Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get settled on your river cruise ship. Before the evening's briefings and dinner, there's time to walk around the city on your own and get a feel for the place.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Board river cruise ship
- Evening briefings and cocktail hour
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Budapest
Landmarks Budapest 
- Day 2
Austria to Bratislava, Slovakia
The ship heads from Austria toward Slovakia while you relax this morning. Once in Bratislava, you can pick from several options: take a walking tour through this historic Coronation City, try traditional Slovak food and local beer, hike up to Bratislava Castle for views over the city, or join a cycling tour if that appeals to you more.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- River cruise from Austria to Slovakia
- Walking tour of Bratislava
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Slovakia tour - traditional regional flavors and local beer
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle with city views
- Guided cycling tour
Landmarks Bratislava Castle 
- Day 3
Wachau Valley to Melk, Austria
Your morning involves cruising through Austria's Wachau Valley, which has some really nice landscapes and is protected as a UNESCO site. After that, the ship docks in Melk where you'll visit the Melk Abbey, a Baroque monastery sitting above the Danube. Inside there's a museum, an old medieval manuscript library, and frescoes by well-known artists throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning cruise through Wachau Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Melk Abbey tour including museum and library with medieval manuscripts
Landmarks Wachau Valley Melk Abbey - Day 4
Linz, Austria
When you reach Linz, there are several excursion choices available. You could look at the contemporary architecture and historic center of Linz itself, take a bike tour through town, head to Salzburg to see the old center and Mirabell Gardens, travel to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov with its castle complex, or visit a whiskey distillery. In the afternoon, you'll join a guided whiskey distillation tour to learn more about the process.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- River cruise arrival in Linz
- Guided whiskey distillery tour (afternoon)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Linz city center, old market, and Mozart House
- Bike tour through Linz
- Full-day excursion to Salzburg - historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and Old Market
- Full-day excursion to Český Krumlov - cobblestone streets, Baroque and Renaissance buildings, and Krumlov Castle
Landmarks Mozart House Mirabell Gardens Residenz Square Český Krumlov Castle 
- Day 5
Vienna, Austria
This morning offers time to relax on board or join a wellness class and massage if that interests you. In the afternoon, you have options: explore Vienna's historic center by horse-drawn carriage with a costumed driver, or take a guided bike ride along the Danube Canal through the city out to the famous Ringstrasse Boulevard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- River cruise to Vienna
- Complimentary wellness classes on board
Optional Activities
- Massage services on board
- Horse-drawn carriage ride through Vienna's historic city center
- Guided bike ride along Danube Canal and Vienna's Ringstrasse Boulevard
Landmarks Danube Canal Ringstrasse Boulevard 
- Day 6
Vienna, Austria
After spending the night in Vienna, you can visit Schonbrunn Palace and its gardens, an 18th-century imperial summer residence with 1,441 rooms and designated as a UNESCO site. If that's not your preference, there's the option to hike through the Vienna Woods near Cobenzl, the place that inspired Johann Strauss II's famous waltz. Later in the day, you'll have time to explore Vienna on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens tour (UNESCO-designated)
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through Vienna Woods near Cobenzl
- Leisure exploration of Vienna
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens Vienna Woods - Day 7
Budapest, Hungary
You're back in Budapest with the day open for cultural sites. On the Buda side, check out the Castle District, Fisherman's Bastion, and Matthias Church, or hike up to Castle Hill itself. Over in Pest, you can see the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square, and the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. As evening comes, head to the Sun Deck or take a walk around town to see Budapest's landmarks all lit up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gala Dinner)
Included Activities
- River cruise return to Budapest
- Guided tour of Buda's Castle District including Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church
- Guided tour of Pest including Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square, and Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial
Optional Activities
- Active hike to Budapest's Castle Hill
- Evening exploration of illuminated Budapest landmarks
Landmarks Fisherman's Bastion Matthias Church Hungarian Parliament Building Heroes' Square Shoes on the Danube Bank - Day 8
Departure from Budapest
You'll disembark the ship in Budapest and prepare for your flight home, bringing the river cruise to a close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
