Classical Danube and Prague Extension

In the evening, you will enjoy an atmospheric cruise through Budapest, also known as the “Paris of the East”, which is festively lit up at night, revealing Budapest’s most beautiful side. A folklore show on board will complete the experience.

Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has managed to retain a charm of its own with the help of renovations in recent years. The Danube flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest. The tour first takes you through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its outstanding gourmet shops and stalls.

You will see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been an emblem of the city ever since then. There’s an opportunity for a photo stop at the Heroes’ Square, famous for its monuments to many Hungarian kings. Continue aross one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where you will visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion (provided that it is open to the public). Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

The tour departs from Budapest and takes you to the artists’ village of Szentendre, home to many generations of Hungarian artists since the early 20th century. Many museums and contemporary galleries represent the rich traditions of the visual arts in this town. Works of the ceramist Margit Kovács (1902–77) are displayed in a famous, eponymous Museum. The focal point of Szentendre is Foetér, the main square, lined with eateries, cafes, and souvenir stores.

Continue to the imposing ruined fortress of Visegrád, where you have a glorious view of the “famous Danube Bend. The next highlight of this excursion is Esztergom, the former residence of the Hungarian kings and seat of the Archbishop. Visit the imposing domed basilica — the largest cathedral in Hungary. Built in the early 19th century, it incorporates an ornate red marble chapel from an earlier church.

Get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. The driving tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues to the castle hill above the old town, where you will have a stunning, panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas. 

Afterwards a guided walking tour leads you through the old town.  Take a leisurely stroll from Michael’s Gate through the historic city center, admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings, as well as the Academia Istropolitana, the oldest university of the city, dating back to the 15th century. See the main square with the old City Hall, the Opera House and Maximilian Fountain. From the Main Square we continue to a cosy cozy out of the way place to enjoy the famous Pressburger rolls with nut and poppy seed filling.  We will end our walk at the historical Opera House in front of glorious Ganymede’s Fountain. Afterwards, you are free to explore or walk the short distance back to the ship.

Just moments away from the lively heart of Bratislava, you’ll find yourself wandering through the gently rolling hills of the Rača wine region. Celebrated since the 18th century, when Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria authorized the shipment of the famed Frankovka wine to Vienna, this region exudes history and charm. Visit a family-run winery and set out on a scenic hike through sun-dappled vineyards. Along the way, uncover the secrets of viticulture and the distinct character of each vintage — then savor the wine where it truly belongs: amidst the vines, with sweeping views of the idyllic landscape. This excursion promises an authentic and unforgettable experience for wine lovers who enjoy immersing themselves in nature’s beauty.

Meet Vienna's ballet soloists in the lounge. Two talented dancers will perform the traditional Viennese Waltz and some other connected dances, share interesting details about the history and teach you a few steps of this elegant ballroom dance.

While it may take days or weeks to fully discover Vienna, this tour will give you an overall impression of the most important sights Vienna has to offer. First, you will drive along the famous Ringstrasse, passing several magnificent buildings like the stunning opera house, the parliament, the Court Theatre and Vienna’s imposing city hall.

The panoramic drive is followed by a guided walk through the city center where you will get to know Vienna at its fullest. Begin at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace, walk along the Kohl market and finish at Vienna’s iconic St. Stephen’s cathedral. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time to stroll along the pedestrian area.

Explore Vienna at your own pace with our convenient City Shuttle, taking you to three key stops: the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the iconic Vienna State Opera, and the vibrant Schwedenplatz. Step off at each location and wander through historic streets, soak up the city’s atmosphere, or relax at a café—entirely on your own schedule.

This shuttle is perfect for guests who want to discover Vienna’s highlights independently, without a guided tour.

Experience an active yet cultural excursion on two wheels along the beautiful Danube landscape. The E-Bike tour starts directly from the ship and takes you at a comfortable pace to Klosterneuburg Abbey. According to legend, the devout Margrave Leopold III founded the abbey here around 900 years ago because of a mysterious bridal veil. Along the way, your guide will reveal further intriguing stories and provide insights into the life and scenery of the surrounding area.

At the abbey, enjoy a guided tour and discover fascinating details about the history, architecture, and art treasures of this remarkable monastery. Afterwards, you can explore the surroundings at your leisure: take a relaxing walk, enjoy a cup of coffee, or simply soak in the charming Vienna Woods scenery before returning to the ship.

Level: ACTIVE, Moderate
Distance: approx. 22km / 14miles

The “Wiener Residenz Orchester“, one of the best-known interpreters of classical Viennese music, presents an evening full of Viennese charm with the lilting sound of waltzes, polkas, arias and duets, as well as operetta and piano concert melodies. Accompanied by excellent opera singers and enchanting ballet soloists, Vienna’s classical music reveals itself as a living firework display for the senses.

Explore Dürnstein, a hidden gem in the heart of the magnificent Wachau Valley. This peaceful village offers the unique combination of breathtaking scenery, traditional architecture and a surprising array of local culinary delicacies. As you walk past the town hall and castle ruins, your guide will make stops for you to savior treats made with the local specialty – Apricots.  Indulge your taste buds with a sip of an Apricot juice, brandy or liquor, before continuing your walk to the charming 700-year old Schloss Dürnstein.  Standing just outside the castle walls, you have a mustn’t miss photo opportunity of the towering cliffs and vistas along the mighty Danube.  Make a stop to explore the famous Abbey and afterwards, you are invited for a glass of wine to toast the end of your Dürnstein exploration.

Melk Abbey is an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736 and is the biggest monastery complex of the Austrian baroque period. The abbey’s church, with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger are particularly noteworthy.

A guided tour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, through the marble hall, the balconies and the library.

Discover the upper Austrian state capital Linz on a walking tour. It was a provincial and local government city of the Holy Roman Empire, and an important trade center, connecting several trade routes. As the city where the Habsburg Emperor Friedrich III spent his last years, it was, for a short period of time, the most important city in the Empire. It lost its status to Vienna and Prague after the death of the Emperor in 1493.

There are many things worth seeing in Linz. Take a stroll down the main street, which leads to the main square. In addition to the medieval town square in the historic old town and the Mozarthaus, you can see the Renaissance villas, the old cathedral with the Bruckner organ or the new cathedral. Visits depend on Cathedral and Mass openings/times.Visible from afar is the pilgrimage basilica on the mountain Poestling, the landmark of the town.

A modern counterpart are the Lentos art museum and the Ars Electronica centre, with its striking glass facade offering a diverse play of colour in the darkness. If time allows, you can taste a piece of the famous Linzer Torte (Linzer Cake).

A two-hour coach ride will bring you to Salzburg — the city of music. The old town with its world-famous Baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was adopted by UNESCO in 1997 and is included on its list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. During the guided tour through the old town you will see the birth house of Mozart (exterior only), as well as other well-known attractions such as the ‘Getreidegasse‘, the gorgeous cathedral of the town and the area of the Salzburg festival. On arrival, you will see the fortress ‘Hohensalzburg’ from abroad.

After enjoying an included lunch, you will head to the picturesque village of Mondsee, best known as a film location for the famous movie “The Sound of Music”. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you return to the ship.

Set off on a culinary adventure that delights all your senses – an experience far beyond just stories! Here, flavors, aromas, sounds, and personal encounters come together for a truly immersive journey.

Join our guided culinary tour through Passau and let your guide lead you on a two-hour exploration of regional delights. Savor four handpicked specialties, including two exquisite beverages, creamy “Obatzda”, and a fine praline. From traditional Bavarian cuisine to local delicacies, from sweet indulgences to hearty treats – all accompanied by the unmistakable scent of Bavarian tavern culture. A feast for the senses and an unforgettable taste of Passau!

Set off directly from the ship on an exciting hike up to Veste Oberhaus, perched atop St. Georgsberg and one of the largest preserved fortress complexes in Europe. During a guided tour high above Passau, discover fascinating stories about the fortress and the city’s history. From the bastions, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the old town and the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers.

Afterwards, take some free time to explore the museum at your own pace. The excursion concludes with a relaxing coffee and cake break at the restaurant „Das Oberhaus“ before the walk back down to the ship.

This hike combines history, stunning vistas, and culinary delights—an ideal excursion for anyone who wants to experience culture, nature, and comfort in one memorable outing.

Level: ACTIVE, Moderate
Distance: approx. 8km / 5miles

Following your visit to the castle grounds, the tour continues to the majestic Strahov Library — one of the oldest and most significant monastic libraries in Europe. During your tour, you’ll discover its magnificent Baroque halls, adorned with elaborate ceiling frescoes and housing centuries-old book collections — a true highlight for lovers of history, architecture, and literature.

The excursion concludes with a relaxing lunch at a nearby restaurant, giving you the perfect opportunity to reflect on the morning’s impressions.

Start your day with a relaxing morning at the hotel before heading by coach to the iconic Prague Castle complex. There, a guided tour awaits you at the majestic St. Vitus Cathedral — a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a spiritual symbol of the Czech Republic

Continue to explore the expansive Prague Castle complex, visiting some of its most remarkable sites. The tour begins with the Romanesque St. George’s Basilica — one of Prague’s oldest sacred buildings, admired for its austere beauty and rich history. Then make your way to the famous Golden Lane - a narrow, colorful street once home to castle guards, craftsmen, and later, artists such as Franz Kafka.

This tour offers fascinating insights into daily life around Prague Castle and invites you to delve deep into the rich and eventful history of this unique location.