Danube Christmas Delights

Explore one of Europe’s great cultural capitals during the festive season. Drive along the scenic riverbank before crossing the Maragret Bridge to historic Buda. Arrive at the Fehévari Gate, where you will continue on foot to discover the medieval sights of the Buda Castle District. See the Dísz and Trinity Squares and walk along Tárnok Street, an old trading hub. Discover the history of the 14th-century Gothic Matthias Church during a guided visit, then reboard your motor coach and return to Pest. Here, visit the First Strudel House of Pest to sample one of its traditional creations paired with mulled wine. After, have free time to explore the bustling Christmas Market and peruse its stalls of handcrafted goods and seasonal treats.

Explore historic Buda during a city hike to Castle Hill and admire magnificent vistas over the Danube. Depart your ship and set out on foot, crossing the bridge over the Danube where you will begin your ascent to Castle Hill, home to some of the city’s most prized medieval treasures. Explore the maze of cobblestone streets and pathways, and keep watch for the entrances to the underground labyrinth of caves that run beneath Castle Hill. Stroll around the grounds of the Royal Palace and time your visit to witness the Changing of the Guard. See the beautiful Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion, and stroll along quaint streets lined with coffeehouses. From the top, you can also admire stunning views over the Danube and the majestic Chain Bridge, an engineering marvel of its time. Walk down the hill to the riverside and return to your ship.

Browse the countless stalls of Budapest’s Grand Market Hall and taste Hungarian delicacies. The historic hall was built during the late 19th century, a sprawling three-story marketplace with a neo-Gothic facade. Today, the bustling scene is a feast for the senses, an endless array of textures, fragrances, tastes and sounds. Stroll with your guide and get acquainted with the massive market’s layout, browsing the stalls of vendors displaying aperitifs, breads, meats, wine, honey, strudels and more. On the ground floor, farm produce, pastries, candies, spices and spirits tempt the palate. Eateries and souvenirs are on the second floor. Locals head to the basement to see the butchers and fish vendors. After your market tour, enjoy free time to peruse the emporium on your own, then walk to a nearby traditional restaurant for a taste of Hungarian delicacies.

Explore Budapest’s Jewish history and heritage, including the Jewish Quarter and massive synagogue. A century ago, Budapest had a thriving Jewish community. In the years leading up to and including World War II, half of the city’s 250,000 Jews were killed. The 19th-century Moorish-Revival Dohány Street Synagogue (Great Synagogue), the largest in Europe, was converted to a stable. Today, a rich Jewish history is preserved, as you will see with your guide. During a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter, once the Budapest Ghetto, admire the Great Synagogue with its glittering interior. In the synagogue complex, browse religious relics at the Jewish Museum and view the “Tree of Life” memorial to the 400,000 Hungarian Jews killed by Nazis. Note that the synagogue is not open to tours on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.

Soak up the restorative powers of Budapest’s thermal baths and join locals in a centuries-old tradition. Ancient Romans discovered the benefits of bathing in the thermal waters that flow through Budapest. As the city grew, the spouting springs were treasured and preserved so highly that not even the Communist government forbade their pleasures. Still today, they offer a regimen most residents of Budapest cannot do without. Accompany your guide to one of the city’s historic baths, immersing yourself in the therapeutic waters that have flowed here for centuries. During your visit, you might mingle with the locals taking a soak or observe some bathers as they pass the time with a game of chess in the pool. So revered have these waters been that many have been sheltered within facilities that exude a temple-like aura.

Visit one of Hungary’s most beloved monuments, built by a count in the 1760s. Gödöllö Royal Palace was built by Count Antal Grassalkovich, well-respected among the monarchy and a confidante of Empress Maria Theresa. When the last direct male descendant in the family died, it was bought for the royal couple as a summer house. In the 20th century, Soviet troops used it as a barracks and transformed some wings into rest homes for the elderly. Restoration began in 1985 and continues today. Upon arrival, explore the elegantly adorned rooms of King Franz Joseph’s suite. See the lush furnishings and finely detailed woodwork of Empress Elisabeth’s private apartments. Pause in the impressive Grand Hall to imagine the royal court gathering for ceremonial occasions. Later, discover the French-inspired gardens and the vast, manicured park surrounding the palace.