Classical Danube River Cruise

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship to embark on your 8-day cruise (check-in starts at 4:00 pm). A welcome cocktail and dinner awaits you tonight.(D) 

In the morning, arrive in Regensburg with its large medieval center, located at the convergence of the Danube and Regen Rivers. You will have a full day to explore this town. Consider joining optional walking tour of Regensburg in the morning. In the afternoon, you may join an optional excursion to the Weltenburg Abbey. Tonight, enjoy a Bavarian evening on board. (B,L,D)  Optional Regensburg walking tour: Regensburg is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany and its historic buildings are very impressive. Among these architectural treasures are churches, monasteries, the town hall and one of Europe’s oldest bridges that has spanned the Danube since the 12th century. During this walk you will feel the former power and wealth of this city, which once controlled the trade route to the Orient. During a short visit to the Regensburg Cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, you can admire this masterpiece of Gothic architecture in southern Germany (Visits depend on the opening hours of the Cathedral and/or if a mass is celebrated, etc.). Optional Excursion to Weltenburg Abbey: A coach brings you to Weltenburg, with a brief detour to the “Hall of Liberation” which is a historical, classical monument on Mount Michelsberg, above the city of Kelheim. It is an impressive marble building, fashioned after the Parthenon in Athens. It towers high above the Danube and can be seen from afar. Afterwards, board an excursion boat which will takes you past the former city of the Wittelsbacher Dynasty and through the nature reserve,“Weltenburger Enge”, to the Benedictine abbey of Weltenburg. The monastery, founded by Irish or Scottish monks in about 620 AD, is the oldest monastery in Bavaria. After a short tour of the abbey church taste the famous dark beer of Weltenburg, which is brewed here in the oldest monastery brewery in the world.

Arrive in Passau at 8:00 am where you can enjoy an optional city walk. As an alternative, an optional full-day excursion to Salzburg including the Salzkammergut will be offered as well (if you have joined this excursion you will travel to Linz by bus). Sail to Linz where you will arrive at 4:30 pm. Join an optional walking tour. (B,L,D)  Optional Passau walking tour: Join us on a gorgeous walk through the old city of Passau. The baroque city on three rivers has long been a magnet for traders and travellers. Our “Little Venice” will astonish you from your first moments in its winding streets. In the heart of the Old Town lies our most known site – St Stephen’s Cathedral, often known as a baroque cathedral with a gothic soul. The impressive pipe organ helps make St Stephen’s a true highlight of our three river city. High above the Old Town sits one of the largest fortress complexes in all Europe – the Veste Oberhaus which can be discovered on your own at the end of the walking tour. Accessible via the exterior walls, never conquered, never completely destroyed; the Veste Oberhaus is a prime example of long term historical construction. Optional Full-day excursion to Salzburg including Salzkammergut and lunch: A two-hour coach ride will bring you to Salzburg — the city of music. The old town with its world-famous Baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was adopted by UNESCO in 1997 and is included on its list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. During the guided tour through the old town you will see the birth house of Mozart (exterior only), as well as other well-known attractions such as the ‘Getreidegasse‘, the gorgeous cathedral of the town and the area of the Salzburg festival. On arrival, you will see the fortress ‘Hohensalzburg’ from abroad. After enjoying an included lunch, you will head to the picturesque village of Mondsee, best known as a film location for the famous movie “The Sound of Music”. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you return to the ship. Optional Linz walking tour: Discover the upper Austrian state capital Linz on a walking tour. There are many things worth seeing in Linz. Take a stroll down the main street, which leads to the main square. In addition to the medieval town square in the historic old town and the Mozarthaus, you can see the Renaissance villas, the old cathedral with the Bruckner organ or the new cathedral. Visits depend on Cathedral and Mass openings/times.Visible from afar is the pilgrimage basilica on the mountain Poestling, the landmark of the town. A modern counterpart are the Lentos art museum and the Ars Electronica centre, with its striking glass facade offering a diverse play of colour in the darkness. If time allows, you can taste a piece of the famous Linzer Torte (Linzer Cake) in one of the local bakeries. Afterwards, your coach takes you to rejoin the ship in Aschach.

Arrive in Melk at 8:00 am and join an optional excursion to the local abbey, set in a picturesque landscape by the Danube River, and a wine tasting (if you have joined this excursion you will travel to Weissenkirchen by bus). The ship departs Melk for Weissenkirchen at 9.00 am. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the cobbled streets before continuing to Vienna in the afternoon. (B,L,D)  Excursion to the Wachau including Melk Abbey and wine tasting: The excursion includes a visit of Melk Abbey, which is an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736. The abbey’s church and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos are particularly noteworthy. A guided tour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, through the marble hall, the balconies and the library. On a walking tour of Dürnstein, one of the best-known wine villages in the Wachau, you will discover this picturesque town with its traditional architecture and the baroque monastery Dürnstein, famous for the blue spire. At the end of the tour we will invite you for a complimentary glass of wine. Please note: During the cruise „Classical Danube“, from Passau to Budapest, the wine tasting as well as the return to the ship will be in Weissenkirchen.

Spend a full day in Vienna and enjoy this city of music, rich in architectural ensembles including Baroque castles and beautiful gardens. In the morning, you may join an optional city tour of Vienna. Consider taking an optional guided tour of Schoenbrunn Palace in the afternoon. An optional "Vienna by Night' excursion will be offered in the evening. (B,L,D)  Optional City tour of Vienna: While it may take days or weeks to fully discover Vienna, this tour will give you an overall impression of the most important sights Vienna has to offer. First, you will drive along the famous Ringstrasse, passing several magnificent buildings like the stunning opera house, the parliament, the Court Theatre and Vienna’s imposing city hall. The panoramic drive is followed by a guided walk through the city center where you will get to know Vienna at its fullest. Begin at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace, walk along the Kohl market and finish at Vienna’s iconic St. Stephen’s cathedral. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time to stroll along the pedestrian area. Optional Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace: Travel by coach to one of the most beautiful sights of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace. As one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Austria, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens were declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The reign of Maria Theresia signified the most splendid era for Schönbrunn. The castle and park were the center of court and political life. Under the personal guidance of the Empress, it was remodelled and expanded to become a royal residence; a complex with a total of 1,441 rooms and halls was created. Visit many of the ceremonial rooms and then have the opportunity to walk around the beautifully designed gardens of the palace. Optional Concert "Sound of Vienna": In the very place where Johann Strauss himself once directed his orchestra from his position as first violin, the true essence of Vienna’s classical music can once again be heard daily. The “Salonorchester Alt Wien”, one of the best-known interpreters of classical Viennese music, presents an evening full of Viennese charm with the lilting sound of waltzes, polkas, arias and duets, as well as operetta and piano concert melodies. Accompanied by excellent opera singers and enchanting ballet soloists, Vienna’s classical music reveals itself as a living firework display for the senses.

Arrive in Bratislava in the morning where you can join an optional city tour. In afternoon, an optional excursion to the Imperial Schlosshof Palace with its beautiful terraced garden and idyllic manor farm will be offer. Tonight, enjoy a Captain’s Gala Dinner. (B,L,D)  Optional City tour of Bratislava: During this tour you will get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. The gorgeous old town has maintained its Gothic-Baroque style. The tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues up to the hill, where you will have a stunning, panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to participate in a guided walking tour through the restored old town. From Michael’s Gate you will take a leisurely stroll through the historic city center, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings, as well as the Academia Istropolitana, the oldest university of the city, which dates back to the 15th century. In addition to numerous palaces, you will also walk past the main square with the old City Hall, the Opera House and Maximilian Fountain. Optional Excursion to Schloss Hof Palace and Estate: From Bratislava the coach takes you to the Castle Hof in Austria. The magnificent complex was built in the early 18th century through the efforts of two of the most important personalities of the Austrian Baroque period. Field Marshall Prince Eugene of Savoy was already a legend in his lifetime. An art enthusiast, he provided almost unlimited funding for the construction of the castle. The brilliant architect Lucas von Hildebrandt created a virtuoso masterpiece comprising a magnificent palace, beautifully designed, terraced gardens and an idyllic country estate. Under its subsequent owner, Empress Maria Theresa, an additional storey was added to the palatial building, which was remodelled in the style of French Classicism in accordance with the tastes of the time. It is unique in Europe and has become a top destination for those who seek to delight in culture, nature and the fascinating world of the Baroque. After visiting the inside of the castle, you will have enough free time to see the beautiful garden and the Maierhof with its numerous animals.

In the morning, you may join an optional excursion to Szentendre and Esztergom, known for its museums, galleries and local artists (if you have joined this excursion you will travel to Budapest by bus). The ship departs Esztergom for Budapest at 8.30 am. This afternoon, you will have the choice to take part in an optional city tour with visits to the Fishermen‘s Bastion and the Matthias Church. Tonight, enjoy a fascinating evening cruise along the illuminated city including a typical Hungarian folklore show aboard. (B,L,D)  Optional Excursion to Szentendre and Estzergom: The tour departs from Budapest and travels to the artists’ village of Szentendre. The town has been the home of many generations of Hungarian artists since the early 20th century. There are many museums and contemporary galleries representing the rich traditions of the visual arts. One of the most visited museums of the whole country, the Margit Kovács Museum, is also located here. Foetér, the main square, is particularly well worth seeing, as it is surrounded by impressive buildings from the time of the Rococo and the Baroque. Your tour continues to the imposing ruined fortress of Visegrad, where you have a glorious view of the “knee” of the Danube. Subsequently the excursion leads you along the Danube to Esztergom, the former residence of the Hungarian kings and seat of the Archbishop, which is one of the highlights of this excursion. Visit the vast domed basilica which is the largest cathedral in Hungary. Built in the early 19th century, it incorporates an ornate red marble chapel from an earlier church. Optional City tour of Budapest: Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has managed to retain a charm of its own with the help of renovations in recent years. The Danube flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest. The tour first takes you through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its outstanding gourmet shops and stalls. You will see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been an emblem of the city ever since then. There’s an opportunity for a photo stop at the Heroes’ Square, famous for its monuments to many Hungarian kings. Continue aross one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where you will visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion (provided that it is open to the public). Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

Disembark from your ship after breakfast. You will be transferred to the train station or airport for your onward journey or flight home.(B)