Christmas Markets

14 day cruise/tour - December 5, 2026

World’s BEST Christmas Markets Cruise and Tour!

14 Day PACKAGE includes an 8 Day 7 Night EXOTIC Danube Cruise that visits 5 Countries: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania – combined with a Christmas Markets Land Tour throughout our favorite country of Romania. What really makes this Christmas Markets Tour and Cruise Special are the many small villages and ancient walled cities you will visit. Unlike the gigantic Christmas Markets in the BIG cities that have many products that are made in China, much of what you will find in the small Christmas Markets on this tour will be special, locally created Christmas items. Romania has so much to offer. It has 3 impressive castles, including our favorite castle in the world. It has many medieval walled villages AND Romania is the home to Dracula. Yes, there really was a Count Vlad Dracula in Transylvania. He was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, a small medieval walled village in Transylvania, Romania. The house where he was born and the rest of the village hasn’t changed in 800 years. You will be able to experience this ancient walled village and its Christmas markets.

During Christmas time, the many unique, quaint Christmas Markets found in ancient walled cities and quaint villages along the Danube in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania will be the highlights of this special cruise & tour. But the icing on the cake will be all of the other wonderful things we have planned for you.

Here is a list of the Christmas Markets we plan to visit:

Budapest, Hungary and Bucharest, Romania: Along with touring, these two cities, we will bring you the experience of the large city Christmas Markets.
The small villages and walled city exotic Christmas Markets along the lower Danube in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
Craiova, Romania: The Best Christmas Markets in Romania and one of the best in all of Europe. This will be a highlight.
The medieval walled city of Sibiu in Transylvania.
Corvin Castle: Once voted the scariest place on earth. Count Vlad Dracula was held prisoner here in the 1400s.
Brasov: A highlight area with a great Christmas Market and old town.
Sibiu: A medieval walled city that has one of the best Christmas Markets in Romania.
Peles Castle in Sinaia: This is our favorite castle, known for its unique woodworking and beauty both from the outside and the inside. Many movies have been filmed here.
Bran Castle: Often referred to as Dracula’s castle.

Between the luxurious AmaWaterways cruise ports-of-call and the 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 the Christmas Markets, it is happiness. Yes, the shopping is fun, the sights are stunning, and the food is fantastic – but above all, it will be the enjoyment and feeling of happiness that will permeate throughout your whole trip.

Package Price Includes:

Important Note regarding AmaWaterways Charter Pricing: In order to receive special charter prices from AmaWaterways, we have to Guarantee we will take the majority of the ship. That guarantee gives us huge pricing discounts, and we are passing the $800 per person savings on to our loyal Fun For Less Tours customers! The Ship Charges $4,498 per person for the Cat D Cabin with our $800 savings per person, you pay $3,698.

Here is what is INCLUDED in our Total Package:

AmaWaterways luxury 8 Day 7 Night Cruise on the Danube between Budapest and Giurgiu in Romania.
- $3,698 The Actual price you pay for Cat D Cabin after our $800 discount.
- $240 in ship taxes and port charges.
- All Shore Excursions are included.
- All Christmas Markets are included.
- Special Guest Educator: Dr. Michael Wilcox.
- Fun For Less Tours Staff.
- Three quality meals on-board the ship every day while on the ship.
- 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. (prices below).
- Use of quality headset receivers.
Our Special Land Package in Hungary and Romania:
- 1 Night 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Budapest, Hungary
- 2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Sibiu, Romania
- 1 Night 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Brasov, Romania
- 1 night 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Bucharest, Romania
- Corvin Castle – one of the 7 wonders in Romania
- Bran Castle – often referred to as Dracula’s Castle
- Peles Castle – considered to be the most beautiful castle in the world.
- Sighisoara – ancient walled city – birthplace of Count Vlad Dracula in the 1400s
- Medieval fairytale-like villages and walled cities, filled with quaint Christmas Markets.
- Buses, guides, entrance fees, and transfers in Budapest and throughout our favorite country in Europe – Romania.
- Special Guest Educator: Dr. Michael Wilcox
- Fun For Less Tours Staff.
- Headset receivers.
AmaWaterways Package Price: $3,698
AmaWaterways Taxes & Port Fees: $240
Special Land Package: $2,057

Package Price: $5,995*

*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy.
Does not include airfare or tips.

Below are the prices for upgrading to balcony and suite cabins. With our combination of AmaWaterways river cruise ship with Fun For Less Tours Land Package, you are saving $1,000 per person off Category D Cabins. Save even more, per person, when you upgrade to balcony cabins. For example, the ship charges $1,549 to upgrade from a D to a CA cabin. We charge $1,349. Pictures of the different balcony cabins and an example of the layout of an AmaWaterways river cruise ship can be found below. The prices below are the prices per person to upgrade from a D Cabin to the Balcony Cabins.

Cat D Large Porthole Window 170 sq. ft. Cabins Included in Price
Upgrade to Cat CA 170 sq. ft. Cabin w/ French Balcony – Sliding Glass Doors $1,349
Upgrade to Cat BB 210 sq. ft. Double Balcony – Both French and Outside $1,949
Upgrade to Cat BA 210 sq. ft. Double Balcony – Both French and Outside $2,149
Upgrade to Cat AB 235 sq. ft. Double Balcony – Both French and Outside $2,349
Upgrade to Cat AA 235 sq. ft. Double Balcony – Both French and Outside $2,549

Christmas Markets Day by Day Itinerary:
(This is a partial list and is subject to change as needed to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit.)

Day 1: December 5: Fly to Budapest
Today we fly from the US to Budapest

Day 2: December 6: Budapest:
Late afternoon arrival into Budapest. After checking into a deluxe hotel, we will head to Budapest’s Christmas Market that is on almost everyone’s list of top 10 Christmas Markets in Europe.

Day 3: December 7: Budapest:
Our tour of Budapest will include a city tour, a visit to the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge.

Day 4: December 8: Pecs, Hungary:
This morning you will enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács. In the afternoon, you can visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city. Our tour includes a visit to the delightful Pécs Christmas Market in front of Town Hall.

Day 5: December 9: Vukovar, Croatia:
Vukovar is the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. This morning, we will explore this historic Croatian city. In the afternoon you may choose to explore the Vucedol Museum, home to fascinating exhibits on prehistoric culture and one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe.

Day 6: December 10: Belgrade, Serbia:
Explore Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Nikola Tesla Museum, encompassing the world-renowned inventor’s life and inventions, as well as the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava, the largest such church in the world. You’ll have time to explore Belgrade’s Winter Fest in the main square and its holiday treats, colorful Christmas Market stalls, concerts and more.

Day 7: December 11: Scenic Cruising Through the Iron Gates:
This morning, we will visit Golubac Fortress – a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River – before cruising through the Iron Gates. The Iron Gates is one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

Day 8: December 12: Vidin, Bulgaria:
Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, and the surrounding areas. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria, then explore Vidin on a guided walking tour, where you will also have the opportunity to visit the city’s Christmas Market.

Day 9: December 13: Bucharest, Romania:
Travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the Bucharest Christmas Market, shining bright in festive holiday lights, in front of the Palace of the Parliament.

Day 10: December 14: Craiova, Romania – Sibiu
This morning, we leave our beautiful ship on the Danube. The rest of our tour will be in Romania, our favorite country in Europe AND we want you to experience the best that it has to offer. On our way to the ancient walled city of Sibiu, we will visit Craiova and its Christmas Markets. It was voted the second most beautiful Christmas Market in Europe. We will overnight in a 4 Star-Deluxe Hotel in Sibiu for two nights.

Day 11: December 15: Sibiu – Corvin Castle
Welcome to Transylvania, home of Count Vlad Dracula. Yes, there really was a Count Vlad Dracula in Transylvania. He was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. This morning, we will explore Sibiu with its medieval walls and towers, including the 13^th century Council Tower. Later in the day, we will head to Corvin Castle. It is considered one of the largest castles in Europe and is featured as one of the Seven Wonders of Romania. At one time it was voted the scariest place on earth. We will return to Sibiu to overnight.

Day 12: December 16: Sighisoara – Brasov
Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, birthplace to Transylvania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula. It’s hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO-designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad’s place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called “Casa Dracula.” We will then head to Bran Castle, forever linked with the legend of Dracula. It is a wonderful, well-preserved castle that calls itself “Dracula’s Castle” due to its resemblance to the castle described in Bram Stoker’s novel. We will end the day in Brasov where the fairytale-like old town transforms into a beautiful Christmas Market. Overnight Brasov 4-Star Deluxe hotel.

Day 13: December 17: Sinaia – Pales Castle – Bucharest
We will stop in the quaint mountain town of Sinaia this morning to visit Peles Castle. It is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and our favorite castle in the world. Huge highlight. We will continue to Bucharest, where you will have time to visit their Christmas Market again, for any last-minute Christmas shopping.

Day 14: December 18: This morning, we fly back to the U.S. and on to our homes.