Experience a beautiful luxury cruise on the Danube River through four European countries, experiencing first-hand why its surroundings have long inspired musicians, poets and artists. Begin your cruise in magnificent Budapest, continuing on to historic Bratislava and legendary Vienna, the birthplace of the waltz. Your luxury river cruise will take you through the scenic wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley, visit a spectacular Benedictine Abbey; explore the Austrian Lake District and fairy-tale cities founded more than 2,000 years ago.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception followed by dinner. (D)
Day 2: Budapest
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle, where you will enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Your tour also includes Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and more. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Bratislava, Slovakia / Vienna, Austria
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city’s top sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. As an alternative, choose the “Communist History” tour that includes landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. Later, you will have some free time before the ship cruises to Vienna, the music capital of the world. After dinner, experience a traditional “Viennese Wine and Music” evening in a rustic wine tavern outside the city, where you can enjoy a glass of newly pressed, locally grown wine and Austrian music and hospitality. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Vienna
Savor the sights of romantic Vienna during your guided tour, which will include the Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. An optional tour of Schonbrunn Palace and Mozart & Strauss concert in one of the city’s great formal concert houses is also available. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Dürnstein / Melk
This morning arrive in Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour along the town’s medieval cobblestoned streets. You will see the magnificent blue façade of the local Stiftskirche and the ruined castle, high on a hill, where Richard the Lionhearted was once imprisoned. Your tour will include a tasting of local wines. As an alternative, take a scenic guided bike tour from Durnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). The ship arrives in Melk this afternoon, where you will tour the spectacular Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque-style monasteries and the inspiration for the novel The Name of the Rose. The ship moors overnight in Melk. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Linz / Gmunden
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. You will have the choice of three different excursions: the scenic “Salzkammergut” region (Austrian Lake District), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will explore the historic town of Gmunden; the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border; or Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music.” Enjoy free time on your own before returning to the ship. The ship sails overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Linz / Passau, Germany / Vilshofen
Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Your city tour takes you around this charming city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Highlights include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest pipe organ in the world. As an alternative, explore the city on a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). This afternoon, the ship cruises to the medieval town of Vilshofen, where you’ll enjoy a mini “Oktoberfest” with local food, beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Vilshofen / Disembark
This morning disembark the ship, departing Vilshofen after breakfast for your return flight home.
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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
