River Cruise – The Jewels of the Danube

In flight.

Arrival in Budapest and transfer from the airport to your hotel.

Welcome to Hungary and its dynamic capital, Budapest. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city was unified in 1873 when a newly constructed bridge connected the two. The city is an architectural treasure encompassing styles ranging from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between.

Transfer from the hotel to the ship.

This afternoon is free for you to settle into your luxurious room aboard your all-inclusive luxury ship. Most suites feature an all-season balcony that transforms into a panoramic sun lounge, allowing you to enjoy a view to witness a rolling tapestry of river life during your Danube cruise.

Departure: 5 PM

The diverse city of Budapest is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its thermal baths and vibrant nightlife, dotted with Roman ruins, Gothic buildings, bohemian cafés, world-class operas, and a historic Jewish quarter where the scars of World War II remain visible to this day.

Choice of Scenic activities offered for the day:

• In-depth Budapest: Explore this magical city by coach. Visit Buda and Pest, the two districts separated by the Danube that make up the city. Starting from the Buda side, visit the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side where you will see Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square. Conclude your tour with a fascinating piano recital at the Institute for the Blind.
• The Jewish History of Budapest: Discover Jewish history on a guided tour with an expert local guide and learn more about the important events in Jewish history that have shaped today’s culture. The tour includes the synagogue, cemetery, memorial park, and a guided tour of the Jewish museum (not available on Saturdays).
• Excursion to Szentendre: Travel to the riverside town of Pest county, Szentendre. Known for its museums, galleries, and artists, this charming town will captivate you on a guided tour.
• Guided hike to Buda Hill: Lace up your walking shoes for a lovely hike to the world heritage-listed site of Buda Hill. During your walk, discover the Várkert Bazár and its beautiful landscaped gardens, while enjoying stunning views of the Danube and the city’s architecture.

Your ship will not leave Budapest until later in the evening, giving you free time to explore the city on your own. Prepare your swimsuit and head to one of Budapest’s thermal baths to relax in the therapeutic waters, or perhaps explore the Central Market Hall, the largest market in the city, built in a neo-Gothic style, for a combination of shopping and sightseeing. You can also visit the famous ruin bars in the Jewish quarter, located in old, abandoned buildings that have remained in ruins since World War II.

Today, perhaps wake up with a coffee delivered to your cabin by your personal butler. After breakfast, relax on the SunDeck while we sail towards Vienna, or perhaps head to the exclusive Salt Therapy lounge, which offers natural antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Since gaining independence in 1993, Bratislava has been the capital of Slovakia and is a modern multicultural metropolis with a fascinating history. Its old town is glorified by its medieval and gothic architecture, as well as its well-preserved perched castle, whose history dates back to the 9^th century, still dominating the city. These charming historical sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, evident throughout the city.

Choice of Scenic activities offered for the afternoon:

• Walking tour of Bratislava: Explore Bratislava with an experienced local guide to see all the highlights of the city, such as the Hlavné námestie, the main square, and the old town hall, while discovering the city’s history, including daily life during the Iron Curtain era, the political boundary that divided Europe after World War II.
• Slovak Wines: Slovak wines are quite young, but experts worldwide are beginning to praise their flavor and quality. After the fall of communism, new winemakers emerged on the banks of the Danube and throughout the country, taking advantage of the cool climate and optimal soils. Embark on a journey through the different regions of Slovakia while tasting various wines in one of Bratislava’s cellars.

Vienna is the imperial capital of Austria – a city full of grandeur, featuring the world’s most beautiful boulevard, the Ringstrasse, and the heritage of the Habsburg monarchy. Also known as the City of Music, Vienna has hosted, among others, the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven. Sigmund Freud also lived and worked here at the end of the 19^th century.

Scenic activity choices offered for the day:

• Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, one of the most important dynasties in European history. Stroll through its countless richly decorated rooms, evoke the royal family that lived here, and admire the impressive gardens.
• Cycle to the Danube Island: Discover a different side of Vienna during a guided electric bicycle tour on the Danube Island, a recreational playground where locals come to swim, boat, and relax on its beaches and open spaces.
• Vienna Center with extended free time: The city center of Vienna is full of history, elegance, and diverse architecture. During this visit, your expert local guide will delight you with stories of the city before giving you free time to explore at your leisure.
• Belvedere Museum: Visit one of Europe’s most stunning baroque landmarks and explore the largest collection of Austrian art, dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. This collection is complemented by works of international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Max Beckmann.

This afternoon is free for you to stroll around Vienna, so perhaps join the provided shuttle to the city center or simply relax aboard the ship.

Paid excursion ($):

• Classical concert at Liechtenstein Palace: Tonight, breathe in the opulence and luxury of the Liechtenstein Palace while enjoying an exclusive private classical concert. Savor a glass of Austrian Sekt and listen to the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra. This is an experience to share only with your fellow invited Scenic travelers. You will be seated in Vienna’s largest secular baroque hall, an opulent space where members of the royal family and nobles have sat for centuries. Accompanied by ballet dancers and singers, and surrounded by world-renowned artworks, this will be a concert you will remember for a lifetime.

Your ship will dock this morning in the picturesque town of Dürnstein, where you will have some time to stroll at your leisure. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has historic buildings dating back to the 12th century, including the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, atop a hill, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned between 1192 and 1193. As we continue sailing through the scenic Wachau Valley, you will be mesmerized by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, we will dock in the small and picturesque town of Melk. The breathtaking Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above the town, is the most spectacular building in the region.

Scenic activity choices offered for the day:

• Electric bike from Dürnstein to Melk: embark on a guided e-bike ride to soak up the scenery along the Danube as you pedal from the picturesque village of Dürnstein to Melk. You will pass through small villages and rolling vineyards, stopping along the way to enjoy views of the river.
• Glorious Melk Abbey: no visit to Melk would be complete without a guided tour of its magnificent 18th-century Benedictine abbey. Wander through its 900-year-old sacred halls, visit the ornate Marble Hall and the library, which houses over 80,000 books, and be impressed by the abbey church, adorned with intricate frescoes and statues.
• Artstetten Castle: meet the current owners of Artstetten Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. It was once the home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination triggered the start of World War I in 1914. Discover the family crypt and visit the on-site museum.

This afternoon, while you enjoy the spectacular views, it is also an ideal opportunity to savor delicious local products from the Wachau Valley. Your cruise director will organize a special treat for you and invite a local producer on board to share some of the renowned regional specialties from this area. Taste apricot dumplings and local schnapps, among other delights, in this breathtaking setting.

Today, choose from three completely different, yet equally fascinating, Scenic excursions.

• Full Day Excursion to Salzburg
  This morning, you will disembark from the ship in Brandstatt, from where you will travel by coach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine peaks and located on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. This fairy-tale city has a thriving arts scene, with music and concert halls filled with classical music, a baroque old town where you will find Mozart’s birthplace and Hohensalzburg, the largest intact fortress in Central Europe, standing above the rooftops with a panoramic view of the city. On a guided tour, explore this incredible city before having lunch in a local restaurant. Then enjoy some free time to explore at your leisure. You will return to your ship in the German town of Passau.
• Day Trip to Český Krumlov
  From Brandstatt, travel by coach to the Czech town of Český Krumlov. This charming town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, brims with charm. Set on the banks of the Vltava River, Český Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Stroll through this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historic center before savoring a delicious dinner in a local restaurant. After a little free time to explore at your leisure, you will return to your ship in the German town of Passau.
• Highlights of Passau
  Stay on board this morning during your cruise to Passau. Situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, Passau has been an important trading route for centuries, especially for the trade of “white gold,” salt. Visit the old town, located on a narrow peninsula at the confluence of the three rivers, and admire the bright-colored buildings lining the waterways. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral: originally built in 450, the church stood proudly in Passau’s old town until a devastating fire ravaged it in 1662. It was rebuilt in its current form with an Italian-style exterior and baroque stucco interior. The cathedral is now home to the largest Catholic church organ in the world, featuring 17,974 pipes and 233 registers.

With an astounding history of 2,000 years, Regensburg boasts one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval city centers, with over 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In its narrow streets, the city claims to have the highest concentration of bars in the country.

This afternoon, Regensburg offers you a selection of “Scenic” activities to choose from:

• Walking tour of Regensburg: Join your local guide for an afternoon walking tour of the old town of Regensburg. You will be amazed by the many perfectly preserved medieval buildings that have been watching over the Danube for centuries.
• Weltenburg Abbey: Take a ferry through the Danube gorges to Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest monastery in Bavaria, founded by monks around 600 A.D. Explore the abbey and the cloister, then taste the award-winning beer brewed on-site since 1050, making it the oldest monastic brewery in the world.
• Active walking tour of Thurn and Taxis: Participate in an active walking tour from the ship to the Thurn and Taxis castle, where you will enjoy a guided tour followed by some free time. Thurn and Taxis is a German noble family with a history dating back to the 12^th century.

Travel by coach to Prague and spend three nights in a downtown hotel.

This morning, you will participate in a guided tour led by an expert local guide, who will reveal the city’s secrets in all their Gothic splendor. The old town, with its red roofs, is a charming labyrinth of cobbled streets, medieval buildings, bustling squares, and elaborate statues. It is compact and almost entirely flat, making it perfect for exploration on foot. Do not miss the old town hall, where you can hear the chimes of the 14th-century astronomical clock, accompanied by a procession of the 12 apostles. The rest of the day is free. Perhaps stroll around this beautiful city situated on the Vltava River, in central Bohemia. Prague is rich in history and is home to some of the world’s most impressive architectural wonders. Your tour director is available to help you plan.

You have the morning free to explore this wonderful city. Perhaps you could get up early and take a walk along the Charles Bridge without the crowds, or relax while people-watching at one of the many cafes around the picturesque old town.

This afternoon, choose from one of the day’s scenic activities:

• Prague Communist Walk: Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Prague. Discover the city’s most famous sites and hidden treasures, and learn how daily life was under communism. During the tour, your local guide will take you to a local brewery where you will taste beers brewed here for generations, such as Pilsner and wheat beer.
• Prague Castle Tour: Head up the hill overlooking the Vltava River and the city of Prague to explore the seat of Czech rulers at Prague Castle, a vast complex covering over 70,000 square meters, considered the largest castle complex in the world. The castle has its roots in the 9th century, although buildings from all periods of history are scattered throughout the estate. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Czech Republic, as well as the Old Royal Palace, former residence of the Bohemian royalty, and the picturesque Golden Lane, a historic street lined with colorful houses that was once inhabited by soldiers, goldsmiths, or alchemists.
• Terezin Memorial: Take a trip outside of Prague to the nearby town of Terezin, a former Austrian imperial military fortress and the site of the Theresienstadt ghetto, which served as a concentration camp during World War II. Visit the memorial sites in Terezin, including the small fortress and the Ghetto Museum, to learn more about the horrors committed during the Nazi occupation and pay tribute to those who lost their lives during this atrocity. (Please note that due to the amount of walking involved, this tour is only recommended for those in good physical condition.)

You can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Today, it is time to say goodbye to Prague, taking with you many good memories of this charismatic city.

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your return flight to Montreal.