During this 8-day journey, encounter the grand cities and quaint villages along the celebrated Danube River. Explore both sides of Hungary's capital-traditional "Buda" and more cosmopolitan "Pest"-and from Fishermen's Bastion, see how the river divides this fascinating city. Experience Vienna's imperial architecture and gracious culture, and tour riverside towns in Austria's Wachau Valley. And in Germany, explore a baroque cathedral and stroll cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends, and understand why Strauss immortalized the "Blue Danube" in his famous melody.
Day 1 Budapest
Arrive in Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital divided by the Danube River. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, you have free time to take a stroll beside the Danube or in the Vaci Utca, a pedestrian thoroughfare featuring shops and cafes. (D)
Day 2 Budapest
Your morning begins with a panoramic tour of the Pest side of the city. Journey along Andrassy Avenue and see the 19th- and 20th-century mansions, National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Stop in Heroes' Square to learn more about Hungarian history, then cross the Danube to Buda's Castle District. Walk up the hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church; enjoy brilliant views. Return to your ship for lunch as we set sail through the scenic Danube Bend, past landmarks like the castle of Visegrad and the basilica of Esztergom. Enjoy a midafternoon Viennese coffee workshop, complete with apple strudel. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Vienna
Arrive in Vienna just after breakfast for your half-day city tour. See some of Vienna's gracious architecture, then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. You then see St. Stephan's Cathedral. After lunch aboard, the afternoon is yours to further explore this city on your own. Shop along the Kartnerstrasse or take an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, home of Maria Theresa and summer residence of the Habsburgs. Dinner is served aboard and you may choose to complete your day in this "City of Waltzes" with an optional evening concert. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Melk
After breakfast, sail through the stunningly scenic Wachau Valley to the Benedictine abbey at Melk, and join a guided tour through the ornate interior of this baroque architectural gem. See its elaborate frescoes and admire the library's extensive collection of medieval manuscripts; enjoy the garden courtyard and the terrace's Wachau Valley views. Rejoin your ship for lunch, dinner and leisurely cruising along the Danube-taste some local Austrian specialties as you spot charming riverside towns and castle ruins here and there. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Passau
Enjoy a glorious midmorning arrival in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town's narrow streets takes you through the Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe's largest church organ.? Eat lunch aboard, but return to the city for further exploration on your own before an early evening departure and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
?Passau organ concert not available after November 1.
Day 6 Regensburg
After breakfast, meet your guide dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. Take time to stroll the streets, shop or visit Germany's oldest restaurant, the Alte Wurstkuche. Lunch served aboard.
This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising along the Danube River-or take an optional Danube Gorge excursion. Travel by road to Kelheim and board a ferryboat to the Danube Gorge's dramatic scenery and spectacular 400-foot chalk cliffs. Visit Weltenburg Abbey, renowned for the dark ale brewed here by monks since 1050, then rejoin your ship in Kelheim in time for dinner aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Main-Danube Canal & Nuremberg
Very early this morning, you sail through a number of locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube. Begun as Charlemagne's dream in 793, it was completed in 1992 with 16 locks that raise the water level 1,332 feet. Today it enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
Arrive during breakfast in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second largest city. Your tour features the former Nazi parade grounds and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. You have a brief stop at the Court House before returning to the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls.
Your tour ends with a walk from the imperial castle grounds past the Albrecht Durer House on your way to the Main Market Square with its elaborate Gothic fountain. Lunch is served aboard, but you have the rest of the day to explore-or, join an optional World War II history tour visiting the Documentation Center Museum. Your ship remains docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Nuremberg
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey in another country with 3 nights in Prague, Czech Republic. You will stay close to Prague's Old Town and will get a tour of the landmark Prague Castle. (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Please note, Viking can only offer air to guests traveling from the U.S. or Canada.
