Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. During the evening, be treated to a special Illuminations cruise past the capital’s glittering riverfront.

* Wine-themed cruise: Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow passengers at an evening Welcome Aboard Wine Toast.

You cannot help but fall in love with Budapest, known as the “Queen of the Danube” with her distinct blend of medieval and modern beauty. Get to know the city with a tour that begins at the vibrant Great Market Hall packed from floor to ceiling with vendors selling all types of items from food to souvenirs. Visit the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, where you can admire dramatic vistas from 19th-century Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes Square, Houses of Parliament and the famous Chain Bridge.

Cruise to the “Coronation City of Kings,” where you can join a walking tour or choose to taste local Slovakian specialties and learn how to prepare stuffed potato ravioli. Alternatively, hike up to Bratislava Castle. Later in the day, set sail for Vienna.

* Wine-themed cruise: This morning, savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna through your choice of one of three different excursions. The first option is a panoramic tour of Vienna that guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall, and Vienna University. Afterwards, visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben, and the world-famous Spanish Riding School. The second option is a walking tour of Vienna’s hidden treasures that takes you to secret places and sites like Ankeruhr, a whimsical Art Nouveau clock. Your third option is a guided bike tour along the Danube and through the Donaupark. After dinner enjoy an excursion to a rustic wine tavern to listen to folk music and sample newly pressed locally grown wine.

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and you have two ways to discover them. Join a city tour showcasing its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center and then visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride along the Danube. During the afternoon, you can enjoy leisure time or pedal your way to Klosterneuburg Monastery on a guided cycling tour.

* Wine-themed cruise: Spend a free morning in Vienna before enjoying a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley en route to Krems, wine capital of this region. During your scenic cruise, be treated to an onboard wine lecture and tasting. Later this evening, discover that Krems offers a rich array of wine-related history and culture. After a light buffet dinner on board, head to a Wachau winery for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The ship overnights in Krems.

After reaching Weissenkirchen in the heart of the Wachau Valley, be treated to several choices of excursions. Discover the best of both Dürnstein and Melk with a walking tour in Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. You can also opt for a walking tour of Weissenkirchen followed by a visit to the abbey. For those who would like a more culinary-focused experience, join a walking tour in Dürnstein and then be treated to a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner as well as a visit to a local boutique where you can enjoy a tasting of special apricot treats. Prefer more active adventures? Join a guided bike tour to Melk. Later in the day, set sail through the scenic Strudengau Valley to the medieval riverside town of Grein. Be treated to an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally above the village. While here, enjoy a folklore show along with a sparkling wine reception.

The ship arrives in Linz where you have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you can tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. 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 join a morning walking tour through the old city center and by the Mozart House; 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 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.

* Wine-themed cruise: The ship arrives this morning in Linz. Enjoy a walking tour of the second largest city in Austria or choose a guided bike tour that shows you around the Old City Center, along the Danube River, and past the ultra-modern Ars Electronica Center. Later, have a choice of three different excursions. The first option is an excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace. Take a walking tour of the historic center made famous by "The Sound of Music.” The second option is an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, a wonderfully preserved medieval town nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third option is a visit to the Austrian Lake District, the scenic Salzkammergut region. All three options are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tonight, savor a fabulous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner complete with wine pairing.

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. Later, the ship cruises to Vilshofen, where you can join a festive Oktoberfest celebration with local beer, Bavarian folk music and dancing.

Depart the ship and drive through the countryside to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, which you can discover on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. After touring Regensburg, continue your journey on to Prague.

Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both will 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, where you can find the famous Astronomical Clock.

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.

Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight.