Be the first to knowWould you like to receive the latest updates, special offers and promotions from Radio Times?Sign up to our newsletter
By proceeding, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy.
At a glance
Visiting:
Length:
4 nights
by air
Price from:£1,850pp
Request Brochure - Danube Christmas Markets
To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA
Danube Christmas Markets
Picture-perfect Christmas markets
Get your Christmas off to a magical start on this wonderful A-ROSA river cruise along the Austrian stretch of the Danube. The Premium Inclusive A-ROSA experience is designed to offer choice, comfort and quality in a fun, casual-yet-stylish way. Enjoy gourmet buffet dining with live cooking stations, cocktails or other drinks from the bars on board and special discounts on treatments at the on-board spa. There'll be festive specials and activities on offer, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the ship and bottled water, toiletries and bathrobes in your cabin.Sail through the spectacular Wachau Valley to Vienna, where you'll find the elegant buildings and streets festooned with decorations and strung with festive lights. After an included city tour explore the many Christmas markets, from Spittelburg to the Freyung. The next day, spend the morning in Bratislava’s charming old town, home to one of the up and coming Xmas markets in Europe with a wide range of crafts and presents on offer at excellent prices. Your final day is spent in cosmopolitan Linz. You'll spend the final afternoon and evening of your cruise here, giving you the chance to sample a slice or two of the city's namesake delicacy, the sweetly nutty and fruity Linzertorte, before beginning the final leg of your festive cruise.
Holiday Highlights
Four ports of call
An overnight stay in festive Vienna, and an included city tour
Explore the Austrian capital and its Christmas markets
A call at cosmopolitan Linz
Special festive meals and entertainment on board
Embark A-ROSA FLORA in Engelhartszell
What's Included
Four nights' Premium All-Inclusive cruise accommodation
Return travel from the UK to Germany (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Included coach transfers to the ship (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Free Wi-Fi on board
On-board activities and entertainment
Gourmet buffet dining with live cooking stations
Flexible mealtimes
Occasional regional treats and specialities to complement your destination that day
Afternoon tea with freshly prepared cakes and pastries
The services of a Cruise Director and experienced English-speaking crew
All port taxes and surcharges
A FREE unlimited Premium All-Inclusive drinks package including water, soft drinks, speciality teas and coffees, beer, wine, spirits and cocktails throughout the day and evening
Vienna City Tour excursion
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Munich, then board your included transfer and cross the Austrian border to Engelhartszell where your contemporary A-ROSA vessel will be waiting, ready to get underway this afternoon. Alternatively, make your own way from home to the ship, in your own time, in time to embark.
Day 2
After a morning cruising through the stunning scenery of the Wachau Valley and eastwards down the Danube, the A-ROSA FLORA will arrive in Vienna. Discover the city's Baroque palaces, historic churches and museums, elegant shopping arcades and pleasant open spaces on an included tour, then head out to explore. Stroll streets adorned with festive lights, browse the stalls of the city's Christmas markets searching for that perfect gift, or settle into the elegant warmth of one of the many historic Viennese coffee houses.
One of the most famous markets is in the shadow of Schonbrunn Palace. This magnificent building was an Imperial summer home, and once echoed with the music of the young Mozart. In the run up to Christmas the great courtyard is home to a colourful Christkindlmarkt offering still more festive gifts and treats.
The A-ROSA local destination scout will be on hand to assist you with suggestions to get the best from your time in Vienna.
Â
Day 3
This morning we visit Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a city transformed with festive lights and markets. Head for the Main Square and Hviezdoslavovo Square where you will find mulled wine, arts, crafts, candles, woollens and other ideas for Xmas presents back home. The other market is at Bratislava Castle, which looks imperiously over this attractive city. After lunch on board the A-ROSA FLORA, we sail northbound towards the culturally-rich city of Linz.
Â
Day 4
You'll arrive in Linz this afternoon. Stroll through the picturesque Christmas market on Hauptplatz, the city's main square, stop for coffee and cake, or ride the Postlingbergbahn mountain tramway to the top of the small mountain that dominates the north of the city. Explore, relax and enjoy all the choices on offer before A-ROSA FLORA departs just before midnight.
Day 5
Say goodbye to A-ROSA FLORA and your new friends as you disembark in Engelhartszell, and begin your journey home.
A-ROSA FLORA
Each of A-ROSA's elegant river cruise vessels has been built specifically for the river upon which it sails, offering spacious, contemporary public areas, light, bright cabins and a casual-yet-stylish cruising experience.
Facilities
Relax on a comfy sun lounger, admiring views of crumbling castles, vineyard-clad hills and enchanting riverside towns and villages - perhaps with a drink from the rooftop bar - or enjoy a game of shuffleboard or giant chess with friends. Each river cruiser also has either a whirlpool or plunge pool, perfect for keeping cool on those warmer days. On fine days you'll find A-ROSA chefs on the top-deck, masterfully barbecuing, so you can enjoy a lunch with a view. As the sun sets, the top-deck is the perfect place to take in the day's end.
Luggage
Where possible, we recommend non-rigid suitcases as these are easier to store within your cabin.
Air-conditioning
All A-ROSA vessels are air-conditioned throughout, with individual climate control in each cabin.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory, but from experience we know that many passengers like to leave gratuities for the crew. At the end of the cruise you will find a tip box for the entire crew at the reception and the suggested amount is five Euros per guest per day. Of course, you are free to tip individual crew members at any time, should you wish.
Optional shore excursions
Optional excursions are available on all cruises. If the number of bookings needed to operate any excursion is not reached, the excursion may be cancelled.
Dress code
The dress code on board and ashore is comfortable and casual; we recommend that you bring sturdy footwear for excursions. For the restaurant we recommend smart casual dress. Please remember to bring warmer clothes for evenings out on deck.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is provided free of charge in accordance with A-ROSA's conditions of use. You can request a login and password from reception. Internet reception is limited and will vary from location to location.
Pool
A heated pool can be found on the sun deck of the following ships: A-ROSA DONNA, FLORA, SILVA and STELLA.
Whirlpool
A heated Whirlpool can be found on the following ships: A-ROSA AQUA, and VIVA.
Cabin facilities
In your cabin you will find a safe installed in the wardrobe, a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers, insect screens and pool towels. The power supply in your cabin is 220 V/50 Hz. All sockets are European two-pin, meaning you will need to bring an adaptor.
Drinking water
The water on board is potable, and bottled water is provided in your cabin.
Foreign Office travel advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Disabled guests and guests in need of assistance
All ships have stairs, are not equipped with lifts, and may not be suitable for passengers with restricted mobility. Wheelchairs cannot be used on board.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Itinerary changes
Unnavigable rivers
Water levels can fluctuate on Europe’s rivers which may result in low or high water conditions in specific destinations. Please be aware that the situation can evolve rapidly, and it is impossible to predict if a cruise will be affected more than a few days in advance. Rest assured water levels are monitored very closely and we will contact you immediately if we are advised that there is likely to be any impact to your upcoming cruise.
Disruption - Delays during your cruise
If progress along the river is disrupted, we will endeavour to keep your holiday going, however the Captain may need to alter the cruise itinerary. This could include remaining moored in the same place extra nights, postponing the departure to the next day or arranging excursions to the itinerary destinations or equivalent alternatives by coach. If this happens, the Cruise Manager will keep passengers informed.