Spend 8 days aboard MS Symphonie crusing along the Danube discovering its most emblematic cities. You'll stroll through Budapest, once two distinct cities united only in 1873 with a historic center like no others, before basking in the charm of the Slovakian capital in Bratislava. Vienna will delight you with its stunning architecture, cultural and historical monuments and unique lifestyle, and Passau, the "city of three rivers", is one of the most impressive sites of the Danube. Topping off this exceptional cruise, the Oberammergau Passion Play will leave you speechless. Performed during years ending in zero, it is viewed as one of the grandest in the world.
Highlights
Depart for a tour of Vienna by night, the capital & largest city of Austria
Spend some time to tour the Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palace
Set off on a sightseeing tour of Budapest, a two-thousand-year-old city
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Passengers are welcome to board the ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, you will be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. In the evening, join the excursion for both packages: Evening of traditional entertainment in Budapest. This one-and-a-half-hour show takes you across all the regions of Hungary through its folklore and Gypsy dance and music.
*Passengers will choose either the Classic or Discovery package to participate in for the duration of the voyage.
Today's excursions are: Classic: Guided tour of Budapest. The Metropole was once two distinct cities united only in 1873: Buda, with its winding streets, Turkish baths and Buda Castle; and Pest, with its flatter landscape offering a panoramic view over the banks of the Danube.
Discovery: Budapest bike tour. See all the important sights of the city on an easy-paced ride: a unique way to see the city's historic center.
The afternoon will be spent cruising to Bratislava. The ship will cruise through the night.
Arrive in Bratislava in the early morning and join the excursions proposed:
Classic: Guided tour of Bratislava. Lined by the Danube, Bratislava intrigues. The charm of the Slovakian capital lies in its old city which reveals magnificent baroque palaces, churches, and pleasant squares. The pastel-colored façades give its many houses their unique style.
Discovery: Hiking in the Little Carpathians Protected Landscape Area, including the geographically rich Sandberg expanse. From Devin Castle, you'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.
The ship cruises to Vienna. This evening, enjoy some free time or join the excursion for both packages: Vienna by night. Vienna symbolizes power and strength through its architecture and monuments. Street lights and special lighting accentuate shapes and dramatize the lovely baroque structures.
Visit Schoenbrunn Palace, a former summer residence for the Hapsburg monarchs. You'll travel on The Ring, part of the vast changes to the Viennese cityscape that took place in the second half of the nineteenth century, before arriving at the palace. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in Austria.
This afternoon, tour Hofburg Palace, an imperial march through history, art, and luxury. The Palace is also known for having been during 600 years the "Winter Residency" of the Habsburgs. Visit the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments and access the 19 official and private rooms that once belonged to Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. The Imperial Apartments are a reflection of the monarchic splendor.
In the evening, watch the concert of Viennese music (subject to availability). Famous waltz melodies take you back to the era of Franz Joseph and Sisi. Start cruising during the night.
Cruise along the most beautiful section of the Wachau Valley before arriving in Melk. Visit of Dürnstein, the fortified village where Richard the Lionheart was once held, prisoner. Be able to stroll through the streets of this medieval town and visit the Baroque abbey. In the afternoon, visit Melk Abbey. Originally a Baroque-style palace built between 1702 and 1736, it is now a Benedictine monastery that hosts a prestigious coed school with more than 900 students. In the evening, you'll start cruising towards Passau. Tonight is your gala dinner and evening.
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before discovering Passau on your own. With its charm and unique atmosphere, the "city of three rivers” is one of the most impressive sites located on the course of the Danube. 300 years ago, Italian master architects rebuilt the city in baroque style with high towers and picturesque squares which you can see while ambling down lovely paved streets. Have your lunch in town. Around 2.00 p.m., departure by coach to Oberammergau, known throughout the world for its Passion Play. After checking into a 3-star hotel, enjoy dinner in the area.
Be transferred by coach to the village. Enjoy the morning and lunch on your own. Use this time to stroll and take in the atmosphere and wonderful pastel-painted homes--some dating back to the 13th century--decorated with religious motifs. After, be transferred to the theater for the performance of the spectacular Passion Play.
In 1633, the residents vowed that if God spared them from the bubonic plague, they would produce a play thereafter depicting the life and death of Jesus. Performed during years ending in zero, it is considered one of the grandest in the world.
The production involves over 2,000 performers, musicians, and stagehands--all residents of the village. They rehearse for over six months and present the play over 100 times during a performance year. The open-air theater adds to the magic of the show. A meal is included with the show and is served during intermission. After the show, be transferred to the hotel by coach.
Day 8: Oberammergau | Munich
1 Breakfast
In the morning, be transferred by coach to the Munich airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,831
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Main Deck- Cat A
32 double cabins, equipped with TV, telephone (for internal calls only), bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V and Wi-Fi.
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Main Deck- Cat B
bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V and Wi-Fi.
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Main Deck- Cat C
bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V and Wi-Fi.
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Upper Deck- Cat A
17 cabins (16 double cabin, and 1 cabin for people with reduced mobility), TV, telephone (for internal calls only), bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V and Wi-Fi.
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Upper Deck-Cat B
TV, telephone (for internal calls only), bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V and Wi-Fi.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
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 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.