Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
- Day 2
Prague
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Prague including three castle courtyards, St. Vitus Cathedral, Castle Steps, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square with Astronomical Clock
Optional Activities
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 3
Prague
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia - wine tasting tour featuring Czech sparkling wine, red, white and Rosé wines accompanied by traditional charcuterie and cheeses (2.5 hours, easy activity level)
- Day 4
Prague to Passau
- Day 5
Passau
Included Activities
- Bavarian Countryside Experience - visit to a working farm with tasting of fresh produce and gourmet specialties including cheese, cold meats, bread, and beer
Optional Activities
- Hike to Veste Oberhaus - guided hike around Passau visiting Mariahilf, St. Severin church, and the 13th-century Veste Oberhaus fortress with spectacular views
- Bavaria Live - learn about the 800-year history of Passau beer and Bavarian tavern traditions with local guide, oompah band performance, beer and pretzel (2 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Veste Oberhaus Mariahilf St. Severin - Day 6
Linz to Ceský Krumlov
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov - World Heritage-listed town featuring 15th-century St. Vitus Church, Gothic facades, and medieval castle complex with over 300 protected medieval buildings
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Mauthausen Concentration Camp - guided tour of Nazi Germany's largest concentration camp with viewing of barracks and stone quarry (3.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks St. Vitus Church Ceský Krumlov Castle 
- Day 7
Melk to Weissenkirchen
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey - guided exploration of opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture, gold leaf walls, and the ancient monastic library with medieval manuscripts
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour along the Danube - 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Melk to Weissenkirchen passing famous vineyards and quaint towns with a picnic on the riverbanks and refreshment break
- Guided hike in Weissenkirchen - active hiking tour exploring the town and surrounding wine region
- Wachau Valley Experience - hike through vineyards learning about wine-growing heritage, climate and soil, with tasting of local wine, jam, chutney, chocolate, and Austrian Mohnzelten pastry (3 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Melk Abbey - Day 8
Vienna
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna - coach and walking tour of Ringstrasse and city center including Renaissance-style Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Flemish Gothic Parliament with free exploration time
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Vienna - cycle to Danube Island with a guide sharing personal stories and authentic Vienna experiences off the beaten path
- Klosterneuburg Abbey Wine Tour - visit 12th-century monastery, Historic Press House, Baroque wine cellar, and taste four wines or cloudy apple juices (3.5 hours, medium activity level, extra expense)
- Exclusive Viennese evening concert - classical music performance at a historic concert hall featuring works like Blue Danube Waltz and Radetzky March, with complimentary sparkling wine on arrival (2.5 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Parliament of Austria Klosterneuburg Abbey - Day 9
Vienna to Bratislava
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava - sightseeing tour of Old City or hike to Bratislava Castle with local guide passing Episcopal Summer Palace botanical gardens, Old Town Hall with Renaissance courtyard, and Slovak National Theatre
- Local Slovakian entertainment on board - performance by saloon orchestra Afrodite featuring five women in traditional dress playing classical pop music and melodies
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle - active excursion from port passing Slovak National Theatre, riverside promenade, Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral, St Michael's Gate, and main square with panoramic views from castle
- Skoda tour of Post-Communist Bratislava - guided car tour learning about Communist era through personal stories and local authentic refreshments (2 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
- Carpathian Wine route - explore viticultural towns including Vinosady and family-run winery in Senkvice with wine tasting in historic cellar (4 hours 40 minutes, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Castle St. Martin's Cathedral Slovak National Theatre St Michael's Gate Episcopal Summer Palace - Day 10
Budapest
Included Activities
- Budapest tour with Grand Market visit - coach tour of World Heritage-listed city center with guide teaching about culinary scene, finishing at neo-Gothic Grand Market with free exploration time
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board - Hungarian folk dancing and music performance
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill - walk up to World Heritage-listed site enjoying views of Danube River and city architecture, passing Várkert Bazaar and landscaped gardens
- Excursion to Szentendre - walking tour of picturesque village with cobblestone streets, Baroque architecture, colored houses, art galleries, museums and shops in Fo Tér main square (4 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Gellert Hill Chain Bridge Grand Market Várkert Bazaar 
- Day 11
Budapest
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner)
Included Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board - traditional Hungarian dinner followed by Hungarian folk dancing and music performance
- Day 12
Budapest to Ordas
Included Activities
- Puszta Equestrian Heritage - traditional performance showcasing exceptional equestrian skills of Magyar cowboys including spectacular horse parade and exercise drills on the Great Hungarian Plain
- Day 13
Novi Sad
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Novi Sad - easy walking tour with local guide visiting market, Orthodox Cathedral, City Hall, Catholic Cathedral, and Synagogue
Optional Activities
- Home-hosted lunch with a Serbian family - visit local family home for traditional lunch with opportunity to discuss Serbian traditions and daily life
- Guided e-bike tour in Novi Sad - cycling tour along Danube promenade passing iconic landmarks with guide sharing city history, culture and local life
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress Orthodox Cathedral Catholic Cathedral Synagogue - Day 14
Belgrade
Included Activities
- Highlights of Belgrade - coach tour through city center viewing Church of Saint Sava, Parliament Building, Republic Square, City Hall, and Tito's Mausoleum with passages through wealthiest neighborhoods
- Serbian folklore evening show on board - performance of traditional Serbian dances and music from around Serbia with authentic colorful costumes
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour in Belgrade - cycling tour with local guide along Danube experiencing landmarks and natural beauty, including Belgrade Waterfront, Staro Sajmiste (former concentration camp), and Ada Island
- Routes of Nikola Tesla - museum tour dedicated to life and work of Serbian-American inventor featuring working models of Tesla's machines, personal items, and visions of the future (2.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Church of Saint Sava Parliament Building Republic Square Tito's Mausoleum Staro Sajmiste Ada Island Belgrade Waterfront - Day 15
Golubac to Donji Milanovac
Included Activities
- Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum - Paleolithic site of Europe's oldest urban settlement with insight into importance of archaeological findings and eight millennia of history
Optional Activities
- Golubac Castle visit - walking tour of medieval Golubac Fortress built at Iron Gates entrance with strategic importance and natural protection from steep inaccessible cliffs (2 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Lepenski Vir Golubac Fortress Rock carving of Decebalus 
- Day 16
Golubac to Donji Milanovac
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress - transfer to Belogradchik Rock Fortress Park for guided hike to ancient mountaintop fortress initially built during Roman Empire, extended in 14th century and by Ottomans until 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War
- Traditional Bulgarian pastry making - watch host prepare traditional Bulgarian banitsa, then participate in demonstration learning to make banitsa pastry with white cheese and eggs filling, served with Lactobacillus Bulgaricus yoghurt (3 hours 15 minutes, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Belogradchik Fortress - Day 17
Rousse
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rousse - immerse in history through Bulgaria's 'Little Vienna' admiring Court House, City Hall, Opera Building, main shopping street Alexandrovska, and St. Trinity Church, with coffee and cake at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Ivanovo Church - transfer to River Lom Nature Park for active hike to World Heritage Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo dating from 13th-14th centuries lined with exquisite biblical frescoes
- Full day tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi - visit former capital of Second Bulgarian Empire built on three hills exploring medieval fortifications and cobbled streets, plus nearby Arbanassi on high plateau with traditional houses and old churches (8.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Court House St. Trinity Church Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo Veliko Tarnovo Arbanassi - Day 18
Giurgiu to Bucharest
Included Activities
- Guided drive through Bucharest with visit to Spring Palace - guided coach tour learning about Bucharest's vibrant history, passing Palace of Parliament, visiting Spring Palace and private residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, with free time to explore city
Landmarks Palace of Parliament Spring Palace 
- Day 19
Bucharest
- Meals
- Breakfast
