Classic Christmas Markets

Day 1: Prague
Once you have cleared customs at Václav Havel Airport Prague, you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative who will help you check into the hotel. You can choose to rest or go out and explore the city. Your local host will be happy to offer additional suggestions.

Day 2: Prague
FEATURED EXCURSION: Prague Old Town and Castle District with Christmas Markets
After breakfast, begin a magical tour of the city of Prague. Your motorcoach will take you across the Vltava River (you might know the Vltava as the Moldau, the namesake of the beautiful tone poem by Smetana) and up to Prague Castle, where kings, emperors and presidents have had their offices for almost a millennium.

You’ll disembark the coach and pass through the castle’s protective walls, taking in the Gothic structure of St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to build, and Vladislav Hall, whose complex stone-vaulting system was one of the most advanced engineering feats of the late Middle Ages. Afterwards, you can choose to re-board the motorcoach for a ride back to the hotel or continue with a stroll through Golden Lane, the street that housed Prague’s 17th-century alchemists. Follow your guide through the picturesque Lesser Quarter to Charles Bridge, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The walking tour will end in Old Town Square, which is framed by splendid buildings, including the Church of Our Lady before Týn and Prague’s City Hall (be sure to check out its famous astronomical clock). The dramatic rooftops and spires provide a perfect, fairytale-like setting for the city’s largest Christmas market. A magnificent Christmas tree presides over the square from Advent through the New Year, and rows of red-roofed stalls brim with regional crafts—ceramics, carved wooden figures, Bohemian crystal, and garnet and amber jewelry in particular. Roasting chestnuts, cinnamon-dusted pastries and hot spiced wine add their tempting aromas to the festive air, and costumed carolers stroll among the stalls singing traditional Czech Christmas songs.

The rest of the day is at your leisure, so dive in and delight in the seasonal fun. You might wish to experience some of the season’s glorious music in a gorgeous historic concert hall or church: St. Clement’s Cathedral often hosts classical concerts during Advent, as does St. George’s Basilica in Prague Castle. Municipal House is a wonderful place to hear music by the nation’s foremost composer, Bedřich Smetana, and the National Theater stages The Nutcracker regularly during the holidays. Or visit one of Prague’s famous marionette theaters—the Czech love affair with puppetry dates back centuries.

Day 3: Prague
Use the morning to do any last-minute shopping or for one last stroll through this beautiful capital. After lunch, it’s time for your exciting Uniworld river cruise to begin!

Day 1: Prague
Once you disembark the ship, you will be transferred to Prague by motorcoach. Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative who will help you check in. This evening, you can choose to rest up at the hotel or go out and explore the city. Your local host will be happy to offer additional suggestions.

Day 2: Prague
FEATURED EXCURSION: Prague Old Town and Castle District with Christmas Markets
After breakfast, begin a magical tour of the city of Prague. Your motorcoach will take you across the Vltava River (you might know the Vltava as the Moldau, the namesake of the beautiful tone poem by Smetana) and up to Prague Castle, where kings, emperors and presidents have had their offices for almost a millennium.

You’ll disembark the coach and pass through the castle’s protective walls, taking in the Gothic structure of St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to build, and Vladislav Hall, whose complex stone-vaulting system was one of the most advanced engineering feats of the late Middle Ages. Afterwards, you can choose to re-board the motorcoach for a ride back to the hotel or continue with a stroll through Golden Lane, the street that housed Prague’s 17th-century alchemists. Follow your guide through the picturesque Lesser Quarter to Charles Bridge, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The walking tour will end in Old Town Square, which is framed by splendid buildings, including the Church of Our Lady before Týn and Prague’s City Hall (be sure to check out its famous astronomical clock). The dramatic rooftops and spires provide a perfect, fairytale-like setting for the city’s largest Christmas market. A magnificent Christmas tree presides over the square from Advent through the New Year, and rows of red-roofed stalls brim with regional crafts—ceramics, carved wooden figures, Bohemian crystal, and garnet and amber jewelry in particular. Roasting chestnuts, cinnamon-dusted pastries and hot spiced wine add their tempting aromas to the festive air, and costumed carolers stroll among the stalls singing traditional Czech Christmas songs.

The rest of the day is at your leisure, so dive in and delight in the seasonal fun. You might wish to experience some of the season’s glorious music in a gorgeous historic concert hall or church: St. Clement’s Cathedral often hosts classical concerts during Advent, as does St. George’s Basilica in Prague Castle. Municipal House is a wonderful place to hear music by the nation’s foremost composer, Bedřich Smetana, and the National Theater stages The Nutcracker regularly during the holidays. Or visit one of Prague’s famous marionette theaters—the Czech love affair with puppetry dates back centuries.

Day 3: Prague
After breakfast at the hotel, your extraordinary journey will draw to a close and you’ll be transferred to Václav Havel Airport Prague for your flight home. Though your Uniworld journey is over, we know the memories will last for years to come.