Classic Travel

20 Night - Winter Wonderland Package

Celebrate the Christmas season in the birthplace of many beloved holiday traditions

Package Details

Overview

Accommodation Breakfast Cruise Day Tours Escorted Tours Fly Package Transfers

From AU$10,099 per person*

Package Provider: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
Package Type: Package
Region: Western Europe
Duration: 20 Nights


Description

Witness a stunning view of Lucerne from the summit of Mount Pilatus, as you experience Europe’s best Christmas markets and festive treats on this whimsical winter escapade.

Celebrate the season in the birthplace of many beloved holiday traditions.

Glorious baroque architecture, delightful concerts and ravishing scenery will make this Christmas season unforgettable as you sail through the holidays on the Danube.


Your Fly, Tour & River Cruise Package Includes:

  • Economy class flights from Sydney to Frankfurt, returning from Munich
  • 8 night Winter Wonderland guided holiday with Insight Vacations
  • Includes 12 meals, Authentic dining experiences, transport on a luxury coach, gratuities + more
  • 2 nights accommodation in Frankfurt including breakfast
  • Frankfurt Like A Local city day tour
  • Economy class flight from Frankfurt to Budapest
  • 1 night accommodation in Budapest including breakfast
  • 7 night Uniworld Danube Holiday Markets River Cruise onboard S.S. Maria Theresa
  • Includes selected excursions, all onboard meals, unlimited beverages onboard + more
  • Private car transfers throughout
  • Airline taxes

Extend your flights and stay longer - talk to our travel experts about more options


Insight Vacations Winter Wonderland guided holiday Itinerary:

Day 1 - Frankfurt and on to Mainz

Welcome to Germany. From the Rhine Valley to the Alps, experience lively cosmopolitan cities, historic old towns and breathtaking natural scenery. Transfers from Frankfurt airport to your Mainz hotel depart at 09:30 and 12:30. Mainz has been a bustling and important town since the time of the Romans. Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at 18:00, for a walk through the Cathedral Quarter to witness the magnificent architecture of the city’s Dom. At a local restaurant, enjoy a pleasant evening of good food and wine during your Welcome Dinner.

Hotel: Hilton Mainz 

Meals: Dinner with Wine

 

Day 2Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the romantic road to Munich

Head to fortified Rothenburg ob der Tauber, overlooking the winding Tauber River. Once through the medieval walls, you are immediately transported back into the 16th century, as cobblestone streets lead you to the medieval Market Square with its Town Hall. Perhaps visit Tilman Riemenschneider’s ‘Holy Blood’ altarpiece in St Jakob’s Church or pop into the Christmas shop where you’ll find the festive spirit all year round? Follow parts of the Romantic Road to fun-loving Munich.

Hotel: The Westin Grand Munich.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 3relaxed start- the Bavarian capital of Munich

During your orientation you will see Victory Arch and the university, concluding in the Marienplatz with its soaring Gothic Town Hall and colourful Glockenspiel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Why not try a foaming stein of beer at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus?

Hotel: The Westin Grand Munich.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 4relaxed start - Lake Chiemsee to Salzburg

Travel alongside the beautiful Lake Chiemsee and cross the Austrian border to Salzburg, ‘alive with the Sound of Music.’ Walk with your Local Expert through the formal gardens of Mirabell Palace and admire the city skyline, crowned by the majestic Hohensalzburg Fortress. Cross the Salzach River to see Mozart’s birthplace on the Getreidegasse, a lively shopping street lined with charming wrought-iron signs. For those arriving before Christmas, visit the festive Christmas Market and meet a local stallholder for a taste of traditional Lebkuchen and a fragrant cup of Glühwein. Follow the narrow lanes of the Old Town to the domed cathedral and the splendid Residenz Fountain, before having time at leisure to enjoy as you please. In the evening, perhaps visit an Austrian chalet for dinner, drinks and the opportunity to learn about life in the countryside?

Hotel: Arcotel Castellani, Salzburg

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 5 - Innsbruck

In the morning, choose to either meet your coachman and take in the delightful scenery and pure fresh air on a horse-drawn carriage ride, known as a Fiaker. Alternatively, visit the magical world of Swarovski Crystal. In the afternoon, a scenic journey takes you through snow-capped mountains to Innsbruck. See the Imperial Palace and magnificent Golden Roof in the Old Town, then loose yourself in the festive atmosphere as you spend some time exploring Innsbruck's magical Christmas Markets. The giant Christmas tree dominates the square and is adorned in lights and decorations. Browse the market stalls, selling handmade trinkets that make perfect gifts for friends and family, along with delicious local treats of home-made biscuits, jams and delicious, soul-warming Glühwein. At night, journey to the charming town of Hall in Tirol, which boasts one of Austria's best-preserved historic town centres. Enjoy a medieval highlight banquet set in a 700-year-old building.

Hotel: AC Hotel Innsbruck.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

 

Day 6relaxed start - Liechtenstein and Lucerne by the lake

This morning depart for Lucerne by first stopping at the Wilten Basilica where a multitude of Rococo cherubs and angels will greet you when you venture inside. Delightful scenery abounds as you make your way to the Arlberg Tunnel. Stop in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s smallest countries. Cross the Swiss border and continue to lakeside Lucerne. Your Travel Director will show you the covered wooden Chapel Bridge and you’ll learn about the poignant history of the Lion Monument. Then you are at leisure to shop for Swiss watches or delicious chocolate.

Hotel: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne. 

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 7 - Lovely Lucerne

Start the day with a spectacular cable car ride with incredible views up Mount Pilatus. Back in Lucerne, you are free to admire the superb baroque Jesuit Church, stroll along lakeside promenades, or explore the old walls and watch towers of the medieval fortifications.

Hotel: Hotel Astoria, Lucerne.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

 

Day 8 - Heidelberg

Stop at Schaffhausen to see the Rhine River thundering over the Rhine Falls. Cross the German border and venture deep into the Black Forest. Following the Rhine Valley north, head for the town of Heidelberg, set on the banks of the river Neckar and dominated by its magnificent red sandstone castle. Stroll through the old town with your Travel Director. Perhaps see the old Student Prison? In the evening, enjoy good food, wine and company at your Celebration Dinner.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Heidelberg City Centre.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

 

Day 9 - Depart 

Meals: Breakfast

 

 

Uniworld Danube Holiday Markets River Cruise Itinerary:

Day 1: Budapest (Embark)

Embark the ship in Budapest

 

Day 2: Budapest

Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each have their own distinctive character and allure. You’ll get a taste of this dynamic capital city with your choice of tours, and visit Budapest’s celebrated Christmas Market—one of the largest in Europe. Christmas has been celebrated in Budapest for a thousand years, since the time of St. Stephen, the king who founded the nation of Hungary and encouraged the spread of Christianity throughout his realm, but the city began as a Roman encampment almost a millennium before that. Over the centuries it was controlled by Germans, Austrians, Ottomans and Communists, all of whom have left traces.

A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

 

Day 3: Cruising the Danube River, Bratislava

Once hidden from the world behind the “Iron Curtain,” Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. You’ll learn more about Bratislava’s past from a local expert and also visit the local Christmas Market—a relatively new (and thoroughly delightful) tradition for Slovakians. How do you say “Merry Christmas” in Slovak? “Veselé Vianoce!” The heart and soul of Slovakia, Bratislava is full of surprises. The city straddles the mighty Danube and has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries. Unlike cities with venerable Christmas Markets, Bratislava just established its first holiday market in 1993. But the Slovakians have quickly embraced the seasonal traditions of their Austrian and Hungarian neighbors—and you’ll get to embrace them as well.

Featured Excursion:

Bratislava walking tour with Christmas market

 

Day 4: Vienna

Renowned for its art and architecture, its classical music, its decadent pastries and its lengthy list of famous former residents, the refined city of Vienna is a cultural treasure trove. Experience the city with your choice of tours, as well as something extra special—VIP access to an extraordinary collection of art.

Featured Excursion:

“Morning with the Masters” at the Vienna Art History Museum

Choice of Vienna city tour with Christmas market or “Taste of Christmas” Vienna walking tour

 

Day 5: Krems, Melk

One of the most beautiful abbeys in Austria is still an active Benedictine monastery, but a monastery the likes of which you’ve never seen— Napoleon himself once laid his head here in the lavish imperial quarters. With its 14th-century stained glass windows, the abbey’s jewel box of a church is the perfect setting for a soul-stirring concert of organ music. Both the millennium-old town and the valley itself have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Choice of Benedictine Monastery Göttweig with organ concert or Krems town visit

You’ll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck today as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian Mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful; UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape. Castle ruins dominate hilltops; baroque church towers appear on the riverbanks, marking historic villages and splendid abbeys; and vineyards and apricot orchards cling to the rocky slopes. Some of Austria’s finest white wines are produced from grapes grown on the dry-stone terraces above the river, where grapes were first planted 2,000 years ago.

 

Day 6: Linz (Salzburg)

Your ship docks at Linz, a modern yet historic city that extends across the shimmering waters of the Danube. From there, you’ll head to Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg, which is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland this time of year. Fans of “The Sound of Music” may recognize locations from the Oscar-winning film in the city’s Old Town, the site of the grand cathedral and absolutely enchanting Christmas Market.

Choice of Full-day Salzburg walking tour with Christmas market or Linz Town & Country: cider farm visit and Christmas markets

 

Day 7: Passau

Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one—three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town with a guided stroll, then visit the local Christmas Market on the square in front of the cathedral. You’ll find a lot to enjoy here—from miniature houses and blown-glass ornaments to spun-sugar confections—in more than 70 stalls.

Featured Excursion:

Passau walking tour with Christmas market

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

 

Day 8: Passau (Disembark)

Disembark the ship in Passau.

 

Terms & Conditions

Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.

Enquire Now

1300 765 305 (AUST) 0800 956 363 (NZ)

}