Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You're arriving in Prague, a city that's been developing for over a thousand years. The Vltava River runs through the middle, separating the historic Old Town from the New Town. Since it's Christmas time, the streets are decorated with lights and filled with market stalls, making it the perfect setting to start walking around and getting a feel for the city.
Landmarks Vltava River Old Town New Town 
- Day 2
Prague
This morning, you'll head out with a local guide to see Prague's Gothic architecture, including the Old Town and the famous Astronomical Clock. Charles Bridge, built back in 1357, is another key stop. After that, the afternoon is yours to wander through the city on your own. The Old Town Square's Christmas market is definitely worth your time, and you'll find Prague's tallest Christmas tree nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expert-guided tour of Prague Old Town, Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge
Optional Activities
- Leisure exploration of Prague's streets and Christmas markets
Landmarks Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge Vltava River - Day 3
Prague
Today you have three options to choose from. You can explore Prague's Communist history with a local guide and visit a brewery for beer tasting, travel to the Terezin Memorial to learn about WWII, or tour Prague Castle, one of the world's largest castle complexes that includes St. Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Lane.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with expert local guide and local beer tasting at a brewery
- Full-day excursion to Terezin Memorial, a former military fortress and Theresienstadt Ghetto site
- Prague Castle Tour including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Royal Palace Golden Lane Terezin Memorial - Day 4
Prague to Regensburg
You'll take a coach from Prague to Regensburg and board your river cruise ship. The transfer gets you to the boat and ready to begin your time on the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Regensburg - Day 5
Regensburg
Regensburg is located where three rivers meet in Bavaria, and there's a lot to see here. You can either take a walking tour with a guide who'll show you the old stone bridge and Church of St James while explaining local customs, or visit the Thurn and Taxis Palace followed by time at the local Christmas market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg with expert local guide including old stone bridge and Church of St James
- Thurn and Taxis Palace Tour with free time to explore local Christmas market
Landmarks Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Thurn and Taxis Palace - Day 6
Passau
Passau sits where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers come together, and the rivers actually show different colors where they meet because of where they flow from. The Old Town has a 13th century layout with narrow laneways, tunnels, and archways, plus Christmas markets throughout. You can choose a guided tour that covers St. Stephens Cathedral, or take a full-day trip to either Salzburg or Český Krumlov.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant (on full-day excursion options only)), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Highlights of Passau guided tour including St. Stephens Cathedral
- Full day excursion to Salzburg with guided tour, lunch at local restaurant, and free time to explore
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov with guided tour, lunch at local restaurant, and leisure time
Landmarks St. Stephens Cathedral Passau Old Town Danube River - Day 7
Melk
Your ship docks in Melk, a small town in Austria's Wachau Valley. You can take a guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey, which has 900-year-old grounds and a library with over 80,000 books, or do an e-bike ride through vineyards to the village of Dürnstein. Later in the afternoon, you'll cruise through the Wachau Valley while a local producer shares regional food and schnapps with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Regional delicacies and schnapps tasting on board during Wachau Valley cruise)
Included Activities
- Afternoon Danube cruise through Wachau Valley with regional delicacies and schnapps tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey including Marble Hall, library, and Abbey Church
- Guided e-bike ride from Melk to Dürnstein through vineyards with river views
Landmarks Melk Abbey Dürnstein Wachau Valley Danube River - Day 8
Vienna
You wake up in Vienna, known as the City of Music. The Ringstrasse boulevard and Habsburg history shape the city. In the morning, choose between visiting Schönbrunn Palace, taking a guided tour of central Vienna with time for Christmas markets, or checking out the Belvedere Museum with its Baroque architecture and Austrian art. The afternoon is free to explore Vienna or relax on the ship. Tonight, you'll attend a private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Strauss and Mozart performed live.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exclusive Scenic Enrich private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with glass of Austrian Sekt
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace with time to see impressive gardens
- Central Vienna guided tour with free time to discover Christmas markets
- Belvedere Museum guided tour featuring Austrian art from Middle Ages to present
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Palais Liechtenstein Belvedere Museum - Day 9
Bratislava
You arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. The Old Town has medieval and Gothic buildings with a castle on a hilltop from the 9th century, though other parts of the city show socialist architecture from more recent history. Take a walking tour with a local guide to see the main square and Old Town Hall while trying mulled wine from the Christmas market, or join a wine tasting tour through Slovakia's wine regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava with local guide including Hlavné Námestie main square and Old Town Hall with mulled wine from Christmas market
- Wines of Slovakia tasting in one of Bratislava's cellars exploring different wine regions
Landmarks Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall Bratislava Castle - Day 10
Budapest
You're in Budapest, a city divided by the Danube into Buda and Pest since 1873. The architecture here ranges from Gothic to Art Nouveau, and the city is famous for hot springs and thermal baths. Choose a coach tour that visits Várkert Bazár and Margaret Bridge, ending at the Christmas market, or take a tour of the Hungarian State Opera House to see its ornate interiors.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth coach tour of Buda and Pest including Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Square, Elizabeth Square, and Christmas market
- National Opera House tour showcasing architecture, opulent interiors, and cultural significance
Landmarks Danube River Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hungarian State Opera House - Day 11
Budapest to Departure
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Budapest Airport for your flight home, taking with you memories from your Danube river cruise through this festive season.
- Meals
- Breakfast
