Follow the Danube from southern Germany to Hungary, passing through three culturally rich Central European capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. Kick off your Cruising the Upper Danube: Romantic Ports from Bavaria to Budapest journey in style with an Oktoberfest celebration in the German port town of Vilshofen. Visit picturesque Passau, set at the junction of three rivers, and continue to Linz, where you’ll have the option to visit the World Heritage sites of Salzburg or Český Krumlov. Sail through the stunning Wachau Valley, stopping to sample wine and tour Melk Abbey, and spend a day in Vienna discovering its grand architecture and world-class art museums. Plus, enjoy specially curated tours at Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and Vienna’s Kunsthistoriches Museum, 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.
Follow the Danube from southern Germany to Hungary, passing through three culturally rich Central European capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. Kick off your Cruising the Upper Danube: Romantic Ports from Bavaria to Budapest journey exploring Munich’s rich brewing history and Old Town, then start your river cruise in style with an Oktoberfest celebration in the German port town of Vilshofen. Visit picturesque Passau, set at the junction of three rivers, and continue to Linz, where you’ll have the option to visit the World Heritage sites of Salzburg or Český Krumlov. Sail through the stunning Wachau Valley, stopping to sample wine and tour Melk Abbey, and spend a day in Vienna discovering its grand architecture and world-class art museums. Plus, enjoy specially curated tours at Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and Vienna’s Kunsthistoriches Museum, 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.
Those longing for the romance of Old World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of the continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest forever remain timeless. Admire the beauty of Salzburg or the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Český Krumlov. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor.
Romantic Danube (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 | EMBARKATION |
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| | 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 | Scenic Cruising | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| Weissenkirchen | 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 Kunsthistoriches Museum guided tour and
visit to Belvedere – 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 |
|
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 | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B)
Day 1 | Munich | Hotel check-in |
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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. (Meals: B)
Day 3 | Munich | Transfer to the ship |
|
| | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Vilshofen,
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 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 | Scenic Cruising | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| Weissenkirchen | 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 Kunsthistoriches Museum guided tour and
visit to Belvedere – 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 |
|
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 | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark after breakfast 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 |
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Experience the wonders of Prague and its historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on your city tour or you can hike to the grand castle. See Rudolfinum and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock. (Meals: B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (Meals: B)
*Czech beer tasting may take place on Day 2 or Day 3 of this itinerary
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Regensburg |
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| Regensburg | UNESCO city highlights tour |
|
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you’ll 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 Vilshofen, 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 | Scenic Cruising | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| Weissenkirchen | 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 Kunsthistoriches Museum guided tour and
visit to Belvedere – 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 |
|
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 | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Meals: B)