Let the culture, art, and music of Europe’s grand cities and fairytale villages serenade you as you cruise the Danube River. Indulge your passion for awe-inspiring architecture at the Melk Abbey and Vienna’s Klosterneuburg Abbey. Discover places where history is not only portrayed but is still an essential part of daily life, as in Nuremberg and Regensburg. Be as active as you wish with guided bike rides and hikes through Austria’s Wachau Valley and throughout your journey. Let the majestic beauty of beloved Salzburg capture your heart.
Highlights
Hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress overlooking unique Passau
Enjoy a walking tour of Linz, the second largest city in Austria
Cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley on your way to Dürnstein
Join a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark
Visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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 Prague and transfer to your hotel. The day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2: Prague, Czech Republic
1 Breakfast
Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square.
Day 3: Prague, Czech Republic
1 Breakfast
Spend a day at your leisure. Wander through the city admiring its diversity of architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau. Meander through its colorful local markets or simply relax in a café to enjoy the many famous Czech beers.
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Pilzen, known for producing Pilsner beer. After a walking tour of local highlights, drive to Nuremberg where you must board your ship.
Famous for its ancient castle, gingerbread and toy manufacturing, Nuremberg was also home to the infamous WWII-era Zeppelin Field and subsequent War Crimes Trials. You have two choices of excursions: one focusing on the medieval highlights and the second focusing on WWII. Enjoy a guided tour through this well-preserved medieval city, showcasing the Imperial Castle, famous town wall and the legendary fountain of the Market Square. Or turn back the pages of a darker history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the coliseum. You can also visit the Nuremberg Trials Memoriam, and Courtroom 600 if the courtroom is not in session. Later in the afternoon, cruise through the manmade marvel, the Main-Danube Canal.
Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, and you can discover why on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. As an alternative option, sample some Bavarian specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a bike tour to Walhalla where you can see the Neoclassical white marble temple built to honor the memory of famous Germans.
Discover the 2,000-year-old city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided bike tour along the Danube River, or a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress for panoramic views overlooking three rivers.
Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where you can tour such places as the historic center and Mirabell Gardens. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in “The Sound of Music.” Alternatively, you can choose two morning excursions in Linz. Join a walking tour through the old city center and by the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days. Or go on a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. During the afternoon, you have three more options of excursions. Choose a half-day tour in Salzburg or take a scenic drive through the beautiful Austrian Lake District with a stop in St. Wolfgang. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border.
Cruise to Melk, where you can visit its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most revered monasteries. You can also join a guided bike tour through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley that takes you to Dürnstein where you must meet the ship. For those not biking, cruise through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. Once here, you have a choice of excursions. Join a walking tour along Dürnstein's cobblestone streets to the luminous blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, before enjoying a local wine tasting. For a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. You may also choose to visit a local apricot grower, where you can enjoy the finest apricot treats in the region. Later set sail to Krems, where you can choose between wine tasting or a walking tour.
Experience the regal elegance of Vienna with one of three different excursions. Join a city tour that takes you by the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the world famous Spanish Riding School. Alternatively, join an exclusive tour to a famous Viennese café for a taste of sachetorte, a sinfully rich chocolate cake, and sekt, an Austrian sparkling wine. For those who prefer to get more active, you can cycle along the Danube and through the Donaupark. During the afternoon, enjoy free time or bike to the majestic twelfth-century Klosterneuburg Monastery.
Day 11: Vienna, Austria | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark your ship today and transfer to your hotel in Vienna.
Day 12: Vienna, Austria
1 Breakfast
Uncover “Vienna’s Royal Treasures” at the Hofburg Palace, the former residence of the Habsburgs. Visit the lavishly decorated Imperial Apartments and Imperial Treasury, home to many of the Habsburg's treasures, including the Crown of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Imperial Crown.
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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
1 day ago
Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
2 days ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
3 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
4 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.