Day 1: Budapest, Hungary
Transfer to your ship from the airport in Budapest today. After boarding, you can spend the afternoon at leisure or you can use this time to explore. If your arrival schedule permits, you could join an organised walk to Budapest’s famous covered market in the three-story Great Market Hall established in 1897.
You will return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner.
Day 2: Budapest, Hungary
Your morning begins with a panoramic tour of the city. Journey along Andrássy Avenue and see the 19th and 20th century mansions, National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. You will stop in Heroes’ Square to learn more about Hungarian history, then cross the Danube to Buda’s Castle District. You can walk up the hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church to enjoy the brilliant views.
You will then rejoin your ship in Visegrád for lunch as you cruise along the scenic Danube River. Enjoy a mid-afternoon Viennese coffee workshop, complete with apple strudel.
Day 3: Vienna, Austria
Today you will tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. First, ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century, then see some of the city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. You can return to your ship for lunch.
The rest of the day is yours to further explore. You may take an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” erected in 1778 and graced by a number of formal gardens, Grecian statuary, the world’s oldest zoo and Roman ruins. After dinner, you can just relax or enjoy an optional classical concert.
Day 4: Krems, Austria
After breakfast, you can explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate. Then you will visit Göttweig, a working Benedictine abbey that owns many of the vineyards along the Danube. The splendid ceiling fresco in the imperial stairwell is one of the largest in the world. You will then have the opportunity to visit the church, a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship and cruise leisurely through the captivating Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may wish to taste some local Austrian specialties as you spot attractive riverside towns and castle ruins along the way.
Day 5: Passau, Germany
Arrive this morning in Passau. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You’ll see the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ. You can enjoy lunch aboard your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. You will cruise through the night.
Day 6: Regensburg, Germany
This morning, you will meet your guide dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. You will see one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You will also encounter the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. You could take time to stroll the streets, shop or visit Germany’s oldest restaurant, the Alte Würstküche. Lunch is served aboard your ship.
This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising along the Danube River, or take an optional Danube Narrows excursion. You could travel by road to Kelheim and board a ferryboat to explore the 400-foot chalk cliffs and dramatic scenery of the Danube Narrows or visit Weltenburg Abbey, renowned for the dark ale brewed here by monks since 1050, then rejoin your ship in Kelheim in time for dinner.
Day 7: Main-Danube Canal & Nuremberg, Germany
Very early this morning, you will sail through the locks that comprise the Main–Danube Canal, an engineering marvel that stretches 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube.
You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city, around lunchtime. There will be a city tour that features Zeppelin Field, the former Nazi parade grounds, and the Palace of Justice, the venerable vestige of the Nuremberg Trials, or you can join an optional World War II tour of the illuminating Documentation Center Museum. You will have a brief stop at the main courthouse before returning to Old Town, enclosed within ancient city walls. Your tour comes to a close with a walk from the imperial palace grounds, past the Albrecht Dürer House and on to the Main Market Square with its elaborate Gothic fountain. You will have the rest of the day on your own to explore.
Day 8: Nuremberg, Germany
After breakfast, you will disembark your ship and proceed to the airport for your return flight home.
You could extend your journey with 3 night in Prague, including a tour of Old Town and Prague Castle.
