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.
Indulge in a winter escapade across Vienna, Ljubljana and Zagreb on this 8-day Christmastime tour. With attractions handpicked by Local Experts at every stop, this festive trip is packed with winter wonderland magic. In Slovenia, enjoy a lush Ljubljana tasting experience, replete with local delicacies and fine wine. In Croatia, shop the Zagreb Christmas Market—always abuzz with excited chatter. Between the festive market stalls in Bratislava, be sure to breathe in the heady aromas of the sweet, cinnamon-infused drinks and sample the Slovakian Christmas delicacies to your heart’s content.
Journey through the snow-capped peaks of the Austrian Alps on this grand tour of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Salzburg’s 500-year-old Christmas Market and Munich’s six-storey-tall Christmas tree. Enjoy an Insight Choice in snow-dusted Seefeld: glide through the countryside on a horse-drawn carriage or savour coffee and cake in a Tyrolean cafe. Then feel the festive magic of Innsbruck, where Glühwein, Swarovski crystal and the Christmas Market’s cheerful bustle await. At the Salzburg Market Tasting experience, meet a local market stallholder for a warm cup of mulled wine accompanied by traditional gingerbread. In Neuschwanstein, follow in Walt Disney’s footsteps on a tour of the fairy-tale-like castle that reputedly inspired him, complete with extravagant decorations and breathtaking views.
On a boat cruise along the Danube, explore charming Christmas markets and see Europe dressed in its holiday best. Discover Würzburg, an ancient Franconian wine town. Explore Nuremburg, home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in the world. Float through the Wachau Valley, dotted with castles and hillside houses. Visit the 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Enjoy a Glühwein Party – a German holiday gathering with mulled wine. Join a local expert and explore historic Vienna. Relax as you are transported to beloved riverside towns and delve into local holiday traditions.