Danube Splendor: A Holiday Cruise - 2022

Your holiday cruise begins with an overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary. You can also begin your journey earlier — and spend more time in Budapest — with an optional pre-trip extension.

Prepare to experience the joys of a festive river cruise when you arrive to grand Budapest, steeped in old-world splendor and yuletide flair. Upon your arrival, a Vantage representative will transfer you to the m/s River Splendor. This evening, you’ll gather with the Captain and your fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink & Briefing before your first dinner on board.

Vantage Onboard Enrichment:

• Morning yoga and stretching, offered throughout the duration of your cruise
• Optional early risers’ breakfast in the Captain’s Club, offered throughout the duration of your cruise
• Chess, shuffleboard, track, spa, and other amenities

Wake up in Budapest, which you’ll see this morning on a city tour.

Almost the entirety of Budapest’s historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you’ll see the best of it as you visit City Park; Heroes' Square with its statues of Magyar chieftains; elegant Andrassy Avenue; the iconic Parliament building; and Castle Hill, where you’ll have free time and entrance to Fisherman's Bastion.

Your afternoon is free for you to explore. Perhaps you’ll explore the more than 100 stalls comprising the Budapest Christmas Market, then head to visit a famous confectioner like Gerbeaud, Café Demel, or the Sacher Café, and join the perennial argument over who makes the world’s best Sachertorte. Maybe you’ll do some window shopping on Váci Utca, the pedestrian shopping zone. Or ask your Concierge to help arrange a visit to one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths, such as Széchenyi or Gellért.

Included Feature:

• Immerse in the UNESCO World Heritage historic center of Budapest

Warm apple strudel . . . it’s a European holiday staple, and you’ll learn how to make it today during a cooking demonstration.

Afterwards, get to know Bratislava on a walking tour of the city’s historical sites including the Main Square, National Theater, and an inside visit to the Bishop’s Palace before attending a classical organ recital at a local Franciscan church that’ll put you even more in the holiday mood.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to peruse the local Christmas market, where you can find fine crystal, handmade leather slippers, honey wine, and other treasures. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner, followed by evening entertainment.

Included Feature:

• Bratislava walking tour of historic sites

• Apple strudel cooking demo
• Organ recital at a Franciscan church in Bratislava
• Evening onboard entertainment

Venture to Vienna today and hear a fascinating lecture on Austrian Christmas traditions. A panoramic city drive along the UNESCO-listed Ringstrasse will give you a better view of this imperial and artsy capital.

Later, feel the grandeur of Palais Liechtenstein on a special tour of this dazzling estate. Later, spend some time exploring Vienna on your own, including the city’s Christmas market, via a convenient shuttle to and from the ship. Tonight, warm-up dancers join us on board for a lively show.

• Panoramic city tour of Vienna
• Special tour of the Palais Liechtenstein

• Attend a lecture on Austrian Christmas traditions
• Warm-up dancer for onboard entertainment

A lecture on the Habsburg monarchy kicks off your second day of discoveries in Vienna. Afterward, attend a rehearsal of the famed Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. After lunch on the ship, catch the Vantage shuttle back to the center of Vienna where more fabulous Christmas market shopping awaits.

This evening, attend an exclusive private classical music concert at the Kursalon music hall — a frequent haunt of Vienna’s own Johann Strauss.

Vantage Exclusive:

• Attend an exclusive private classical music concert at the Kursalon music hall

• Morning rehearsal of the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School or a guided tour to the Winter Riding School and to the Stables

• Join a lecture on the Habsburg monarchy

• Ride a moderate 8-mile route past Vienna’s stunning architecture during a medium 8-mile route. Click here for details.

You'll have a choice of tours in Austria today. Set off today for storybook Salzburg, nestled in the Austrian Alps. This city — Mozart’s hometown, in fact — also boasts a few locales featured in the beloved classic, The Sound of Music. Or, choose to explore lovely Linz, a cutting-edge city at the forefront of the arts and technology that UNESCO dubbed a City of Media Arts. No matter which tour you choose, you’ll have time to soak up the charm — and peruse the wares at the local Christmas market. After dinner, enjoy more local entertainment in the ship’s lounge.

Included Feature:

• Your choice of tours: Full-day Salzburg excursion with lunch in a local restaurant, or Linz walking tour with lunch onboard and afternoon at leisure

• Enjoy onboard local entertainment

• Discover the landmarks along the Danube, including Bruckner Concert Hall and the Lentos Art Museum, on this easy route to Linz. Click here for details

More baroque splendor awaits you in picturesque Passau, located at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers. On a Christmas-themed walking tour, we’ll admire the UNESCO-listed Old Town and spend some time at the Christmas market, located just outside St. Stephan's Cathedral. Don’t forget to try the gingerbread here in Passau — it’s spiced, warm, delectable, and you’ll even learn how to make it later this afternoon.

This afternoon, a local painter comes on board for a colorful painting lesson. Then, learn the secrets of making Germany’s treasured lebkuchen — also known as gingerbread — in the ship’s lounge. Tonight, deck the halls of your ship in a fun Christmas tree-decorating workshop. This fun, family activity culminates with a competition, and the winner will be announced afterward at the festive Captain’s Farewell Reception.

Included Feature:

• Christmas-themed Passau walking tour

• Onboard painting lesson by a local artist
• Gingerbread demonstration
• Christmas tree decorating workshop onboard

• Ride along the Ilz River on a medium/difficult 10-mile route. Click here for details

Delve into Bavarian custom and culture with a day in medieval Regensburg. Largely spared from World War II bombing, Regensburg is remarkably well-preserved, with an Old Town doubling as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the city on a walking tour of the city’s medieval highlights, and sample Glüehwein — spiced mulled wine — at the Christmas market. You’ll also meet Martin, Regensburg’s city guard, who will regale you with a special presentation. Later, you'll have leisure time to explore on your own or continue shopping the Christmas market for handmade items including marionettes, dolls, pottery, candles, and more.

Included Feature:

• Walking tour of Regensburg’s UNESCO-listed Old Town

• Meet Martin the city guard of Regensburg
• Sample Glüehwein at a Christmas market

• Ride through Regensburg and learn about its history on a moderate 14-mile route. Click here for details

Disembark your river cruise ship in Regensburg and transfer to the Munich airport to return home, or head to Prague for a post-trip extension.