Taking in 3 countries: The Danube and its traditions

Bratislava, before becoming the capital of independent Slovakia in 1993, was first of all the capital of Hungary from 1536 to 1784 under the name of Presburg. It then belonged to Czechoslovakia before becoming the capital of the "Slovak Socialist Republic" as part of Czechoslovakia between 1969 and 1992.
With your guides, you will begin the visit with a panoramic tour of the city which will take you to Bratislava Castle, which dates from 1811, after the previous castle burned down, and from where you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the Danube and the city. The main historical monuments are in the Old Town and the coach will drop you off at the entrance to the Old Town to continue the visit on foot. You will enter the city through Michael's Gate, which is the only gate still surviving from the Middle Ages. Then you will head for the central square surrounded by elegant buildings, some in Art Nouveau style, and dominated by the old Bratislava Town Hall. The tour will continue with the Primate's Palace completed in 1781 for Archbishop Jozef Bathyány.
As you stroll through the streets, you may come across some of the amusing statues that are dotted around the capital.

In the programs MVI/MVI_PP/NVI/NVI_PP : After the guided tour, you will have some free time to enjoy the Christmas market located in the Main Square in front of the City Hall. We will return to the boat on foot or by coach depending on sailing times.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.

Departure by coach. Accompanied by your guides, you will leave the quay for a panoramic tour of Budapest, often called the Pearl of the Danube. Your discovery will begin on the Buda side, the hilly part of the city, which you will reach by crossing one of the city's famous bridges spanning the Danube. You will then ascend Castle Hill to reach the Royal Palace (outside visit), where you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the city. In the distance, you will catch sight of the Fisherman's Bastion, a monument paying tribute to the origins of the Hungarian people, with its seven towers symbolising the seven tents of the seven Magyar tribes. Your tour will continue towards Pest, the flatter and more modern part of the city. There, you will discover the majestic Heroes’ Square, dominated by its impressive central monument, erected to commemorate Hungary’s millennial anniversary. It features the chieftain Árpád and the seven leaders of the founding tribes. You will pass near the famous Széchenyi Baths, the architecturally remarkable zoo, and Vajdahunyad Castle, which reflects Hungarian architecture through the centuries. Driving along the prestigious Andrássy Avenue, you will glimpse St. Stephen’s Basilica, whose construction began in 1851 and was completed in 1905. Finally, following the Danube embankment, you will admire the Hungarian Parliament, a majestic building blending Byzantine and Neo-Gothic styles, whose radiant silhouette towers over the river. Return to the boat at the end of the tour.

For cruises MVI/MVI_PP/NVI/NVI_PP:
Our visit will end at Vörösmarty Square where we'll discover one of the oldest, richest and most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest - an old folk tale with its dozens of buzzing wooden market stalls and thousands of handmade gifts. Have a taste of the traditional cinnamon pastries (Kurtoskalacs - Chimney Cake), sausages, mulled wine, grilled vegetables, and street snacks like Langos and dodolle (potato dumplings). Following our tour, we'll return to the boat.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You will begin the tour by taking the famous Ring, which was one of the personal projects of Emperor Franz Joseph. In 1857, he decided to take down the ramparts that enclosed the city center and had this boulevard lined with fine buildings. Along the Ring you will admire this architectural showcase of the old Austro-Hungarian monarchy, including: the State Opera, the Hofburg Palace, the Natural History Museum, the City Hall, the Burgtheater and more.

For cruises MVI/MVI_PP/NVI/NVI_PP:
At the end of the visit, we'll return to the square in front of the city hall and take advantage of some free time to discover the traditional Vienna Magic of Advent market. Some 150 small chalets offer fine gifts and Christmas decorations for all ages, while the lights of the trees around the park shine brightly into the night. Enjoy some roasted chestnuts and a cup of warm mulled wine while strolling through the festive market.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.