Activities

Day 2 Budapest

9:30am–12:30pm

Budapest City Tour (morning)

Following a brief drive to the foot of Budapest’s Castle Hill, follow your guide on a walking tour through Dózsa György Square and through the city’s Castle District. Marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gazing upon the breathtaking panorama of Budapest below. You will also see Matthias Church, which has been standing atop Castle Hill since the 11th century where it was once used as the coronation site of Hungarian kings. The church is renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof.

9:00am–12:30pm

OR Budapest Castle Hill Hike (morning)

As an alternative to the panoramic city tour of Budapest, the more active guest may choose instead to venture up to the Castle Hill district by foot to see Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle. Overlooking the city, Buda Castle sits 160 feet above the Danube and offers a beautiful view of the city below.

2:30pm–5:15pm

Budapest – Pest City Tour (afternoon)

Explore the treasures of the “Pest” side of Budapest, discovering its history and landmarks alongside your knowledgeable guide. United with “Buda” in 1873, this region of Hungary’s capital city grew to become a thriving center for the country’s administrative affairs and economic expansion. Take in the cultural influences of its intriguing history during your guided tour.

Day 3 Bratislava

2:15pm–3:45pm

BRATISLAVA - "Coronation City" Walking Tour

Nicknamed “Beauty on the Danube,” Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in the world, having been Slovakia’s since just 1993. Its history, however, spans the centuries. In fact, it was once the capital of the kingdom of Hungary and crowned 11 kings. This walking tour brings this rich history to life. You’ll see all the major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Rococo-style Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, which features underground catacombs. As you walk through town, keep an eye out for some of the whimsical sculptures lining the streets of the Old Town, Main Square and the historical National Theater, such as Cumil, who appears from a manhole or Schoene Naci, which is a tribute to one of Bratislava’s unique characters. You’ll also see the preserved Michael’s Gate, the only surviving example of the original four entrances to the city.

2:15pm–4:15pm

OR Tastes of Slovakia

Enjoy the opportunity to savor some local Slovakian craft beer at a local brew pub. During a brief walk through the heart of Bratislava, hear about a new wave of independent microbreweries and pubs, often hidden down the back streets and putting the city on the beer-drinkers' map. You will enjoy a local beer tasting paired with typical Slovakian snacks including Slovak cheese and sausage.

2:15pm–4:15pm

OR Bratislava Castle Hike

Gleaming Bratislava Castle presides from above the city. As an alternative to the walking tour, the more active guest may choose instead to venture through the city up to the castle. Along the way, you'll see such sights as the tree-lined Hviezdoslav Square, the narrow House of the Good Shepherd, Michael's Gate and the Old Town Hall. Once at the castle, you'll enjoy picture-worthy views across the magnificent city.

Day 4 Vienna

9:00am-12:15pm

VIENNA - "Imperial Vienna" City Tour (morning)

The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the city’s historic center, rich in architectural marvels. You’ll also see the majestic Ringstrasse, Vienna’s famed ring road, lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.

9:15am–12:15pm

OR Vienna City Tour by Bike (morning)

Join your friendly guide for a thrilling bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the fascinating city of Vienna. Along the way, you’ll traverse a bridge, cycle across a meadow and head to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse boulevard, taking in such iconic sites as the distinctive domed Karlsplatz Church, the elegant State Opera House and the royal Habsburgs’ Imperial Palace. Enjoy some free time in the city, perhaps to try some sacher torte, shop for souvenirs or take photos. Then, follow your guide on a new path back to the ship that may include opportunities to see City Hall, the local university, Börse Palais concert hall, the giant ferris wheel and more.

2:30pm–6:00pm

Vienna Afternoon Shuttle

Rotating shuttle between ship and Schwedenplatz.

7:30pm–10:30pm

Optional Mozart & Strauss Concert - Evening (additional cost)

There is no finer place to attend a classical concert than in Vienna, the “Music Capital of the World.” This unforgettable experience will be a mixture of the most popular compositions of Vienna’s favorite and most famed composers – as presented by local musicians.

Day 5 Weissenkirchen

9:00am–1:30pm

WEISSENKIRCHEN - Melk Abbey Visit & Durnstein Walking Tour (morning)

After a brief motorcoach ride from the ship, enjoy a walking tour through Dürnstein’s medieval cobblestone streets, 16th-century town houses, wine taverns and the blue facade of the Baroque Abbey Church. Next, you will visit the Melk Abbey, the magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Your tour includes the famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. The library served as the inspiration for Umberto Eco’s classic novel “The Name of the Rose” as well as fresco paintings by Johann Michel Rottmayr and Paul Troger. It is also noted for its famed collection of musical manuscripts. After your tour, you will return to the ship docked in Ybbs.

9:00am–1:30pm

OR Dürnstein Walking Tour, Wine Tasting and Apricots and Sweets Tasting (morning)

Situated in the heart of the magnificent Wachau Valley, on the banks of the mighty Danube, the charming town of Dürnstein offers a unique combination of breath-taking scenery, traditional architecture, and places of historic interest. Your walking tour through the medieval cobble-stoned streets reveals 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the luminous blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, Dürnstein’s famed church cloister tower, considered the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria. High above town, you’ll spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Finish your tour with a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner. After, you could choose to enjoy some free time or join the Apricots and Sweets tasting.

9:00am–1:30pm

OR Dürnstein Fortress Hike (morning)

9:00am–1:30pm

OR Weissenkirchen to Melk Bike Tour (morning)

1:30pm

Scenic Cruising through the Strudengau Valley

Afternoon on the river; on-deck treats & activities while cruising.

4:30pm–6:00pm

Grein – Exclusive Castle Visit

Enjoy an evening walk through the quaint Austrian town of Grein. On your tour, you will visit the historic Castle Greinburg, Austria’s oldest residential castle which overlooks the Danube River. Meander through the beautifully decorated “Rooms of the Ducal Family,” which house numerous priceless works of art collected over the centuries by the many rulers who called this castle their home. You will also have the opportunity to see the mysterious “Sala Terrena,” a theater within the castle, decorated floor to ceiling with a pebble mosaic dating back to 1625.

Day 6 Linz

9:00am–5:30pm

LINZ - SALZBURG Long Version (Full Day)

Your full day excursion begins this morning with a drive from Linz towards Salzburg, an utterly charming Austrian town. Once in Salzburg, begin the walking tour in the historic center, famous for its religious history, Baroque architecture and as the birthplace of Mozart. Highlights of the tour include the beautifully landscaped Mirabell Gardens, the Getreidegasse with its many decorative wrought iron guild signs, Residenz Square and the Old Market. Enjoy free time on your own to explore Salzburg Cathedral, where Mozart once served as court organist and composed numerous works of sacred music, or venture upwards to the never conquered Hohensalzburg Fortress looming on the bluffs above, for a taste of medieval history and architecture, complete with expansive views of the breathtaking scenery surrounding the city. As you will be away from the ship for a full day with this option, lunch will not be provided, but you will have ample free time to enjoy one of Salzburg’s many fine restaurants.

9:00am–5:30pm

OR Český Krumlov Excursion & Linz Walking Tour (Full Day)

NOTE: U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book for this trip. Allow up to eight weeks to obtain a new or renewed passport. Your passport MUST have at least six (6) months validity from the date you will be returning to the United States. Please refer to The U.S. Department of State website for additional information on obtaining a passport www.travel.state.gov.

Notice on COVID-19

Please understand the contagious nature of COVID-19 and by entering the airplane to embark on this trip you voluntarily assume the risk that you may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 while traveling. Such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and possible death. By embarking on this journey you voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to yourself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind.

As travel opens around the world, all destinations, airports, air carriers, hotels, restaurants, transfer companies, car rental companies, shops and excursions have established COVID-19 safety measures and precautions which may change from day to day. These safety measures may include, but are not limited to: curfews, attraction closings and reduced hours, size of group gatherings, social distancing requirements, health screenings, self-quarantine requirements and COVID test results. By embarking on this trip, you agree that you are ultimately responsibility for yourself and your traveling party to have all the necessary provisions for travel (such as COVID test results, pre-travel questionnaires, etc.) Moreover, you understand that you are responsible for the necessary documents (such as COVID test results, pre-travel questionnaires, etc.) considering COVID-19, in order to travel to the above stated destination.