Discover, Plan & Go!

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA for Czech Republic

Depart your hometown and fly through the night to Prague. Enjoy inflight entertainment as you start your cruising vacation.

Day 2: Arrive Prague

Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. The 1,000-year-old capital Prague is Europe’s best-preserved city, having escaped bombing during World War II. The River Vltava divides the city in two with the Castle Quarter and Little Quarter on the west and the Old Town and New Town on the east. These four areas were distinct towns until 1800 and the Charles Bridge, linking the two halves was the only bridge until 1850.

Day 3: Prague Touring

Take a half-day sightseeing tour to see the important places in the city center. Visit the Old Town Square to see the 13th century Town Hall with its intricate Astronomical Clock; Hradcany Castle, home to Czech rulers for over 1,000 years; St. Vitus’ Cathedral, which was started in 1344 and finally finished in 1929; and Charles Bridge, the statue-lined bridge linking the Old Town to the Castle Quarter. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. You have plenty of time to browse through the shops, relax in a café or restaurant, mix with the locals in Wenceslas Square or stroll alongside the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do in this exciting city. (BB)

Day 4: Prague at Leisure

Enjoy a full day on your own to discover more of this delightful city. With its long history, the city offers a wealth of museums, galleries, churches, palaces and gardens. You may like to visit St. Nicholas Church, built in the finest and most ornate high Baroque style. If you prefer something modern view the Dancing House, designed by the contemporary architect, Frank Gehry. There are plenty of cafés and bars where you may like to sit and watch the locals going about theirbusiness. Walk through Wenceslas Square with its huge equestrian statue in the center. Here you will find buildings of many different styles. (BB)

Day 5: Embark on your Ship

Depart Prague for the spa town of Karlovy Vary, for a city tour and free time. In the afternoon, drive to Nurnberg to transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship to discover the enchanting scenery on the banks of the River Danube. Step aboard for a welcome by your crew, who will help you prepare for an enchanting week of cruising. Settle into your cabin, which will be your home for the next week, and explore the facilities of the compact river ship. Tonight gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (BB, D)

Day 6: Nuremburg

Enjoy a tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it was restored to its original style. See the Hauptmarkt, the main market square; the Gothic Saint Sebald's Church; the German National Museum; toy and transportation museums; the house where the artist Albrecht Dürer lived; and extensive parts of the 15th century old city walls. A section of the University of Erlangen- Nürnberg is in the city. Nuremberg’s traditions include its famous spice cookies called Lebkuchen, toy-making and metal working. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Medieval Regensburg

This morning takes you through the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal. In 1992 an important canal link from the Rhine to the Danube River was completed, through the Main River, which opened up shipping between the North Sea and Black Sea, a distance of 2176 miles. Tour Regensburg, considered one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany. The Romans utilized the community as a fortress city from the 2nd to the 5th century and you will see the Porta Praetoria - gateway to an ancient Roman fort built in179 AD. Also see the Old Town Hall, dating from the 14th century and many medieval houses and monuments. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Passau or Salzburg

Cruise to Passau, where the Rivers Inn and Ilzjoin the Danube. Built on a narrow rocky tongueof land between the Danube and the Inn,Passau faces the wooded cliffs and the fortressof Oberhaus on the left bank of the Danube.Passau originated as an ancient Celtic settlement,later became a Roman military camp and was an important commercial and religious center during the Middle Ages. Enter Austria at the town of Linz. If you wish, take an optional full day excursion to fascinating Salzburg. Salzburg was the birthplace of Mozart and is the site of internationally famous music and drama festivals. Salt mining has historically been important to the city and today it is full of charming houses and quaint streets. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Melk & Vienna

Dock in Melk this morning and take a guided tour of Melk Abbey, one of Europe's great sights. Established as a fortified Benedictine abbey in the 11th century, it was destroyed by fire so that what you see today is 18th-century Baroque and restored in 1996. Cruise through the Wachau Valley, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its steep hills, baroque villages, ancient monuments, and over 50 wineries, the valley will captivate you. Reach Vienna where you may explore the city a little on your own after dinner. Until World War I Vienna was the capital of the mighty Hapsburg Empire. The historic city center lies between the Danube Canal and Ringstrasse, built by Emperor Frank Josef in the 1860’s. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Vienna Highlights

Sightseeing includes the Hofburg Palace, Hapsburg residence from the 13th century to 1918, which today is headquarters of the Spanish Riding School and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. See the world-famous Vienna State Opera House and the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its colorful ceramic roof tiles. You will have free time to browse around the shops in Kärntnerstrasse or you may wish to visit the Sacher Café, where the famous Sachertorte was first created. Rejoin your ship and enjoy some leisure time on board, gliding past outstanding scenery. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Explore Budapest

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour to see the principal places of interest in this city of over two million. See some of the seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elizabeth Bridges, which connect Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. In Buda see Castle Hill where the Royal Palace complex is located. View the Danube and Pest from the viewing terrace of the Fisherman’s Bastion. View the historic Matthias Church with its Gothic architecture and beautiful stainedglass windows. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the pedestrianized Vaci utca, stroll along the Danube Embankment or try some of the baths for which the city is famous. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Depart Budapest

Your fascinating cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your vacation and stay in Budapest. (B)