Danube Rhapsody 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) 

Arrive in Melk at 9:00 am and join an optional excursion to the local abbey, set in a picturesque landscape by the Danube River, and a wine tasting. Depart for Vienna at 1:00 pm. Consider joining an optional "Sound of Vienna" concert in the evening. (B,L,D)  Excursion to Melk Abbey and wine tasting: Melk Abbey 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 and is the biggest monastery complex of the Austrian baroque period. The abbey’s church, with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger 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. At the end of the tour we will invite you for a complimentary glass of wine. 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.

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. Depart for Budapest at 7:00 pm. (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.

Arrive in Budapest at 11:30 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 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.

Consider joining an optional morning excursion to the Hungarian Puszta. In the afternoon, you may join an optional excursion to Szentendre and Esztergom, known for its museums, galleries and local artists. The ship departs Esztergom for Bratislava at 7.00 pm. (B,L,D)  Optional Excursion to the Puszta: After departing the harbour we drive out of Budapest. We will have the chance to see the landscape of the country side with some villages and cultivated areas, while our guide gives us information on present day life in Hungary. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with typical regional specialities such as Palinka (apricot schnapps) and Pogácsa, which is served as an aperitif together with salty snacks. Afterwards, you can admire the fantastic relationship between Hungarian horsemen and their horses during a horse show. If you would like to ride a horse without saddle, you will have the chance after the show. You are also invited for a tasting of Hungarian salami and paprika and to enjoy a glass of local wine in the Csárda restaurant of the farm. At the end of the tour our coach will bring us back to the vessel. 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.

Arrive in Bratislava in the morning where you can join an optional city tour visiting the Primatial Palace and St. Martin Cathedral. 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.

Arrive in Linz in the afternoon and join an optional walking tour. (B,L,D)  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.

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