Itinerary
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Sunday, 21 Jul 2019: Arrival; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your flight at your convenience but arrive no later than 4:00pm. Transfers provided based on arrival flight time. Relax or go exploring before the tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of the hotel. Our Welcome Meeting will be followed by dinner to get better acquainted. Overnight Vienna - 2 nights
Monday, 22 Jul 2019: Day Trip to Salzburg (B)
We depart this morning to explore picturesque Salzburg and the idyllic Austrian Lake District. We will visit film locations from the iconic musical The Sound of Music, see Mozart's birthplace and spot landmarks like the Mirabell Palace, St Peter’s Abbey and the Archbishop’s Palace. Then, enjoy free time to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, visit the Hohensalzburg fortress and Mozart museum, or hit the shops, before we return to Vienna.
Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019: Vienna's House of Music; Board Ship (B,D)
Vienna has long been a musical epicenter. It was here that renowned composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Mahler and Strauss lived, composed and performed. So a trip to the House of Music (Haus der Musik) is a must during our time in the city. This small but fascinating museum showcases the works of Vienna's elite musicians with displays featuring manuscripts and sound bites. Exhibits also explain the evolution of sound and the mechanics behind our ability to hear. Plus, there's an entire floor dedicated to the Vienna Philharmonic where you can even use a virtual wand to conduct the musicians. We'll board the ship in early evening and after settling into our cabins, enjoy a welcome from our crew. Overnight Cruise Ship - 7 nights
Wednesday, 24 Jul 2019: Melk Abbey; Tour of Durnstein (B,L,D)
Today, the ship stops at Melk where we will explore the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. This afternoon, the ship will sail through the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube. This area is dotted with castles, Gothic ruins and picturesque villages. When we arrive in Dürnstein, we'll take a tour of this charming medieval town. We'll return on board at the end of the afternoon and continue cruising toward Bratislava.
Thursday, 25 Jul 2019: Bratislava Tour; Afternoon Cruising (B,L,D)
This morning, we'll tour of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The Baroque palaces and the beautiful shaded squares add to the charm of this city. With a local guide, we'll explore the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace, and St. Martin's Cathedral. The afternoon will be spent cruising.
Friday, 26 Jul 2019: Puszta Horse Show; Cruising (B,L,D)
This morning we dock in Kaklocsa, which is dubbed the "paprika capital of the world." Today's excursion takes us to the Puszta, the Great Hungarian Plain to take in a traditional horse show where Hungarian cowboys demonstrate their equestrian skills. UNESCO declared part of the Puszta a World Heritage Site. The afternoon will be spent cruising toward Budapest, reaching it during the night.
Saturday, 27 Jul 2019: Budapest City Tour; Evening Entertainment (B,L,D)
Budapest was once two distinct cities united only in 1873. Buda, on one bank with its rolling hills and valleys, and Pest, on the other bank, with its flatter landscape offering a panoramic view over the banks of the Danube. Today, we'll enjoy a guided city tour that will include the second largest synagogue in the world, Heroes Square, the Opera, and the magnificent Parliament building. Tonight, we're in for a treat as we enjoy an evening of traditional entertainment.
Sunday, 28 Jul 2019: Esztergom, Birthplace of Hungary's First King; Cruising (B,L,D)
This morning, the ship arrives in Esztergom, Hungary, the first capital of the Kingdom of Hungary dating to the 10th century. The city's cathedral, Esztergom Basilica, is the largest church in Hungary. After free time to explore, we'll resume cruising. Tonight is our gala dinner on board.
Monday, 29 Jul 2019: Vienna City Tour; Schoenbrunn Castle; Hofburg Palace; Farewell Dinner (B,L,D)
Back in Vienna, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the city with visits to both Schoenbrunn Castle and Hofburg Palace. Tonight, we'll celebrate with our Farewell Dinner.
Tuesday, 30 Jul 2019: Disembark from Cruise Ship; Depart for Home (B)
Sadly, our Danube River Cruise has come to a close. Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking around 9:00am. Make your return flight no earlier than 1:00 pm. The WTT Tour Leader will assist in organizing ride-sharing to the airport based on your flight departure time.