Day 1: Arrive in Prague Tour starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Prague Marriott Hotel. A transfer is included from Prague's Ruzyne Airport to the Prague Marriott Hotel. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at the welcome reception and dinner and preview your Danube River cruise! Meals: Dinner Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Day 2: Legacy of Prague Choose to take a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – as well as Wenceslas Square and other "Velvet Revolution" sites. Or opt to visit Josefov, Prague's historic Jewish Quarter, where a walking tour includes the Jewish Museum and Pinkas Synagogue (may not be available on some departures due to Jewish holidays). Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Day 3: Hradcany and a Private Gala Evening at Nelahozeves Castle Visit Prague's ancient Hradcany district today, where you'll see Prague Castle's 1,000-year-old complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens; visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus and enjoy an exclusive private tour of Strahov Monastery's grand libraries. Tonight, join us for an exclusive gala evening at the Renaissance-era Nelahozeves Castle; meet members of the former Czech nobility, and enjoy wine from their vineyards. Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
• Day 4: Ancient Regensburg / Danube River cruise begins Drive to the well-preserved German town of Regensburg. Visit the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube and the remains of the town’s Roman wall. Enjoy lunch on your own before boarding the riverboat to launch your Danube River cruise. Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 5: Spend the day in Passau Enjoy the views from your riverboat's sun deck, lounge, or the windows of your outside cabin. Your first port-of-call is Passau, Germany; take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of this Baroque town renowned for its lovely stained glass. See the Altes Rathaus, the old town hall with 15th-century origins, murals on the façade and a glockenspiel in the tower. Return to the riverboat for lunch as you cruise to Linz, Austria. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 6: Salzburg sights or relax in Linz Choose to enjoy the city of Linz, Austria, or take the full-day excursion to old Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Mozart's hometown. The day trip includes Mirabell Gardens and a guided walking tour through the historic district of ornate church towers and grand palaces. Enjoy Austrian entertainment on board this evening. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat • Day 7: Wachau Valley cruise and picturesque Dürnstein Your Danube River cruise continues through the Wachau Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. Take a walking tour amidst Dürnstein's cobblestone streets, 16th-century houses, and a former Augustinian monastery; see the ruins of a castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades. Enjoy some free time, and attend a wine tasting at a local winery. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 8: Music and more in Imperial Vienna Get an overview of Vienna, Austria, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city that includes the Ringstrasse, the Opera House, City Hall and Parliament. Then choose a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg. Tonight, attend a private Imperial Viennese evening at a traditional palace, which features dinner and live Viennese music. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Cruising aboard the Riverboat • Day 9: Cruise the Danube to ancient Slovakia Pursue your own interests this morning in Vienna – which boasts over a hundred museums – and then return to the riverboat for a cruise to Slovakia. Admire the scenery and hear a presentation on Slovak culture; enjoy Slovakian folkloric entertainment aboard the riverboat after dinner this evening. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 10: Baroque in Bratislava Dock in Bratislava, ancient capital of Slovakia. On a guided walking tour you'll view several Baroque palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, and visit the 13th-century Old Town Hall. Join us for the Captain's cocktail reception and dinner tonight. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 11: Explore Budapest Start your visit to Budapest with a relaxing spa visit before embarking on an afternoon sightseeing tour. See Heroes' Square, and Fishermen's Bastion, before continuing on your riverboat cruise to Solt, Hungary. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat • Day 12: Puszta horsemen and Kalocsa's Paprika House A horse-drawn carriage ride takes you to the Equestrian Center, where you'll see Puszta horsemen, folkloric dancers, and Hungarian craftsmen all demonstrating traditional skills. Then cruise to Kalocsa to visit the Paprika House and the Bishop’s Palace Library, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 13: Cruise to Croatia's historic cities Your discovery of the lower Danube cruises to Vukovar, Croatia. Travel overland to the fortified city of Osijek, which still has its Viennese-style mansions. Visit the ancient Tvrda Citadel, standing guard over the city, and the medieval Church of the Holy Cross. This afternoon, explore the Baroque city of Vukovar, once showcasing 18th-century mansions, but now symbolizing the effects of the Serbian war. Your riverboat cruises to Serbia this afternoon. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat • Day 14: Serbia's cosmopolitan capital, Belgrade Dock in Belgrade, Serbia's modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers. Sightseeing includes Tito's Memorial, St. Sava Church, and Kalemegdan Fortress. Also view busy Slavija Square, Parliament, Republic Square, the National Museum of Serbia, and City Hall. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 15: The Danube’s Iron Gate of Romania Continuing on one of Tauck's Danube cruises, relax on a day's cruise past the fields and vineyards of Eastern Europe. Pass into Romania and through the Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate, a two-mile-long series of narrow gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Look for the remains of Roman Emperor Trajan’s Bridge, the first built across the Danube, dating back to AD 105. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 16: Big day in Bulgaria Your journey along the lower Danube cruises to Svishtov, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. Explore the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills; view artisans at work in local shops. See amazing frescoes at the 16th-century Church of the Nativity in the town of Arbanassi. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 17: Romania’s Black Sea beaches Dock in Cernavoda and stop in Constanta en route to the resort town of Mamaia, Romania, set at the edge of the Black Sea; walk along the soft sand beach. Please join us aboard the riverboat this evening for the Captain's farewell reception and dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat Day 18: Bucharest beckons Disembark the riverboat in Cernavoda; travel through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest, where a sightseeing tour includes the Triumphal Arch, Revolution Square, and Patriarchal Cathedral, built in 1658 and the center of the Romanian Orthodox faith. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania
Day 19: Dracula’s Romania Your have a choice of sightseeing in Romania today. Opt for a full day's excursion to tour Peles Castle in Sinaia, built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s. Or visit isolated Snagov Monastery – said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical Dracula – and tour Bucharest's gargantuan Parliamentary Palace, the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon. Have dinner at your landmark hotel tonight. Note: Cruise of 6/5 will not visit Peles Castle due to weekly closures. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania
Day 20: Homeward bound Tour ends in Bucharest, Romania. A transfer is included from Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest to Bucharest Airport. Meals: Breakfast
Price from $7,590 plus airfare
Also available: Budapest to the Black Sea – The Lower Danube 12 days from $3,990
Call for early booking discounts 800-640-4899
MS Swiss Diamond features delightful accommodations for up to 114 guests who will experience a club-like atmosphere on board – with no crowds! Partially renovated in 2006 to offer the utmost in comfort and design, this riverboat boasts all outside-facing cabins and suites, tastefully decorated and well-equipped.
Cabins and suites feature individually controlled heating and air conditioning, flat screen television, radio, international direct-dial telephone, bathrobes, slippers, pampering l’Occitane toiletries, European-style bedding (duvets), mini-bar / refrigerator, safe and hair dryer; power is 220 volt.
Panoramic windows throughout ensure picturesque views of the passing scenery during your cruise. Dining aboard MS Swiss Diamond is a pleasure in a spacious restaurant that caters to all tastes with daily buffets, a choice of menus and special theme dinners. Vegetarian meals are available, and a selection of European wines is included with dinner. Entertainment aboard the ship includes an on-board pianist, insightful lectures and traditional folkloric performances.
Tauck is first class. The boat was spotless, beautifully decorated and had a very friendly and accommodating staff. They were always there to answer questions, give guidance and share a good time. It is definitely my choice for river cruising and others I met onboard that it is a repeaters type of travel. It only takes once on Tauck to be sold.
Everything is included with Tauck………airport transfers, all gratuities, complimentary wine with dinner and beer with lunch and all shore excursions let by the Tauck Directors and local guides, many meals off the boat. Please feel free to ask any questions.
Would I recommend Tauck? Absolutely, every chance I get.
Avalon Waterways 2012 with Extra Discounts We have sailed the ships, slept in the beds, taken the shore excursions and eaten the food. Our prices are lower than the cruise lines.
