Those longing for the romance of Old-World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of the continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest forever remain timeless. Admire the beauty of the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Ceský Krumlov. Visit one of Austria’s greatest wineries, Schloss Gobelsburg, which has a documented viticulture history dating back to the 12th century, and while there taste some of the greatest examples of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines in the world. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor.
Those longing for the romance of Old World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of the continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Munich, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest forever remain timeless. Admire the beauty of the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Český Krumlov. Visit one of Austria’s greatest wineries, Schloss Gobelsburg, which has a documented viticulture history dating back to the 12th century, and while there taste some of the greatest examples of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines in the world. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor.
Those longing for the romance of Old World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of the continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest forever remain timeless. Admire the beauty of the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Český Krumlov. Visit one of Austria’s greatest wineries, Schloss Gobelsburg, which has a documented viticulture history dating back to the 12th century, and while there taste some of the greatest examples of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines in the world. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor.
Romantic Danube (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Day 1 | Vilshofen | EMBARKATION |
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Board the ship for your Romantic Danube cruise. Later in the day, attend an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (D)
Day 2 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour |
|
Cruise to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Join a walking tour or if you prefer to be more active, hike high into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill; or go on a guided bike tour to Wernstein. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Linz | Full-day Salzburg excursion* |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov excursion with Linz tour* |
|
| | OR “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Alternatively, you can join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House; or go on a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov. (B,L,D)
*Note: Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 4 | Wachau Valley | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| Weissenkirchen | Dürnstein walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike & wine tasting |
|
Cruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, you can choose to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, Dürnstein’s famed church cloister tower, considered the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria. For the more active adventurer, you can venture high above the town for a visit to the majestic ruins of Kuenringer Castle, or “Dürnstein” (dry stone) castle from which Dürnstein derives its name. After free time in Durnstein, you will leave for a special wine tasting in Weissenkirchen, nestled in the Wachau Valley. Wines from the Weissenkirchen region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity. Locally grown Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners are renowned around the world and you will get to sample a few. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Weissenkirchen | Melk Abbey visit |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
| Krems | Schloss Gobelsburg cellar tour and tasting |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey (Stift Melk), one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries. Within these walls, you will find frescos painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger, as well as a famed collection of musical manuscripts. After your tour, enjoy free time exploring the picturesque village of Melk, one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites. Or for the more active cruise, take a guided bike tour through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Sail to Krems, where you will enjoy a special wine tasting at Schloss Gobelsburg, formerly a Cistercian monastery, one of the oldest wineries in Austria. Visit this beautiful castle and have the opportunity to tour their cellars, learning more about the traditional methods drawn from historical wine-making practices, as well as tasting some traditional Austrian wines. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
| | Traditional Viennese wine and music evening |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. In the evening, enjoy wine and live music at a traditional Austrian Heuriger (wine tavern). (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Esztergom | Buda city tour |
|
Today in Budapest, you have the opportunity to visit the Buda (hilly) side of the Danube River. Follow your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.
Day 1 | Munich | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Munich and check into your hotel.
| | Bavarian beer hall and pretzel tasting |
|
This morning you will tour Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany’s largest cities, as well as the undisputed beer capital of the world. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town through the city ending at the famous Glockenspiel, with its 43 bells and 32 life-size figures that portray historic scenes, such as a wedding celebration. You will also see Frauenkirche, the “Cathedral of Our Dear Lady.” Later in the day, do like the Bavarians do, and go to a Bavarian beer hall for a tasting of beer and pretzels. This is the cradle of Bavarian tavern culture, and the origin of tradition, “gemütlichkeit” and hospitality. (B)
Day 3 | Munich | Transfer to the ship |
|
| | Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration |
|
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Vilshofen where you will board your luxury ship. Later in the day, attend an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (B,D)
Day 4 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour |
|
Cruise to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Join a walking tour or if you prefer to be more active, hike high into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill; or go on a guided bike tour to Wernstein. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Linz | Full-day Salzburg excursion* |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov excursion with Linz tour* |
|
| | OR “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Alternatively, you can join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House; or go on a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov. (B,L,D)
*Note: Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 6 | Wachau Valley | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| Weissenkirchen | Dürnstein walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike & wine tasting |
|
Cruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, you can choose to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, Dürnstein’s famed church cloister tower, considered the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria. For the more active adventurer, you can venture high above the town for a visit to the majestic ruins of Kuenringer Castle, or “Dürnstein” (dry stone) castle from which Dürnstein derives its name. After free time in Durnstein, you will leave for a special wine tasting in Weissenkirchen, nestled in the Wachau Valley. Wines from the Weissenkirchen region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity. Locally grown Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners are renowned around the world and you will get to sample a few. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Weissenkirchen | Melk Abbey visit |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
| Krems | Schloss Gobelsburg cellar tour and tasting |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey (Stift Melk), one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries. Within these walls, you will find frescos painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger, as well as a famed collection of musical manuscripts. After your tour, enjoy free time exploring the picturesque village of Melk, one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites. Or for the more active cruise, take a guided bike tour through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Sail to Krems, where you will enjoy a special wine tasting at Schloss Gobelsburg, formerly a Cistercian monastery, one of the oldest wineries in Austria. Visit this beautiful castle and have the opportunity to tour their cellars, learning more about the traditional methods drawn from historical wine-making practices, as well as tasting some traditional Austrian wines. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
| | Traditional Viennese wine and music evening |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. In the evening, enjoy wine and live music at a traditional Austrian Heuriger (wine tavern). (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Esztergom | Buda city tour |
|
Today in Budapest, you have the opportunity to visit the Buda (hilly) side of the Danube River. Follow your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.
Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Prague and check-in to your hotel.
Day 2 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
|
Experience the wonders of Prague and its historic city center that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site on your city tour or you can hike to the grand castle. See Rudolfinum and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Visit the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock. (B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting* |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic with the first brewery known to have existed in 993. Pilsner Urquell was created in 1842, being the first pilsner ever made, whilst Budweiser came into being in the city of Budweis. Beer is a core part of the country’s national identity, so much so the Czechs are the biggest consumers of beer in the world. The country is home to more than 100 breweries with a combination of big names and micro establishments offering a huge range of styles, so join a Czech beer tasting and discover for yourself what makes the Czech’s beer some of the very best in the world. (B)
*Czech beer tasting may take place on Day 2 or Day 3 of this itinerary
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Regensburg |
|
| Regensburg | UNESCO city highlights tour |
|
Depart from Prague via motorcoach and enjoy a stop in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you’ll discover on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. After touring Regensburg, continue your journey on to Vilshofen, where you will board your luxury cruise ship. Cap the day off with an exclusive festive Oktoberfest celebration. (B,D)
Day 5 | Passau | “City of Three Rivers” walking tour |
|
Cruise to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Join a walking tour or if you prefer to be more active, hike high into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill; or go on a guided bike tour to Wernstein. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Linz | Full-day Salzburg excursion* |
|
| | OR Full-day Český Krumlov excursion with Linz tour* |
|
| | OR “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour |
|
| | OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour |
|
The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Alternatively, you can join a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House; or go on a guided bike tour along the city’s famed “Culture Mile” and the Danube. You can also choose to visit the charming mountain town, Český Krumlov. (B,L,D)
*Note: Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 7 | Wachau Valley | Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley |
|
| Weissenkirchen | Dürnstein walking tour and wine tasting |
|
| | OR Dürnstein Fortress hike & wine tasting |
|
Cruise through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to Weissenkirchen, gateway to Dürnstein. Once here, you can choose to join a walking tour in Dürnstein along its cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, Dürnstein’s famed church cloister tower, considered the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria. For the more active adventurer, you can venture high above the town for a visit to the majestic ruins of Kuenringer Castle, or “Dürnstein” (dry stone) castle from which Dürnstein derives its name. After free time in Durnstein, you will leave for a special wine tasting in Weissenkirchen, nestled in the Wachau Valley. Wines from the Weissenkirchen region tend to have a pronounced freshness, spiciness, finesse and complexity. Locally grown Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners are renowned around the world and you will get to sample a few. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Weissenkirchen | Melk Abbey visit |
|
| | OR Wachau Valley bike tour |
|
| Krems | Schloss Gobelsburg cellar tour and tasting |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey (Stift Melk), one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries. Within these walls, you will find frescos painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger, as well as a famed collection of musical manuscripts. After your tour, enjoy free time exploring the picturesque village of Melk, one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites. Or for the more active cruise, take a guided bike tour through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Sail to Krems, where you will enjoy a special wine tasting at Schloss Gobelsburg, formerly a Cistercian monastery, one of the oldest wineries in Austria. Visit this beautiful castle and have the opportunity to tour their cellars, learning more about the traditional methods drawn from historical wine-making practices, as well as tasting some traditional Austrian wines. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” tour |
|
| | Traditional Viennese wine and music evening |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. In the evening, enjoy wine and live music at a traditional Austrian Heuriger (wine tavern). (B,L,D)
Day 10 | Esztergom | Buda city tour |
|
Today in Budapest, you have the opportunity to visit the Buda (hilly) side of the Danube River. Follow your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.