Hungary, Austria & the Romantic Danube by Cruise

Enjoy a full city tour of Budapest with your own guide and car. On the Pest side, visit the impressive Heroes’ Square, City Park, Széchenyi Spa, Grand Circus, and view the Vajdahunyad castle. The tour continues along Andrássy Avenue with its stately mansions. Take the opportunity and visit the impressive House of Parliament. After a walk around the largest building of Hungary, see the magnificent neo-gothic Parliament inside with a guide and walk along the splendid boardrooms and impressive staircases. Entrance fees to Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion and Parliament are included in the tour price).

Visit the former summer-residence of Queen Elisabeth (Sissi) and Francis Joseph in Godollo, one of the largest baroque palaces in the world. You will have a glimpse of the times under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Take a break to enjoy coffee and cake at the Palace Cafe.

Meet your private vehicle and driver for a port transfer.

This afternoon, you'll embark on your awaiting luxury cruise ship prior to a welcome cocktail & dinner which will be served on board.

Port charges are included in your itinerary pricing.

Embark on a sightseeing tour which 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.

Today you can choose between a walking tour of Bratislava 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. There will also be time to explore on your own.

During today's city tour of Vienna, you will see the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse with it's grand architectural surrounds, and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world, this tour will help you discover part of what makes Vienna so special.

Optional:
Should you decide to partake, you may join a tour to Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial 1,400-room Rococo summer residence in Vienna. The Palace and Gardens have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and remains one of the primary tourist attractions in Vienna.

To book this tour, please contact your sales specialist.

Optional:
If you are so inclined, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in the “Music Capital of the World.”

To participate in this activity, please contact your sales specialist.

You will have the choice of two excursions to partake in. 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).

It's now time to enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery. Enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter.

In Melk, a guided tour will take you to the city’s magnificent 11th century Benedictine abbey, Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. You'll find this majestic structure perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and beautiful Wachau valley.

After arriving in Linz, the second largest city in Austria, enjoy a walking tour which 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.

There is plenty to do as you have the choice of three different excursions to partake in. The first 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.

Take your pick between 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).

After breakfast this morning, you'll disembark your cruise ship in Vilshofen.

Meet your driver for a private port transfer to Vilshofen, Germany.

Discover Salzburg, known as the town of Mozart's, and its historical buildings that feature interesting architectural attributes. This city was once Mozart’s home town and some say you can still hear the tones of the musical ‘The Magic Flute’ and other famous compositions sounding from Salzburg’s alleyways and historic walls. Your private guide will provide with insight into the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque aspects of the city as Mozart saw it. End your tour with a visit to the newly reopened Mozart Residence on Makart Square. The lodging, also referred to as “the dancing master’s house” (Tanzmeisterhause) was first inhabited by a dancing master that educated youngsters, taught them how to dance and behave, before Mozart moved in. This panoramic tour takes around 3 hours. 

Enjoy a private transfer with your own vehicle and driver in Salzburg.