Delight in the Old-World grandeur of Europe’s most spectacular capital cities along the Danube River during this special 5-night journey. From Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria, follow the paths of kings and queens (Habsburg royalty among them) on up to five included excursions each day. Enjoy guided hikes to hilltop castles such as Bratislava’s gleaming fortress, bike tours to beautiful sites like Klosterneuburg Abbey and tastings of local delights, such as the cake that started a national holiday in Austria: sachertorte. Plus, enjoy the local nightlife as each capital and its architectural wonders illuminate after sunset. Whether you are sailing the Danube River for the first time or returning to venture deeper into the cities that inspired you most, we invite you to celebrate this spectacular journey with us as we treat you like the royalty you are.
Delight in the Old-World grandeur of Europe’s most spectacular capital cities along the Danube River during this special 5-night journey. From Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria, follow the paths of kings and queens (Habsburg royalty among them) on up to five included excursions each day. Enjoy guided hikes to hilltop castles such as Bratislava’s gleaming fortress, bike tours to beautiful sites like Klosterneuburg Abbey and tastings of local delights, such as the cake that started a national holiday in Austria: sachertorte. Plus, enjoy the local nightlife as each capital and its architectural wonders illuminate after sunset. Whether you are sailing the Danube River for the first time or returning to venture deeper into the cities that inspired you most, we invite you to celebrate this spectacular journey with us as we treat you like the royalty you are.
Majestic Capitals of the Danube
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Board the ship for your Majestic Capitals of the Danube river cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour |
|
| | OR "Hidden Budapest" tour |
|
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins venturing to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. If you prefer venturing off the beaten path or are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our Jewish heritage tour which visits the museum at beautiful Dohány Synagogue, as well as the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial and the Temple of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish Hungarian soldiers who fought during WWI. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Bratislava | Scenic cruising |
|
| | “Coronation City” walking tour |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
| | Exclusive Slovakian Experience |
|
Take in the breathtaking scenery as we glide along the Danube River into Bratislava. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. In the evening, end your day with an exclusive Slovakian folkoric experience. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Bratislava | Scenic cruising |
|
| Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” city tour |
|
| | OR Vienna city tour by bike |
|
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise in Bratislava before sailing to Vienna. The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens |
|
| | OR Klosterneuburg bike tour |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. Pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuberg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery overlooking the Danube River. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vienna | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Bid farewell to Vienna and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Board the ship for your Majestic Capitals of the Danube river cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Vienna | "Imperial Vienna" city tour |
|
| | OR Vienna city tour by bike |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens |
|
| Bratislava | OR Klosterneuburg bike tour |
|
| Bratislava | Exclusive Slovakian Experience |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. If you prefer a more active tour, pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuburg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery. Enjoy a scenic cruise in Vienna before sailing to Bratislava. In the evening, end your day with an exclusive Slovakian folkloric experience. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. Take in the magnificent view as we glide along the Danube River into Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour |
|
| | OR "Hidden Budapest" tour |
|
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins venturing to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. If you prefer venturing off the beaten path or are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our Jewish heritage tour which visits the museum at beautiful Dohány Synagogue, as well as the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial and the Temple of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish Hungarian soldiers who fought during WWI. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home. (B)
Note: The Great Market Hall is closed on Sundays.
Day 1 | Krakow | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Krakow and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 | Krakow | “Historic Highlights and Wawel Royal Castle” tour |
|
Get acquainted with your surroundings and take a deeper dive into the fascinating history of Krakow with a comprehensive city tour. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle – the world’s very first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and Poland’s largest castle, located in the center of its Old Town. The Wawel Hill it stands upon features a limestone cave renowned for its connection to the legendary Wawel Dragon of Polish folklore, which you will learn more about during your tour. You will also venture into Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter and see the factory of Oskar Schindler, who was credited with saving 1,200 Jewish lives during World War II, and who was famously honored in the award-winning film Schindler’s List. You will also be treated to a live performance of the Polish anthem by a trumpeter on the highest tower of Saint Mary’s Church, otherwise known as St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a tradition since the 19th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore more of the city. (B)
Day 3 | Krakow | “Preserving Holocaust History” tour and Auschwitz visit |
|
Prepare yourself for an emotional day as together, we explore a darker period in Poland’s history with a visit to Auschwitz, the largest and most tragically infamous of Europe’s labor and death camps. The main gate, barbed wire fences, buildings and barracks look much the same today as they did during the Holocaust, when 1.1 million lives were taken within the camp. It was liberated from January 17-21, 1945, saving 58,000 from further horrors. Though not for the feint of heart, this once-in-a-lifetime excursion will honor the memory of those who perished and promises to be one you won’t soon forget. (B)
Day 4 | Krakow | Transfer to Budapest |
|
| Budapest | Banská Bystrica visit |
|
Check out of your hotel and begin your transfer to Budapest. En route, you will stop in Banská Bystrica, an historic and picturesque Slovakian city with architecture that dates to the medieval period. Enjoy time for a nice lunch, then continue to Budapest, where you will board your luxurious river cruise ship.(B,D)
Day 5 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour |
|
| | OR "Hidden Budapest" tour |
|
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins venturing to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. If you prefer venturing off the beaten path or are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our Jewish heritage tour which visits the museum at beautiful Dohány Synagogue, as well as the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial and the Temple of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish Hungarian soldiers who fought during WWI. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Bratislava | Scenic cruising |
|
| | “Coronation City” walking tour |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
| | Exclusive Slovakian Experience |
|
Take in the breathtaking scenery as we glide along the Danube River into Bratislava. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. In the evening, end your day with an exclusive Slovakian folkoric experience. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Bratislava | Scenic cruising |
|
| Vienna | “Imperial Vienna” city tour |
|
| | OR Vienna city tour by bike |
|
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise in Bratislava before sailing to Vienna. The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens |
|
| | OR Klosterneuburg bike tour |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. Pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuberg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery overlooking the Danube River. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Vienna | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Depart the ship and continue via motorcoach to Prague where you will check into your hotel. (B)
Day 10 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour |
|
Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square, where you will find the famous Astronomical Clock. (B)
Day 11 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)
Day 12 | Prague | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Prague | Hotel check-in |
|
Depart the ship and continue via motorcoach to Prague where you will check into your hotel. (B)
Day 2 | Prague | “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” city tour |
|
Discover Prague with a choice of a city tour or a castle hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See all the key highlights, including the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle and Old Market Square, where you will find the famous Astronomical Clock. (B)
Day 3 | Prague | Czech beer tasting |
|
Beer has a long and illustrious history in the Czech Republic, so join a tasting and discover some of the very best beer in the world. (B)
Day 4 | Prague | Transfer to Vienna via motorcoach |
|
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 5 | Vienna | "Imperial Vienna" city tour |
|
| | OR Vienna city tour by bike |
|
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens |
|
| Bratislava | OR Klosterneuburg bike tour |
|
| Bratislava | Exclusive Slovakian Experience |
|
Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. If you prefer a more active tour, pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuburg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery. Enjoy a scenic cruise in Vienna before sailing to Bratislava. In the evening, end your day with an exclusive Slovakian folkloric experience. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Bratislava | “Coronation City” walking tour |
|
| | OR Bratislava Castle hike |
|
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. Take in the magnificent view as we glide along the Danube River into Budapest. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Budapest | “Queen of the Danube” tour |
|
| | OR "Hidden Budapest" tour |
|
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins venturing to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. If you prefer venturing off the beaten path or are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our Jewish heritage tour which visits the museum at beautiful Dohány Synagogue, as well as the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial and the Temple of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish Hungarian soldiers who fought during WWI. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Budapest | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Depart the ship. En route, you will stop in Banská Bystrica, an historic and picturesque Slovakian city with architecture that dates to the medieval period. Enjoy time for a nice lunch, then continue to Krakow to check into your hotel. (B)
Day 10 | Krakow | City tour with castle, Jewish quarter and Oscar Schindler factory |
|
Get acquainted with your surroundings and take a deeper dive into the fascinating history of Krakow with a comprehensive city tour. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle – the world’s very first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and Poland’s largest castle, located in the center of its Old Town. The Wawel Hill it stands upon features a limestone cave renowned for its connection to the legendary Wawel Dragon of Polish folklore, which you will learn more about during your tour. You will also venture into Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter and see the factory of Oskar Schindler, who was credited with saving 1,200 Jewish lives during World War II, and who was famously honored in the award-winning film Schindler’s List. You will also be treated to a live performance of the Polish anthem by a trumpeter on the highest tower of Saint Mary’s Church, otherwise known as St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a tradition since the 19th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore more of the city. (B)
Day 11 | Krakow | Auschwitz visit |
|
Prepare yourself for an emotional day as together, we explore a darker period in Poland’s history with a visit to Auschwitz, the largest and most tragically infamous of Europe’s labor and death camps. The main gate, barbed wire fences, buildings and barracks look much the same today as they did during the Holocaust, when 1.1 million lives were taken within the camp. It was liberated from January 17-21, 1945, saving 58,000 from further horrors. Though not for the feint of heart, this once-in-a-lifetime excursion will honor the memory of those who perished and promises to be one you won’t soon forget. (B)
Day 12 | Krakow | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Krakow and prepare for your return flight home.