Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.

Your morning sightseeing tour takes you to Prague’s historic city center. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before visiting the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle. Afterwards, walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square. This evening, an optional “Folklore Dinner Show” provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and cultural traditions.

Take an optional excursion to Terezin, the infamous WWII concentration camp that is now a memorial to those who perished. Or choose an optional excursion to Lobkowicz Palace. The day is free to spend as you please.

Depart Prague this morning and stop in Regensburg for a guided walking tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. After lunch on your own, continue on to the charming 1,200-year-old Bavarian town of Vilshofen and board your luxurious ship. Later this afternoon, join your fellow passengers at a private “Oktoberfest” celebration in Vilshofen, with traditional beers and Bavarian folk music and dancing. Later, enjoy a festive Welcome Dinner aboard the ship.

This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before cruising to Passau. This afternoon you will have a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to one of the world’s largest pipe organs.

Enjoy a walking tour of the second largest city in Austria. Later, you will have a choice of three different excursions. The first is a visit to the Austrian Lake District, the scenic Salzkammergut region. Your 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. Lastly, an excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center made famous by the “Sound of Music.”

Head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau valleys. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or hike the trail up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you’ll find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. For a more culinary-focused experience, sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. In the evening, enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner. 

During your morning city tour of Vienna, you will see the famous Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll through the historic city center or take an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. This evening, you will have the opportunity to attend an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors in Vienna overnight

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Bratislava, where you will have a walking tour that includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own.

This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to the historic Buda Castle, which offers a splendid view of the river and the twin cities of Buda and Pest. Your tour also features the Fisherman’s Bastion, Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica and Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own. After dinner on board, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the glittering river front of Budapest.

After breakfast, you will have an excursion to Puszta, the great Hungarian plain that stretches to the eastern border. This area is home to Hungarian cowboys who still wear traditional dress and practice the skills of their Magyar ancestors. After touring a typical csarda (farm), you will see an amazing performance of Hungarian horsemanship. You’ll also enjoy warm Hungarian hospitality and a traditional lunch of goulash before returning to the ship in Budapest.

Arrive in Mohács and then depart for your excursion to Pécs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pécs was an important cultural base during many centuries of Ottoman rule. You will see St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral, as well as the restored Synagogue, before returning to the ship in Mohács. After lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting excursion to sample aromatic, spicy wines from the vineyards of Villány.

This morning, your “Yugoslav Civil War” tour of Vukovar will show you the Ovcara Memorial, the monumental cross that serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. You may also choose a wine tasting excursion to the town of Ilok instead. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise to Novi Sad, Serbia, one of Europe’s greatest historical treasures. On your afternoon walking tour of the city, you will see the Petrovaradin fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breacheds. Some guests will also see the Novi Sad Synagogue, a beautiful structure located in the Old Town District.

Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. After your tour, you will have free time to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the city’s main shopping area.

Today, enjoy a full day of cruising through one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between Serbia and Romania. The banks of the river along this natural border are lined with sheer-faced rocks that stretch high overhead, a sight that will be an unforgettable highlight of your cruise.

Today you will visit Belogradchik, a beautifully restored castle dating back to the Dark Ages. Continue on to the Baba Vida Fortress, the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country. Standing guard over the Danube at the Bulgarian frontier town of Vidin, this massive medieval castle has thick walls and four imposing towers, a stark contrast to the peaceful park that surrounds it. Inside, you’ll be treated to a fascinating historical re-enactment. The ship departs early afternoon.

Enjoy a full-day excursion to Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Begin your day with a city tour that features a visit to the Palace of the Parliament or the Open Air Museum, dedicated to preserving the traditional architecture of rural Romania. After lunch, you will have a guided tour of the newly renovated Lipscani district, the historical city center of Bucharest. The evening is yours to enjoy in Bucharest.

Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and board a motorcoach to journey through the Romanian countryside to Bran, where you’ll visit Transylvania’s legendary Bran Castle, which is forever linked with the legend of Dracula. Afterwards, you'll travel to the lovely village of Brașov. Enjoy a tour of the town and then check into your hotel. 

Dracula lovers will be in for another treat with an excursion to Sighişoara, birthplace to Transylvania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula. It’s hard to believe that this perfectly preserved UNESCO designated town filled with resplendent pastel-colored buildings, stone lanes, medieval towers and pedestrian-friendly Old Town was Vlad's place of birth. His home is still here, marked with a placard; however, today it houses a kitschy restaurant called “Casa Dracula.” (B)

En route to Bucharest, stop in Sinaia to visit the enchanting Peleș Castle, considered by many to be one of the most stunning in Europe. Tour the castle, which was once the residence of the royal family. Later in the day, check into your hotel. 

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy a visit to the city’s most impressive sites—including the historic city center and the Palace of the Parliament, second only to the Pentagon as the largest administrative building in the world.

Bid farewell to Burcharest as you prepare for your homeward flight.