Fall in love with the Danube—with its charming small towns, scenic beauty, and exciting cities—on this river cruise vacation. Board your ship in Budapest and discover Slovakia’s vibrant capital of Bratislava, explore the quaint town of Dürnstein with its baroque Stiftskirche, visit Melk’s awe-inspiring Benedictine Abbey, and bask in the natural beauty of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your vacation ends in Vienna, the “City of Music,” where you’ll disembark.
Tour Name: A Taste of the Danube – Cruise Only Westbound
Fall in love with the Danube—with its charming small towns, scenic beauty, and exciting cities—on this river cruise vacation. Board your ship in Budapest and discover Slovakia’s vibrant capital of Bratislava, explore the quaint town of Dürnstein with its baroque Stiftskirche, visit Melk’s awe-inspiring Benedictine Abbey, and bask in the natural beauty of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Your vacation ends in Vienna, the “City of Music,” where you’ll disembark.
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. This afternoon, transfer to your ship and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)
Day : 2
Bratislava, Slovakia
Number of Days : 1
Relax on board this morning and marvel at the scenery on both banks of the Danube. As you cruise upriver, Hungary is on your left and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. At the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains is Bratislava, the dynamic capital of Slovakia. Join your LOCAL GUIDE to explore its fascinating Old Town, where winding cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways twist and turn to reveal the Town Hall, one of the oldest stone buildings in the city. Also visit gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL, coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 16th to 19th centuries. (B,L,D)
Day : 3
Dürnstein, Austria–Melk
Number of Days : 1
This morning our first stop is Dürnstein, situated in the heart of the Wachau wine region and best known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade. Above town are the ruins of the castle where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Explore this picturesque little town on your own or choose from a number of optional excursions. You may even want to hike up to the castle ruins for magnificent views of the town and river. Then, grab a drink and relax on your ship’s Sky Deck as you witness beautiful scenery on the way to Melk. Enjoy a guided tour of Melk’s magnificent 11th-century BENEDICTINE ABBEY, dominating the town from its commanding hill site and one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The abbey church houses stunning frescoed ceilings, marvelous statues, a large organ, and an ornate library with a large collection of medieval manuscripts. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! (B,L,D)
Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions with sparkling wine and canapés
Welcome dinner
Daily Afternoon Tea
Daily Night Fare
Farewell dinner
Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; soft drinks with lunch; and wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner are included daily on board your vessel
Special onboard and onshore experiences presented by entertainers, artisans, and experts, designed to enrich your cruise.Attend an onboard performance of Slovakian music favorites.
