Introduction
I felt incredibly fortunate to experience a Christmas market cruise, visiting Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. The brand-new Riviera's Radiance was a truly lovely ship with elegant interiors and beautiful cabins and an atmosphere that made the entire journey feel special.
The ship
Every dining venue on the ship had an impressive variety of dishes, ensuring there was something to suit every taste and requirements. There are three dining options onboard; the main dining room serves a wide variety of breakfast choices along with made to order items, such as eggs benedict and omelettes from the menu.
The top deck was amazing and sailing out of Budapest from there was unforgettable. We had breathtaking views of the city's landmarks lining the Danube. I was so lucky to have the Grand Balcony Suite and wow what a cabin, and the views topped off the whole experience.
Bratislava
Or next stop was Bratislava, home to the city's iconic hilltop castle. The walk up was a bit of a climb, but the views made it completely worthwhile. Inside the castle grounds, a medieval market was taking place, creating a wonderful atmosphere. On the way back down, we visited the Christmas Markets and naturally had to sample the mulled wine. After a wonderful three course meal onboard The Radiance, it was time to head to our next destination; Vienna.
Vienna
A short bus trip from the dock to the city centre and this is where we began our walking tour exploring the rich history and iconic landmarks. Following the walking tour, we had a few hours spare to wonder around Vienna on our own exploring the Christmas Markets and rounding the afternoon off with a Viennese coffee and a classic Sacher-Torte. Our final stop was Budapest; a city every bit of lovely as the others we visited. We spent our free time strolling through of course; more Christmas Markets, this time enjoying a hot chocolate and a warm chimney cake.
The last evening was Gala night, the multi course dining experience was absolutely delightful with small touches, like the cute tuxedo-folded napkins.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to do the Christmas Markets and to enjoy the relaxing pace of River Cruise, then I would recommend without any doubt the Riviera Radiance.
Come see me in Abergavenny to plan your dream Christmassy gateway!
