NEWMARKET HOLIDAYS

Danube Christmas Markets

Prices checked 25 October 2026 · Newmarket Holidays · Supplier snapshot; confirmation required.

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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 buffet dining with live cooking stations, cocktails or other drinks from the bars on board and special prices on treatments at the on-board spa. There'll be festive specials and activities on offer and comfortable bathrobes available on request at reception.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 Dürnstein's medieval old town, before continue to the charming town of Melk to browse the festive markets that surrounds its Benedictine monastery. 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.

Plan this tour with Kat & Simon Morgan — Personal Travel Consultants at Hays Travel. Call 0800 0662 694 for help comparing dates, departure points and room options.

Tour highlights

Cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley
Join an included city tour of festive Vienna
Explore Dürnstein with its medieval architecture
Stroll through the picturesque Christmas Market in Linz

Further highlights

Tour gallery

A fountain with a white statue of three people sitting on a rock, on top of water, where its reflection can be seen. Behind it is Schönbrunn Palace, yellow and beige wide building, in front of a blue sky with small clouds. — Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

View of Vienna rooftops — Vienna, Austria

Action shot of a horse drawn carriage outside a large, wide, beige-coloured historical building, which also has a black statue of a person outside the building. Cars can be seen parked to the left of the image, and some moving on the right. Everything in the image is covered in snow — Horse drawn carriage, Vienna

Shot of a gothic city hall which has a tall clock tower in the middle and four smaller towers, two either side, all with spiky turrets. The building has long windows all over and is a gold colour. Below are the Vienna Christmas markets, with four vertical strips of stalls, the centre having a christmas tree at the far end. There are many people shopping, with lights and lit up signs above them. — Vienna Christmas Market

People holding traditional Punch cups in Vienna Christmas Market — Punch cups, Vienna Christmas market

Dürnstein, Danube Valley, Austria — Dürnstein, Danube Valley

Old Town and Abbey, Melk, Austria — Old Town and Abbey, Melk

Your itinerary

In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.

Travel to Germany

Fly to Munich, then board your included transfer and travel to Passau, 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.

Vienna, Austria

After a morning cruising through the stunning scenery of the Wachau Valley and eastwards down the Danube, A-ROSA DONNA 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 Schönbrunn 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.

Dürnstein, Austria

After breakfast this morning, spend a few hours exploring Dürnstein, one of the most popular destination in the Wachau region, known for its wine growing and medieval architecture. After having lunch back onboard the ship, you'll continue along the Danube to Melk.

Here, you can visit the town's famous Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site which transforms into a magical Advent market during the festive period.

Linz, Austria

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 DONNA departs just before midnight.

Travel back to the UK

Say goodbye to A-ROSA DONNA and your new friends as you disembark in Passau, and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Your accommodation

Planned hotels or ships as published by Newmarket Holidays. Alternatives of a similar standard may be used. Hotel options are grouped as supplied and are not necessarily all included in one departure.

A-ROSA DONNA

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 & Amenities

Relax on a comfy sun lounger, admiring the views of castles, vineyard-clad hills and enchanting riverside towns and villages (perhaps with a drink from the bar), or enjoy a game of shuffleboard or giant chess with friends. Each river cruiser has either a whirlpool or plunge pool, perfect for keeping cool on those warmer days.

Cabins

Contemporary, chic and stylish, all A-ROSA cabins have the following:

SafeAir conditioningTVHairdryerBathroom with shower and toiletSauna towelWool blanketTelephoneBathrobeFor cabin specific information, see below.

Cabin S

Deck 12-bed outside cabin14.5 m²

Cabin A

Deck 12-bed outside cabin15.5 m²

Cabin B

Deck 32-bed outside cabin16.5 m²Panorama window

Cabin C

Deck 22-bed outside cabin16 m²Juliette balcony

What’s included

Four nights' Premium All-Inclusive cruise accommodation
Return travel from the UK (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Included coach transfers to the ship (unless you select our Tour Only option)
On-board activities and entertainment
Buffet dining with live cooking stations
Flexible mealtimes
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
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 mandatory local taxes and charges

Dates & prices

Indicative supplier snapshot. Confirm price, room basis and availability before booking. Monthly estimates deduct a £250 deposit per person for Europe or £395 elsewhere, then divide by whole monthly payments ending no later than 42 days before departure. Rounded to the nearest pound; final payment adjusted.

2 published departure and room-basis records. Standard prices are per person sharing; solo fares are labelled separately. Sold-out records are shown for reference.

Departure	Departure point	Duration	Room basis	Price per person	Status
11 December 2026	London Heathrow	5 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £1,644~~ £1,619 Save £25 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
11 December 2026	Manchester	5 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £1,760~~ £1,710 Save £50 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability

Supplier source ↗

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Booking this tour with Kat & Simon

How do I book?

Call 0800 0662 694 with your preferred dates, departure point and party details. We’ll confirm the current fare and availability before booking. This page does not reserve a place.

Can I spread the cost?

The date selector shows monthly estimates where eligible. Deposit and balance dates are shown alongside each option; ask us to confirm the payment arrangement for your booking.

Will my itinerary vary?

Check the itinerary for your selected departure. Hotels, order of visits and included experiences can vary; optional activities may cost extra.

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