The Legendary Danube

Day 1 Prague

Travel to Prague where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay at the Intercontinental Prague, Hilton Prague or Andel’s by Vienna House Prague (or similar).

Day 2 Prague
Meals included: Breakfast

Included today: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds. Prague is a 1,200 year old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures on a guided walking tour, including the Old Town’s astronomical clock, Hradcany Castle grounds, St Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books, mingle with the locals in Wenceslas Square, an important meeting point and the site of famous demonstrations against the communist regime, or watch performers on Charles Bridge.

Day 3 Prague
Meals included: Breakfast

A free day for you to explore the city at leisure. Perhaps visit the Communist Museum; sample the local plum dumplings and Pilsner; stroll along the banks of the Vltava River; discover the Jewish Quarter; or wander around Prague’s medieval Old Town, dating from the 10th century. Your Cruise Director will have lots of suggestions for things to do.

Day 4 Prague – Nuremberg (Embarkation)
Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

After lunch, drive to Nuremberg, where your cruise ship is docked. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.

Day 5 Nuremberg
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Included today: Choice of guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour. Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. This morning, you can either choose to go on a guided sightseeing tour and marvel at this thousand year old city’s medieval fortifications, extraordinary Gothic churches and the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), or join a more specialised Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour.

Day 6 Regensburg
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Included today: Guided walk; beer tasting Arrive in Regensburg today. Dating back to the time of the Celts around 500 BC, Regensburg is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Established during the Holy Roman Empire and the only German city not bombed during World War II, Regensburg has at least 1,300 listed buildings of historic interest. Architectural highlights of your guided walk include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), built in the 13th century, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in AD179. Wander through the city’s lanes and alleys to discover the many mansions with high towers. Wealthy families built these towers to emphasise their status and wealth during the Middle Ages, and many still remain today. Walk across the 12th-century Steinerne Brcke (Stone Bridge), the oldest of its kind in Germany. Grab a beer and enjoy an included snack at the Historische Wurstkche (Old Sausage Kitchen), one of Germany’s oldest restaurants. Bask in the vibrant atmosphere and take in the remarkable views along the river. Before dinner we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s famous beers.

Day 7 Passau
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Included today: Guided walk in Passau. This morning, dock in Passau located where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers converge. Passau is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful patrician houses dominated by St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque architecture. Take in the highlights on an included guided walk. Alternatively, choose from several full day optional excursions while your ship continues to sail into Austria. Rejoin your vessel in the late afternoon.

Day 8 Melk Vienna
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Included today: Guided visit to the Benedictine Abbey. This morning, enjoy an included guided visit of Melk’s magnificent 11th-century Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The abbey houses an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and 2,000 manuscripts. You’ll be captivated by the splendour of the church with its frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues, and 210-foot-high cupola. The view from the terrace of the abbey over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breath-taking! Then, cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue facade, the landmark of Drnstein, before arriving in Vienna this evening. Known as the ‘City of Music’,it inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. An optional concert is available tonight.

Day 9 Vienna
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Included today: Guided sightseeing. Once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. It is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex, with its Vienna Boys’ Choir and Lipizzaner stallions, the impressive Neo-Renaissance Vienna Opera House, and awe-inspiring St Stephen’s Cathedral which you will be shown on your included city tour with a local guide. Stroll on the Krntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrdel in a classic Viennese coffee house. This afternoon, set sail for Budapest.

Day 10 Budapest
Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Included today: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion and Heroes’ Square Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s liveliest cities. Today’s guided city tour takes in the massive hilltop castle complex, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. This afternoon, explore this vibrant city at your own pace, perhaps strolling across the famed Chain Bridge, a symbol of Budapest built in 1849 that connects ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. Or visit St Stephen’s Basilica, shop at the Great Market Hall to purchase paprika and embroidery, or stroll along Vac Utca main shopping street.

Day 11 Budapest (Disembarkation)
Meals included: Breakfast

Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.