Admire Europe’s art and experience centuries of history while you discover some of the most relevant highlights of this exclusive location. From Budapest, a famous haven for musicians, writers and artists, cruise through the stunning cultural cities of Vienna, Bratislava, Passau and Regensburg. Along the way, visit magnificent cathedrals and baroque abbeys. Explore the charming Wachau Valley and traverse by cruise ship Europe’s Continental Divide - made possible through the engineering masterpiece of the Main-Danube Canal. Treat yourself to fine cuisine and the great wines of the region. Take an optional excursion to Salzburg and celebrate the heritage of Mozart, one of the world’s greatest composers.
Highlights
Sightsee in Budapest, and see famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill
Take a walking tour of Bratislava's major sites
Explore romantic Vienna, and see the majestic Opera House and Parliament
Visit Prague'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 Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2: Budapest, Hungary
1 Breakfast
From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a spectacular view of the twin cities Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river, see the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and St. Stephen's Basilica. And optional tour will take you back to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. See the Parliament Building still bearing bullet holes from the Soviet intervention, and visit a dreaded location used by the Hungarian secret police.
This morning, stroll along the city of Budapest or join an optional excursion to Puszta, the great Hungarian Plain which stretches across to the East. Here you will find the Hungarian cowboys still wearing traditional dress and practicing the skills of their Magyar ancestors. The excursion includes a savory traditional lunch with goulash. Tonight, you will meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Cocktail and Dinner.
This afternoon, arrive in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city’s major sites, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, choose a “Communist History Tour” that includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. Late tonight, the ship cruises to magnificent Vienna.
This morning enjoy a guided tour of romantic Vienna that will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll along the Kärtnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna’s famous pastries in the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the alternative, join an optional tour this afternoon to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, a famous example of baroque architecture. Tonight, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert.
Early this morning reach the Wachau Valley for your walking tour of Dürnstein, known as one of the prettiest towns along the Danube. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the baroque Stiftskirche and see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. Your tour also includes a wine tasting at a local vintner. This afternoon, you can enjoy a guided bike tour from Dürnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). The ship arrives in Melk late this afternoon, where you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. Gaze at the famous library that inspired Umberto Eco while writing “The Name of the Rose.” Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Melk, one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites.
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, where you will have the choice of two different excursions. The first choice is an optional excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. The tour includes a visit to the Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Square, and much more. In the alternative, remain on the ship and cruise through scenic Upper Austria to Passau. Located where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube, this 2,000-year-old city is noted for its Gothic and Italian baroque architecture. A walking tour of Passau will take you along the cobblestone streets of Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world.
In the early afternoon arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have your choice of three different tours here. The first is a guided walking tour, in which you will see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria — gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. The next tour is an afternoon bike ride to Walhalla, where you will visit the Walhalla temple which honors distinguished Germans throughout history (capacity controlled). Your third choice is a trip to the Audi Factory in Ingolstadt, where a member of the Audi team will take you on a guided tour of the Audi Car Museum or Factory Floor (subject to availability). Known for its distinctive architecture, the museum features unique, high-tech exhibits on the history of the car, combined with a fascinating look back at the 20th century. The tour is capacity controlled.
Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising through the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmühl Valley. This afternoon, you have a choice of two different excursions in Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. On one tour, you will explore the medieval history of Nuremberg, and see the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and Old Town Hall. The other tour will focus on Nuremberg during World War II as the center of the Third Reich. Visit the infamous Zeppelin field used to hold rallies and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946 (when available).
This morning, depart Nuremberg after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian spa. After lunch on your own, continue to Prague and check into the hotel.
Day 11: Prague, Czech Republic
1 Breakfast
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic city center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus, before walking over to Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. The balance of the day is at your leisure; perhaps visit the Wenceslas Square or enjoy yourself in one of the charming cafes. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions.
Day 12: Prague, Czech Republic
1 Breakfast
Spend a day at your leisure to relax and stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, relax at an outdoor restaurant or shop for local handicrafts and art work. This afternoon, participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished.
Day 13: Depart Prague
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Budapest and transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
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Category E
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 148 sq. ft.
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Category D
Piano Deck. Fixed Windows, 148 sq. ft.
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Category C
Violin & Cello Deck. French Balcony, 170 sq. ft.
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Category BB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Category BA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
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Category AB
Cello Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Category AA
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 235 sq. ft.
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Category AA+
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 290 sq. ft.
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Suite
Violin Deck. French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
Notes
Single supplement is 50%, except for Suites which are 100%.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days 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
4 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.