MS Vivaldi, 4 Night Taking in 3 countries: The Danube and its traditions ex Vienna, Austria Return

Join us for a cruise in the heart of the major capitals along the Danube and discover the most enchanting Christmas markets in Europe. Stroll through beautiful squares and enchanting Christmas markets in Vienna, enjoying the scents of mulled wine and gingerbread perfuming the aisles between the wooden cabins. You can also visit the Christmas markets of Bratislava and Budapest where the local artisanship and culinary delights will bring the magic of Christmas to your heart.

Day 1
We'll meet up early this morning in Strasbourg and depart by coach(2) for Vienna, stopping for lunch along the way. Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight's dinner will have an Austrian flair.

Day 2
Join us for an optional guided tour of Vienna, passing through the Christmas market located in front of the city hall. The afternoon will be spent cruising towards Budapest.

Day 3
Join us on an optional guided tour of Budapest. This amazing city is separated by the Danube into two entities: Buda on one side with its hills and valleys, and Pest on the other with its flat expanse offering such a wonderful panoramic view of the Danube that it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. We'll start sailing towards Bratislava this evening as you enjoy onboard entertainment.

Day 4
The morning will be spent cruising, reaching Bratislava in the afternoon. Join us on an optional guided tour of the Slovakian capital and discover its Christmas market. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening. We'll start sailing towards Vienna in the evening.

Day 5
We'll reach Vienna early this morning. Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9.00 a.m. We'll leave by coach(2) for Strasbourg, stopping for lunch along the way. We'll reach our destination in the evening. End of our services.

The MS Vivaldi is named after one of the greatest virtuosos in the history of music, who notably composed “The Four Seasons”. The ship sails on the Danube, and takes passengers to discover the many wonders offered by this romantic river. The MS Vivaldi is a superb Premium ship, measuring 110 meters long and 11,40 meters wide. It can accommodate 176 passengers, in 88 cabins spread over three decks. The size of each cabin is between 9 m2 and 13 m2, offering amenities and providing guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The decoration is stylish and its atmosphere, both elegant and friendly, and in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Located on the middle deck, the restaurant offers a delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large bay windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. Also situated on the middle deck is the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while a piano bar welcomes passengers on the upper deck, in an intimate and cozy atmosphere. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, with a large shaded area, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes.

CroisiEurope has a fleet of Prestige category boats with cabins, which ply the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Spacious and light, they offer a welcoming and refined setting. Accommodation capacity varies from 100 to 180 passengers depending on the boat's design. At the cutting edge of technology, their facilities offer comfort and safety.

Carefully maintained and partially renovated each year, the CroisiEurope fleet is largely made up of recently built vessels, less than five years old, all with Veritas certification. The leading European river tour operator, our company owes its international reputation to its seriousness, its dynamism, its sense of innovation and its recognised value for money of long standing.

Vessels are rated four-star and food is superb – as you’d expect on a French-owned cruise line, staffed by French chefs and with top French and German wines aboard. One cruise of the Rhone and Saone Rivers in France concentrates on gastronomy and traditional French cusine, visiting Collonges Abbey, renowned for its great French chef, Paul Bocuse.

CroisiEurope is a family-owned and operated firm, with brothers and sisters running different aspects of the company and keeping a close eye on all operations to ensure excellence.

River cruising offers much free fun. Wake in the morning and observe the passing riverside scenery through your cabin window – perhaps from your bed. Gaze upon village churches or a patchwork of fields sparkling in the morning sun.

CroisiEurope’s network traverses a phenomenal number of European rivers and waterways. They range from the Guadalquivir and Guadiana (flowing through Spain and Portugal respectively); the Douro in Portugal, the Po and Venice Lagoon in Italy; the Rhone in Provence, plus the Seine from Paris to the Normandy Coast. And there’s more: the Moselle, the Neckar, the Saar, the Oder, the Havel, the Baltic Sea, the Camarge, the Rhine, the Main and the mighty Danube; the Tisza and the Black Sea; the Belgian and Dutch waterways. Everything from tulip time in Holland to Christmas Markets in Germany.

Drinks included with on board meals: mineral water, house wine, beer, fruit juice, and tea or coffee.