UNIWORLD Danube Riverboat site inspection trip December 13-23, 2024. UNIWORLD CRUISES Daily Activities and Experiences
See Video from our December site inspection. About 1 minute length.
**December 13-16, 2024, Friday-Monday Houston to Budapest, 3 days in Budapest before the cruise
Jennifer, Chris, "Champagne" Donna and James sailed on Danube Holiday Markets itinerary December 2024 for a fun check out cruise before our December 2025 charter. Y'all join us for some great experiences, killer shopping, one-of -a-kind food you won't find anywhere else but central Europe from Budapest to Munich and Nassau including Vienna, Bratislava, Salzburg and more. We stayed at the Marriott right on the Danube for 3 nights before the cruise. Note: Some location's images below are from prior Danube itineraries and cruises we've hosted the past 15-20 years.
**December 15, 2024 Sunday Budapest, Hungary
Walked throughout the commercial area only a block away from the Marriott at the Danube Riverfront, a perfect location to reach many tourist sites, shops, restaurants as well as the famous Parliament Building you typically see in most images about Budapest. Jennifer & Chris enjoyed the complimentary half-day city tour which also included visits to city markets and Christmas shops
Do NOT leave Budapest without sampling the famous chimney cakes, a local delicacy that can be stuffed with any decadent sweets your tastes demand including Snickers chunks or candy bar of your choice, Nutella, ice cream of any flavor, topped by chocolate syrup, whipped cream and any flavor of sprinkles you can imagine. Your choices and options are limited only by your imagination
Across the street from the Marriott are two shops and small markets for wine, snacks, beer, milk, medications, ice cream and other essentials for travel.Surprise: Ran into a co-ed fun run through downtown where the guys and gals were "barely" dressed in Christmas running gear.
**December 16, 2024 Monday Budapest, Hungary
We hit the local markets and enjoyed some the best local delicacies such as goulash, sandwiches and sweets. Stay on the sundeck after evening meal for great shots of city skyline, Parliament Building, Fisherman's Bastian, Buda Castle, the famous Gelert spa and impressive century old buildings and bridges along the river.
**December 17, 2024 Tuesday Budapest, Hungary
Made a visit to the famous riverside location of one of Hungary's oldest fresh food markets and stalls: Central Market Hall/Farmers Markets (Központi Vásárcsarnok). The 2nd floor features shops and handcrafts, coats/jackets, purses and leather work as well
as traditional clothes and woven garments. About a third are food stalls, a restaurant/beer garden and shops selling langos (see above).
Locals say langos are like a Hungarian pizza, a deep-fried Hungarian flatbread typically topped with garlic, sour cream and cheese...great with a local beer.
Jennifer and Chris enjoyed the complimentary city tour of famous sites including downtown and surrounding areas including Parliament building, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion and other city sites including another Christmas market visits inn downtown where several other locations feature holiday markets.
Left, Jennifer scores some hand made leather purses for the gals in our office.
Luckily, our UNIWORLD ship was docked across the street from the huge inside market building.
*December 18, 2024, Wednesday Bratislava, Slovakia
The Uniworld ship docked right in town, only a couple of blocks from the popular squares with shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques. Many shops and booths dot downtown Bratislava, the smallest of the capital cities on our itinerary.
Instead of a celebration of the season, by the looks of the stalls, it's a celebration of food. Who can argue with success? Take your pick of stick to the ribs bratwurst, meats, game, gluhwein, sauerkraut or bread snacks like lángos (above).
The payoff: You can also enjoy a sweet finish like chimney cakes coated with cinnamon, sugar, chocolate flakes or other tasty delicacies.
*December 19, 2024, Thursday Vienna, Austria
Visit to the Vienna art History Museum, one of Europe's traditional Christmas markets, a walking tour downtown, a visit to the famous Schonbrunn Palace or a night out for a private Mozart and Strauss concert in Albert Hall.
Schonbrunn Palace on one snowy day for an hour.
Vienna is a large city and is the cultural capital of Austria, filled with a rich history dating centuries back to the beginning of civilization coupled with a sophisticated, modern way of life. There is so much to do and see, you can spend a week and not have time to see it all. Vienna's huge holiday markets are spread around town. The biggest and best is at City Hall where crafts, food stalls, drinks and beer gardens The other two largest markets are in Nuremburg and Salzburg.
We visited the Vienna Christmas market in front of city hall, the largest market in Vienna for food, drinks and lots of shops and stalls selling crafts and gifts. Impressive.
December 21, 2024, Saturday Linz/Salzburg, Austria
One of the best ports of call on the Danube - why? The optional tour to Salzburg includes probably one of the best Holiday markets in Europe that rivals both Vienna and Nuremburg.
ll. In addition to a phenomenal array of drinks, food, snacks and chocolates (especially Mozart chocolate treats created over 100 years ago) this stop is the best option to shop for crafts, hand-made decorations and holiday gifts you will find on the Danube. We've also visited the markets at Nuremberg and we believe Salzburg offers the most options and selections hands down. People watching is a great past time, something you can enjoy without spending a dime. If you visit overnight, enjoy a classical music concert to round out your experience. You'll also see Mozart's family "home" in the yellow building below. Pastries and goodies everywhere. Great snack and lunch place is directly in the courtyard in front of the Mozart building...perfect excuse some soup and white wine for lunch to warm you up.
Much of the movie Sound of Music was filmed in and around Salzburg. Private optional tours may also include stops at some of the production locations/.
One of a kind hand crafted scenes. Sticker shock.
We could afford these.
Our favorite little restaurant and bar(bottom photo right) is in front of Mozart's home. You can't miss it...a perfect place for a drinks, a hot meal, delicious vegetable soup or Frittatensuppe (sliced pancake soup).
Our dog friend stayed warm with not one but two coats. Guess he wanted a snack or a tip for his photo.
Salzburg's large shopping streets and arcades were the best on the cruise.
Wish we could have a day just for shopping, not just sight seeing.
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**December 22, 2024 Passau, Germany
Great little German town which houses 5 major breweries. At the meeting of 3 rivers, the Inn, Danube, and Ilz Rivers, Passau is called, what else: "City of Three Rivers." Surprise
This colorful Bavarian town is a brewery waiting to happen. Seems like "brewery" is the middle name of the description of Passau. Lots of pubs and eateries are there so you won't go hungry or thirsty. Each pub or restaurant seems to serve its own brand or unique selection of brews. Passau includes five main breweries offering a taste of region's history...in liquid form. Grab lager or a dunkel, be happy to be alive and enjoy the vibe where each dining adventure has a special connection to one of the local breweries.
Dunkel is a German-style dark lager beer. Prost!
A few nice shops and countryside is beautiful. James participated in a 10-mile sport bike excursion our previous visit.
Not sure who Goldilocks was but she was very friendly during our 70's theme night. Dress for the 70s theme night is easy....just dig out your old stuff or buy it from a Goodwill store or the usual answer, Amazon.
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The food line!
**December 23, 2024 Disembark day. Passau to Munich Airport
Our transfer coach departed Passau promptly at 6:15 AM and arrived Munich Airport at 8:15 AM for our United fight home.
**Munich city, Munich Airport and Thereme Erding.
From the Airport to Munich city center
Take the train downtown from the Munich Airport. Don't miss the holiday markets conveniently located near great brew pubs and restaurants. Hand made crafts are sold on many streets.. For lovers of suds, take back an authentic Bavarian beer stein.
**THERME EDRDING -- Munich International Airport
Therme Erding in Germany is arguably the largest spa in Europe, which includes the biggest thermal bath complex on the continent.
A little publicized fact: The complex also features completely separate enclosed clothing optional spa, pool and sauna areas plus a a large water park open in warmer weather...usually when temps reach about 70 F.
The spa is located about 30 minutes by car from the city of Munich and 15 to 20 minutes from Munich Airport (10 miles). See: https://www.therme-erding.de/
**FREISING, Germany
Visit Freising a little Bavarian town near the airport for a little local flavor, strong beer, friendly bears and good food.