14-night Fly-Cruise
Cruise From: Vilshofen to Giurgiu
Ply the historic Danube River on a grand voyage through eight countries, sailing to the splendid world capitals of Budapest and Vienna as well as lesser-known historic gems from Croatia to Bulgaria during our Grand Danube Cruise: A River Cruise from Germany to Romania. Embark on a grand 15-day river cruise through eight countries, discovering renowned and little-known sites as you make your way from Bavaria to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Admire the stunning architecture of Salzburg or the walled city of Český Krumlov, and indulge in the wines of Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. Plus, enjoy specially curated tours at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the National Museum of Serbia, exclusively available on this itinerary. You will also have the unique opportunity to engage with and learn from two Smithsonian Journeys Experts throughout your journey whose specialized expertise will further immerse you in the history, art or culture of the region.
Ply the historic Danube River on a grand voyage through eight countries, sailing to the splendid world capitals of Budapest and Vienna as well as lesser-known historic gems from Croatia to Bulgaria during our Grand Danube Cruise: A River Cruise from Germany to Romania. Begin your journey exploring the grand capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, the “City of 100 Spires.” Then, embark on a grand 15-day river cruise through eight countries, discovering renowned and little-known sites as you make your way from Bavaria to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Admire the stunning architecture of Salzburg or the walled city of Český Krumlov, and indulge in the wines of Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. Plus, enjoy specially curated tours at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the National Museum of Serbia, exclusively available on this itinerary. You will also have the unique opportunity to engage with and learn from two Smithsonian Journeys Experts throughout your journey whose specialized expertise will further immerse you in the history, art or culture of the region. Following your river cruise, venture to Transylvania, the region that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and take in the charms of one more magnificent European capital, Bucharest.
Journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Step back in time to explore the history and mystery living in the hillsides while cruising the Danube and through the Iron Gates. Legends of all kinds are waiting to be uncovered like the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, built into the side of a mountain showcasing well-preserved medieval frescos. Experience the Romans’ influence firsthand in Pécs, “the city of Mediterranean impressions," and through the taste of wine in Croatia. From the imposing capitals of Budapest and Vienna to towns lost in time, immerse yourself in the colorful folktales and traditions of the extraordinary people and places you visit along the way.
Journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Step back in time to explore the history and mystery living in the hillsides while cruising the Danube and through the Iron Gates. Legends of all kinds are waiting to be uncovered like the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, built into the side of a mountain showcasing well-preserved medieval frescos. Experience the Romans’ influence firsthand in Pécs, “the city of Mediterranean impressions," and through the taste of wine in Croatia. From the imposing capitals of Budapest and Vienna to towns lost in time, immerse yourself in the colorful folktales and traditions of the extraordinary people and places you visit along the way.
COUNTRIES:
Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, SlovakiaAustria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Czech RepublicAustria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, TurkeyAustria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia
RIVERS:
Danube
Grand Danube Cruise (Smithsonian Journeys)
At A Glance
On our river 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 | Vilshofen | RIVER CRUISE EMBARKATION |
|
| | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
Arrive in Vilshofen, set at the confluence of the Danube and the Vils Rivers in the heart of Bavaria. After boarding the ship, gather for an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration featuring traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (Meals: D)
| Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour with visit to local bakery – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
A morning cruise brings you to Passau, poised where the Danube meets the Inn and Ilz. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit a bakery to sample pretzels and chocolate, or hike into the hills above town for a visit to the Veste Oberhaus, a massive 13th-century fortress. Alternatively, go on a bike ride along the River Inn. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 3 | Linz | “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with visit to Mozart’s Birth House – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov and Linz excursion with beer tasting - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Dock in Linz and set out on your choice of excursion: Take a day trip to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, where you may join a walking tour of its UNESCO-designated Old Town. Or head to the Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov to discover its stunning architecture and the storybook Krumlov Castle. Alternatively, explore Linz on a guided walk or bike ride. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 4 | Weissenkirchen | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| | Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey with librarian exclusive - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Apricots, Sweets and Wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
Sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its wines. From Durnstein, choose a guided walk through the town followed by tour of nearby Melk Abbey, where you’ll meet a librarian to view meticulously restored medieval books. Instead, hike to Durnstein fortress, or ride a bike through the vineyards along the Danube. Later, gather for a tasting of local wines. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 5 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Kunst Historisches Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Belvedere Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Vienna City Tour by Bike |
|
Glide into Austria’s capital and see its imperial treasures, from the majestic Opera House to the grand City Hall. Combine your city tour with a guided visit to one of Vienna’s renowned art museums: opt for Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, where one of the world’s largest fine art collections is housed within a grand neoclassical building, or venture to the baroque Belvedere Palace, built as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1723, and admire its extensive art collection, which includes Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Alternatively, explore the city on a guided bike ride. Enjoy free time in Vienna this afternoon. Those that wish may attend an optional concert this evening in one of Vienna’s iconic music venues (additional cost). (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 6 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour with folklore performance – Smithsonian
Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
Take a walking tour through the charming Old Town of Bratislava, once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, and attend a folklore performance with a string quartet at Primate’s Palace. Alternatively, sample local specialties on a “Tastes of Slovakia” tour or climb up to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 7 | Budapest | Buda city tour |
|
| | OR Jewish Heritage Tour with Synagogue - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
On a morning tour of Buda’s Castle District, take in views from the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion and admire the striking architecture of Matthias Church. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent monuments of Pest or visit the largest synagogue in Europe and see the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial on a Jewish history tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 8 | Budapest | Gödöllő Palace and Puszta excursion |
|
Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you will tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-drive world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion with Zsolnay Cultural Quarter visit - Smithsonian Journeys
Exclusive |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
| | OR Guided bike ride along the Danube |
|
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács and continue to historic Pécs. Venture underground to its fourth-century necropolis, a World Heritage site, and admire the exquisite interior of St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit a porcelain factory in the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, then stroll to the mosque on the main square. Alternatively, head to the 2,000-year-old Szekszárd wine region to sample its renowned reds or explore Mohács on a guided bike tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 10 | Vukovar | Vukovar City tour with Private Concert – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Osijek Tour with Ethnographic Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Arrive in Croatia and visit Vukovar on a city tour or a bike ride, discovering its baroque center that still bears scars from the war for independence in the 1990s. Cap off your tour with a private concert performed by local musicians at the Eltz Manor House. Alternatively explore Tvrda Fortress and the ethnographic museum in nearby Osijek. This afternoon, taste Croatian wines at Vukovar’s Old Cellars, or delve into the region’s human history at the Vucedol Museum. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 11 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | “Brandies of Belgrade” tasting with National Museum of Serbia guided visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Immerse yourself in vibrant Belgrade during a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum, Kalemegdan Fortress, and the sparkling Church of Saint Sava. Alternatively, go for a bike ride or hike to the fortress. Tour the National Museum of Serbia and enjoy a tasting of traditional plum brandy, or slivovitz, and local appetizers. Or journey to Novi Sad for a walking tour of its picturesque Old Town. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 12 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress with tasting of local fare |
|
| Scenic Cruising | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Follow the Danube as it winds into the mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Stop to visit Serbia’s Golubac Fortress, and sail through magnificent gorges known as the Iron Gates. Keep an eye out for the face of King Decebalus, carved into the mountains on the Romanian side. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 13 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
In Vidin, a town with Celtic roots, explore the medieval Baba Vida Fortress on a guided tour or go for a bike ride to the castle. Alternatively, visit a local home for lesson in making traditional Bulgarian yogurt and a popular pastry called banitsa. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 14 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion with Bulgarian wine tasting – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour with Rousee Art Gallery visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Discover Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, and enjoy a Bulgarian wine tasting. Or explore the architecture of Rousse before visiting the Rousse Art Gallery and the rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, 14th-century churches carved into the cliffs and adorned with colorful frescoes. Alternatively, journey through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest for a tour of the elegant historic center. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 15 | Giurgiu | RIVER CRUISE DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark in Giurgiu and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: 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 and its magical church spires via a city tour or a hike to Prague Castle. 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. (Meals: B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has been an important part of the Czech Republic since 993, when the first brewery was
established. Beer is vital to the country’s national identity, so much so that the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. Join a beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes Czech beer some of the best in the
world. (Meals: B)
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Regensburg |
|
| Regensburg | UNESCO City Highlights tour |
|
| Vilshofen | RIVER CRUISE EMBARKATION |
|
| | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Regensburg. After a local highlights tour, drive to Vilshofen, set at the confluence of the Danube and the Vils Rivers in the heart of Bavaria. After boarding the ship, gather for an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration featuring traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (Meals: D)
| Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour with visit to local bakery – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
A morning cruise brings you to Passau, poised where the Danube meets the Inn and Ilz. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit a bakery to sample pretzels and chocolate, or hike into the hills above town for a visit to the Veste Oberhaus, a massive 13th-century fortress. Alternatively, go on a bike ride along the River Inn. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 6 | Linz | “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with visit to Mozart’s Birth House – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov and Linz excursion with beer tasting - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Dock in Linz and set out on your choice of excursion: Take a day trip to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, where you may join a walking tour of its UNESCO-designated Old Town. Or head to the Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov to discover its stunning architecture and the storybook Krumlov Castle. Alternatively, explore Linz on a guided walk or bike ride. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 7 | Weissenkirchen | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| | Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey with librarian exclusive - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Apricots, Sweets and Wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
Sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its wines. From Durnstein, choose a guided walk through the town followed by tour of nearby Melk Abbey, where you’ll meet a librarian to view meticulously restored medieval books. Instead, hike to Durnstein fortress, or ride a bike through the vineyards along the Danube. Later, gather for a tasting of local wines. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Kunst Historisches Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Belvedere Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Vienna City Tour by Bike |
|
Glide into Austria’s capital and see its imperial treasures, from the majestic Opera House to the grand City Hall. Combine your city tour with a guided visit to one of Vienna’s renowned art museums: opt for Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, where one of the world’s largest fine art collections is housed within a grand neoclassical building, or venture to the baroque Belvedere Palace, built as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1723, and admire its extensive art collection, which includes Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Alternatively, explore the city on a guided bike ride. Enjoy free time in Vienna this afternoon. Those that wish may attend an optional concert this evening in one of Vienna’s iconic music venues (additional cost). (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 9 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour with folklore performance – Smithsonian
Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
Take a walking tour through the charming Old Town of Bratislava, once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, and attend a folklore performance with a string quartet at Primate’s Palace. Alternatively, sample local specialties on a “Tastes of Slovakia” tour or climb up to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 10 | Budapest | Buda city tour |
|
| | OR Jewish Heritage Tour with Synagogue - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
On a morning tour of Buda’s Castle District, take in views from the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion and admire the striking architecture of Matthias Church. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent monuments of Pest or visit the largest synagogue in Europe and see the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial on a Jewish history tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 11 | Budapest | Gödöllő Palace and Puszta excursion |
|
Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you will tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-drive world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century. (B,L,D)
Day 12 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion with Zsolnay Cultural Quarter visit - Smithsonian Journeys
Exclusive |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
| | OR Guided bike ride along the Danube |
|
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács and continue to historic Pécs. Venture underground to its fourth-century necropolis, a World Heritage site, and admire the exquisite interior of St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit a porcelain factory in the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, then stroll to the mosque on the main square. Alternatively, head to the 2,000-year-old Szekszárd wine region to sample its renowned reds or explore Mohács on a guided bike tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 13 | Vukovar | Vukovar City tour with Private Concert – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Osijek Tour with Ethnographic Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Arrive in Croatia and visit Vukovar on a city tour or a bike ride, discovering its baroque center that still bears scars from the war for independence in the 1990s. Cap off your tour with a private concert performed by local musicians at the Eltz Manor House. Alternatively explore Tvrda Fortress and the ethnographic museum in nearby Osijek. This afternoon, taste Croatian wines at Vukovar’s Old Cellars, or delve into the region’s human history at the Vucedol Museum. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 14 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | “Brandies of Belgrade” tasting with National Museum of Serbia guided visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Immerse yourself in vibrant Belgrade during a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum, Kalemegdan Fortress, and the sparkling Church of Saint Sava. Alternatively, go for a bike ride or hike to the fortress. Tour the National Museum of Serbia and enjoy a tasting of traditional plum brandy, or slivovitz, and local appetizers. Or journey to Novi Sad for a walking tour of its picturesque Old Town. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 15 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress with tasting of local fare |
|
| Scenic Cruising | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Follow the Danube as it winds into the mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Stop to visit Serbia’s Golubac Fortress, and sail through magnificent gorges known as the Iron Gates. Keep an eye out for the face of King Decebalus, carved into the mountains on the Romanian side. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 16 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
In Vidin, a town with Celtic roots, explore the medieval Baba Vida Fortress on a guided tour or go for a bike ride to the castle. Alternatively, visit a local home for lesson in making traditional Bulgarian yogurt and a popular pastry called banitsa. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 17 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion with Bulgarian wine tasting – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour with Rousee Art Gallery visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Discover Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, and enjoy a Bulgarian wine tasting. Or explore the architecture of Rousse before visiting the Rousse Art Gallery and the rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, 14th-century churches carved into the cliffs and adorned with colorful frescoes. Alternatively, journey through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest for a tour of the elegant historic center. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 18 | Giurgiu | RIVER CRUISE DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Arrive in the quaint mountain town of Bran where you will have lunch and visit the famous Bran castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle. After your tour of Bran Castle, you will continue to Braşov. Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Braşov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. (Meals: B)
Day 19 | Brasov | Sighisoara excursion |
|
Enjoy a walking tour around Braşov. Afterward, 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.” Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Brasov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. After returning from your excursion to Sighisoara you will enjoy a walk through history as you take a tour of Braşov’s Old town before ending at your hotel. (Meals: B)
Day 20 | Brasov | Peles Castle tour |
|
| Bucharest | Transfer to Bucharest |
|
En route to Bucharest, you’ll visit the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia you will visit Peles Castle. Peles Castle is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance with 160 rooms filled with priceless European art. After your tour of Peles Castle you will depart for Romania’s capital city of Bucharest. (Meals: B)
Day 21 | Bucharest | Old Town walking tour |
|
Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. This morning, set out on a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. You will observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. Bucharest’s eclectic architecture is a mix of historical, neo-classical, communist-era and modern buildings. Your guided tour will take you through the old town and show you the most popular places in Bucharest while hearing stories of its history and getting local insights for shopping and dining opportunities. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own. (Meals: B)
Day 22 | Bucharest | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your flight home. (Meals: 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 and its magical church spires via a city tour or a hike to Prague Castle. 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. (B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has been an important part of the Czech Republic since 993, when the first brewery was
established. Beer is vital to the country’s national identity, so much so that the Czechs are the biggest consumers
of beer in the world. Join a beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes Czech beer some of the best in the
world. (B)
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Regensburg |
|
| Regensburg | UNESCO city highlights tour |
|
| | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Regensburg. After a local highlights tour, drive to Vilshofen where you will board your ship. Later in the day, enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration – an AmaWaterways exclusive. (B,D)
| Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour with visit to local bakery – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
A morning cruise brings you to Passau, poised where the Danube meets the Inn and Ilz. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit a bakery to sample pretzels and chocolate, or hike into the hills above town for a visit to the Veste Oberhaus, a massive 13th-century fortress. Alternatively, go on a bike ride along the River Inn. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 6 | Linz | “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with visit to Mozart’s Birth House – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov and Linz excursion with beer tasting - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Dock in Linz and set out on your choice of excursion: Take a day trip to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, where you may join a walking tour of its UNESCO-designated Old Town. Or head to the Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov to discover its stunning architecture and the storybook Krumlov Castle. Alternatively, explore Linz on a guided walk or bike ride. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 7 | Weissenkirchen | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| | Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey with librarian exclusive - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Apricots, Sweets and Wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
Sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its wines. From Durnstein, choose a guided walk through the town followed by tour of nearby Melk Abbey, where you’ll meet a librarian to view meticulously restored medieval books. Instead, hike to Durnstein fortress, or ride a bike through the vineyards along the Danube. Later, gather for a tasting of local wines. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Kunst Historisches Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Belvedere Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Vienna City Tour by Bike |
|
Glide into Austria’s capital and see its imperial treasures, from the majestic Opera House to the grand City Hall. Combine your city tour with a guided visit to one of Vienna’s renowned art museums: opt for Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, where one of the world’s largest fine art collections is housed within a grand neoclassical building, or venture to the baroque Belvedere Palace, built as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1723, and admire its extensive art collection, which includes Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Alternatively, explore the city on a guided bike ride. Enjoy free time in Vienna this afternoon. Those that wish may attend an optional concert this evening in one of Vienna’s iconic music venues (additional cost). (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 9 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour with folklore performance – Smithsonian
Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
Take a walking tour through the charming Old Town of Bratislava, once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, and attend a folklore performance with a string quartet at Primate’s Palace. Alternatively, sample local specialties on a “Tastes of Slovakia” tour or climb up to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 10 | Budapest | Buda city tour |
|
| | OR Jewish Heritage Tour with Synagogue - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
On a morning tour of Buda’s Castle District, take in views from the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion and admire the striking architecture of Matthias Church. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent monuments of Pest or visit the largest synagogue in Europe and see the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial on a Jewish history tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 11 | Budapest | Gödöllő Palace and Puszta excursion |
|
Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you will tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-drive world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century. (B,L,D)
Day 12 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion with Zsolnay Cultural Quarter visit - Smithsonian Journeys
Exclusive |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
| | OR Guided bike ride along the Danube |
|
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács and continue to historic Pécs. Venture underground to its fourth-century necropolis, a World Heritage site, and admire the exquisite interior of St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit a porcelain factory in the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, then stroll to the mosque on the main square. Alternatively, head to the 2,000-year-old Szekszárd wine region to sample its renowned reds or explore Mohács on a guided bike tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 13 | Vukovar | Vukovar City tour with Private Concert – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Osijek Tour with Ethnographic Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Arrive in Croatia and visit Vukovar on a city tour or a bike ride, discovering its baroque center that still bears scars from the war for independence in the 1990s. Cap off your tour with a private concert performed by local musicians at the Eltz Manor House. Alternatively explore Tvrda Fortress and the ethnographic museum in nearby Osijek. This afternoon, taste Croatian wines at Vukovar’s Old Cellars, or delve into the region’s human history at the Vucedol Museum. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 14 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | “Brandies of Belgrade” tasting with National Museum of Serbia guided visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Immerse yourself in vibrant Belgrade during a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum, Kalemegdan Fortress, and the sparkling Church of Saint Sava. Alternatively, go for a bike ride or hike to the fortress. Tour the National Museum of Serbia and enjoy a tasting of traditional plum brandy, or slivovitz, and local appetizers. Or journey to Novi Sad for a walking tour of its picturesque Old Town. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 15 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress with tasting of local fare |
|
| Scenic Cruising | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Follow the Danube as it winds into the mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Stop to visit Serbia’s Golubac Fortress, and sail through magnificent gorges known as the Iron Gates. Keep an eye out for the face of King Decebalus, carved into the mountains on the Romanian side. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 16 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
In Vidin, a town with Celtic roots, explore the medieval Baba Vida Fortress on a guided tour or go for a bike ride to the castle. Alternatively, visit a local home for lesson in making traditional Bulgarian yogurt and a popular pastry called banitsa. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 17 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion with Bulgarian wine tasting – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour with Rousee Art Gallery visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Discover Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, and enjoy a Bulgarian wine tasting. Or explore the architecture of Rousse before visiting the Rousse Art Gallery and the rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, 14th-century churches carved into the cliffs and adorned with colorful frescoes. Alternatively, journey through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest for a tour of the elegant historic center. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 18 | Giurgiu | Disembarkation |
|
| Istanbul | Flight to Istanbul; hotel check-in |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and board a motorcoach to Bucharest where you will board your flight to Istanbul. Upon landing, check into your hotel. (B)
Admire the grandeur of the spectacular Ottoman Sultans’ Grand Palace of Topkapi, home to every Sultan from the 15th-19th centuries. During your tour, marvel at the private chambers of the Sultans, the Harem (women’s quarters) and the Imperial Treasury’s vast collection, including the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Dagger and the stunning 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond. (B)
Day 20 | Istanbul | Topkapi Palace & Harem |
|
Allow yourself to be led through Istanbul’s fascinating Old City, with its numerous Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. Admire the mighty defensive walls, the Roman aqueduct and the hippodrome, among other iconic sites. (B)
Day 21 | Istanbul | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Istanbul as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Munich | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Munich and check into your hotel.
| | Bavarian Beer Hall and pretzel tasting |
|
This morning you will tour Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany’s largest cities, as well as the undisputed beer capital of the world. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town through the city ending at the famous Glockenspiel, with its 43 bells and 32 life-size figures that portray historic scenes, such as a wedding celebration. You will also see Frauenkirche, the “Cathedral of Our Dear Lady.” Later in the day, do like the Bavarians do, and go to a Bavarian Beer Hall for the famous beer and pretzels. This is the cradle of Bavarian tavern culture, and the origin of tradition, “gemütlichkeit” and hospitality. (B)
Day 3 | Munich | Transfer to the ship |
|
| | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Vilshofen where you will board your luxury ship. Later in the day, attend an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (B,D)
| Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour with visit to local bakery – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
A morning cruise brings you to Passau, poised where the Danube meets the Inn and Ilz. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit a bakery to sample pretzels and chocolate, or hike into the hills above town for a visit to the Veste Oberhaus, a massive 13th-century fortress. Alternatively, go on a bike ride along the River Inn. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 5 | Linz | “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
| | OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with visit to Mozart’s Birth House – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov and Linz excursion with beer tasting - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Dock in Linz and set out on your choice of excursion: Take a day trip to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, where you may join a walking tour of its UNESCO-designated Old Town. Or head to the Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov to discover its stunning architecture and the storybook Krumlov Castle. Alternatively, explore Linz on a guided walk or bike ride. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 6 | Weissenkirchen | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| | Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey with librarian exclusive - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Apricots, Sweets and Wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
Sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its wines. From Durnstein, choose a guided walk through the town followed by tour of nearby Melk Abbey, where you’ll meet a librarian to view meticulously restored medieval books. Instead, hike to Durnstein fortress, or ride a bike through the vineyards along the Danube. Later, gather for a tasting of local wines. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 7 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Kunst Historisches Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | “Imperial Vienna” tour with Belvedere Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Vienna City Tour by Bike |
|
Glide into Austria’s capital and see its imperial treasures, from the majestic Opera House to the grand City Hall. Combine your city tour with a guided visit to one of Vienna’s renowned art museums: opt for Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, where one of the world’s largest fine art collections is housed within a grand neoclassical building, or venture to the baroque Belvedere Palace, built as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1723, and admire its extensive art collection, which includes Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Alternatively, explore the city on a guided bike ride. Enjoy free time in Vienna this afternoon. Those that wish may attend an optional concert this evening in one of Vienna’s iconic music venues (additional cost). (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 8 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour with folklore performance – Smithsonian
Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
Take a walking tour through the charming Old Town of Bratislava, once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, and attend a folklore performance with a string quartet at Primate’s Palace. Alternatively, sample local specialties on a “Tastes of Slovakia” tour or climb up to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 9 | Budapest | Buda city tour |
|
| | OR Jewish Heritage Tour with Synagogue - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
On a morning tour of Buda’s Castle District, take in views from the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion and admire the striking architecture of Matthias Church. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent monuments of Pest or visit the largest synagogue in Europe and see the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial on a Jewish history tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 10 | Budapest | Gödöllő Palace and Puszta excursion |
|
Visit the 19th-century Gödöllő Palace with its royal stables and Baroque theater, followed by lunch at Gödöllő Restaurant. Afterward, head for Puszta, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain where you will tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by the carriage-drive world champion brothers Lazar. Following the tour, witness a unique, unforgettable performance of Hungarian horsemanship, a tradition that goes back to the hordes of Magyar tribes conquering Hungary in the 9th century. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Mohacs | Pécs excursion with Zsolnay Cultural Quarter visit - Smithsonian Journeys
Exclusive |
|
| | OR Szekszárd wine tasting |
|
| | OR Guided bike ride along the Danube |
|
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise to Mohács and continue to historic Pécs. Venture underground to its fourth-century necropolis, a World Heritage site, and admire the exquisite interior of St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit a porcelain factory in the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, then stroll to the mosque on the main square. Alternatively, head to the 2,000-year-old Szekszárd wine region to sample its renowned reds or explore Mohács on a guided bike tour. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 12 | Vukovar | Vukovar City tour with Private Concert – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Osijek Tour with Ethnographic Museum visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Arrive in Croatia and visit Vukovar on a city tour or a bike ride, discovering its baroque center that still bears scars from the war for independence in the 1990s. Cap off your tour with a private concert performed by local musicians at the Eltz Manor House. Alternatively explore Tvrda Fortress and the ethnographic museum in nearby Osijek. This afternoon, taste Croatian wines at Vukovar’s Old Cellars, or delve into the region’s human history at the Vucedol Museum. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 13 | Belgrade | “The City by Two Rivers” tour |
|
| | OR Belgrade Fortress hike |
|
| | “Brandies of Belgrade” tasting with National Museum of Serbia guided visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Immerse yourself in vibrant Belgrade during a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum, Kalemegdan Fortress, and the sparkling Church of Saint Sava. Alternatively, go for a bike ride or hike to the fortress. Tour the National Museum of Serbia and enjoy a tasting of traditional plum brandy, or slivovitz, and local appetizers. Or journey to Novi Sad for a walking tour of its picturesque Old Town. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 14 | Iron Gates | Golubac Fortress with tasting of local fare |
|
| Scenic Cruising | Scenic Cruising – The Iron Gates |
|
Follow the Danube as it winds into the mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Stop to visit Serbia’s Golubac Fortress, and sail through magnificent gorges known as the Iron Gates. Keep an eye out for the face of King Decebalus, carved into the mountains on the Romanian side. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 15 | Vidin | Baba Vida Fortress and Vidin Walking Tour |
|
| | OR Banitsa pastry and yogurt tasting |
|
In Vidin, a town with Celtic roots, explore the medieval Baba Vida Fortress on a guided tour or go for a bike ride to the castle. Alternatively, visit a local home for lesson in making traditional Bulgarian yogurt and a popular pastry called banitsa. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 16 | Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo excursion with Bulgarian wine tasting – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
| | OR Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & Rousse Highlights Tour with Rousee Art Gallery visit – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive |
|
Discover Bulgaria’s ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, and enjoy a Bulgarian wine tasting. Or explore the architecture of Rousse before visiting the Rousse Art Gallery and the rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo, 14th-century churches carved into the cliffs and adorned with colorful frescoes. Alternatively, journey through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest for a tour of the elegant historic center. (Meals: B,L,D)
Day 17 | Giurgiu | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship in Giurgiu and continue to the legendary region of Transylvania, a place deeply rooted in myth and history. Arrive in the quaint mountain town of Bran where you will have lunch and visit the famous Bran castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle. After your tour of Bran Castle, you will continue to Braşov. Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Braşov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. (B)
Day 18 | Brasov | Sighisoara excursion |
|
Enjoy a walking tour around Braşov. Afterward, 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.” Considered the heart of Romania and surrounded by the beautiful Southern Carpathians, Brasov is one of the most visited cities in Romania. After returning from your excursion to Sighisoara you will enjoy a walk through history as you take a tour of Braşov’s Old town before ending at your hotel. (B)
Day 19 | Brasov | Peles Castle tour |
|
En route to Bucharest, you’ll visit the quaint mountain town of Sinaia. While in Sinaia you will visit Peles Castle. Peles Castle is considered by many to be one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance with 160 rooms filled with priceless European art. After your tour of Peles Castle you will depart for Romania’s capital city of Bucharest. (B)
Day 20 | Bucharest | Old Town walking tour |
|
Bucharest, Romania’s capital, has earned its nickname, the “Little Paris of the East,” with its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe. This morning, 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. Alternatively, you can set out on a walking tour through the historic old town of Bucharest. You will observe the many changes this capital city has experienced through a mixture of architectural styles and cultural influences. Bucharest’s eclectic architecture is a mix of historical, neo-classical, communist-era and modern buildings. Your guided tour will take you through the old town and show you the most popular places in Bucharest while hearing stories of its history and getting local insights for shopping and dining opportunities. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 21 | Bucharest | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Bucharest as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.