|
Day 1,
Thu. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to Budapest.
Day 2,
Fri. ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the
day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city.
Day 3,
Sat. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Morning sightseeing includes historic Buda Castle, where you have
a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over
both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year old
Matthias Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica, distinctive Fisherman’s
Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of
the day is at leisure. Perhaps explore the main square, ancient
Buda, or stroll through the Statue Park. (B)
Day 4,
Sun. BUDAPEST / EMBARK SHIP.
Enjoy a free morning in Budapest. This afternoon transfer to your
luxurious river cruise ship docked in the center of the city. Step
aboard and settle in for an enchanting week of cruising. Tonight
gather on board for a Gala Welcome Dinner with Gypsy violinists. (B,D)
Day 5,
Mon. BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA.
Arrive in Slovakia today. A guided tour of Bratislava, Slovakia’s
capital, reveals the city’s major sights. From imposing 13th
century Bratislava Castle, you will enjoy breathtaking views
overlooking three countries – Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. Your
afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Tonight enjoy an
evening music performance on board. (B,L,D)
Day 6,
Tue. VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
Arrive after breakfast and enjoy a day in captivating Vienna. A
sightseeing tour includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House,
Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Then a free afternoon to
stroll along Kärntnerstrasse or sample Vienna’s famous pastries.
Tonight explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come
along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D)
Day 7,
Wed. DÜRNSTEIN / MELK.
Cruise through the Wachau Valley this morning. Stop in Dürnstein
and marvel at the Baroque Stiftskirche. Above town you will spot
the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of
England, was imprisoned in 1192. At lunchtime, continue on a short
cruise to Melk.
A guided tour takes you to the town’s magnificent Benedictine
Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. An evening
wine tasting highlights your visit to the lovely Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
Day 8,
Thu. LINZ / PASSAU, GERMANY.
After breakfast, take an optional full day excursion to
fascinating Salzburg and its Sound of Music sights, or cruise
through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the Rivers Inn
and Ilz join the Danube. At dinnertime, depart for Regensburg. (B,L,D)
Day 9,
Fri. REGENSBURG / DANUBE GORGE.
Morning arrival in beautiful Regensburg. A guided tour will show
you the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town
Hall, and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort
built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the
oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Later, continue up the Danube
to Kelheim, where you will embark on a boat trip through the
lovely Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. (B,L,D)
Day 10,
Sat. NUREMBERG.
This morning enter the Main-Danube Canal and cruise through the
beautiful Altmuhl Valley. The Main-Danube Canal straddles the
Franconian Alps via 16 locks, truly a fascinating feat of modern
engineering. After lunch, a short drive brings you to Nuremberg,
the capital of Franconia. Enjoy a guided tour of this historic
city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician
houses. See the 900-year old ramparts that surround the city, the
Imperial Castle and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes
Tribunal sat in 1946. Moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,L,D)
Day 11,
Sun. NUREMBERG / PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Prague. After checking
in to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 12,
Mon. PRAGUE.
This morning, sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of
Europe’s most attractive cities. See thousand-year-old Hradcany
Castle, the Old Town, the Jewish ghetto and many other sights. The
afternoon and evening are free to mix with the locals at
Wenceslaus Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming
cafés or restaurants. (B)
Day 13,
Tue. PRAGUE.
A relaxing day to wander along the banks of the Vltava River,
relax at an outdoor restaurant, or shop for local handicrafts and
art work. (B)
Day 14, Wed. DEPART PRAGUE.
Bid farewell to Prague and transfer to the airport for your return
flight home. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your
stay in Europe. (B)
|
