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.
Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner.
Day 2: Budapest, Hungary
Today you will visit highlights of the hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest sides of the city, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, you can walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Then enjoy lunch aboard your ship. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city. You may wish to visit the Art Nouveau Gellért Spa, or one of the many other lavish facilities in this “City of Healing Waters.” In the evening, you will return to your ship for dinner and evening departure.
Day 3: Bratislava, Slovakia
This morning you will arrive in Bratislava and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital with a long and fascinating history. It is the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary. You will be able to see attractions like the medieval Town Hall complex and fortifications at Michael’s Tower, the baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, and pass by several Hapsburg-era baroque palaces before returning to your ship. This evening you can relax or take a walk before our late departure.
Day 4: 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 5: Krems, Austria
Today’s highlight is an exclusive visit of the splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig, a working monastery for more than 900 years. Participate in an exclusive visitor program at Göttweig, created to provide an understanding of the daily business of the venerable institution. You may also take an invigorating bicycle ride through the Wachau Valley before returning to your ship. This afternoon, enjoy scenic sailing as we cruise toward Linz.
Day 6: Linz, Austria
Today you will arrive in Linz and set off on an all-day excursion to the beautiful Bohemian town of Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will ride through the scenic Czech countryside and take a walking tour featuring the lovely historic center of the city with many baroque and Renaissance buildings, dating back hundreds of years. You have some free time to enjoy Krumlov’s charming streets, filled with cafés, shops, galleries and pubs. You could stop for lunch in one of the many local restaurants. Then return aboard for dinner and a late-evening departure.
Day 7: 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 8: Passau, Germany
After breakfast, you will disembark your ship and proceed to Munich airport for your return flight.
You could extend your journey with 3 additional nights in the breathtaking Czech capital of Prague.
