Expedition Overview
Expedition Overview
SPECIAL OFFERS
- Disney Vacation Club Member Special Offer: Save Up to $500 on Select 2023 Departures
For a limited time, eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can save on select 2023 Signature Land and River Cruise departures. Book by July 24, 2023 for travel between June 2023 and December 2023 and enjoy savings on trips to amazing destinations throughout the world:
Save $350 per person on select 2023 North America Signature Land itineraries:
Alaska: Denali to Kenai Fjords
- August 30, 2023
- September 6, 2023
Canadian Rockies by Rail and Trail
- September 18, 2023
Costa Rica: Wildlife and Conservation
- October 10, 2023
- November 7, 2023
- December 5, 2023
Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks
- June 3, 2023
- September 23, 2023
- October 7, 2023
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
- June 10 & 23, 2023
Save $500 per person on select 2023 International Signature Land itineraries:
- September 16, 2023
- December 4 & 28, 2023
Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy
- June 19 & 30, 2023
- July 21, 2023
Human History: Northern Spain and Southwest France
- June 1 & 8, 2023
- September 14 & 28, 2023
Iceland: Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Whales
- June 28, 2023
- July 20 & 27, 2023
- August 19, 2023
- September 3 & 15, 2023
Ireland: Tales and Traditions of the Emerald Isle
- June 29, 2023
- August 31, 2023
- September 21, 2023
Italy: Renaissance Cities and Tuscan Life
- June 14, 2023
- October 18, 2023
On Safari: Exploring Wildlife Conservation in Kenya
- June 2, 2023
- July 9, 2023
- August 11, 2023
- September 30, 2023
- December 4, 2023
Morocco Photography Expedition
- September 16, 2023
Morocco: Legendary Cities and the Sahara
- October 7 & 21, 2023
New Zealand From North to South
- October 13, 2023
- December 29, 2023
- June 4 & 18, 2023
- July 16, 2023
- August 13, 2023
On Safari: Tanzania’s Great Migration
- August 16, 2023
- September 2 & 20, 2023
- December 27, 2023
Palau: Snorkeling and Kayaking the Pristine Seas
- October 16, 2023
- November 12, 2023
Remembering D-Day: London to the Normandy Beaches
- June 1, 2023
Scotland Hiking Adventure: From the Highlands to Islands
- July 15 & 22, 2023
- August 5 & 19, 2023
Southern Africa Safari by Private Air
- August 30, 2023
- December 28, 2023
Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago
- June 16, 2023
- September 15, 22 & 29, 2023
- October 6, 2023
Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District
- June 4 & 25, 2023
- July 2, 16, 23 & 30, 2023
- August 13, 2023
The Holy Land: Past, Present, and Future
- November 11, 2023
- December 30, 2023
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: Ancient Temples and Natural Wonders
- October 14, 2023
- December 30, 2023
Save $500 per person on select 2023 River Cruise itineraries:
Danube Christmas Markets River Cruise
- December 9, 2023
Rhine River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
- September 18, 2023
Rhine Christmas Markets River Cruise
- December 7, 2023
Take advantage of this National Geographic Expeditions 2023 Offer for Disney Vacation Club Members by calling (877) 728-7282, contacting your Travel Advisor or booking online with the Offer Code: DVCNGE23
Important Information
- Book by July 24, 2023
- Offer is good for select itineraries and dates only
- This is a cash-only offer; Members cannot use Disney Vacation Club Points or a combination of points and cash
- Offer is for new booking only
- Offer availability is limited for each departure
- May not be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions
- Not all stateroom categories are available for booking; not valid for Suites
Between May 23 and July 24, 2023, Disney Vacation Club (“DVC”) Members who book select National Geographic Expeditions itineraries save: (1) $350 off per person on select North America Land departures; or (2) $500 off per person on select International Land and River Cruise departures. Offer valid only for select departures between June and December 2023, and offer availability is limited for each departure. The per-person savings is taken from the non-discounted prevailing rate for each departure as quoted on the date of booking (“Regular Rate”). Regular Rates are based on double occupancy, vary depending on departure date and time of booking, and are subject to change. Travel must be booked 30 - 60 days prior to applicable departure date, depending on the itinerary. Not applicable to deposit, baggage fees, extensions, or airfare. Not all stateroom categories are available for booking, and the offer is not valid for Suites. Availability of the offer is subject to confirmation at time of booking and paying the standard trip deposit. Any courtesy hold, without payment of the standard deposit, will not guarantee availability of the offer for the selected departure date. Offer valid for new, cash bookings only; not valid for bookings with points or a combination of cash and points. Subject to availability at the time of booking. May not be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions. Offer not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Not valid for group bookings. A limited number of staterooms of certain categories are available for the promotion. Offer valid for residents of the U.S. and Canada (except for Quebec where the offer is only available to travel agents). Void where prohibited. Offer is subject to restrictions and conditions and may change without notice. Bookings subject to restrictions and trip standard terms and conditions. Disney Vacation Club Members can book by calling National Geographic Expeditions directly. To receive these discounts, Members must be eligible for Membership Extras. Membership Extras is an incidental benefit subject to change or termination. Members should refer to the Membership Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement for more information or visit disneyvacationclub.com.
Available Departures- Dec 9-16, 2023
- Savor Central European holiday traditions in Christmas markets from Budapest to Vienna to Salzburg to Passau and learn to shoot nighttime photos with a National Geographic Photography Expert.
- Explore lesser known Christmas markets set within historic palaces in Vienna and Salzburg.
- Visit Vienna’s Museum of Natural History and meet National Geographic Grantee Ludovic Ferrière for a behind-the-scenes look at the meteorite exhibit he curated.
Itinerary
Itinerary
The holiday spirit thrives in Central Europe, where Christkindlmarkt—or Christmas markets—turn grand city squares and baroque palaces into magical winter wonderlands. The banks of the Danube play host to some of the continent’s oldest and most treasured Christmas traditions. Immerse yourself in vibrant markets and holiday cheer alongside a National Geographic Expert and a National Geographic Photography Expert as you cruise from Budapest to Vienna to Austria’s Wachau Valley to Passau. Browse charming huts filled with handmade ornaments, gingerbread, and wooden soldiers, as choral music and the aroma of mulled wine fill the air. Visit historic palaces that have been transformed into Christmas villages. With a variety of daily excursions to choose from, you can tailor the trip to fit your Christmas wishes.
Arrive in Budapest and settle into your cabin this afternoon. If you wish, get your first taste of holiday cheer with a visit to one of Budapest’s Christmas markets. After the captain’s welcome reception and dinner, enjoy entertainment on the ship.
AmaViola for the entire trip
Straddling the Danube, Hungary’s capital is a tale of two cities: Buda, set on quaint cobbled streets, and Pest, a grand cityscape of wide boulevards and majestic buildings. Set out on a morning tour to discover Buda’s Castle Hill, home to Matthias Church, where Habsburg royalty held coronations and weddings. Take in sweeping views of the city from Fisherman’s Bastion. Then head to Pest to see Heroes’ Square and venture into the spice-scented stalls of the city’s renowned Christmas markets. Meet the ship in Esztergom and take to the Danube this afternoon. As we cruise, gather for a talk with our expert and take part in Eastern European traditions—including a “pickle hunt”—while decorating the ship’s Christmas tree. Sit down to dinner as we follow the Danube along the border with Slovakia toward the Gabčíkovo Lock.
Discover Bratislava, capital of Slovakia and, for many years during the Ottoman era, the capital of Hungary. On a guided walk, venture into St. Martin’s Cathedral, a massive Gothic structure where Hungary’s kings and queens were crowned for centuries. Stroll cobblestoned streets to the Old Town Hall on the picturesque main square, and see Michael’s Gate, the last remnant of the city’s original fortifications. Then meander through Bratislava’s charming Christmas market. Alternatively, set off on a food tour, seeing the sights as you make your way on foot to a local restaurant to sample cheeses, charcuterie, and other traditional delicacies. Or explore Bratislava on an invigorating hike, climbing to the city’s castle for breathtaking views. Cruise on to Vienna this evening and enjoy free time to explore the city.
Spend the morning discovering imperial Vienna on foot, from the magnificent Opera House to the Hofburg—the residence and seat of Habsburg power for more than 600 years. Or set out on a guided bike tour, pedaling to the city’s highlights. After lunch on the ship, choose one of two excursions. Take a special behind-the-scenes tour of Vienna’s Museum of Natural History led by Ludovic Ferrière, a National Geographic Grantee and curator of the museum’s meteorite exhibit. Or get a glimpse at the city’s more opulent side on a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace—the baroque summer residence of the imperial family—and sip a glass of Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch) or Glühwein (mulled wine) at the palace’s intimate Christmas market. This evening, attend a classical concert in town or experience the glittering lights and festive atmosphere of the Rathausplatz Christmas market at night.
Dock in Weissenkirchen, a village nestled in the heart of Austria’s UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley, and choose from three excursions. Go on a walking tour of medieval Dürnstein, then taste local wines or sample the area’s apricot-based delicacies, such as jams and chocolates. Choose to ride a bike along the back roads of the Wachau Valley, passing through charming villages on the way to Melk. Or remain onboard the ship to experience the Wachau Valley from the river, sailing to Melk for a visit to the magnificent Melk Abbey, considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in the world.
Arrive in the port city of Linz, a cultural capital that inspired composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Explore the old city on a walking tour that includes Linz’s Christmas markets as well as the Mozart House, where the composer wrote Linz Symphony in only three days. Or explore on a guided bike ride, following the city’s Culture Mile and tracing the banks of the Danube.
Instead of Linz, you may choose to travel to Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic) for a visit to Cesky Krumlov—a labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and hidden squares with medieval, baroque, and Renaissance buildings.
Alternatively, choose a full-day excursion to Salzburg. Stroll the storybook streets of UNESCO-designated old town and visit Salzburg’s Christmas markets. Wander among the charming wooden huts of the market here before returning to the ship.
Set at the scenic confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, Passau was once an important trading center founded on the site of a Roman camp. Admire the town’s celebrated baroque architecture on a walking tour, and explore the Christmas market in Cathedral Square, set against the green-domed belltowers of St. Stephen’s. Soak up local culture as you browse unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. For a more active excursion, hike to the hilltop pilgrimage site of Paulinerkloister Mariahilf, or join a guided bike ride along the Danube. Later, sail for Vilshofen, and toast our voyage at an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport in Munich for your flight home.