zGrand Danube Cruise

Your luxury Danube River cruising vacation begins as you step aboard our elegant ship and settle in to your spacious outside stateroom. This evening, get to know your fellow travelers at the Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner. Meals D

Enjoy a full day excursion to Bucharest, known as “The Paris of the East.” Visit the Open Air Museum to see and learn about the traditional architecture and buildings of rural Romania. After lunch on your own, you will have two options. Enjoy a visit to the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon), or tour Bucharest’s historic highlights. The balance of your day is at your leisure. Meals B,L,D

Enjoy a leisurely day of cruising along the Danube - arriving in the late afternoon in Vidin. The “Baba Vida” Fortress sits guard over the Danube here at this Bulgarian frontier town. Its 14th century castle has massive walls and dark towers that stand in stark contrast to the natural park that surrounds the castle. From here, take an excursion to Belogradschik, a beautifully restored 6th-century castle, set amidst an amazing landscape of fantastic rock formations. Meals B,L,D

Today is a full day of cruising through one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube narrows, as it winds through a range of magnificent gorges between the southern Carpathian Mountains and the northwestern foothills of the Balkan Mountains. Forming the natural border between Serbia and Romania, today’s passage will be an unforgettable highlight of your European river cruise from the Black Sea. Meals B,L,D

Wake up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and explore its many streets, plazas and squares. Belgrade has over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 squares! On your panoramic tour, you will see the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. As an alternative, the Tito’s Memorial Tour includes a visit to the House of Flowers, where the tomb of Tito is located. You will also see some of the many gifts Tito received during his presidency. After sightseeing, you will have free time in the city center to stroll along Prince Michael Street, the main pedestrian and shopping center of the city. A guided bicycle tour is available in the afternoon (capacity controlled). Meals B,L,D

Your ship arrives in Novi Sad this morning. After lunch, set out on a sightseeing tour of this historic town, beginning in Danube Park and continuing through the old town center. You will also tour the Petrovaradin Fortress, constructed in the 18th century during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Then journey on to Vukovar, Croatia where you’ll have your choice of an included excursion: A city tour features the Ovcara Memorial, a monumental cross dedicated to those who lost their lives during Croatia’s struggle for independence. The second option is an excursion to Ilok, a charming town renowned for its wines; visit a local winery and sample their vintages before a walking tour of the town. Meals B,L,D

his morning the ship arrives in Mohacs, where you depart for your excursion to Pecs. Founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans, Pecs became an important early Christian bishopric and then a Turkish cultural base during the many centuries of Ottoman rule. The area around Pecs is made up of rolling hills, vineyard-clad slopes and a modest climate that give the city a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a city tour that features the Mosque Church, the largest structure surviving from the Ottoman period as well as the underground burial chambers which date back to the 4th century. You will also see St. Peter’s Basilica, the main Catholic Cathedral in the city, as well as the restored Synagogue. Return to Mohacs and enjoy another splendid meal onboard, including complimentary wine. Meals B,L,D

This morning, your sightseeing tour 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 marvelous Royal Palace, and St. Stephen's Basilica. Then continue into the Puszta, the region of Hungary most widely known throughout the world. Here, the vast flat Great Hungarian Plain stretches across to the east and Hungarian cowboys still wear traditional garb, practicing the skills of their Magyar ancestors. Upon arrival, you will be met by horse-herds and greeted with warm hospitality, brandy and scones. Sit down to a hearty lunch featuring Goulash, the national dish, before returning to the ship in Budapest. Meals B,L,D

Your ship arrives this afternoon in Bratislava. Here in the Slovakian capital, you’ll have your choice of included sightseeing: You can join a guided walking tour of the city’s major sights, including Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and historic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, our Communist-Era Tour showcases architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and the Soviet War Memorial. Late tonight, the ship departs for Vienna, Austria. Meals B,L,D

This morning’s guided sightseeing tour of romantic Vienna includes the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll along the Kärtnerstrasse or sample some of Vienna’s famous pastries in the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the alternative, join an optional tour this afternoon to the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, a famous example of Baroque architecture. Tonight, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. Meals B,L,D

Early this morning, you’ll arrive in the lovely Wachau Valley. Step off ship and enjoy a walking tour of Dürnstein, known as one of the prettiest towns along the Danube. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche and see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour along medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century burgher homes and inviting wine taverns. Of course, we’ve arranged for a wine tasting with a local vintner. This afternoon, you can enjoy a guided bike tour from Dürnstein to Melk (capacity controlled). The ship arrives in Melk late this afternoon, where you will tour the spectacular Melk Abbey, one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular Baroque monasteries. Gaze at the famous library that inspired Umberto Eco while writing “The Name of the Rose.” Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Melk, one of Europe’s great cultural heritage sites. Meals B,L,D

This morning the ship arrives in Linz, where you will have your choice of activity. The first choice is an optional 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. The tour includes a visit to the Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Square, and much more. Or you can choose to remain on the ship and cruise through scenic Upper Austria to Passau. Located where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube, this 2,000-year-old city is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. A walking tour of Passau will take you along the cobblestone streets of Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Meals B,L,D

In the early afternoon, your ship arrives in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have your choice of three different tours here. The first is a guided walking tour featuring the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria — gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. Another possibility is an afternoon bike ride to Walhalla, where you will visit the Walhalla temple which honors distinguished Germans throughout history (capacity controlled). Your third choice is a trip to the Audi Factory in Ingolstadt, where a member of the Audi team will take you on a guided tour of the Audi Car Museum or Factory Floor (subject to availability). Known for its distinctive architecture, the museum features unique, high-tech exhibits on the history of the car, combined with a fascinating look back at the 20th century. This tour is also capacity controlled. Meals B,L,D

Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising through the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmühl Valley. In the afternoon, you can tailor your exploration of Nuremberg, capital of Franconia, with the included tour of your choice. Discover the medieval history of Nuremberg and see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle. Or join an expertly guided tour that will illuminate the modern role the city played in the 20th-century and see the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946 (when available). Your ship will be docked overnight here in Nuremberg. Meals B,L,D

Your cruise vacation comes to an end this morning when you disembark here in Nuremberg following breakfast. Meals B