Danube Delights River Cruise with Oktoberfest

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

Upon arrival, transfer to the ship, home for the next seven nights. The afternoon is at leisure to become acquainted with the ship or begin exploring the city on your own. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a traditional Hungarian dinner and a folk dancing and musical performance by local entertainers onboard. Meal: D

EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show

Today’s included tour presents you with a fantastic opportunity to become acquainted with Hungary’s beautiful capital. See the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square, Andrassy Avenue – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a guided hike to Buda Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama of the Danube banks. This afternoon, the ship departs for Bratislava. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Buda Hill (instead of city tour)

This morning, relax onboard as the ship sails to Bratislava. Witness Bratislava Castle, perched atop a hill, as you arrive into port. During the guided walking tour, meander through the heart of the city as you view the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace, the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theater, and charming streets lined with quaint shops and cafés. Alternatively, choose to join the hike to the castle for a look around the gardens and overview of the Danube. This afternoon, a highlight of the day will be a home-hosted visit where you are treated to tasty homemade specialties in the home of local Slovakians. What a unique opportunity to meet the locals and learn about life in Slovakia! Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Bratislava Castle (instead of city tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
DiscoverMORE: Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (additional expnese)
DiscoverMORE: Carpathian wine route (additional expense) instead of included city tour

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music and world-famous art exhibitions. Today you have a choice of activities: explore Austria’s art history on an included tour featuring a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums in the world. OR, explore on two wheels with a bike ride along the river, arriving at Danube Island. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (additional expense)

The day begins with a guided tour of Gottweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most important Benedictine abbeys. Sitting atop a hill near Krems, this architectural treasure overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley. Upon returning to the ship, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this beautiful valley enroute to Dürnstein – “The Pearl of the Wachau Valley” – dominated by the magnificent Baroque Stiftskirche. Alternatively, cycle past the terraced vineyards and castles as you join a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE*: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE*: Guided bike tour along the Danube from Krems to Dürnstein

*the EmeraldACTIVE events overlap; only one can be selected

After a relaxing morning onboard, the ship arrives in Passau where cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you. On an included walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. After a bit of free time, return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely afternoon sailing along the river to Regensburg. Meals: B, L, D

DiscoverMORE*: Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (from Engelhartszell) (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE*: Visit to Schuetz Museum Engelhartszell(additional expense)
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along the River Inn(instead of included city tour)

* the DiscoverMORE’s overlap; only one can be selected

A morning arrival in Regensburg brings you to one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and home to one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. As a local guide leads you through cobblestone lanes on a walking tour, discover the UNESCO World Heritage old town and see many of the city’s architectural highlights. Alternatively, join a bike tour to the Walhalla Monument, towering high above the slopes of the Danube. The site affords a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river below. This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band onboard. The ship remains docked in Regensburg overnight. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS: Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
DiscoverMORE: Nuremberg City Tour (additional expense)
EmeraldACTIVE: Bike tour to Walhalla Monument (instead of included tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band onboard

After breakfast, say goodbye to your Captain and crew as you disembark your ship and depart by motorcoach for Munich. Upon arrival, an included panoramic tour showcases the former Olympic site, Nymphenburg Palace, Maximillianstrasse and the Parliament, the National Theater and Munich’s Residenz. During a walking tour, stroll through Marienplatz Square and see the famous Glockenspiel. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of Oktoberfest with an included entrance to a beer tent at the fairground. Of course a sampling of the local beer and food will be served while partaking in the merriment of the live music and fun in the tent. Meal: B, snack at Oktoberfest

Your final day is left free of planned activities to pursue individual interests. Continue discovering the sights of the city, shopping for last minute souvenirs, or return to the Oktoberfest fairgrounds independently. Meal: B

Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with wonderful memories of life-enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River. Meal: B