Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to
Budapest, Hungary.
Day
2 Budapest, Hungary
Upon arrival, transfer to the ship, home
for the next seven nights. The afternoon is at leisure to become
acquainted with the ship or begin exploring the city on your own.
This evening, join your fellow travelers for a traditional Hungarian
dinner and a folk dancing and musical performance by local
entertainers onboard. Meal: D
Day
3 Budapest:
Today’s included tour presents you with a
fantastic opportunity to become acquainted with Hungary’s beautiful
capital. See the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square,
Andrassy Avenue – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Buda
Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a guided hike to Buda Hill for a
postcard-worthy panorama of the Danube banks. This afternoon,
the ship departs for Bratislava. Meals: B, L, D
Day
4 Bratislava, Slovakia
This morning, relax onboard as the
ship sails to Bratislava. Witness Bratislava Castle, perched atop
a hill, as you arrive into port. During the guided walking tour,
meander through the heart of the city as you view the lavish
Episcopal Summer Palace, the neo-Renaissance façade of the
Slovak National Theater, and charming streets lined with quaint
shops and cafés. Alternatively, choose to join the hike to the castle
for a look around the gardens and overview of the Danube. This
afternoon, a highlight of the day will be a home-hosted visit where
you are treated to tasty homemade specialties in the home of local
Slovakians. What a unique opportunity to meet the locals and learn
about life in Slovakia! Meals: B, L, D
Day
5 Vienna, Austria
Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical
music and world-famous art exhibitions. Today you have a choice of activities: explore Austria’s art history on an included tour
featuring a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art
museum in the country and one of the most important museums
in the world. OR, explore on two wheels with a bike ride along the
river, arriving at Danube Island. Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Krems – Dürnstein
The day begins with a guided tour
of Gottweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most important Benedictine
abbeys. Sitting atop a hill near Krems, this architectural treasure
overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley. Upon
returning to the ship, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this
beautiful valley enroute to Dürnstein – “The Pearl of the Wachau
Valley” - dominated by the magnificent Baroque Stiftskirche.
Alternatively, cycle past the terraced vineyards and castles as you
join a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein. Meals: B, L, D
Day
7 Engelhartzell, Germany – Passau
After a relaxing morning
onboard, the ship arrives in Passau where cobblestone streets
and graceful arcades welcome you. On an included walking tour,
stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see the hilltop
Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is
a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s
largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. After a bit of free
time, return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely afternoon sailing
along the river to Regensburg. Meals: B, L, D
Day
8 Regensburg
A morning arrival in Regensburg brings you
to one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and home to one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. As a local guide
leads you through cobblestone lanes on a walking tour, discover
the UNESCO World Heritage old town and see many of the city’s
architectural highlights. Alternatively, join a bike tour to the Walhalla
Monument, towering high above the slopes of the Danube. The site
affords a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river
below. This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band onboard.
The ship remains docked in Regensburg overnight. Meals: B, L, D
Day
9 Regensburg – Munich
After breakfast, say goodbye to
your Captain and crew as you disembark your ship and depart
by motorcoach for Munich. Upon arrival, an included panoramic
tour showcases the former Olympic site, Nymphenburg Palace,
Maximillianstrasse and the Parliament, the National Theater
and Munich’s Residenz. During a walking tour, stroll through
Marienplatz Square and see the famous Glockenspiel. Enjoy the
festive atmosphere of Oktoberfest with an included entrance to a
beer tent at the fairground. Of course a sampling of the local beer
and food will be served while partaking in the merriment of the live
music and fun in the tent. Meal: B
Day
10 Munich
Your final day is left free of planned activities to
pursue individual interests. Continue discovering the sights of the
city, shopping for last minute souvenirs, or return to the Oktoberfest
fairgrounds independently. Meal: B
Day
11 Munich / USA
Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return
home with wonderful memories of life-enriching experiences from
your cruise along the Danube River. Meal: B