Gems of the Danube with Prague

Arrive at your luxurious city centre hotel in Prague after a seamless transfer for a three-night stay. Your luxury accommodation is located at the border of New and Old Prague and is the ideal base for your exploration of the city.

Join your expert local guide to explore Prague in all its Gothic glory including the Old Town, the famous Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge, commissioned in 1357 by Charles IV. This afternoon, stroll this magnificent city at your leisure. Situated on the banks of the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague is rich in history and home to some of the world’s most striking architectural wonders.

Freechoice:
Today, explore Prague with your choice of Scenic Freechoice activities.

Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting: Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Prague’s famous sites and hidden gems and learn about everyday life under Communism. Visit a local brewery for a tasting of local beers.

Terezin Memorial: Head to the town of Terezin, a former military fortress and location of the Theresienstadt Ghetto to learn about the horrors committed during the Nazi occupation.

Prague Castle Tour: Explore Prague Castle, considered one of the largest castles in the world. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the grandest cathedral in the Czech Republic, the Old Royal palace, former residence of Bohemian Royalty, and the picturesque Golden Lane.

Journey by coach to Passau where you’ll board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship.

Passau is a German city located in the Southeast of Germany on the Austrian border. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. The Three Rivers City, as it’s also known, is unique for its three contrasting currents of blue, green and black. Old Town of Passau is home to towering buildings of striking architecture: the majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus, the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf and St Stephen's Cathedral. Many of Passau’s attractions can be found in this area, including the New Bishop’s Residence, the Gothic Town Hall, as well as many churches and museums. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront promenades and romantic lanes whilst enjoying the picturesque landscape. For modern art, The Museum of Modern Art and Glass Museum Passau are recommended as they offer something a bit different. Theatre and cabaret are a popular evening pastime, with performances at the former Prince Bishopric Theatre or some lively cabaret and Jazz at the Scharfrichterhaus. Visitors will also find many traditional local Bavarian and Austrian cafes and restaurants offering a cosy atmosphere with home cooked food from local produce.

Passau is a German city located in the Southeast of Germany on the Austrian border. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. The Three Rivers City, as it’s also known, is unique for its three contrasting currents of blue, green and black. Old Town of Passau is home to towering buildings of striking architecture: the majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus, the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf and St Stephen's Cathedral. Many of Passau’s attractions can be found in this area, including the New Bishop’s Residence, the Gothic Town Hall, as well as many churches and museums. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront promenades and romantic lanes whilst enjoying the picturesque landscape. For modern art, The Museum of Modern Art and Glass Museum Passau are recommended as they offer something a bit different. Theatre and cabaret are a popular evening pastime, with performances at the former Prince Bishopric Theatre or some lively cabaret and Jazz at the Scharfrichterhaus. Visitors will also find many traditional local Bavarian and Austrian cafes and restaurants offering a cosy atmosphere with home cooked food from local produce.

Often referred to as the ‘City of Three Rivers’ due to its unique location at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, it was an important trading route for centuries.It was also a significant town in the Holy Roman Empire and the charming Old Town was mostly built by powerful prince-bishops in an Italianate style. 

Freechoice:
Take your pick from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Highlights of Passau: Join your local guide on a walking tour, admiring the brightly coloured buildings that line the waterways. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral, originally built in the year 450 but destroyed by fire in 1662 and rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Cross border cycling: Travel further afield on a guided e-bike ride along the River Inn, during which you will cross the border from Germany to Austria. Cycle through charming towns and admire the spectacular views of the region.

Passau photography safari: Bring your camera to capture the beauty of Passau. Your expert guide will take you to some of the city’s best vantage points, such as picturesque streets, the Old Town Hall and the point where the three rivers meet.

Depart for Linz early this afternoon.

Linz is a city in northern Austria located on both banks of the Danube River and is a short distance from Salzburg and Vienna. Linz has been awarded UNESCO City of Media Arts status and prides itself on offering a broad spectrum of events, activities and cultural institutions. Enjoy popular open air concert such as Klassik am Dom and extravagant street performances, which attract large crowds and popular international artists. Art galleries and centres are in abundance around the city as well as many museums housing international collections and depictions of the history and heritage of Linz. The architecture of the city also plays an important role in Linz’s cultural heritage with Main Square, Old Town and Mariendom Cathedral being some key attractions. Families will enjoy a trip to Postlingberg, located high up in the mountains and featuring a zoo, the Grottenbahn and spectacular views of the river and city below.

Wake up in Austria this morning, where your Space-Ship will be docked in the heart of Linz. This city is known for its vibrant music and arts scene and beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary architecture and lifestyle. The city’s quaint old town and Main Square are resplendent in Baroque architecture; while its harbour doubles as an outdoor street art gallery.

Freechoice:
Today, choose to explore your way with Scenic Freechoice:

Explore Linz by foot: Join a local guide on a walking tour to discover the balance between the city’s vibrant history and contemporary living.

Full day excursion to Salzburg: Cross the border into Salzburg, Austria, a storybook city surrounded by alpine peaks and best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. On a guided tour, learn about its art and music scene, visit Mozart’s birthplace, and see the vast Hohensalzburg Fortress. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and some free time.

Full day excursion to Ceský  Krumlov: Journey to the Czech town of Ceský  Krumlov, a World Heritage site brimming with charm. Explore with your local guide, admire the well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

Melk is an Austrian town situated on the River Danube. Located west of Vienna, the town is mostly famous for its 11th Century Melk Abbey, a magnificent monastery built high above the town. Melk Abbey is the largest example of Baroque architecture in the Wachau Valley, with the valley itself awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2000. Its steep terraced vineyards mean vinters cultivate with traditional manual practices and the springtime sees this unique landscape covered in apricot tree blossoms. Strolling around the streets of Melk Old Town, visitors will find the Town Hall Square, the Main Square, the old Post Office, now a local museum, Old Abbey Tavern, and Kremser Strasse. River cruises, self-guided walking tours and cycle tours are also extremely popular around Melk, as the Wachau Valley offers unique landscape to be explored and enjoyed. Art festivals and Baroque music is celebrated each year with the Melk Baroque Days, an international festival.

This morning your Space-Ship will dock in the small town of Melk, tucked inside Austria’s picturesque Wachau Valley. The town is dominated by its dramatic, World Heritage-listed Benedictine Abbey, which towers above it from a rocky outcrop.

Freechoice:
This morning offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:

Guided tour of Melk Abbey: Wander the halls of this grand 18th-century abbey, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, which is filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, adorned in frescoes and intricate statues.

Artstetten Castle: Meet the current owners of Artstetten Castle, which dates to the 13th century. It was once home to the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination sparked the beginning of WWI in 1914. See the family crypt and visit the on-site museum, before hearing tales from decedents of the royal family dynasty that were influential in European history.

Wachau Valley wine tasting: The Wachau Valley is one of the prominent regions for wine growing in Austria. Today you'll visit a local winemaker and learn about the age-old traditions of winemaking while sampling the delicious wines produced on site.

This afternoon, cruise through the Wachau Valley where you will be mesmerised by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. Then dock in the quaint town of Dürnstein, where you have ample free time to wander at your leisure. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

While on board, you can also join an informative talk on the production of schnapps and taste some local varieties.

Dürnstein is a town located in the Northeast of Austria, situated on the Danube river. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and wine region of Wachauer. It is a popular destination for wine lovers as many wineries offer accommodation. In addition to wine tasting and vineyard tours, visitors will find exploring the area on foot is easy and enjoyable. Take one of the many beautiful hiking trails across ancient rocks and admire the impressive views across the Danube valley. Children will enjoy exploring the outdoors of Dürnstein too, with outdoor playgrounds and theme trails available to keep them entertained. In addition, children and adults will enjoy Austria’s only outdoor biological swimming pool, Kuenringerbad, with an average temperature of 23 degrees celsius. Enjoy views of the town from overhead helicopter tours, leisurely river excursions, or hike up into the mountains and explore some of Dürnstein’s ruins. The mountains offer the ruins of Dürnstein castle and city wall as well as beautiful flora and fauna to spot.

Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Located on the Danube River in the East of the country, the city is renowned for its strong music heritage and rich culture, and is the largest German speaking city in the world, outside of Berlin. In 2001, Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts magnificent architecture. The city is home to over 27 castles and 150 palaces including the symbolic Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. Art and music are in abundance and all tastes are catered for. Live music venues offer everything from Rock to Opera. Enjoy world class performances at Vienna State Opera and experience the epicentre of international concert life at Musikverein. Modern and historical art can be found in indoor and outdoor spaces around the city, and a visit to the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is highly recommended. Enjoy views of the city from the Danube Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel, then relax in the ample cosy coffee houses, cafes, bars and restaurants where traditional and international cuisines are served, as well as the locally produced wines.

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of Austria and a centre of art, music and culture. The city fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, and oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces, a vibrant coffee-house scene, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums. 

Freechoice:
Choose from these Scenic Freechoice activities this afternoon:

Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family. Wander its ornately designed rooms, hear tales about the royal family that lives here and see the impressive gardens.

Cycle to Danube Island: Explore a different side of Vienna on a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island, a recreational playground where locals come for bathing, boating, cycling and relaxing on its beaches and open spaces.

Belvedere Museum: Visit one of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks and explore the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, complemented by the work of international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Max Beckmann.

Central Vienna: Vienna is brimming with history, elegance and diverse architecture. During this tour your expert local guide will delight you with stories from the city before allowing you free time to explore as you wish.

Enrich
Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein this evening as you relish an exclusive private classical concert. Enjoy a glass of fine Austrian Sekt and listen to the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra. Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists, and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia and is located along the Danube a river on the borders of Austria and Hungary. The city is surrounded by the Little Carpathians Mountains and vineyards as well as its iconic reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooking Old Town. The castle offers a picturesque view of the city, the neighbouring countries and is home to the Museum of History. Bratislava offers a blend of historic and modern attractions including the Old Town Hall, now home to the Bratislava City Museum, the UFO Bridge, Martin’s Cathedral, Michael’s Gate and Blue Church St Elizabeth’s. Bratislava is home to one of the oldest city parks in Central Europe and is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists as is the city forest park and foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The city is popular for its locally brewed beers and has many micro-breweries and underground beer cellars. The local cuisine of Bratislava is an eclectic influence of European cultures including Slovak, Hungarian, Austrian and German and serves as a reminder of the history of this cosmopolitan city. However, visitors will find an array of offerings to suit all tastes with lunch being the main meal of the day and roast goose with lokse considered a signature dish of the area.

Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993, Bratislava is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is glorious with Medieval and Gothic architecture. Its well-preserved hilltop castle, which dates back to the ninth century, still dominates the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, which is evident around the city. 

Freechoice:
As we dock in the city centre, this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions are just steps away:

Walking tour of Bratislava: Join a knowledgeable local guide to see the highlights of the city, including the Hlavné Námestie (main square) and the Old Town Hall while learning about the history of the city. You’ll also learn what everyday life was like behind the Iron Curtain and taste some local delicacies.

Wines of Slovakia: After the fall of Communism, new viticulturers set up on the banks of the Danube, taking advantages of the cold weather and optimal soils. This young wine region is now earning praise for it flavour and quality. Embark on a journey through the different regions of Slovakia while tasting various wines in one of Bratislava’s cellars.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find.

Arrive in Budapest early this morning, the capital of Hungary and one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873 when a newly built bridge connected the two. It’s an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. It is also well known for its hot springs and thermal baths and has a vibrant nightlife scene. 

Freechoice:
Choose from a range of Scenic Freechoice activities on offer this morning:

Budapest in depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Starting in Buda, see the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side to see Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square. End your tour with a mesmerising piano recital at the Institute for the Blind.

Guided hike of Buda: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike through the Buda district of the city. On your walk, see Varket Bazar and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city architecture.

Jewish Heritage Tour: During this tour you will learn about the significant Jewish events from history that have shaped the culture of today. You will also visit the fascinating Jewish Museum and impressive Synagogue.

Excursion to Szentendre: Journey to the riverside town Szentendre, known for its museums, galleries, and artists. Experience the Mediterranean atmosphere and discover its charms on a guided city tour.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find.

Please book your flight to depart out of Budapest after 10:30 AM.

Your journey concludes this morning. After one final breakfast on board, depart with a lifetime of memories. 

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Please book your flight to depart out of Budapest after 10:30 AM.