★ Hosted by Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F.
Catholic Cruise · 9 Days · Austria

Danube Christmas Market Cruise with Fr. Michael Alello

Join Fr. Michael Alello on a Danube river Christmas Market cruise pilgrimage that includes stops in Munich, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest.

Dates
November 27 – December 5, 2026
Departs New Orleans
Duration
9 Days
Trip code 26JA11ATMA
From
$3,395
Reserve your spot
The Pilgrimage

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Join Fr. Michael Alello on a Danube River Christmas Market Cruise including Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg, Munich, and more!

Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F.
Your Host

Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F.

Pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery, and Chaplain of Catholic High School

Very Rev. Michael J. Alello, V.F., is a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and pastor of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. He also serves as dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery and chaplain of Catholic High School. His ministry spans parish leadership, Catholic education, sacramental life, and pastoral formation. Through preaching, teaching, and pilgrimage leadership, he helps Catholics connect the Church’s history and sacred places with a deeper practice of faith at home.

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Know Before You Go

What's included

✓ Included

  • ✓Round-trip airfare from New Orleans to Vienna x Munich to New Orleans (airfare is not included in the cost and will be added in February 2026 when the group airfare becomes available)
  • ✓Airline surcharges, fuel, and airport taxes are subject to change until the time of ticketing (not included)
  • ✓3 nights’ accommodation in First-class hotels
  • ✓Service charges and hotel taxes
  • ✓Buffet breakfast
  • ✓One Hotel dinner (standard 3-course menu; beverages may be purchased at an additional cost)
  • ✓4 nights on the Danube River Cruise MS Douce France
  • ✓Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the cruise (Lunch on excursions is not included, you can return to the ship for lunch if you prefer)
  • ✓All beverages on the cruise, including alcoholic drinks
  • ✓All transfers with a private A/C motor coach as per the itinerary
  • ✓Professional English-speaking Christian tour guide throughout
  • ✓Entrance fees are included for sites specifically listed (outside view means no entrance is included)
  • ✓Luggage handling at the hotels and on the cruise ship (one piece per person in/out)
  • ✓Select International Tours Travel Portfolio
  • ✓Confirmation of daily private Mass
  • ✓Whisper sets
  • ✓For your convenience, a tip fund of $160.00 per person will be added to your invoice and collected in advance

× Not included

  • ×Travel Protection and Medical Insurance (highly recommended)
  • ×Any items not explicitly mentioned in the list of inclusions
  • ×Beverages at meals, unless otherwise noted
  • ×Meals not specifically listed at the end of each day (B.L.D.)
  • ×Church donations (budget $2.00 - $5.00 per Mass)
  • ×Airport transfers for land-only passengers unless they are at the airport at the same time as the group
  • ×Personal expenses
  • ×ETIAS European Travel Authorization
  • ×Any airline baggage charges
  • ×Baggage handling at train stations, airports, and hotels in excess of one suitcase per person
  • ×Any charges incurred due to excessive luggage including the cost of an additional baggage vehicle or porterage charges

For your convenience, a tip fund of $160.00 per person will be added to your invoice and collected in advance.

Day by Day

Your pilgrimage, mapped out

Tap any day to explore. Meals: B breakfast · L lunch · D dinner.
Day 1November 27, 2026
DEPART FROM USA
+

We depart from New Orleans on an overnight flight to Vienna. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights and optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request. Due to group air restrictions, we cannot request specific seat assignments on flights. If a specific seat location is important to you, please purchase the Land Only package and plan to book your own air.

Day 2November 28, 2026
VIENNA – CRUISE EMBARKATION
+

Upon arrival in Vienna, we board our motorcoach and head to the Polish Church to celebrate Mass. We explore the small museum of St. John Paul II relics and the lovely little gift shop. Following lunch at one of Vienna’s Christmas markets, we board our cruise ship. Unpack and settle into our comfortable home for the next four nights. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner followed by music in the lounge. Overnight on the cruise.

D
Day 3November 29, 2026
VIENNA
+

Enjoy breakfast on the ship. Our buses take us to Mass at one of Vienna’s most beautiful churches. During our panoramic tour of the Ringstrasse, we see the majesty of Imperial Vienna made even more beautiful by the festive Christmas decorations. We walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral (outside view), followed by a 90-minute guided walking tour of the city center, including Donner Fountain, Belvedere Palace Gardens, Hofburg Palace, and the Spanish Riding School (outside view). Stroll through the various Christmas markets located throughout the city, sipping mulled wine and tasting local delicacies. Return to the ship for dinner and entertainment. Overnight on the cruise.

BD
Day 4November 30, 2026
BUDAPEST
+

We wake up in Budapest, Hungary. Following breakfast, we celebrate Mass and enjoy a walking tour of both sides of the city: Pest and Buda. We start with a visit to the Fisherman′s Bastion, which takes its name from the guild of fishermen responsible for defending this stretch of city walls in the Middle Ages. Visit the breathtaking Matthias Church and take in the amazing view of the city from the hill. Our exploration of this beautiful city includes a visit to Heroes’ Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica on the Pest side of the city. The bus drops us off at Vorosmarty Square to see the Christmas markets there and by the Basilica. Enjoy exploring and browsing the various stalls filled with ornaments, gifts, cookies, food, and decorations. If you get tired of the festivities at the markets, take a soak in the famous Gellert Spa (reservations required). Return to the ship for dinner, followed by a folklore show. After the show, enjoy one of the highlights of the cruise as we see Budapest by night from our ship. Overnight on the cruise.

BD
Day 5December 1, 2026
BRATISLAVA
+

This morning, we have time for Mass, and a morning of reflection on the ship with Fr. Michael. Enjoy lunch on the ship, as we arrive in Bratislava at 4 PM, and more great food awaits us at the town’s Christmas markets. The ship is docked in the city center. Our guide will lead us to the main square, where we will have time to explore on our own. Walk back to the ship at any time you wish. Tonight, we have our farewell dinner on the ship with music and dancing. Overnight on the cruise.

BLD
Day 6December 2, 2026
VIENNA – MELK – SALZBURG WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT
+

We disembark from our ship and drive to the small town of Melk for a visit to the stunning Melk Abbey, where we celebrate Mass and have a guided tour (TBC). We continue to Salzburg to browse through the Christmas markets underneath the medieval fortress. Trace a scene from the Sound of Music, sample Mozartkugel chocolates, and visit Mozart’s birthplace while exploring the city of music on your own. Dinner is at leisure. Tonight we gather for a night of music. The Baroque-style Marble Hall in Mirabell Palace, considered one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, where Leopold Mozart and his children, Wolfgang and Maria Anna, once performed, hosts us for a chamber music performance. Overnight in the Salzburg area.

B
Day 7December 3, 2026
SALZBURG – ETTAL – OBERAMMERGAU – MUNICH
+

We depart this morning for Germany, driving through Bavaria to the woodcarvers’ village of Oberammergau, famous for the Passion Play which takes place here every ten years. We are here to see the painted houses and visit the Monastery of Ettal, where we celebrate Mass. Next door to the monastery is the brewery where we learn about the process monks use to make local beer. We settle into our comfortable hotel for dinner and overnight in the Oberammergau area.

BD
Day 8December 4, 2026
MUNICH
+

Driving to Munich today, we take a small detour to see Neuschwanstein Castle (from the outside), which was the inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Upon arrival in Munich, we celebrate Mass and have a short walking tour of the city center. Enjoy the rest of the evening exploring the famous Munich Christmas markets. Overnight in Munich.

B
Day 9December 5, 2026
RETURN TO USA
+

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flights home.

B
Pricing

Choose how you travel

Most popular
Main Deck Staterooms – Double Occupancy – Per Person
$3,395per person

Main Deck Staterooms – Double Occupancy – Per Person. Main trip package.

Upper Deck Staterooms – Double Occupancy – Per Person
$3,595per person

Upper Deck Staterooms – Double Occupancy – Per Person. Main trip package.

Upper Deck - Solo Room
$1,700additional

Upper Deck - Solo Room. Additional supplement.

Reserve your spot
ETA Required
Confirm requirements with Select for this destination.
Deposit
A deposit of $1,000.00 per person should accompany your registration by July 27, 2026.
Final Payment
Final payment is due by August 29, 2026.
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid through June 5, 2027.
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