Danube Christmas Markets

When we landed in Budapest we did not have to clear any passport control as they did all that preflight. Connie and Gayle retrieved their large bags and we were met by our tour rep immediately. It was off to the coaches for a 35 minute ride to the ship. We claimed our keys and they took our bags immediately to our cabin. A short time later we all met for a walk into town. It was great to get out and walk and see the beautiful parliament building all lit up. We were docked at the Chain bridge so we could walk to a beautiful area. We made it back to the ship in time to clean up a bit before the welcome aboard reception and intro of staff plus the safety talk. We were served lovely appetizers and glasses of champagne during the talk. Then it was off to dinner. the food was fab and the wine flowed freely. There was a Hungarian Operetta show after dinner but we were too tired to go. It was off to the shower and then bed!!

After the tour we had a light lunch and took off to the Christmas Markets. This was our first experience so we were enthralled by each cute stall. We tried our first langos, fried light bead with Nutella. We thought it was fabulous and can’t wait to have some more! We had time to hit both the markets before our all aboard time. Back on board we explored the ship and worked on a puzzle as we began our sail to Bratislava! We had our nightly port talk and then off to dinner. Excellent food and service! The staff knew our names after one day and you never have an empty glass! After dinner we continued to work on our puzzle in the lounge while we sang along with the Sounds of Motown with Benny our entertainer on board. A great start to our cruise!!

We then made our way back to the ship and had a very light lunch before embarking on the walking tour of the city. It was a very walkable city and when the tour ended we were at the Christmas markets. These Christmas markets were mostly foods so of course we had to try some. We had our second, langos, fried bread but this time we had garlic butter, sour cream, and shredded cheese. This was our new favorite. It was delicious as was the mulled wine. We stayed out until time for the port talk. Then it was off to dinner. After dinner we played Bennys Music Bingo and had a great time. We then headed to the aft lounge and worked on another puzzle until the eyes closed and it was bedtime!!

We did not choose to go back to the ship for lunch but needing fortification we headed to Demels, home of the originsl Sachertorte. We had coffee, tea, and torte! Fortified we headed to the closest Christmas market! We did 7 markets in all and loved each and everyone. We did some shopping but not enough to fill Connie’s very large suitcase. We also shopped for a certain market mug that Gayle wanted. We even took Uber to get to the right market. All mission accomplished. We also had another langos and it was definitely the best do far. We made it back to the bus stop but the bus was late. We caught the last shuttle and made it back to the ship in time to cleanup and dress for our concert before dinner. We had a lovely buffet and then boarded the bus for Vienna. We enjoyed the concert so very much and the music, both sung and played, was incredible and the ballet was grand! Such a fun evening!! Now at the ship it was off to bed!!

After we navigated the 22 miles it was time for our German buffet lunch! The foods were delicious and after lunch we docked in Melk. We decided to leave the ship before the walk-in tour and make our way own our on. We walked through the cute town looking in the windows and even going in some shops to Look at the beautiful handmade nutcrackers. We met our group at the turn to the small Abbey and made the climb up. We met our guide and toured the beautiful structure. As we went through the different room we were given the history and then we finished the tour in the magnificent library and church. Even though the library is under restoration it was still lovely!! We took the bus back to the ship as everyone had to be back on board at 5. We stopped for some hot tea, registered our credit cards, and then I showered and Lori went to the gym. As I finished dressing Lori arrived and I went to the lounge to journal while she showered. Connie and Gayle joined us for the disembarkation lecture and port talk. We then headed to dinner where we enjoyed another great meal. After dinner we went to Bennys FabABBAulous show and had a lot of fun. Then it was off to bed!

After time ohhing and abhing at the gorgeous architecture, seeing the Mozarts house, and padding by the Christmas Markets we made our way to our lunch spot which was the oldest restaurant in the country. The building was lovely on the outside but when we stepped into the gardens and then into the dining area it was magical!! We had a great luncheon and then headed out to visit the markets. We enjoyed this very much but the highlight was the gluhwein and apricot hot punch. Connie wanted to go to the Steiff store and after that it was time to find our meeting point for the trip back. Back on the bus we made the trip to Passau and as soon as we were on board we sailed. It was a long but fun day. After a quick shower we met for our farewell toast and dinner. The only thing that spoiled the evening was the disembarkation talk. This was a day early because we are overnighting in Regensburg and a lot of people will not be back on the ship for dinner. We went to listen to the staff and passengers performances at karaoke after dinner and it was a bit late before we settled for the night!!

After some hot soup and warming up we took the walking tour to the romantic market, lead by our tour director Jutta. this was the most beautiful of all the markets we had seen! We had a lot of fun exploring, trying kasserspaetzle, shopping the cute stalls. We had great plans for staying out and seeing the lights and having dinner at the market. We were happy when the lights came on about 4:30 and because we were all cold we could head back to the ship. Back on board it was hot showers, dinner, and a lively performance by a guest performer. We had packed earlier so we fell into bed after putting on our overnight face masks.

We arrived at Munich station and made our way to our exit. Our hotel could be seen from the exit and soon we were checking into the Le Meridien. Our rooms were ready and we dropped our bags before heading out to our first Munich Christmas market, the Marienplatz Market. We walked and as we approached the market the crowds increased until the only thing I could see were belt buckles and shirt fronts. Of all the markets we went to this was by far the most crowded. The booths were beautifully decorated and the food smelled amazing. We made our way to the far end of the market to get our Gluhwein in the Munich Nutcracker mug. We also stopped for a brat on a bun with some delicious mustard. It was so crowded we all felt a little overwhelmed, so we started the trek pack to the hotel stopping in a lot of cute shops along the way. It was getting close to dinner time when we arrived back. We took some time to freshen up and then piled into an UBER to a local restaurant. It was a good distance from downtown and we did not make reservations... big mistake. We were told there was no room but we were able to make reservations for the next night. On to plan B. We walked to a German Tapas restaurant that we had considered and at first no seats but then we were told we could have the table for an hour. We grabbed it and the service and the food was top notch. Plan B was an excellent choice. Ee got an UBER back and soon we were showering and settling in for the night.

The weather was cold and damp and we were about Christmas marketed out, so we slowly made our way back to the hotel with a few well chosen store stops and a look into the Hobrau House along the way. At the hotel we rested, played cards in the lobby, and freshened up for dinner. We got an UBER, and believe me, this was no small feat. About 12 drivers canceled before we got one that actually showed up. We made it to our restaurant and were seated immediately. the reservation was a sticky note on the table that read: Lori 4 ppl 6:30. It worked!!! The food and service was excellent, and as per usual, we ordered too much food. We left sated and happy and headed back to the hotel. It was late and Connie and Gayle were leaving early the next morning so we said our sad goodbyes. Lori and I booked a massage for the next day and then headed to bed.

We were hungry and a little cold so we headed to the Hoffbrau House for some lunch. We dined with a couple from Austin and the food was not fantastic but the experience was worth it. We then did some shopping and slowly made our way to the hotel. We rested a bit before our 5:30 massage sessions. Clad in robe and slippers I went first and I must say at the end of a fabulous trip this was perfect. If you read my story you will see we had little down time and this was a welcome respite. Lori went next and I went up to shower. Later in the evening we went back to the Marienplatz Market for our final Brat and Gluhwein. I was coughing and not feeling great so we made it back to the hotel to read and get a good night sleep.

The day we dreaded most came early. We were up, dressed, and on our way to the bus stop by 7:15 am. Our wonderful journey has finally come to an end. We caught the bus to the airport and we had seats and did not even have to wait. At the airport I expanded my bag and we stuffed our coats in and then checked the bags. Lori only checked hers to LAX as she needed to fly from LA to SFO because of work. We found the business lounge, had breakfast, played cards, and changed Loris ticket, We arrived at our gate just our boarding was called and soon we were settled in for our 12 hour flight. The service and food was great and we went to sleep not long after our meal. We awoke for the mid flight snack, read, watched movies, and slept some more. We enjoyed our meal at the end of the flight because it included our last thick Bavarian pretzel. We landed in LA early, cleared customs with a passport swipe and a smile, and soon had my bag rechecked to SLC. We had to change terminals to check Lori's bag but that was fine as my departure terminal was across from hers. Bag checked, we went to the United Lounge and played cards and ate chicken noodle soup until time to say our goodbyes. Lori's flight left first but both were on time and soon I got a text that Lori had landed and was settled in. I arrived in SLC to find Hugh waiting for me. We claimed my bag and soon I was sleeping in my own bed./susan