Melodies of the Danube

12 days- fly to Budapest and return from Munich

Travel on the beautiful Danube through four European countries. Experience sights and sounds hat have long inspired musicians, poets and artists. Begin your cruise in magnificent Budapest, continuing on to historic Bratislava and legendary Vienna, the birthplace of the waltz. Cruise through the scenic wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley.  Visit a spectacular Benedictine Abbey; explore the Austrian Lake District and fairy-tale cities founded more than 2.000 years ago. Conclude your journey with three nights in magnificent Munich.

Itinerary

DAY 1, DEPART /CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

DAY 2, ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception followed by dinner. (D)

DAY 3, BUDAPEST
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square and more. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)

DAY 4, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. You have your choice of two tours today. The first option is a walking tour of the city’s major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, choose a “Communist Tour” that includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. Later, you will have some free time before the ship cruises to Vienna, the music capital of the world. After dinner, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, VIENNA
Savor the Baroque elegance of romantic Vienna during your guided sightseeing tour, which will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. After dinner, experience a traditional “Viennese Wine and Music” evening in a wine village near Vienna. Enjoy the year’s newest vintage, surrounded by music and hospitality. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, DÜRNSTEIN – MELK
This morning arrive in Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour along the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the baroque Stiftskirche. Your tour will also include a wine tasting at a local vintner, where you will enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. As an alternative, explore the majestic Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour from Dürnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). The ship arrives in Melk this afternoon, where you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. The ship moors overnight in Melk. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, LINZ – GMUNDEN
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your walking tour will take you along the Landstrasse to the city’s main square. You will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, Landestheatre and St. Martin’s, the oldest church in Austria. Return to the ship for brunch. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region, the Austrian Lake District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic town of Gmunden, on the shore of Lake Traunsee. The second option is to join an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This is a wonderfully preserved medieval town, nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third choice this afternoon is an excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. Enjoy free time on your own, before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, PASSAU, GERMANY – VILSHOFEN
Early this morning, cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Your city tour takes you on an exploration of this fairy-tale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. Highlights include St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative, explore the city on a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). This afternoon, the ship cruises to Vilshofen, a charming 1200-year-old Bavarian town on the confluence of the river Vils and the Danube. There, you’ll enjoy “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches, sampling local food and beer accompanied by Bavarian folk music, song and dance. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, VILSHOFEN – DISEMBARK - REGENSBURG – MUNICH
This morning, disembark your ship in Vilshofen, and depart for Munich. Stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, where you will enjoy a walking tour. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Regensburg’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before continuing your motor coach transfer to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Located north of the Bavarian Alps on the river Isar, Munich is Germany’s third-largest city. With a history that dates back to the middle Ages, Munich is an important industrial, educational and cultural center. It is also famous for its breweries, beer gardens and attractions such as Oktoberfest. (B)

DAY 10, MUNICH
This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of Munich followed by a walking tour of the Old Town. Begin at the town center where you can see the famous Glockenspiel at Munich’s New Town Hall and the Frauenkirche, the “Cathedral of Our Lady.” The afternoon is free for you to explore Munich on your own. (B)

DAY 11, MUNICH
Your excursion begins with a scenic drive through the Bavarian Alps to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, inspiration for the “Sleeping Beauty” Castle. The palace was built in the 19th century by “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria, as an homage to the grandiose operas of composer Richard Wagner. After a tour of the castle, visit Fussen, Bavaria’s highest town, known for St. Mang’s Abbey, where you will have free time for lunch before returning to Munich. (B)

DAY 12, DEPART MUNICH
Bid farewell to Munich and transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner

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DAY DESTINATION ACTIVITIES 1 Overnight flight to Hungary 2 Budapest EMBARKATION Welcome Cocktail & Dinner 3 Budapest City tour 4 Bratislava Walking tour OR Communist tour Vienna Heuriger Evening 5 Vienna City tour Optional evening concert 6 Dürnstein Walking tour & wine tasting Wachau Valley cruise OR guided bicycle tour Melk Benedictine Abbey tour 7 Linz Walking tour OR Gmunden excursion OR Cesky Krumlov excursion OR Salzburg excursion 8 Passau Walking tour Optional Munich excursion Vilshofen “Oktoberfest” 9 Vilshofen DISEMBARKATION Regensburg Walking tour; transfer to Munich 10 Munich Walking tour 11 Munich Neuschwanstein Castle; Bavarian Alps 12 Munich Airport transfer Note: Guided bicycle tours are capacity controlled

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