Delve into Europe’s history starting in the perfectly preserved medieval city of Nuremberg and concluding in Budapest. In between, cruise through the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal, across the Continental Divide and through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley. Explore medieval Regensburg and visit Vienna where imperial dynasties built a harmonious blend of architectural wonders. Throughout your journey, get a feel for the land by biking and hiking, and sampling delicate wines and hearty beers.
Delve into Europe’s history starting in fairytale Prague and concluding in Budapest. In between, cruise through the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal, across the Continental Divide and through the Wachau Valley. Explore perfectly preserved medieval cities, such as Nuremberg and Regensburg, and visit Vienna where imperial dynasties built a harmonious blend of architectural wonders. Throughout your journey, get a feel for the land by biking and hiking, and sampling delicate wines and hearty beers.
COUNTRIES:
, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic
RIVERS:
Danube
Legendary Danube
At A Glance
On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
| Day 1 | Nuremberg | EMBARKATION |
|
Embark your ship in Nuremberg. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. The ship will moor overnight in Nuremberg. (D)
| Day 2 | Nuremberg | Medieval city tour |
|
You have three choices of excursions
while in Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided tour through
Nuremberg’s beautiful 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 enormous Documentation
Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. You’ll also visit the
Nuremberg Trials Memoriam, and Courtroom 600, if the
courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional
Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious
Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and lebkuchen
(gingerbread). En route to Regensburg, you’ll cruise through
the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Regensburg | UNESCO city walking tour |
|
Explore one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities Regensburg on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Alternatively, sample some Bavarian specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels, and for those who wish to be more active, join a bike tour to Walhalla where you will see the Neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour |
|
Enjoy a walking tour along Passau's cobblestone streets admiring the Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For guests looking for a more active morning, you 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. Later in the day, set sail for Linz. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Melk | Benedictine Abbey tour |
|
| | OR Dürnstein walking tour |
|
| Wachau Valley | UNESCO scenic cruising |
|
Cruise to Melk, known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike tour that takes you through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley; or go on a walking tour along Dürnstein's cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, famed church tower. Later in the day, set sail through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
| | OR Vienna by Bike (city tour of Vienna on bike) |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and on your city tour, you’ll see many of them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then afterwards, visit the grand St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride that includes opportunities to see all of the sites listed above as well as the majestic Ringstrasse, Vienna’s famed ring road, lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. During the afternoon, spend leisure time exploring this iconic city even more. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour |
|
You cannot help but fall in love with Budapest, known as the “Queen of the Danube.” Your city tour begins with visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. As an alternative choice, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. Spend your last evening on board cruising around the famed Parliament Building as the city turns on all her dazzling lights. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Budapest as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
| Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel.
| Day 2 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
|
Discover fairytale Prague via a city tour
or a hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one
of Europe’s most attractive and vibrant 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, home to the
Astronomical Clock. (B)
Enjoy uninterrupted time to explore Prague and its many museums and landmarks at your leisure. Visit such sites as St. Vitus Cathedral, the Gothic resting place of numerous saints, or the Franz Kafka Museum, which houses first editions of several of the prolific author’s works. You may also see the historic fort Vyšehrad, explore the natural science and history collections at the Národní Museum or travel back through Jewish history at the Holocaust memorial in the former ghetto at Josefov. (B)
| Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Pilzen |
|
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Pilzen. After a local highlights tour, drive to Nuremberg where you will board your ship. (B,D)
| Day 5 | Nuremberg | Medieval city tour |
|
You have three choices of excursions
while in Nuremberg. Enjoy a guided tour through
Nuremberg’s beautiful 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 enormous Documentation
Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. You’ll also visit the
Nuremberg Trials Memoriam, and Courtroom 600, if the
courtroom is not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional
Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious
Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and lebkuchen
(gingerbread). En route to Regensburg, you’ll cruise through
the man-made marvel, the Main-Danube Canal. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Regensburg | UNESCO city walking tour |
|
Explore one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities Regensburg on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Alternatively, sample some Bavarian specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels, and for those who wish to be more active, join a bike tour to Walhalla where you will see the Neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour |
|
Enjoy a walking tour along Passau's cobblestone streets admiring the Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For guests looking for a more active morning, you 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. Later in the day, set sail for Linz. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Melk | Benedictine Abbey tour |
|
| | OR Dürnstein walking tour |
|
| Wachau Valley | UNESCO scenic cruising |
|
Cruise to Melk, known for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest and most revered monasteries. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike tour that takes you through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley; or go on a walking tour along Dürnstein's cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, famed church tower. Later in the day, set sail through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
| | OR Vienna by Bike (city tour of Vienna on bike) |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and on your city tour, you’ll see many of them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then afterwards, visit the grand St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride that includes opportunities to see all of the sites listed above as well as the majestic Ringstrasse, Vienna’s famed ring road, lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. During the afternoon, spend leisure time exploring this iconic city even more. (B,L,D)
| Day 10 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour |
|
You cannot help but fall in love with Budapest, known as the “Queen of the Danube.” Your city tour begins with visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall brimming with vendors selling everything from food to souvenirs. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. As an alternative choice, hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. Spend your last evening on board cruising around the famed Parliament Building as the city turns on all her dazzling lights. (B,L,D)
| Day 11 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Budapest as you prepare for your flight home. (B)