna State Opera, the epic scale of the Natural History Museum, and gloriously grand Hofburg Palace, its 13th-century origins extended by every Habsburg emperor to form the sprawling edifice it is today. The tour allows free time at the traditional Christmas Market by the City Hall. Sail for Budapest this afternoon. (B, L, D)
Day 3 A morning tour of Hungary’s captivating capital takes you to Buda’s castle district, to see the majestic Matthias Church, where Hungarian kings were crowned, and enjoy the fabulous views from Fisherman’s Bastion; then crosses the river to the boulevards of Pest to view the splendid Parliament Building; St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s tallest structure; and Heroes’ Square, with statues of the Seven Magyar Chieftains. Time at leisure to explore the festive market at Vörösmarty Square. Cruise overnight to Bratislava. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Straddling the Danube and the centuries, Bratislava’s heart and soul is the characterful labyrinth of its Staré Mesto (old town). An afternoon tour includes Michael’s Gate, the only city gate surviving from the Middle Ages; and the 14th-century Old Town Hall; and you have time to stroll and shop in the Christmas Market. Enjoy a Gala Dinner aboard this evening. Cruise back to Vienna overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Disembark the MS Vivaldi and transfer to the airport for the return flight. (B)
Notes
Beer, house wine, fruit juice, tea, coffee and water are included during lunch and dinner on board.
Cabins are available from 5pm on arrival and until 9am on departure (before/after this, luggage storage on board is possible).
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 the Lindner Hotel am Belvedere. Breakfast daily.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Transfer to the 4-star Lindner Hotel am Belvedere. (B)
Day 2 At leisure. (B)
Day 3 Return flight. (B)
A modern 4-star hotel right next to Belvedere Palace and a short distance from Schwarzenbergplatz and Graben. Restaurant, bar, gym, sauna and WiFi (free). 219 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
2023
per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin
Austrian Airlines from Heathrow
| December 4 | £1495 |
per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin
Austrian Airlines from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £275
Cabin Upgrades
Middle Deck £115
Upper Deck £135
Flight Options
Austrian Airlines Business Class from £545
Extension Options
Extension - Vienna
Lindner Hotel am Belvedere
2 nights £275
Single supplement £175
Tour Only
Save £200
Arrival or departure transfer add £35
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 4-night cruise, full board and drinks with meals 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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