Christmas Markets Cruise on the Danube

December 7, 2024 thru December 16, 2024

Experience the holiday like never before!  On this cruise you’ll visit Christmas Markets in four different countries – Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.  Enjoy seven nights on an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship with stops at magical markets. Travel cobblestone streets, take in dramatic landscapes, and stroll through quaint markets Christmas cheer abounds on this cruise! 


Transportation

Roundtrip air transportation from ABQ

Transportation

Deluxe Motorcoach

Transportation

7 night cruise on the Danube

Duration

10 days, 9 nights

Activity Level 3

Moderate

Meals

22 meals included (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners)

Availability

Available

Documents Required

Passport


Tour Highlights

  • Guided tour of Passau
  • Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
  • Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • Guided tour of Vienna
  • Walking tour of Bratislava
  • Guided coach tour of Budapest
  • 20 delectable meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
  • Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board
  • Plus Much Much More!

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip air transportation ABQ to MUC and BUD – ABQ(not including baggage & in-flight charges)
  • All transfers
  • 7-night cruise with all meals on board
  • 1 nights lodging in Budapest
  • Baggage handling (for one piece)
  • 22 meals (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners)
  • Shipboard gratuities (not including optional activities)
  • Government fees & air taxes
  • Your SUN TOURS escort (with 15 or more travelers)


Day 1 – Depart the USA

Today we depart the USA for your overnight flight to Munich, Germany.

Day 2 - Embarkation in Regensburg

Welcome to Germany! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Regensburg. After boarding, explore the ship and become acquainted with the amenities. Later, enjoy dinner onboard. (D)

Day 3 - Regensburg & Thurn

Your exploration of Germany begins in Regensburg. On your guided walking tour, view one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall. Visit the famous Christmas Market at the Thurn & Taxis Palace grounds, try a mug of Glühwein and treat yourself to homemade gingerbread! (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Passau

Enjoy a leisurely morning sailing through the spectacular Wachau Valley, on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to Krems. Upon arrival, depart for a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey. This Benedictine monastery, perched high atop a vineyard and forest-covered hill, offers stunning views over the Wachau Valley. Inside the abbey, admire its architectural highlights, antique decorations and furnishings. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Krems

Admire the glorious scenery as you travel into the province of Tyrol. As you walk through the town of Kufstein, enjoy views of the hilltop fortress and consider restaurants offering regional specialties for your independent lunch. Continue your drive along the Inn River to your Tyrolean Village hotel. After dinner, the Gundolf Family welcomes you to their theater with an entertaining performance of traditional Tyrolean songs, unique dances, amusing instruments and expert yodeling. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Vienna

Vienna is a capital city comprised of grand boulevards, ornate palaces, amazing architecture and storied history. Also famous for art exhibitions and museums, your included tour visits the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country. After the tour, enjoy free time to visit the wonderful Christmas Markets throughout the city. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Bratislava

Learn about Slovakian culture during a visit to Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Slovak National Theater and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin. Bratislava is also home to charming Christmas markets where you can shop for handmade ornaments and holiday craft items. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Budapest

Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan capital, is known for the rich architecture and historic monuments along both sides of the Danube. This UNESCO World Heritage city is a true delight during the season with its Christmas Market and festive display of holiday decorations. Your guided coach tour will introduce you to the city as it passes Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge and Andrássy Avenue – the main shopping area lined with spectacular Neo-Renaissance townhomes, cafés, boutiques and theaters, among them the State Opera House. This evening you’ll be delighted by a traditional Hungarian folklore show onboard. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Budapest

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark the ship. We transfer to our local hotel to drop our bags before enjoying an independent day and evening in Budapest. Walk the city, see a show, visit a museum and taste the local brews. This is your days to explore Budapest on your own. (B)

Day 10 - Daytime flight back to U.S.A.

Transfer to the Budapest airport, taking home warm memories of Europe at Christmastime. (B)

Itinerary subject to change.


Package Pricing

Category E - Riviera Deck per person

$6,795

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Category D - Rivera Deck per person

$7,115

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Category C - Vista Deck per person

$7,815

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Category B - Vista Deck per person

$7,995

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Category A - Horizon Deck per person

$8,135

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Category S - Horizon Deck per person

$8,835

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Category SA - Horizon Deck per person

$9,795

Deposit: 20% holds your space!

Call for single occupancy pricing

Call for single occupancy pricing

Deposit:

Final Payment Due:

September 3, 2024

Deposit: N/A

Price Includes

Roundtrip air transportation ABQ to MUC and BUD - ABQ(not including baggage & in-flight charges)
All transfers
7-night cruise with all meals on board
1 nights lodging in Budapest
Baggage handling (for one piece)
8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners
Shipboard gratuities (not including optional activities)
Government fees & air taxes
Your SUN TOURS escort (with 15 or more travelers)


Booking Policy

**PASSPORT REQUIRED**

FINAL PAYMENT DUE: September 3, 2024

CANCELLATION FEES:

  • $400 – Now – September 3, 2024
  • 100% – After September 3, 2024

TRAVEL PROTECTION STARTS AT $747


ACTIVITY LEVEL RATING

Level 3: Moderate

Expectations: Expect a moderate amount of walking. There will be time to rest on the coach and between attractions. To enjoy this tour, you should be prepared to walk slightly longer distances, climb stairs and tolerate periods of standing, for example on city walks, sightseeing stops or ship excursions. The daily pace and timing can fluctuate significantly between longer and shorter travel days, with additional activities possibly occurring in the early morning or evening. There may be some changes in altitude or temperatures.

Appropriate for: Most travelers beginning with those who are moderately fit, lead semi-active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities and expect some physical exertion.

Visit our Activity Level Ratings page for full information on the ratings system.

ITINERARY

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.

AIRLINE TICKETS

You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Albuquerque International Sunport. If you have a frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation.

If you are joining the tour from locations other than Albuquerque, we make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.

AIRPORT SECURITY

Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. A Driver’s License or Passport is preferred. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline will turn you away.

BAGGAGE

We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carryon baggage and contents due to enhanced security measures. Attached find a list regarding commonly asked about items as well as an update. If you have further concerns, please visit the TSA's Web-site at www.tsa.gov. There is room inside the motorcoach for your hand carried bag.

CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES

On our airline for this tour, passengers are assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.

GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE

The traditional end-of-tour gratuity to your tour director is not included. If you feel your Tour Director helped you enjoy your tour, we suggest you enclose a gratuity in an envelope and present it individually at the end of the tour. Simply as a guideline, one may consider a per person, per day gratuity of $8.00 per tour guide as an average to be modified by one’s own personal experience. All hotel porterage and airport skycap (when available) fees are included. We also include the gratuities for the coach/livery drivers. Maid tips are not included.

LODGING REQUESTS

If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.

Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.

TRAVEL REQUESTS

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.

RESPONSIBILITY

Sun Tours acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS

Please be sure to bring a warm clothing, a winter jacket, sweater along with good walking shoes and a hat. There are no dress codes for the areas we take you on this tour, but we recommend dressing nicely for dining.

Inquire About This Tour

Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.

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