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Christmas on the Danube - Budapest to Regensburg - 2023

From Budapest, Hungary to Regensburg, Germany
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Sun, Dec 17, 2023
Operator
Departure
Dec 17, 2023
Arrival
Dec 24, 2023

Please see below brochure cabin pricing

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Mention Promo Code: PT2191
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Save 3.3% On Your River Cruise!

Save 3.3% On Your River Cruise!

Promotion Details
Pay the remaining balance by cash (bank wire or e-check) and receive a 3.3% discount. This offer is applicable to all departures except departures within 21 days of booking. Speak with our cruise agents for more details.
Combinable with all current offers
Must Book By Sun, Dec 31, 2023
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Cruise fares listed are for cruise and cruisetour only in US dollars, per person and fares/discount offers are based on double occupancy and are valid for US residents only. Prices are based upon lowest price point and category at time of print and are subject to change without notice. If you are traveling within 21 days, echeck payments cannot be accepted and cannot be made by third parties (someone not traveling). Other restrictions may apply.


River Cruise Itinerary

  1. Day 1
    Budapest
    Sun, Dec 17, 2023
    Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Riverside beauty and a vibrant cultural scene blend together in Budapest to form one of Europe's most rewarding cities. Hungary's enchanting capital straddles the banks of the Danube, with traditional hillside Buda on one side and modern Pest on the other. By day, astounding art nouveau buildings, stalwart castles and glittering palaces set the stage for awe-inspiring strolls and long soaks in thermal spas. By night, a nostalgic glow settles in as the city's lights dance on Danube waters, the Chain Bridge uniting it all as a dramatic centerpiece.
  2. Day 2
    Scenic Sailing: Danube Bend
    Mon, Dec 18, 2023
    The Christmas season adds another layer of beauty to the already romantic charms of Budapest. Nestled in the heart of Pest lies Vörösmarty Square, home to the city's largest yuletide market. The enticing aroma of national specialties permeates the air as vendors display traditional and contemporary handicrafts. At the cozy St. Stephen's Basilica market, mulled wine keeps revelers warm as nightly light shows illuminate the church's facade. Across the Danube in Buda, Old-World allure mingles with festivities in F? Square, where seasonal events and an outdoor ice rink entertain.

    Take in the natural beauty of the fabled "Blue Danube” as you pass through the Danube Bend, considered one of the most beautiful sections of the river. Cruising this 40-mile stretch through northern Hungary, you will see peaceful farmland and an ancient castle that once served as hunting grounds for royals and visiting dignitaries. As you sail the passage between the Börzsöny and Pilis Ranges, you will marvel at the steep hills draped with bucolic forests. And delight in the majestic church domes peering at the waterway from inviting villages and historic cities.
  3. Day 3
    Vienna
    Tue, Dec 19, 2023
    The yuletide season transforms Vienna's beautiful squares into delightful Christmas markets. Festive lights illuminate the Old Town. The Schönbrunn market, set in front of the baroque Hapsburg summer palace, and Freyung market, nestled in the city center, are the perfect destinations for unique handmade decorations. Seasonal music and choral singing provide a merry ambience to holiday festivities in Am Hof Square, while the market at Belvedere Square mixes excellent shopping opportunities with views of the stately palace and adjacent lake to create a fairytale atmosphere.
  4. Day 4
    Vienna
    Wed, Dec 20, 2023
    Renowned as the "City of Waltzes,” Austria's capital city of Vienna is Europe's center of classical music. Strauss and Mozart composed many of their finest pieces here. Vienna's musical history is matched by the elegant, graceful architecture that lines the Ringstrasse. Baroque, neo-Renaissance, Gothic-Romanesque and other splendidly styled structures take the breath away with their grand facades. Vienna has a more intimate side too: inviting footpaths lead through green parks and its famed Viennese cafés sweeten any stay with coffee and the city's delectable Sachertorte.
  5. Day 5
    Krems
    Thu, Dec 21, 2023
    A small university town at the eastern end of the Danube's Wachau Valley, Krems is surrounded by terraced vineyards. In its heyday, during the 12th century, Krems held even more importance than Vienna for its iron, grain, salt and wine trade. As to the latter, the city has played a long and celebrated part in the popularity of the Wachau's wine culture; the valley's south slopes in Krems are bathed in sunlight all day and create some of the best Riesling and Veltliner wines in the world. The city's cobblestone streets, taverns, wine bars and cafés have a timeless appeal.

    Sail through a serene tapestry of terraced vineyards, forested slopes, charming towns and castle ruins in Austria's Wachau Valley, celebrated as perhaps the most scenic stretch of the Danube. Journey 18 miles through this vast UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the river courses through picturesque hillsides. Gaze upon the prolific grapevines and quaint wine-producing villages hugging the shores-the legacy of vintners that stretch as far back as Celtic and Roman times and an echo of the more than 30 monasteries that served as vineyards in Renaissance days.
  6. Day 6
    Passau
    Fri, Dec 22, 2023
    Centered around the beautiful St. Stephen's Cathedral, home to Europe's largest pipe organ, the romantic market stalls of the Christkindlmarkt are a delight to explore. An array of handmade goods, from tasty treats to ornaments, offer a wealth of opportunity to take home a unique artisan gifts created by local craftsmen. Periodically throughout the festive season, the cathedral hosts yuletide concerts; the sound of choirs singing can be heard as their voices echo through the courtyard and the town's narrow streets.
  7. Day 7
    Regensburg
    Sat, Dec 23, 2023
    The UNESCO World Heritage city of Regensburg is transformed during the holiday season as its medieval streets are donned with festive cheer. Narrow passageways open to hidden courtyards with stalls laden with handcrafted wares, including dolls, pottery and silk paintings. The scent of home-baked spiced gingerbread, cinnamon and glühwein fills the air. The world-famous boys' choir, the Regensburger Domspatzen, was formed at the city's cathedral in 975 and travels the globe, performing to admiring audiences internationally.
  8. Day 8
    Regensburg
    Sun, Dec 24, 2023
    Having escaped major damage during World War II, the picturesque town of Regensburg is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, the oldest city along the Danube and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Stone Bridge, constructed in the 12th century, is a masterpiece of medieval engineering with its 16 arches. St. Peter's Cathedral is widely considered Bavaria's best Gothic architectural work. The Old Town's Neupfarrplatz square is a cross section of history-it was once a thriving Jewish quarter, a bustling marketplace and the site of Nazi book burnings. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.

Countries Visited

Austria, Hungary, Germany

Rivers Visited

Main, Danube

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Inclusions

8 Days 6 Guided Tours / 3 Countries

Daily Shore Excursions: 6 included guided tours
Port Charges: Included on all itineraires

Health and Safety Protocols for Viking

Pre-Departure Test
To ensure your journey is smooth and that you are able to fully enjoy your voyage as planned, we highly recommend that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test, no more than three days prior to beginning your journey.

Purified Air
Enjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking river ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship. Take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with new short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) lights and high-density filters, which kill 99.99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.

Medical Services
While every precaution can reduce the risk of illness, we are also prepared for that outcome. Each of our vessels has always had a state-of-the-art Medical Center; those facilities have now been upgraded with more specialized equipment. We have also launched a new 24/7 hotline staffed by doctors, specifically for our river cruises.

Sanitization
Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings. You will notice more hand sanitization stations throughout your ship. And on our ocean and expedition ships, we are using new sanitization robots that utilize UV-C light to treat surfaces in guest and crew public areas—an industry first.

Dining & Entertainment
On your ship, you can expect spacious, airy public areas and abundant options for al fresco dining. Also, on our ocean voyages, as always, you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service. Now, more options for spaced seating in all dining venues will allow for physical distancing; there will be additional table service at all bars and lounges; and new capabilities will allow you to watch more live events and enriching content through your in-room entertainment system.

Physical Distancing & Face Masks
Public health experts agree that proper physical distancing and the use of face masks are effective in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Face masks are optional while moving about the ship. Please note: Viking’s Medical Team continually monitors conditions and may deem face masks to be necessary while moving about the ship, based on conditions at the time of travel. While ashore, guests will need to comply with any local guidelines for face masks and physical distancing. Face masks continue to be required for all crew.

Local Partner Training
As part of the Viking Health & Safety Program, we will regularly train every local partner, including motor coach drivers and tour guides. While ashore, Viking’s measures will meet or exceed local guidelines for social distancing and other precautions.

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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.2
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.3
Professional Staff
4.3
Repeat with Operator
4
Value for Money
3.9

Ratings based off 51 reviews - currently showing 12 reviews with comments only

Staff was wonderful. Accommodations excellent. Plane connections worked except for return flight. Flight was cancelled and I received no notification about this.

I was truly taken aback at how Viking takes care of EVERY detail to insure travelers are safe and can enjoy the trip. When plans changed they were done seamlessly with little discomfort or anxiety to the travelers. For example, during one of our daily trip excursions there was a change of schedule and we were not going to be able to return to the ship for lunch so Viking gave everyone a $25 Euro credit on their shipboard account as most people were going to have to have lunch in town. Viking did this on their own. No one asked nor were expecting this which was a very thoughtful and pleasant surprise. Vienna a bunch of folks wanted to venture into town on their own and seeing this was appealing the Viking activities director decided to form an impromptu field trip to take everyone to town on the Metro Underground and escort them group to town so no one would get lost. They also gave everyone a map of the metro and easy instructions on how to return to the ship using the metro which was a the least expensive way to travel like a local. I HIGHLY recommend that Viking travelers take advantage of the pre-paid gratuities package offered as it really does remove that from the list of things to do as you leave the ship.

We have been on four cruises with Viking. They have spoiled us for any other cruise line.

Marianne was extremely helpful in planning our trip and making arrangements for air. She was also helpful during the trip when a question arose. We will definitely book through Marianne. She is professional, efficient and knowledgeable and friendly. She makes you feel personally cared for.

Very pleased with our first river cruise. Staff were friendly and got to know us quickly. Food and accommodations were good.

I have two major disappointments with the trip neither of which is related to Affordable Tours. The low water conditions on the Danube meant we were not docked in Budapest. I was looking forward to seeing Budapest lit up at night from our ship and conveniently visiting Budapest that did not happen. We were docked in a desolate location an hour from the city, the commute to the city was no fun. Also we had a ship transfer which replaced a day of cruising the Danube for another bus ride. Viking worked very hard to minimize the inconvenience.

Great service! operator was very helpful with our special requests and was able to meet them.

I am very pleased with the services provided by Viking cruise personnel. Every morning the chef's assistant would go over the menu with me to describe what options I had for vegetarian meals including anything I like to have that was off the menu. The stateroom veranda rooms were very comfortable. Bathroom wasn't that big but comfortable and was cleaned twice a day.

All went as planned and as advertised except a surprise $70.00 baggage fee with our economy flight reservation on Czech Air from Budapest to Prague.

This was our first river cruise and far exceeded our expectations. Every part of the trip was wonderful: food, guides, staff on boat, program director, cabin.

Our Viking cruise on the Danube was amazing! Really exceeded our expectations.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Viking. Brochure Price is based on the itinerary's highest brochure price. Our price reflects our base price for the same departure as Brochure Price. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices change frequently and our website prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been received by us. The prices on our website are intended to serve as a guide only and may not accurately reflect current prices. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Please call us toll free at 1-800-342-0019 to confirm current prices and availability. Prices listed are per person, cruise only, and based on double occupancy.

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