Danube Cruise  Prague to Budapest Discover Prague and Cruise From Germany  to Budapest  2012/2013 Danube cruise # 8

Danube Cruise Prague Germany Budapest The Romantic Danube 

CRUISE SPECIAL 1 - BOOK BY THE 31ST OF MAY 2012 AND SAVE $1300 FOR THE NOV 18TH 2012  DEPARTURE - CRUISE PRICE $999 PER PERSON IN CATEGORY E
for higher categories refer to regular cabin upgrade prices
Special is available on limited number of cabins - see more price details in the price chart below

CRUISE SPECIAL 2- IN CELEBRATION OF WINE CRUISE 2012 NOV 4 and NOV 14 DEPARTURE
BOOK BY MAY 31 2012 AND SAVE $500 PER STATEROOM AND RECEIVE A $300 SHIPBOARD CREDIT PER STATEROOM  (limited cabin stock and subject to availability)

CRUISE SPECIAL 3 - 10% DISCOUNT FOR ALL 2013 DEPARTURES
(Discount is valid in each cabin category on a limited cabin stock and subject to availability)

ITINERARY - 2013 (scroll down for 2012 itinerary)

Day 1 ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and optional transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2 PRAGUE
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic city center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Wenceslas Square and the Metronome overlooking the Vltava River before arriving at the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle for a visit. Afterwards, walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square and see the Church of Our Lady before Tyn and the famous Astronomical Clock. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions. (B)
Day 3 PRAGUE
Spend a day at your leisure or participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B)
Day 4 PRAGUE - REGENSBURG - EMBARKATION - VILSHOFEN
This morning, depart Prague and stop in Regensburg for a guided walking tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on your own, continue to the charming 1200-year-old Bavarian town of Vilshofen, where you will embark your luxurious ship. Later this afternoon, join your fellow passengers to celebrate “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches, enjoy traditional beers accompanied by Bavarian folk music, song and dance. (B,D)
Day 5 VILSHOFEN - PASSAU
This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before you cruise to Passau, where this afternoon you will have your choice of two different excursions. The first option is to take a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old fairy tale city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative, experience this majestic city on a guided bike tour along the Inn River to Weinstein (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 6 LINZ, AUSTRIA - GMUNDEN
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your walking tour guides you along the Landstrasse, to the city’s Main Square where you will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, the Landes Theatre and St. Martin’s Church, the oldest church in Austria. Return to the ship for brunch. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region, the Austrian Lake District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic town of Gmunden, on the shore of Lake Traunsee. The second option is to join an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This is a wonderfully preserved medieval town, nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third choice is an excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. Enjoy free time on your own, before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 7 MELK - KREMS (DÜRNSTEIN)
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau this morning to Melk. A guided tour will take you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. From here, continue cruising the beautiful Wachau valley to Krems. You will have the choice of two excursions this afternoon. The first is a motor coach ride to Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour of the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche high above town. As an alternative, enjoy a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein and back (capacity controlled). Tonight, after dinner on board, enjoy wine tasting at a local winery. Enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. (B,L,D)
Day 8 VIENNA
During your morning city tour of Vienna, you will see the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll through the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take an optional tour to the Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in the “Music Capital of the World.” The ship moors in Vienna overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 9 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise to Bratislava, where you can choose from a walking tour which includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, you can take a “Communist History Tour” of Bratislava, which includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and Soviet War Memorial. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 10 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square and much more. After dinner, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day 11 DISEMBARKATION - DEPART BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end optional transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

2012 ITINERARY

Day 1 ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and optional transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2 PRAGUE
Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with its historic city center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Wenceslas Square and the Metronome overlooking the Vltava River before arriving at the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle for a visit. Afterwards, walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Town Square and see the Church of Our Lady before Tyn and the famous Astronomical Clock. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions. (B)
Day 3 PRAGUE
Spend a day at your leisure or participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B)
Day 4 PRAGUE - REGENSBURG - EMBARKATION - VILSHOFEN
This morning, depart Prague and stop in Regensburg for a guided walking tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on your own, continue to the charming 1200-year-old Bavarian town of Vilshofen, where you will embark your luxurious ship. Later this afternoon, join your fellow passengers to celebrate “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches, enjoy traditional beers accompanied by Bavarian folk music, song and dance. (B,D)
Day 5 VILSHOFEN - PASSAU
This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town before you cruise to Passau, where this afternoon you will have your choice of two different excursions. The first option is to take a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old fairy tale city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative, experience this majestic city on a guided bike tour along the Inn River to Weinstein (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 6 LINZ, AUSTRIA - GMUNDEN
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. Your walking tour guides you along the Landstrasse, to the city’s Main Square where you will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, the Landes Theatre and St. Martin’s Church, the oldest church in Austria. Return to the ship for brunch. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region, the Austrian Lake District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic town of Gmunden, on the shore of Lake Traunsee. The second option is to join an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This is a wonderfully preserved medieval town, nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. The third choice is an excursion to Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. Enjoy free time on your own, before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 7 MELK - KREMS (DÜRNSTEIN)
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau this morning to Melk. A guided tour will take you to Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. From here, continue cruising the beautiful Wachau valley to Krems. You will have the choice of two excursions this afternoon. The first is a motor coach ride to Dürnstein, where you will take a walking tour of the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche high above town. As an alternative, enjoy a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein and back (capacity controlled). Tonight, after dinner on board, enjoy wine tasting at a local winery. Enjoy several different wines, presented along with bread, knowledgeable hosts, and plenty of laughter. (B,L,D)
Day 8 VIENNA
During your morning city tour of Vienna, you will see the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll through the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take an optional tour to the Schönbrunn Palace. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in the “Music Capital of the World.” The ship moors in Vienna overnight. (B,L,D)
Day 9 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise to Bratislava, where you can choose from a walking tour which includes the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. In the alternative, you can take a “Communist History Tour” of Bratislava, which includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and Soviet War Memorial. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 10 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square and much more. After dinner, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day 11 DISEMBARKATION - DEPART BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end optional transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)