6-Nights Christmas in Eastern Europe: Zagreb to Budapest - Classic
G Adventures · 6 days
Escorted
From $1,699 per person
Europe’s stunning architecture and charming cobblestone streets are legendary - but add twinkling lights, festive market stalls, and the scent of mulled wine in the air, and you’ve got pure magic. Hop from city to city on this immersive seven-day journey through Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets, where the holiday spirit fills every square and every sip of warm spiced cider feels like a celebration.
Highlights
Visit some of Europe's oldest and most iconic Christmas markets, Travel by train across four different countries, Enjoy free time in Zagreb and Budapest for individual exploration of these vibrant cities, See Eastern Europe in all of its festive glory,
Accommodation
Hotels (6 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12.
Meals Included
6 breakfasts
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Budapest. Zagreb Christmas Markets visit. Orientation walk in Ljubljana. Ljubljana Christmas Market visit. Orientation walk in Graz. Graz Christmas Market visit. CEO-led sightseeing tour of Budapest. Budapest Christmas Market visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Air
Itinerary
Budapest
Excursions
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day City Tour of Budapest, 4 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
This privately guided tour shows you the major sights within on the Pest Side (e.g.the Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica), as well the Buda Side (Castle Hill). One highlight of this tour is an inside visit of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
- Heroe's Square, Vajdahunyad Castle (outside)
- State Opera (outside)
- St. Stephen's Basilica (outside)
- Parliament Buidling (outside)
- Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
- Matthias Church (indoor visit)
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Full Day City Tour of Budapest, 8 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
This extended privately guided full day basically covers all major sights and interesting locations within Budapest, also including inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church and the Parliament Building.
Highlights:
- Main sights, e.g. National Museum, State Opera, Heroe's Square, Great Synagogue, Central Market Hall, Gellért Hill, Citatel, Vajdahunyad Castle etc. (outside visits)
- Various Bridges above the Danube, e.g. Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge etc.
- Matthias Church (inside visit)
- Fishermen's Bastion (inside visit)
- Parliament Building (inside visit)
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Full Day
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion, Matthias Church, Parliament
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Budapest Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour Budapest Castle District, 4 hours
— Optional Private Excursions
During this privately guided tour, you visit the Castle Hill of Budapest, with the Royal and Presidential Palaces, fascinating squares and medieval cobblestone streets. Highlights are inside visits of the Fishermen's Bastion and the impressive Matthias Church.
Highlights:
- Budapest's Castle Hill
- Royal and Presidential Palaces (outside)
- Holy Trinity Square
- Hess András Square
- Fishermen's Bastion (entry to upper terrace)
- Matthias Church of Our Lady (indoor visit)
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning or Afternoon
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Pick up and drop off at the landing stage of the cruising ship in Budapest
- Transfer in a private car
- Private licensed English speaking guide (other languages available, but on request)
- Entrance fees for Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church
- Meals
- Gratuities and personal expenses
- Entrances other than stated above
Graz
Ljubljana
Excursions
Ljubljana tour with visit to Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
— Optional Private Excursions
You will meet Your personal English speaking guide and driver in the Koper harbor for Your unique tour – sightseeing of city Ljubljana and visit to Postojna cave and Predjama Castle
Today Your tour will start with easy walk to the Preseren Square from where You will go on a relaxed walking journey around downtown. Afterwards You will cross the Three Bridges and the farmer’s market and take cable car to visit Ljubljana Castle. After the sightseeing of Ljubljana You will continue on to Postojna cave and Castle.
Discover underground world of Postojna Cave, most popular karst cave in Slovenia. This guided tour will consist of a ride by electrical train and followed by a walk through beautiful passages and chambers with spectacular drop stones, pillars, limestone curtains and other unforgettable forms. You will continue to idyllic village of Predjama where you will be amazed by fairy tale medieval Predjama castle with dramatic setting in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a hillside.
Highlights:
- Postojna cave
- Predjama Castle
- Personal guide
- Round transfer
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Tickets
- Round transfers
Not Included:
- Lunch
- Tips
Zagreb
Excursions
Zagreb uncovered: WWII and communist era walking tour
— Optional Private Excursions
Upon meeting with your private guide prepare yourself to learn the fascinating and intriguing history of Croatia's capital city of Zagreb during WWII and under the communist regime. The Zagreb WWII and Communism Tour takes you on a historical journey through Zagreb's turbulent 20th century. Explore the city’s key landmarks while learning about the impact of World War II and the communist era in Yugoslavia. The tour covers events like the Nazi occupation, the rise of Tito's Partisans, and the shaping of post-war communist rule. You'll visit memorials, underground bunkers, and significant sites that highlight Croatia’s complex past, giving you a deeper understanding of the resilience and transformation of the city and its people.
Highlights:
- Unique historical experience
- Visit to underground tunnel
- Private guide
Tour can operate: Morning and afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Gric tunnel visit
- Gratuities and items purchased for personal use
- Tips
- Food & drinks
A visit to ethno village Kumrovec and monastery Olimje
— Optional Private Excursions
Today’s adventure will take you to the Ethno village Kumrovec where Marshal Tito, former President of Yugoslavia, was born. You will be able to observe how the peasants' and their families' everyday lives were like as well as some traditional crafts. After an interesting little sightseeing of Ethno village, you will head to Olimje, a 16th-century castle, which was turned into a monastery with a baroque church. One of its most intriguing features is an antique pharmacy inside the monastery that is decorated with lovely murals. There, you may get a variety of herbal remedies for almost every disease or health issue. The last stop of this interesting tour is reserved for lunch.
Highlights:
- Unique experience
- Private guide
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private guide
- Tickets for Kumrovec and Olimje
- Lunch
- Gratuities and items purchased for personal use
- Tips
- Additional food and drinks
Zagreb sightseeing with funicular ride and Museum of lost tales
— Optional Private Excursions
Explore Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital, on a tour of its historic Upper and Lower Towns, rich in architecture and lush parks dating back to the Austro-Hungarian era. With a private guide, ride the funicular up to the Upper Town to see landmarks like the Croatian Parliament, notable for its unique roof. Stroll through the city to visit the Cathedral, Stone Gate, National Theatre, Zrinjevac Park, and more. You will then visit the Museum of Lost Tales, a magical space of Croatian folklore created by multimedia artist Zdenko Basic. Through six themed rooms, you’ll journey among scenes filled with mythical figures—fairies, dragons, witches, and other creatures. Become an explorer and part of this enchanting story that brings Croatia’s forgotten heritage to life.
Duration: approx. 4h
Inclusions: guide, funicular ride, museum tickets
Exclusions: food, drinks, gratuities, items purchased for personal use
Available Dates
| From | To | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026 | $1,699 |
| Dec 2, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | $1,799 |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | $1,799 |
| Dec 9, 2026 | Dec 15, 2026 | $1,799 |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 18, 2026 | $1,799 |
| Dec 16, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | $1,799 |
Terms & Additional Information
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.