Educational Opportunities Tours

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Iconic Christmas Markets Danube River Cruise with Guest Speaker Babbie Mason | Nov. 29, 2024

9 days
Austria, Germany & Hungary
Starting from $4099*

Join Guest Speaker Babbie Mason on an Iconic Christmas Markets Danube Cruise on AmaWaterways’ AmaViola starting at $4099* from Budapest on November 29, 2024. You will see Budapest, one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities, views from historic Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, Vienna, the “City of Waltze,”  the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, the Christmas Markets, the Schönbrunn Palace, the Melk Abbey,  Benedictine Abbey, and much more!

Airfare through EO

Please call us at (800) 247-0017 to request an airfare quote.

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What’s Included

  • Cruise
  • Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
  • Meals on Ship
  • Port Charges
  • Select Shore Excursions
  • Administrative Fees

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 November 29 - DEPART THE USA

Board your overnight flight to Hungary.

Day 2 November 30 - EMBARKATION – BUDAPEST

Board the ship in Budapest for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. (D)

Day 3 December 1 - BUDAPEST

Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities—and many of its most iconic sights can be seen right off the banks of the Danube. Your tour through this sprawling World Heritage city offers splendid views from historic Buda Castle of the twin cities on both banks of the river. You’ll also visit Fisherman’s Bastion and see the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and much more. Later, explore this beautiful city’s Christmas Markets. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B, L, D)

Day 4 December 2 - VIENNA

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Christmas Markets. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike along the Danube River. During the afternoon, visit the Schönbrunn Palace with a giant sparkling Christmas tree. This market presents a glittering and stellar Christmas experience. Or cap the day off with “Vienna by Night” Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Town Hall (Rathaus), Vienna’s largest Christmas Market. (B,L,D)

Day 5 December 3 - MELK

High on a rocky outcrop lies the Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries. Visit this magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. Alternatively, go on a guided bike ride around Melk. During the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley. (B,L,D)

Day 6 December 4 - PASSAU

Join a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s. Go in search of Bavarian-style crafts at the Christmas Market. Or, for the active adventurer, join a guided bike tour along the Danube. Alternatively, you can travel through the serene Austrian Alps to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. Your full-day excursion in Salzburg includes a walking tour of the UNESCO-designated Old Town, its magnificent cathedral and its Christmas Markets, including the Hellbrunn Palace, where its inner courtyard is turned into a romantic backdrop for one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Austria. (B,L,D)

Day 7 December 5 - REGENSBURG

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, before visiting the Old Town Christmas market. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. Or bike to the base of Walhalla where there is a neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Later in the day, you’ll be treated to one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis, where you can watch artisans make their unique arts and crafts. (B,L,D)

Day 8 December 6 - NUREMBERG

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Join a city tour of WWII highlights and then walk through Nuremberg’s cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Alternatively, you can taste your way through the city with a Franconian specialties tour, which introduces you to bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Later, you can visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets. (B,L,D)

Day 9 December 7 - NUREMBERG– DISEMBARKATION

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Enhance Your Journey

Budapest Pre Cruise Starting from $560

November 27 - 30, 2024 • Starting at $560*

NOVEMBER 27 – DEPART THE USA
Board your overnight flight to Budapest.

NOVEMBER 28 – BUDAPEST
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. 

NOVEMBER 29 – BUDAPEST
Often described as the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest is well-known for Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Hill, and its magnificent Hungarian Parliament building. However, this sprawling city is full of rich history and culture and offers many “hidden” treasures as you venture further past its river banks. During this excursion, your guide will take you deeper into the city to discover fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler. (B) 

NOVEMBER 30 – BUDAPEST - EMBARKATION
Board the ship for your Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. 
(B, D)

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Prague Post Cruise Starting from $900

December 7 - 10, 2024 • Starting at $900*

DECEMBER 7 – NUREMBERG - DISEMBARKATION - PRAGUE
Disembark the ship and enjoy the wonder of Nuremberg’s other Christmas markets before departing for Prague, where you will check into your hotel. (B) 

DECEMBER 8 – PRAGUE
Discover Prague on a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later in the day, visit Prague’s festive Christmas markets. (B) 

DECEMBER 9 – PRAGUE
Spend the day exploring Prague and see the Old Town. Don’t miss the medieval Astronomical Clock, the Kafka Museum, or the Lennon Wall. Visit historic Wenceslas Square and stroll through the Jewish Quarter, where you can see the 13th-century Altneuschul, which is Europe’s oldest, active synagogue.(B) 

DECEMBER 10 – DEPART PRAGUE
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

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Departure Dates

  1. Friday, November 29, 2024
    From $4049* Register Now!
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.