Tour 14) From the Danube to the Alps – A Grand Journey from Budapest to Munich
DANUBE RIVER CRUISE (7 nights) & Extension to the Heart of the Alps (3 nights / 4 days)

Day 1 – Budapest & Embarkation

Arrive in Budapest, Hungary’s magnificent capital, and embark on your Danube River cruise. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a first glimpse of this fascinating city, divided by the Danube into historic Buda and vibrant Pest. Admire the impressive Parliament, Buda Castle and the famous Chain Bridge from the river before settling into your cabin and enjoying your first evening on board.
Overnight on board.

Day 2 – Budapest

Spend the day discovering Budapest, one of Europe’s most beautiful river cities. Explore Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, offering magnificent views across the Danube, and discover Pest with its impressive Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica and elegant boulevards. The city’s grand architecture and lively atmosphere make Budapest a memorable highlight of the cruise.
Overnight on board.

Day 3 – Bratislava

Arrive in Bratislava, the charming capital of Slovakia. Explore the historic Old Town with its picturesque squares, narrow streets and colorful buildings. See Bratislava Castle, perched above the Danube, and enjoy the atmosphere of the city’s traditional cafés and pedestrian streets. Later, return to the ship and continue cruising towards Austria.
Overnight on board.

Day 4 – Vienna

Discover Vienna, the former capital of the Habsburg Empire and one of Europe’s great cultural cities. Explore the historic centre with St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, the Vienna State Opera and the magnificent Ringstrasse. Enjoy some free time to experience Vienna’s famous coffee-house culture, elegant shopping streets or imperial atmosphere before returning to the ship.
Overnight on board.

Day 5 – Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey, Wine Tasting & Spitz

Cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed landscape of vineyards, medieval villages and castles. Visit magnificent Melk Abbey, one of Austria’s finest Baroque masterpieces. Continue to picturesque Spitz, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills. A wine tasting introduces you to the region’s renowned wines while offering a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the traditions and scenery of the Wachau.
Overnight on board.

Day 6 – Linz

Arrive in Linz, Austria’s third-largest city on the Danube. Explore its historic centre, including the Hauptplatz, colorful historic buildings and impressive churches. Linz combines centuries of history with a vibrant modern cultural scene. Enjoy some time ashore before returning to the ship and continuing the journey downstream towards Passau.
Overnight on board.

Day 7 – Scenic Danube Cruising

Enjoy a relaxing day on board as the cruise continues through the scenic Danube landscape towards Germany. Admire wooded hills, riverside villages and peaceful countryside from the ship’s deck. Take time to enjoy the onboard facilities, cuisine and changing scenery as you approach the final destination of the river cruise, Passau.
Overnight on board.

Day 8 – Passau – Hallstatt – Salzburg – Innsbruck

Disembark in Passau and begin the Alpine extension. Travel to spectacular Hallstatt, one of Austria’s most beautiful lakeside villages, surrounded by mountains. Continue to Salzburg for a city tour, discovering the historic Old Town, Mozart’s birthplace and Mirabell Gardens. Afterwards, travel through the scenic Tyrolean countryside to Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. Overnight in Innsbruck.

Day 9 – BEST OF INNSBRUCK: Sparkling Installations, Alpine Panorama & Tyrolean Traditions

Discover Innsbruck – THE CAPITAL OF THE ALPS - and its impressive combination of historic architecture and Alpine scenery. Visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a fascinating world of sparkling art, design and crystal installations. Later, take the cable car up to Nordkette with the “Top of Innsbruck” and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over Innsbruck and the surrounding Tyrolean Alps. In the evening, experience the traditional Tyrolean Folk Show with the Gundolf Family featuring regional music, dancing and customs combined with a delicious local meal. Overnight in Innsbruck.

Day 10 – Innsbruck – Neuschwanstein – Munich

Travel from Innsbruck into Bavaria and visit spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, the famous fairytale castle of King Ludwig II. Set dramatically against an Alpine backdrop, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Continue to Munich, Bavaria’s lively capital. Explore the historic centre around Marienplatz and the impressive Neues Rathaus, or enjoy the city’s famous Bavarian atmosphere. Overnight in Munich.

Day 11 – Munich – Departure

Enjoy a final morning in Munich, depending on your departure time. Take a leisurely stroll through the historic Old Town, visit Marienplatz or enjoy a traditional Bavarian breakfast before transferring to Munich Airport. Your memorable journey from the grand capitals of the Danube through Austria’s Alpine landscapes and Bavaria concludes today. Departure from Munich.