2023 Christmas Markets
World’s BEST Christmas Markets Cruise 15 day cruise/tour - November 29, 2023
Information
World’s BEST Christmas Markets Cruise
Boy, do we have a treat for you. We have worked out our 2023 special Christmas Markets Cruise with AmaWaterways. Between the cruise and our creative land itinerary, we are bringing you many of the BEST Christmas Markets in Europe. Christmas Market Cruises are so popular, they don’t want to sell charters. When we charter a ship, we have huge discounts that we can pass on to our passengers. The only reason we were able to get the charter in 2023 was because we have chartered over 60 ships. Because of our vast volume, they made an exception allowing us special charter pricing for our 2023 Christmas Markets Cruise.
Every small village to a large city in Europe turns their town squares into wonderful Christmas Markets at Christmas time. There are thousands of Christmas Markets in Europe between the last week of November to the end of December. Many publications have tried to publish a list of the top 10 Best Christmas Markets. With thousands of Christmas Markets to consider, any Christmas Market that makes anyone’s list has to be fantastic. We looked at many different top Christmas Markets lists, and this is what we found – Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Nuremberg, Salzburg, Dresden, Berlin, Zagreb were found on most lists, many of which were listed as a #1 on one or more of the lists – wait a minute – all of those we just listed that are found on most of the top Christmas Markets lists, are all Markets you will visit on our 2023 Christmas Markets Cruise and Tour. Between the luxurious AmaWaterways cruise ports of call and Fun For Less Tours added Land Tour, you really are going to experience the BEST Christmas Markets in the world.
If there is one feeling you can describe while visiting all of the Christmas Markets, it is happiness. Yes, the shopping is fun, the sights are stunning, and the food is fantastic – but above all, it is the enjoyment and feeling of happiness that permeates the whole trip.
Pricing
Package Price Includes:
15 Day Danube Christmas Markets Cruise and Land tour, is a combination of TWO different packages. First, a wonderful Danube Cruise from Budapest, Hungary to Nuremberg, Germany AND Second, a fantastic Land Tour that includes Slovania; Zagreb, Croatia; Prague, Czech Republic; Dresden and Berlin, Germany.
Package #1: AmaWaterways Danube Christmas Markets Cruise Includes:
- 8 days 7-night sailing on a 5-star luxury riverboat between Budapest and Nuremberg.
- Category D Cabin with Two LARGE Port Hole Windows. Example picture of Cat D Cabins.
- A MINIMUN of $700 off the ship’s pricing PER PERSON. Go ahead and compare! Even if the ship offers a discount it is only a fraction of what we save you. There is Even more savings when you upgrade to balcony cabins.
- All ship port taxes and fees
- All Shore Excursions.
- Fun For Less Tours Staff.
- Three quality meals onboard the ship every day.
- Free internet and free movies.
- Unlimited bottled water.
- All bicycles and helmets on board are free to use.
- Option to upgrade cabin to French Balcony, Double Balcony or Suite.
- Use of quality headsets.
Ship Package Pricing for Cat D Cabin: $3,798
Plus Ship Port Charges, Taxes & Fees: $200
Total Ship Package Cat D Cabin Pricing: $3,998
Minus Member Savings off ship price: ($700)
Our Special Member Package Price: $3,298
Our Christmas Markets Land Package:
- 2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Zagreb.
- 2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Prague.
- 2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Berlin.
- All Christmas Markets.
- All tours, buses, guides and entrance fees in Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Germany and Czech Republic.
- Fun For Less Tours Staff.
- All Transfers to and from hotels, airports and ship.
- Use of quality headset receivers.
Total Land Package: $1,689
Package Price: $4,987 total for land & cruise*
**Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy.
Does not include airfare or tips.
Optional Cabin Upgrades:
Category Package Upgrade Price SAVINGS off of Ship Pricing
Cat D Porthole Cabins Included in Package $700 per person
Cat C French Balcony $700 per person $800 per person
Cat BB Double Balcony $1,000 per person $1,100 per person
Cat BA Double Balcony $1,200 per person $1,100 per person
Cat AB Double Balcony $1,400 per person $1,100 per person
Cat AA Double Balcony $1,600 per person $1,100 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: Nov 29: Fly
Today we fly from the United States to Zagreb, Croatia.
Day 2: Nov 30: Zagreb
Arrive into Zagreb. After checking into our hotel, we will visit the famous Zagreb Christmas Markets – often ranked #1 in the world.
Day 3: Dec 1: Zagreb – Brezice Castle – Zagreb
This morning we will drive approximately 1 hour into the country of Slovenia to visit the Brezice Castle and their village Christmas Markets. Upon return, we will continue visiting Zagreb’s Christmas Markets.
Day 4: Dec 2: Zagreb – Budapest
This morning we will drive to Budapest. Upon arrival, we will do an overview city tour before boarding our luxury cruise ship on the Danube.
Day 5: Dec 3: Budapest
Today will be a full-day tour to many of Budapest’s most iconic sights. Your tour will include views of the Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion and the marvelous Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square and so much more. Later we will explore the beautiful Christmas Markets.
Day 6: Dec 4: Vienna
Our included shore excursion will visit the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Hapsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center, before visiting Vienna’s Christmas Markets. During the afternoon we will visit the Schonbrunn Palace with its giant sparkling Christmas tree and its wonderful Christmas Markets. We cap off the day with a “Vienna by Night” visit to the Christmas Markets at the beautifully decorated Town Hall, Vienna’s largest Christmas Market.
Day 7: Dec 5: Melk
This morning we visit the Melk Abby, one of Europe’s most revered Baroque monasteries, and the magnificent Benedictine Abby. Late this afternoon we enjoy a scenic cruise through the Strudengau Valley.
Day 8: Dec 6: Passau
Today we take a full-day excursion to Salzburg, Austria which is known for its many famous Christmas Markets and as being the birthplace of Mozart. We also will enjoy a walking tour through the UNESCO old town, its magnificent cathedral and the Heilbronn Palace, and its beautiful Christmas Market.
Day 9: Dec 7: Regensburg
Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Your guided walking tour showcases the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and Porta Praetoria, before visiting its Christmas Market. Later in the day, you will 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.
Day 10: Dec 8: Nuremberg
This morning we take in the beautiful scenery as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. We will then take a city tour of WWII highlights and walk through the cobblestone streets to the Imperial Castle and 900-year-old city ramparts. Later, we will visit Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarket, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas Markets in Europe.
Day 11: Dec 9: Nuremberg – Prague
Today we will disembark our ship and drive around 3.5 hours to Prague. We plan to visit the Christmas Market.
Day 12: Dec 10: Prague
Today we will explore the castle area, take a cruise on the Moldau River, and explore the old town. You will have free time to explore the ancient streets on your own.
Day 13: Dec 11: Prague – Dresden – Berlin
This morning we will drive to Berlin. Along the way, we will make a stop at one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, Dresden. The Dresden Christmas Markets consist of brightly decorated wooden huts, each is stocked with unique local handicrafts or traditional Christmas treats. The Dresden Christmas Market is the oldest Christmas Market in Germany. We will enjoy a 2-hour walking tour before continuing to Berlin.
Day 14: Dec 12: Berlin
Once a city divided by hatred and mistrust, the city has come alive since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Our sightseeing tour will take us through what was once known as East and West Berlin. You will see famous landmarks such as; Brandenburg Gate, the monumental buildings at Unter den Linden, Alexander Square, Museum Island, Check Point Charlie, the Reichstag, and the Castle Charlottenburg.
Day 15: Dec 13: Fly Home
This morning we will fly back to the US.
