Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You arrive in Prague, the Golden City. The day is yours to spend however you'd like, walking through neighborhoods, checking out the surrounding countryside, or just getting a feel for the city at your own pace.
- Day 2
Prague
After breakfast, you'll join a guided walk through Hradcany Castle Grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral. From there, head to Old Town to see the Astronomical Clock and browse market stalls along Charles Bridge, or catch street performers at Wenceslas Square. Try some traditional plum dumplings and Pilsner lager by the Vltava River if you're hungry.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk visiting Hradčany Castle Grounds, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town's Astronomical Clock
Optional Activities
- Sample plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager by the Vltava River
- Watch street performers at Wenceslas Square
- Browse market stalls at Charles Bridge
Landmarks Hradčany Castle Grounds St. Vitus Cathedral Old Town's Astronomical Clock Wenceslas Square Charles Bridge Vltava River - Day 3
Prague to Vilshofen
You'll drive to Regensburg for a guided walk through the historic center, visiting Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria (a fortress entrance from 179 AD). After lunch and exploring the old lanes with local beer, you'll head to Vilshofen to board your Avalon Suite Ship. Meet Storyteller host Christopher Moore at the welcome reception, then cruise to Passau by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk in Regensburg to see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
Optional Activities
- Enjoy a hearty lunch and local beer in Regensburg
- Explore historic lanes and squares of Regensburg
Landmarks Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) Porta Pretoria - Day 4
Passau to Linz
Choose a hiking adventure from Oberhaus down to the valley along the Ilz River, or take a guided walk learning about this 'City of Three Rivers.' You'll have time to wander Passau's cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley, and can visit St. Stephen's Cathedral if interested. Later, cruise through the dramatic Schlögen Oxbow toward Linz, with live entertainment onboard this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River (or Guided City Walk as alternative)
Optional Activities
- Explore Passau's cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists' Alley
- Stop at St. Stephen's Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal
Landmarks Oberhaus St. Stephen's Cathedral Ilz River Schlögen Oxbow - Day 5
Linz to Melk
Start at the Adventure Center to pick your activity: bike ride along the Danube cycle path, guided walk through Linz visiting Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column, or a full-day guided tour to Cesky Krumlov. Optional excursions to Salzburg are available, or you could do a biking picnic along the Danube or hike to Postlingberg for city and river views. Cruise to Melk this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk through Linz's historic sites along the Danube shore including Hauptplatz and Trinity Column (or bike ride or Český Krumlov tour as alternatives)
Optional Activities
- E-bike ride around the area of Linz along the Danube cycle path
- Full-day guided tour to Český Krumlov
- Full-day guided optional excursion to Salzburg
- Biking picnic along the banks of the Danube
- Hiking through Linz's nature trails to Pöstlingberg
Landmarks Hauptplatz Trinity Column Český Krumlov Pöstlingberg - Day 6
Wachau Valley
Choose between a walk along the Danube and around Melk, or a guided tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey with its frescoed ceilings, statues, library, and ornate pipe organ. You'll sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards and castles to reach Krems. After a guided walk through this valley town and live entertainment onboard, cruise to Vienna by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey with frescoed ceilings, statues, library, and ornate pipe organ (or walk along Danube River and around Melk as alternative)
- Guided walk to explore Krems valley town
Landmarks Melk Benedictine Abbey Wachau Valley Krems - Day 7
Vienna
Pick a morning activity: guided bike tour along the Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues, insider's tour with local meetings and food preparation, or guided sightseeing including Belvedere Palace with Klimt's 'Kiss' painting. Spend your afternoon strolling Kärntnerstrasse, trying a piece of Sachertorte, or taking an optional trip to Schönbrunn Palace. You'll stay docked in Vienna overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Tour along Ringstrasse and pedestrian avenues (or Insider's Tour with locals and food, or Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna including Belvedere Palace with Klimt's 'Kiss' as alternatives)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse
- Enjoy Sachertorte
- Optional excursion to Schönbrunn
Landmarks Ringstrasse Belvedere Palace Kärntnerstrasse Schönbrunn - Day 8
Vienna to Bratislava
Start with a guided sightseeing tour of Vienna's historic highlights, passing legendary coffee establishments mentioned in Christopher Moore's Anima Rising where Klimt and Freud gathered, ending at Café Central for coffee and cake. Alternatively, choose a morning walking tour with breakfast at a Viennese café, or visit the Museum of Fine Arts with Habsburg art. This evening, enjoy an included excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall before cruising to Bratislava.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Vienna's historic highlights ending at Café Central with coffee and cake (or Guided Walking Tour with Viennese café breakfast, or Guided Tour of Museum of Fine Arts as alternatives)
- Included excursion to Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall
Landmarks Café Central Museum of Fine Arts - Day 9
Bratislava
You can hike to lofty Bratislava Castle or take a guided city walk through Old Town, Town Hall, and St. Martin's Cathedral where royal coronations happened. You'll have free time to explore Bratislava and the nearby forests and parks. Relax onboard with live entertainment this evening while staying docked in Bratislava overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk including Old Town, Town Hall, and St. Martin's Cathedral (or hike to Bratislava Castle as alternative)
Optional Activities
- Explore Bratislava's forests and parks
Landmarks Bratislava Castle Old Town St. Martin's Cathedral - Day 10
Esztergom to Visegrád to Budapest
In Esztergom, choose an e-bike tour through the Pilis Mountains Region with views from Dobogoko lookout, or a guided tour of the ancient Esztergom Basilica with traditional Palinka tasting. After a brief lunch cruise to Visegrand, select from hiking through Danube-Ipoly National Park to Count Dracula's prison tower, canoeing through the Bend Region, or visiting the Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrand's Lower Castle. Explore traditional craftspeople at Palotahazi before sailing to Budapest with Parliament Building views. Stay docked overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Esztergom Basilica with Pálinka tasting in cellar (or e-bike tour of Pilis Mountains Region as alternative)
- Hiking Tour through Danube-Ipoly National Park and Count Dracula's prison tower (or Canoe Excursion through Danube Bend Region, or Guided Visit to Medieval Knights Tournament at Visegrád's Lower Castle as alternatives)
Optional Activities
- Explore Palotahází to see stonemasons, smiths, potters, and paper-makers using age-old techniques
Landmarks Esztergom Basilica Pilis Mountains Region Dobogókő Danube-Ipoly National Park Count Dracula's Prison Tower Visegrád's Lower Castle Danube Bend Region Parliament Building - Day 11
Budapest
Choose between hiking to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest or a guided city sightseeing tour including iconic Heroes' Square. Later, select from optional guided excursions or explore on your own, visiting the Chain Bridge, discovering cafes and pubs, or hiking through the hills above the Danube. You'll stay docked in Budapest overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Sightseeing including Heroes' Square (or hike to magnificent viewpoint as alternative)
Optional Activities
- Optional guided excursions
- Explore Chain Bridge
- Discover Budapest's cafés and pubs
- Hike through the hills above the Danube
Landmarks Heroes' Square Chain Bridge - Day 12
Budapest
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
