Danube Cruise with Prague &Budapest

Spend 2 Nights in Budapest and Cruise From Budapest  to Nuremberg, 
spend 3nights in prague after
the cruise

2010-2011  - Blue Danube Discovery

ITINERARY 2010: DAY 1, ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY Arrive in Budapest .Optional transfer. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city. DAY 2, BUDAPEST The morning city tour includes historic Buda Castle, where you have a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features 500-year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephen's Basilica, distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvelous Royal Palace and much more. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps, explore the main square or their famous health and thermal spas of a Turkish bath. (B) DAY 3, BUDAPEST - EMBARK SHIP Enjoy a free morning in Budapest or join us on an optional Puszta excursion, where you will experience the revival of a 100-year-old tradition of Hungarian horsemanship. In the afternoon, transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship docked in the center of the city. Tonight, gather onboard for a Gala Welcome Dinner, as your ship cruises overnight to Bratislava. (B,D) DAY 4, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA A guided morning tour of Bratislava reveals the city's major sights, including the Old Town Hall, the stunning Mirbach Palace and the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. The afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Perhaps, visit the 13th-century Bratislava Castle where you'll enjoy breathtaking views overlooking three countries - Slovakia, Austria and Hungary. An eventful day is followed by an evening filled with an enchanting music performance onboard. After midnight, the ship departs for Vienna. (B,L,D) DAY 5, VIENNA, AUSTRIA Savour the Baroque romance of Vienna. On your guided sightseeing tour, you will see the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral and visit the National Library. The afternoon is free to stroll along Kärntnerstrasse or sample Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or come along for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert. (B,L,D) DAY 6, DÜRNSTEIN - MELK Early this morning reach the Wachau Valley for your walking tour of Dürnstein, known as one of the prettiest towns on the Danube. Marvel at the magnificent blue façade of the Baroque Stiftskirche and see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Your walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets reveals 16th-century town houses and wine taverns. Enjoy your lunch cruising to Melk for your guided tour of the town's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. An evening wine tasting highlights your visit to the Wachau Valley. (B,L,D) DAY 7, LINZ - PASSAU, GERMANY After breakfast, take an optional full-day excursion to fascinating Salzburg and the Sound of Music sights, or cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. During your walking tour, gaze at this fairytale city founded more than 2,000 years ago. (B,L,D) DAY 8, REGENSBURG After lunch, arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. A guided tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, and the Porta Pretoria - a gateway to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. Marvel at beautiful churches and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Tonight, folklore entertainers will come onboard for your delight. (B,L,D) DAY 9, NUREMBERG Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising through the Main-Danube Canal and relax during a leisurely cruise through the beautiful Altmühl Valley. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. Or, choose the Medieval history of Nuremberg and see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle, or join the tour centered on the modern role the city played in the 20th-century and see the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. Moor overnight in Nuremberg. (B,L,D) DAY 10, NUREMBERG - CARLSBAD (KARLOVY VARY), CZECH REPUBLIC - PRAGUE This morning, depart Nuremberg after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Karlovy Vary, better known by its German name, Carlsbad, and most famous for its Bohemian spa. After lunch, continue to Prague and check into the hotel. (B) DAY 11, PRAGUE This morning's sightseeing reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities. Visit the 1,000-year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St. Vitus, and then walk over the Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The evening is free to mix with the locals at Wenceslas Square, shop for souvenirs or enjoy one of the charming cafés or restaurants. (B) DAY 12, PRAGUE Today is a free day to relax or visit a museum or a gallery, wander along the banks of the Vlatava River, dine at an outdoor restaurant or shop for local handicrafts and art work. Why not join the optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B) DAY 13, DEPART PRAGUE Bid farewell to Prague and  optional transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)   Day Destination Activities 1 Budapest   Arrival, optional transfer to hotel , check in 2 Budapest   City tour 3 Budapest   EMBARKATION       Welcome Cocktails       Welcome Dinner 4 Bratislava   City tour       Evening music performance 5 Vienna   City tour       Optional evening concert 6 Dürnstein   Walking tour   Melk   Benedictine Abbey tour       Wine tasting  7 Linz   Optional Salzburg excursion   Passau   Walking tour       Bavarian folklore evening 8 Regensburg   Walking tour       Evening music performance 9 Hilpoltstein   Crossing Continental Divide   Nuremberg   City tour 10 Nuremberg   DISEMBARKATION   Karlovy Vary   Free time   Prague   Motorcoach to Prague 11 Prague   City tour 12 Prague   Optional tours available 13 Prague   Departure

INCLUDED FEATURES:   2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Budapest with daily Buffet Breakfast 7-night Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Internet, Movie and Music Library & English Language TV stations Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise Unlimited Quality Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions with every Dinner onboard the Ship Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner Transfer from the Ship in Nuremberg to the Hotel in Prague 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Prague with daily Buffet Breakfast Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary Special Highlights including Folklore Dances, Lectures, Theme Dinners, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music Use of Bicycles to explore on your own Services of Professional Cruise Director All English Language onboard in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) All local Taxes