DAY 2 Prague

Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour with time to visit the Christmas Markets in the Old Town Square or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the National Museum, Wenceslas Square, the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square, where you will find the famous Astronomical Clock. (B)

Pre Cruise Package Option

DAY 3 Prague

Czech beer tasting
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)

Pre Cruise Package Option

DAY 4 Prague

Transfer to Regensburg
Regensburg UNESCO city highlights tour
Vilshofen EMBARKATION
Oktoberfest celebration
Check out of your hotel and drive to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, which you’ll discover on a guided walking tour. After touring Regensburg, continue on to Vilshofen and board the ultra-luxurious AmaMagna. In the evening, be treated to a festive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with music, beer and sausages. (B,D)

DAY 5 Passau

“City of Three Rivers” walking tour with Christmas Markets
OR Hike to Paulinekloister Mariahilf
OR River Inn bike tour
During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas Market at St. Stephen’s Square—also home to its magnificent cathedral. Go in search of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments. Or, climb to the Mariahilf pilgrimage church and monastery, enthroned high above Innstadt, a suburb of Passau that offers magnificent views across the old town and surrounding countryside. You may also choose to bike along the scenic Inn River from Passau to Wernstein and back. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 Linz

“UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour
OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour
OR Full-Day Salzburg excursion with Christmas Markets
Český Krumlov excursiion
Linz is known for being the city of Christmas crèches and its ever-popular Linzer torte. While here, you have a choice of excursions. The first is a morning walking tour through Linz’s old city center and by the Mozart House, where the famous musician composed the Linz Symphony in only three days, as well as visit Linz’s Christmas Markets. For the more active explorers, try a guided bike tour around Linz. Or take a full-day trip to Salzburg, known as the setting of The Sound of Music, where the distinctive city’s Christmas Markets also beckon. During the afternoon, you can visit the charming mountain town, Česky Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. (B,L,D)

 DAY 7 Melk- Spitz

Melk      Abbey

             OR Melk to Marbach bike tour

Spitz     Dürnstein walking tour
             OR Dürnstein Fortress hike
              OR Spitz bike ride
              OR Spitz hike
Exclusive Wine Festival
In the morning, you can visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube, or get active with a bike ride to Marbach before returning to Melk and the ship for lunch. During the afternoon, journey to Spitz and then take a guided excursion to Dürnstein, where you’ll stroll along the cobblestone streets to the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower, on a walking tour. Those who wish a more active adventure of the area can hike to Dürnstein Fortress, cycle to Emmersdorf or hike in the town to Rotes Tor. In the evening, be treated to an exclusive wine festival where you’ll enjoy some of the region’s famous wines. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 Vienna 

“Imperial Vienna” tour
                                     OR Vienna City tour by bike
  Schönbrunn Christmas Markets
                                     OR free time
  Evening Vienna Rathaus Christmas Market

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered. Join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, such as the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. If you prefer a more active adventure, then join a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, you’ll have a chance to explore the beautifully decorated Schönbrunn Christmas Markets, then, cap the day off with an evening visit to the Vienna Rathaus Christmas Market. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 Bratislava

“Coronation City” walking tour with Christmas Market visit
                                OR Tastes of Slovakia
                               OR Bratislava Castle Hill hike with  Christmas Market

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit Bratislava’s charming Christmas Market. Or join a special “Slovakian Specialties” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views

DAY 10

Scenic            Cruising Danube Bend

Budapest      Budapest city tour and Christmas Markets 

                       OR Castle Hill hike with Christmas Markets

This morning, sit back and watch the beautiful scenery of the Danube Bend go by before arriving in Budapest. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Buda Castle quarter in Castle Hill and Heroes’ Square, Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Great Market Hall. The remainder of this tour takes you to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. Afterwards, you’ll visit Vörösmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas Markets in Budapest. As an alternative, you can hike to Castle Hill, walking along Fishermen’s Bastion and take in all the iconic sites of Budapest with an active exploration. (B,L,D)

 DAY 10 Budapest 

DISEMBARKATION.  Disembark the ship and check into your hotel. (B) or transfer to airport to travel home.

DAY 11 Budapest  

 "Hidden Budapest" Tour
Budapest is one of Europe’s most regal and storied cities – and many of its iconic sights are just off the banks of the Danube. During today’s tour, walk around the Parliament building where you'll see the Shoes on the Danube. Explore the Jewish Quarter, including the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. Afterwards, visit the Opera House, an architectural gem, and ascend Gellert Hill to reach the Citadel, offering magnificent views of the city. (B)

DAY 12 Budapest

Return flight home
Bid Farewell to Budapest and prepare for your flight home. (B)