Budapest has celebrated Christmas for a thousand years, since the reign of St. Stephen, the king who founded Hungary and encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout his realm. As you ramble through the Christmas Market on Vörösmarty Square, admiring the handmade porcelain, stop to watch as kürtos kalács (a pastry) is baked on rods over an open fire and then coated with sugar before it’s handed to you.
In Bratislava, where a lively young art scene is revitalizing the compact city core, stalls abound with traditional Slovakian Christmas items such as medovníky (spiced ginger cookies) and šúpolie (figurines made from corn husks). Experience Uniworld’s exclusive “Taste of Christmas” program in the heart of Vienna during the day.
Glorious baroque architecture, delightful concerts and ravishing scenery will make this Christmas season unforgettable as you sail through the holidays on the Danube.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
CruiseChristmas markets
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin
Age Range
2-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Budapest, Passau, Linz, Wachau V
Budapest, Passau, Linz, Wachau Valley, Vienna, Bratislava, Munich
This cruise will start in Cologne in Germany and take you through scenic and famous landmarks. You will get a chance to visit the oldest city in the Netherland, Nijmegen. Then you will sail to Rotterdam which is a major European port city and famous for its gigantic seaport. Rotterdam is the center of contemporary architecture, home to the famous cube houses with their Kijk-Kubus (show cube) and the Witte Huis (the White House), the first skyscraper in Europe. Thereafter you will reach Amsterdam and If you want to see Tulips, come with us and see for yourself as this will be the best time of the year to witness the beautiful Tulips blossom. In the Keukenhof flower gardens, they bloom and can be found in all colors and shapes in spring. A visit to Amsterdam is also on the program, with a tour of the famous canals, past the traditional townhouses. The region of North Holland stands above all for idyllic nature and is home to the typical windmills. You will also get the opportunity to experience The Markermeer Lake and IJsselmeer Lakes. Visit Enkhuizen, a beautiful harbor town overlooking IJsselmeer lake and Arnhem best known as the site of one of the infamous battles of World War 2 before ending your journey and returning to the historic city of Cologne.
You’ll find an ideal mix of old and new, historic and modern, in some of Europe’s liveliest cities on this journey. Spend time in Amsterdam and Maastricht, allowing you to discover great shopping, countless active options, and mouthwatering foodie destinations. Explore Belgium’s historical and contemporary capital city of Brussels, home of a rich and vibrant culinary tradition. Discover Antwerp’s penchant for tasty treats, including Belgian waffles, beer, pralines, and chocolate on a walking discovery tour of the diamond capital of the world. In splendid Maastricht, a city with hundreds of national heritage sites, you’ll uncover why it’s known as one of the most beautiful cities in all of Holland. Follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps with a stroll through Nuenen, where you’ll wander through the sites that inspired much of his art. Delight in a visit to Kinderdijk to see its 19 well-preserved windmills that have stood the test of time.
The shimmering waters of the fabled Danube River flow for thousands of miles through the very heart of Europe, silent witness to centuries of artistic achievement and historical events. This perfectly composed journey provides an immersive cultural tasting menu of four equally beguiling countries—ideal for first-time river cruisers as well as seasoned travelers seeking to experience yet another dimension of these much-loved destinations.
Our locally-based destination experts will take you well beyond the “must-sees” of each region, offering fresh takes on classic sites, insider knowledge of delightful under-the-radar locales, and VIP access to places only a privileged few will ever experience—such as a private early-morning viewing of the acclaimed art collection of the Kunstkammer Vienna.
CruiseDanube river cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin
Age Range
2-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Budapest, Passau, Linz, Durnstei
Budapest, Passau, Linz, Durnstein, Vienna, Bratislava
Explore the coastline and islands between Marmaris and Fethiye on foot from a comfortable Turkish gulet base. Cruising from Marmaris, around the Gocek Islands and on to Fethiye, this unique program offers the opportunity to see the best of the Turkish Lycian coast from sea and on foot. Walk along tracks still used by shepherds today, most of which are so remote they can only be accessed from the sea. There's plenty of time to relax and enjoy all that cruising along this stunning coastline offers. In the evening stay on board a traditional Turkish Gulet which will cruise from bay to bay as you walk along the coast. If you feel like relaxing and not walking, then just stay on board and enjoy the view! The Captain and crew take excellent care of you ensuring you have great food and the best of Turkish hospitality.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Discover the roots of our Christmas traditions as you explore some of Europe’s most charming towns. Browse for unique ornaments in Basel’s Christmas Market. Sip vin chaud as you stroll to Place Kléber to behold the enormous, brilliantly lighted tree of Strasbourg. See how the baroque town hall of Koblenz is transformed into an Advent calendar and find unexpected treasures in the stalls clustered around Cologne’s magnificent cathedral.
Savor tantalizing once-a-year treats with Uniworld’s “Taste of Christmas” program, including gingerbread and warm spiced wine. Revel in brightly painted carousels and handmade ornaments, medieval squares illuminated by twinkling lights, life-sized Nativity figures, and joyful brass choirs. Sail through castle-strewn hillsides and visit charming towns decked in festive finery for a holiday season you will never forget.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
This cruise takes you to some of the most famous and delightful holiday markets in Central Europe. At each market, you’ll find wooden stalls displaying traditional crafts that range from quirky little characters made of fruit and dressed in Bavarian costume to beautifully carved and painted Nativity figures. You’ll also find exquisite ornaments and fine contemporary crafts, along with fairytale villages decked in holiday finery.
Sparkling lights illuminate ancient cathedral squares and the sound of children’s laughter mingles with carols. Enjoy Uniworld’s exclusive “Taste of Christmas” program in Vienna, where you’ll see astonishing confectionary decorations in Café Demel’s windows. Celebrate the season in a new way as you meander through old lands, and remember, as the Christkind says, “While this market’s splendor is fleeting, the joy it brings is eternal.”
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
Cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin
Age Range
2-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Vienna, Nuremberg, Wachau Valley
Vienna, Nuremberg, Wachau Valley, Linz, Passau, Regensburg
Experience dynamic Budapest and imperial Vienna. Marvel at ravishing scenery as your luxurious ship glides through the Wachau Valley, celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, into Germany and past charming Bavarian villages. Exclusive treasures are plentiful on this delightful journey.
This enchanting voyage provides a variety of ways to enjoy captivating destinations as well as plenty of time to relax onboard as you sail from Budapest to Regensburg.
Jewish Heritage Program (select sailings): Our Jewish Heritage Program is the only one of its kind on the rivers and allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and more. Please note: Tours that fall on Saturdays will not operate due to Shabbat, and some sites may be closed for inside viewing during the High Holidays, Passover, and other significant events.
Discover villages with fairytale houses and a friendly, festive atmosphere. Share traditional holiday goodies with the people who made them. Watch as modern children abandon their usual electronics and discover the enchantment of hand-carved wooden toys, as scents of cinnamon and roasting nuts fill the air.
Sail through Christmas country, trying Frankfurt’s famous apple cider and Nuremberg’s gingerbread. Throughout, cozy up to steaming mugs of glühwein (warm spiced wine) and do as the locals do by collecting different mugs from each stall and town you visit. Embrace the holiday spirit in Germany, the land where many Christmas traditions began, and find the magic of the season in the smiles that you meet along the way.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
See the biggest river parade in Europe: the Iron Gates, on the border of Romania and Serbia. It is here that the beautiful blue Danube unveils its most spectacular landscapes. Discover cities such as Belgrade, a young and modern capital, as well as legendary sites such as Baile Herculane which houses one of the oldest and most famous spas in Romania. Travel through 2000 years of history in Pécs and Budapest, which will end a magical cruise and a journey of a life time.
Cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Ship Cabin
Age Range
18-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Budapest, Belgrade, Orșova, Novi
Budapest, Belgrade, Orșova, Novi Sad, Mohacs, Kalocsa