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Africa. New!
Stars of Africa
African Sunset
Gold Trails of Africa

Holland’s Waterways
Tulip Time Cruise

The Rhine

Vineyards of The Rhine & Mosel
Europe’s Rivers and Castles
The Enchanting Rhine
Christmas on the Rhine

The Danube
The Romantic Danube
The Legendary Danube
Blue Danube Discovery
Black Sea Voyage
Christmas Time Cruise
Melodies of Danube

The Rhine & The Danube
Magnificent Europe
Grand Danube Cruise

French Waterways
Provence Spain
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Jewels of France

Douro River
Enticing Douro
Port Wine & Flamenco

The Volga River
Russian Waterways

The Mekong River
Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong

The Romantic Danube

Spend 3 nights in Prague, then enjoy a fascinating cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest
12 Days w Fly to Prague and return from Budapest

Framed by Austrian Alps, lush vineyards, and medieval castles, the Danube River casts the lure of romance that has caught many artists, musicians, and poets throughout the centuries. Travel through each of these captivating cities, beginning with a 3-night stay in fairytale Prague followed with 7 nights on the timeless Danube River from Vilshofen to Budapest. Explore a 2,000-year- old city and visit Europe’s largest pipe organ, savour local wines throughout the Wachau Valley, and have your senses heightened with the timeless beauty and rich history of Vienna and Budapest.

Itinerary

 

DAY 1, DEPART CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Prague, Czech Republic.

DAY 2, ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.

DAY 3, PRAGUE
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic city center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Wenceslas Square and the Metronome overlooking the Vltava River before arriving at the1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle for a visit. Afterwards, walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions. (B)

DAY 4, PRAGUE
Spend a day at your leisure or participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B)

DAY 5, PRAGUE – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN
This morning, depart Prague and stop in Regensburg for a guided walking tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on your own, continue to the charming 1200-year-old Bavarian town of Vilshofen, where you will embark your luxurious ship. Later this afternoon, join your fellow passengers to celebrate “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches, enjoy traditional beers accompanied by Bavarian folk music, song and dance. (B,D)

DAY 6, VILSHOFEN – PASSAU
This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before you cruise to Passau, where this afternoon you will have your choice of two different excursions. The first option is to take a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old fairy tale city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative, experience this majestic city on a guided bike tour along the Inn River to Weinstein (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

DAY 7, LINZ, AUSTRIA – GMUNDEN
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your walking tour guides you along the Landstrasse, to the city’s Main Square where you will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, the Landes Theatre and St. Martin’s Church, the oldest church in Austria. Return to the ship for brunch. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The fi rst 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 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, MELK – KREMS (DÜRNSTEIN)
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau this morning to Melk. A guided tour will take you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. From here, continue cruising the beautiful Wachau valley to Krems. You will have the choice of two excursions this afternoon. The first is a motor coach ride to Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour of the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche high above town. As an alternative, enjoy a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein and back (capacity controlled). Tonight, after dinner on board, enjoy wine tasting at a local winery. Enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, VIENNA
During your morning city tour of Vienna, you will see the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll through the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take an optional tour to the Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in the “Music Capital of the World.” The ship moors in Vienna overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 10, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise to Bratislava, where you can choose from a walking tour which includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, you can take a “Communist History Tour” of Bratislava, which includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and Soviet War Memorial. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
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 much more. After dinner, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. (B,L,D)

DAY 12, BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

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

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Daily Program Features

DAY DESTINATION ACTIVITIES
   
1 Overnight flight to Czech Republic
2 Prague Hotel check-in
3 Prague City tour
4 Prague Free time
5 Prague Transfer to Regensburg
Regensburg Walking tour
Vilshofen EMBARKATION
“Oktoberfest” Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
6 Vilshofen Free Time
Passau Walking tour
7 Linz Walking tour
OR Gmunden excursion
OR Cesky Krumlov excursion
OR Salzburg excursion
8 Melk Benedictine Abbey; Wachau Valley cruise
Krems Dürnstein walking tour
OR guided bicycle tour
Wine tasting
9 Vienna City tour; Optional evening concert
10 Bratislava Walking tour OR Communist tour
11 Budapest City tour & Illuminations Cruise
12 Budapest DISEMBARKATION

NOTE: Guided bicycle tours are capacity controlled.

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