Riviera Travel Christmas on the Danube for Solo Travellers

• Tour the impressive Esztergom Basilica and Melk Abbey.
• Explore Bratislava, Salzburg or Linz with expert local guides.
• Discover Vienna’s highlights, including St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palace.
• Cruise to Budapest for a guided tour of Castle Hill and Parliament views.
• Enjoy festive onboard experiences including Glühwein, Stollen, a Christmas Gala Dinner, a classical quartet and a Hungarian folklore show

• Return flights and transfers
• 7nts onboard a 5* river cruise ship
• Full Board Dining
• Free All-Inclusive drinks package
• Complimentary tea & coffee onboard
• Welcome drink
• 9 included experiences
• Services of an expert Riviera Cruise Director & Cruise Host

Day 1: Arrival in Budapest
Travel to Budapest from the UK. On arrival, transfer to the ship and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying settling into your cabin before dinner.

Day 2: Esztergom on Christmas Eve
Having cruise upstream overnight, you’ll awake in the town of Esztergom, home to the famous basilica overlooking the Danube which you’ll visit while here. After some time here and at the castle nearby, return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing towards Bratislava. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a stollen-making demonstration.

Day 3: Bratislava on Christmas Day
Awake on Christmas Day in Slovakia’s capital. After breakfast, head out on a guided tour to explore its history, with visits to the castle and to Hviezdoslav Square which is decorated for the festive season. You’ll then have free time to explore before heading back to the ship. In the afternoon, cruise into Lower Austria before enjoying a special Christmas Gala Dinner.

Day 4: Melk on Boxing Day
This morning, head ashore to visit Melk Abbey, once a castle but now a Benedictine monastic school and monastery. Rejoin the ship for lunch and cruise towards Linz, passing through the picturesque Nibelungengau, which inspired much of Wagner’s music.

Day 5: Salzburg or Linz
Today you have a choice of excursions. The first is a visit to Linz. Here you’ll take a guided tour in the morning before having the afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, you can head to Salzburg, where you’ll explore with a local guide in the morning before lunch at leisure and free time. In the evening, return to the ship in Linz before it sails away just before dinner.

Day 6: Vienna
Having arrived in Vienna overnight, you’ll be able to head ashore just after breakfast. Take a guided panoramic tour by coach along the Ringstrasse. Then you have the option to join another guided tour on foot to explore more of the city including St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofberg Complex, the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the Spanish Riding School. Or you can choose to explore independently. Return to the ship for lunch before heading to Schönbrunn Palace, which has been transferred into a New Year’s Market. Back on board the ship this evening, enjoy a classical music recital.

Day 7: Budapest
Enjoy a relaxed morning of cruising as you sail back towards Budapest. On arrival this afternoon, take a guided tour of the city to see its main sights including the iconic Parliament Building and the Castle District. There’s then free time to explore on your own before a final dinner onboard, followed by a Hungarian Christmas Folklore show.

Day 8: Return home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return journey to the UK.

MS George Eliot

Fact File

• Currencies: Euro, Forint
• Flight Time: 2 hrs 25 mins to 3 hrs
• Languages: German, Hungarian, Slovak
• Time Zone: GMT+1
• Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic

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