Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You'll arrive in Prague, a city that's held onto its historic character across centuries. The Vltava River splits the Old Town and New Town into two distinct areas, and right now during the Christmas season, the whole place has that festive feel with decorations hanging everywhere and market stalls set up throughout the streets. It's a good time to get your bearings and maybe grab dinner somewhere local before settling in.
Landmarks Vltava River 
- Day 2
Prague
This morning you'll walk through Prague's Gothic architecture with a local guide who can point out details you'd miss on your own. You'll see the Old Town, check out the famous Astronomical Clock, and cross Charles Bridge, which dates back to 1357 and Charles IV. Later you can wander around the Old Town Square where the Christmas market's operating, and you'll spot Prague's tallest Christmas tree standing there too.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town
- Visit Astronomical Clock
- Guided tour of Charles Bridge
Optional Activities
- Leisure stroll through Prague and Christmas market exploration
Landmarks Old Town Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge Old Town Square 
- Day 3
Prague
You get to choose how to spend your day here. Option one takes you on a communist history walk followed by beer tasting at a local brewery. Option two heads to Terezin Memorial to learn about the Nazi occupation. Or you can visit Prague Castle complex, walk through St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane where artisans used to live. Pick whichever appeals to you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with local brewery beer tasting
- Terezin Memorial tour
- Prague Castle Tour with St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane Old Royal Palace Terezin - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
After breakfast, you'll travel by coach from Prague toward Budapest. It's several hours of driving, so settle in and watch the landscape change. Once you arrive in Budapest, you'll board your river cruise vessel and get settled into your cabin for the week ahead on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5
Budapest
Budapest mixes architectural styles from Gothic through Art Nouveau, and the thermal baths here are famous for good reason. You can either take a coach tour across both Buda and Pest districts on either side of the Danube, including time at the Christmas market, or go for a guided tour inside the Hungarian State Opera House. Either way, you're looking at a full day of seeing what makes this city special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth coach tour visiting Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Square, Elizabeth Square, and Christmas market
- Hungarian State Opera House guided tour
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hungarian State Opera House - Day 6
Bratislava
Your boat docks in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital since 1993. The Old Town has medieval and Gothic architecture, and there's a 9th-century castle sitting on a hilltop. You can choose a guided walking tour that covers the main highlights and the main square where mulled wine's available from the Christmas market, or take a wine tasting tour through Slovakia's wine regions. Either choice gives you a real sense of the place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava including Hlavné Námestie and Old Town Hall with mulled wine from Christmas market
- Wines of Slovakia tasting in local cellar
Landmarks Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall Bratislava Castle - Day 7
Vienna
You'll arrive in Vienna today, a city filled with Habsburg palaces and the grand Ringstrasse boulevard running through it. Vienna's known as the City of Music since Mozart and Beethoven both worked here. You get three freechoice options to pick from, then you'll have free time to either explore on your own or stay on the boat. Later this evening, there's a private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt and performances of Strauss and Mozart.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Private classical concert dinner at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt, Strauss and Mozart performances)
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace guided tour with Habsburg history and imperial gardens
- Central Vienna guided tour with local guide and Christmas market exploration
- Belvedere Museum guided tour of Baroque landmark with Austrian art collection
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Belvedere Palais Liechtenstein 
- Day 8
Dürnstein
The boat stops in Dürnstein, a small town in Austria's Wachau Valley. You can take a guided tour of the 18th-century Melk Benedictine Abbey or, if you prefer something active, go on a guided e-bike ride through vineyards from Dürnstein to Melk. After that, you'll cruise through the Wachau Valley from the boat while trying local regional food and schnapps from a nearby producer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise of Wachau Valley with local producer tasting regional delicacies and schnapps
Optional Activities
- Melk Benedictine Abbey guided tour with Marble Hall and library visit
- E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk guided tour through vineyards and villages
Landmarks Melk Benedictine Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 9
Passau
Passau's next, sitting where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet and you can actually see the different water colors where they converge. The Baroque Old Town has tight laneways and tunnels with archways throughout. Pick between a walking tour that includes St. Stephen's Cathedral, a full day trip to Salzburg where Mozart was born, or a full day to Český Krumlov, a medieval town that's been preserved really well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant for Salzburg or Český Krumlov excursion options), Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise towards Passau
Optional Activities
- Highlights of Passau walking tour with St. Stephens Cathedral visit
- Full day excursion to Salzburg with guided tour and lunch at local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov with guided tour and lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks St. Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Český Krumlov - Day 10
Regensburg
Regensburg is your final stop on the river, and it's got 2,000 years of history packed in. Over 900 Romanesque and Gothic buildings sit in the medieval town centre, and it's designated as a World Heritage site. The narrow streets here actually have the highest concentration of bars in Germany. You can do a walking tour with a local guide covering the old stone bridge and Church of St James, or visit Thurn und Taxis Palace and spend time at the Christmas market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg with local guide featuring old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
- Thurn und Taxis Palace tour with Christmas market free time
Landmarks Regensburg Medieval Town Centre Church of St James Porta Praetoria Thurn und Taxis Palace Old Stone Bridge - Day 11
Regensburg to Munich
After eating a hearty breakfast, you'll head to the airport for your flight home or onward. It's time to leave with all those festive memories from the river and the cities you've seen along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
