Festive Yuletide Markets Along the Danube
About the Trip
November 25 – December 3, 2026 | 9 Days
Sail through the heart of Europe on a relaxed and festive journey along the Danube River. Begin in beautiful Budapest, sampling its rich history and traditional Chimney Cakes before boarding the five-star MS Riviera Radiance. From your floating home-away-from-home, enjoy scenic cruising through snow-dusted landscapes, with time to unwind and admire the passing views. Explore the twinkling Christmas markets of Bratislava and Vienna, where handmade gifts, sweet treats and the scent of mulled wine fill the air. At each stop, enjoy the freedom to browse, linger and savour the season at your own pace. Back in Budapest, sample wines in the Etyek region and join a special Hungarian cooking class to cap off this 9-day trip that blends holiday magic and cultural discovery.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Hands-On Hungarian Culinary Class
Discover the heart of Hungarian cuisine during this special group cooking class led by a local professional chef. Learn about traditional spices, techniques and family-style recipes as you prepare a classic Hungarian menu from scratch. Then, sit down to enjoy the fresh, flavourful meal you’ve created, made even better by good company.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Budapest
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Budapest
- 1 breakfast, 1 dinner and 1 snack
- Local English-speaking tour manager
- 5-night Danube and Yuletide Markets river cruise on the MS Riviera Radiance
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Superior Drinks package
- Post-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Budapest
- 1 breakfast, 1 dinner and 1 tasting
- Local English-speaking tour manager
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Festive Yuletide Markets Along the Danube
Activity Level: Moderate. Savour festive markets, storybook cities and traditional Hungarian culture on this 9-day holiday cruise along the Danube from Budapest to Vienna.
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your overnight flight to Budapest.
Day 2
Budapest, Hungary – Arrive in Budapest, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel. Relax and settle in before joining your group for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
Budapest, Hungary – After breakfast, enjoy a hands-on Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake) workshop, then board your five-star ship, MS Riviera Radiance. Take time to explore the ship or stroll along the Danube before dinner. (B/S)
Day 4
Budapest, Hungary – Start the day with a guided city tour of Budapest’s landmarks, then enjoy free time to visit museums, browse the festive markets or warm up with mulled wine and gingerbread. After lunch on board, cruise through the scenic Danube Bend and unwind with dinner and live music.
Day 5
Bratislava, Slovakia – Join a guided tour through the capital city, taking in its main sights and visiting local churches to view their traditional Christmas cribs. Later, wander through the city’s charming markets before lunch on board. Spend your afternoon at leisure before dinner.
Day 6
Vienna, Austria – Arrive in Vienna and tour the city’s highlights, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg complex. Visit the famous Christmas markets and enjoy free time to explore before returning to the ship for dinner and a classical recital.
Day 7
Budapest, Hungary – Sail back to Budapest while enjoying views from the lounge or deck. Spend your final afternoon exploring the market stalls at Vörösmarty Square before returning to the shop for the Captain’s dinner.
Day 8
Budapest, Hungary –Tour the Etyek Wine Region and sample regional wines. Later, join your Extraordinary Experience: a Hungarian cooking class and farewell dinner. (T/D)
Day 9
Transfer to the Budapest airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | S - Snack | T - Tasting | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*$9,319 is a fixed window cabin based on Emerald Deck, $10,369 is a French balcony cabin based on Ruby Deck. **$9,769 is a fixed window cabin based on Emerald Deck, $10,819 is a French balcony cabin based on Ruby Deck. Ship’s Registry: Switzerland. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2026. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your overnight flight to Budapest.
Day 2
Budapest, Hungary
Arrive in Budapest, meet your tour manager and transfer to your centrally located hotel. After some time to relax, gather with the group for a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
Budapest, Hungary
After breakfast, check out and store luggage at the hotel. Walk to the city centre for a hands-on Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake) workshop and learn how to prepare this beloved Hungarian dessert, from rolling the dough to baking your own cake. Return to the hotel to collect your luggage, then head to the pier to board your five-star ship, MS Riviera Radiance. With the ship moored overnight, you’ll have time to stroll along the Danube before enjoying dinner with your fellow travellers. (B/S)
Day 4
Budapest, Hungary
Start the day with a guided tour of Budapest’s landmarks, including the iconic Parliament Building and the historic Castle District. Enjoy free time to explore at your own pace, whether it’s visiting a museum, wandering the Jewish Quarter or browsing the local markets. Return to the ship for lunch, then settle in and enjoy cruising the scenic Danube Bend, where the river winds through a narrow, twisting valley, flanked by high mountains and snow-covered hillsides. Later, relax in the lounge with a book, enjoy a drink at the bar and sit down to another delicious dinner.
Day 5
Bratislava, Slovakia
Arrive in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Join a guided tour through the beautifully restored baroque old town, taking in its main sights and visiting local churches to view their traditional Christmas cribs. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at your leisure. Stroll through the charming streets adorned with festive decorations to the Christmas market in the main square, where stalls overflow with artisan gifts and seasonal snacks. Try a potato pancake or a poppy seed strudel before returning to the ship for lunch. Later, you may want to return to shore and climb the Old Town Hall tower for a bird’s eye view of the city and its bustling market below. Dinner is served on the ship.
Day 6
Vienna, Austria
Wake up in Vienna, a city that has captured the spirit of Christmas since the Middle Ages and which now hosts over 20 Yuletide markets across the city, filled with seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats under thousands of festive lights. After breakfast, tour Vienna’s landmarks, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the impressive Hofburg complex. After lunch onboard, explore the festive markets at your leisure. Sip mulled wine, browse beautiful stalls and enjoy the sounds of carols and holiday music. Following dinner on board, you can return to the lounge for a classical recital as the ship glides away from this captivating city
Day 7
Budapest, Hungary
Sail overnight back to Budapest. After breakfast, you can watch winter scenes drift by from a comfy chair in the lounge or take in the air from the sun deck. Take advantage of all the amenities on board, then enjoy lunch as the Budapest skyline reappears. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps heading to Vörösmarty Square to browse the charming holiday market stalls and sample a slice of chimney cake. Return to the ship for the Captain’s dinner and enjoy one last night aboard.
Day 8
Budapest, Hungary
This morning after breakfast, disembark the ship for a private tour to the Etyek Wine Region. Known for its limestone soil and cool climate, the area is ideal for producing both still and sparkling wines. Visit a local wine cellar to sample four regional wines paired with savoury snacks. After the tour, transfer to your Budapest hotel and settle into your room before joining the group for your Extraordinary Experience: a Hungarian cooking class and farewell dinner. (T/D)
Day 9
Transfer to the Budapest airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | S - Snack | T - Tasting | D - Dinner