Your luxury river cruise begins with an overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary. Or, spend more time exploring Budapest with an optional pre-trip extension.

Prepare to experience the joys of a Deluxe river cruise when you arrive to grand Budapest at the peak of seasonal splendor. If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a Vantage representative will meet you upon arrival and arrange transfer to the m/s River Splendor. This evening, you’ll gather with the Captain and your fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink and 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

Today you’ll set out on a city tour of Budapest, of which almost the entirety of its historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see many of the city’s most notable landmarks, including City Park, Heroes' Square, Andrassy Avenue, the iconic Parliament building, Castle Hill, and Fisherman's Bastion. Following your tour, the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Perhaps you’ll head to the Budapest Christmas market and visit over 100 stalls offering locally produced wares.

Included Feature:

• Half-day Budapest city tour

Biking Opportunity:

• Ride a flat, 5-mile route of medium difficulty, past Budapest's iconic sites

Warm apple strudel is a European holiday staple, and you’ll learn how to make it during an onboard cooking demonstration this morning. Afterwards, get to know Bratislava on a walking tour of the city’s historical sites, including the Main Square, National Theater, and the Bishop’s Palace. Later, attend a classical organ recital at a local Franciscan church. You’ll have free time following your tour to discover more of Bratislava on your own, including the enchanting Christmas market. This evening, join your fellow travelers for an elegant Captain’s Gala Dinner on board, followed by festive entertainment.

Included Feature:

• Historic Bratislava walking tour

Cultural Connections:

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

Begin your day with breakfast on board and an engaging lecture about Vienna’s long-held Christmas traditions, before heading out on panoramic tour of this charming city. You’ll be introduced to the historic center of Vienna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the city’s famed Ringstrasse and the Innere Stadt. Here you’ll see the Hofburg Palace, the Stephansdom Cathedral, the fashionable Graben area, and the adjoining Kohlmarkt. Following lunch back on board, you’ll have the remainder of the day at your leisure, with convenient shuttle service from the ship to the local Christmas market.

Vantage Exclusive:

• Panoramic Vienna city tour

Cultural Connection:

• Evening onboard entertainment

Biking Opportunity:

• Enjoy the architecture of Vienna, including panoramic sights of the city’s skyscrapers, during a medium 8-mile route

Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Visit Vienna’s famed Opera House and pop into the city’s coffeehouses. Learn more

Today you’ll have a unique opportunity to visit Vienna’s Spanish Riding School and attend a rehearsal of the world-famous Lipizzaner stallions. Return to the ship for lunch, then catch a complimentary shuttle back to the heart of Vienna, where you’ll have time to peruse the wares at the city’s delightful Christmas market. Later, you’ll partake in a true Vantage-exclusive event: a private classical music concert at the Kursalon music. Back on board, enjoy a cocktail of the day presentation, followed by a celebratory Christmas dinner.

Included Features:

• Spanish Riding School visit and Lipizzaner stallions rehearsal
• Private Kursalon concert in Vienna

Biking Opportunity:

• Ride a moderate 8-mile route past Vienna’s stunning architecture

Please note: On dates when the morning rehearsal is not available at the Spanish Riding School, a guided tour will be provided of the Winter Riding School and Stables.

Today, you’ll explore lovely Linz, a cutting-edge city at the forefront of the arts and technology that UNESCO dubbed a City of Media Arts, with an active walking and hiking tour to Ars Electronica. You’ll have time to continue your exploration of the local Christmas markets before returning to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure on board. After dinner, enjoy local entertainment in the ship’s lounge.

Included Feature:

• Linz walking tour

Cultural Connection:

• Evening onboard entertainment

Biking Opportunity:

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

Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Set out on a full-day tour of lovely Salzburg. Learn more

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. For a more active option, you can participate in a 3.5-hour hiking tour of Passau that includes entrance to Veste Oberhaus. 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.

Later, 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. Afterward, 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 followed by a German-themed Farewell Dinner.

Included Feature:

• Christmas-themed Passau walking tour

Cultural Connections:

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

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 its medieval highlights.

You’ll also meet Martin, Regensburg’s city guard, who will regale you with a special presentation. If you’re more active, you’ll have the opportunity to join the same walking tour but at a faster clip. Alternatively, feel free to explore on one of the complimentary bicycles aboard your ship.

Later, you'll have leisure time to explore on your own, including a chance to dine at the Regensburg Sausage Kitchen, a historic restaurant on the Danube that’s also the oldest continuously open restaurant in the world. Don’t miss the finger-sized sausage, sauerkraut, and sweet mustard — a delicacy! You can also visit an antique clock and handmade gift shop, or join the Cruise Director for a warm, mulled cup of Glühwein at the local Christmas Market.

Included Feature:

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

Cultural Connections:

• Meet Martin the city guard of Regensburg
• Glühwein and Christmas Market visit with your Cruise Director

Biking Opportunity:

• 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.