Bavaria & The Blue Danube

High above the town of Melk, we visit the Melk Abbey. Built from 1702 to 1736, the abbey’s church and the unique library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos are extraordinary. A guided tour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, through the marble hall, the balconies and the library.

This afternoon on a walking tour of Dürnstein, one of the best-known wine villages in the Wachau, we will discover this picturesque town with its traditional architecture and the baroque monastery Dürnstein, famous for the hard-to-miss blue spire. At the end of the tour, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine produced in the region.

Today is dedicated to all Vienna has to offer. First, we drive along the famous Ringstrasse, passing several magnificent buildings like the ornate opera house, the stunning parliament, the Court Theatre and Vienna’s imposing city hall.

A guided walking tour follows the driving tour through the city center. It is here we will get to know Vienna more intimately, starting at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace and finishing at the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Before we return to the ship, enjoy free time to stroll through the pedestrian area at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we tour one of the most beautiful sights of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace. As one of Austria’s most significant cultural heritage sites, Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens were declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Maria Theresia received the estate as a wedding gift in 1750, beginning the most splendid and wealthy era for the palatial estate, which was expanded to 1,441 rooms.

No visit to Vienna would be complete without partaking in a concert, and this journey is no different. In the very place where Johann Strauss once directed the orchestra, Vienna’s classical music can once again be heard daily. “Salonorchester Alt Wien,” one of the best interpreters of classical Viennese music, supplies an evening full of charm by performing a lilting collection of polkas, waltzes, arias and duets, as well as operetta and piano concert melodies.

In Bratislava, we admire the beauty of the capital of this recently formed Slovakian Republic. Through the years, the wonderful old town has maintained its Gothic-Baroque style as well as its charm. The tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues up to the hill, where we have a stunning view of the city and surrounding areas.

In the afternoon, we dig deeper by taking part in a walking tour through the restored old town to admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings.

From Bratislava, the coach takes us to the Schloss Hof Palace (Castle Hof) in Austria. The stately complex was built in the early 18^th century by Field Marshall Prince Eugene and brilliant architect Lucas von Hildebrandt. What resulted was a virtuoso masterpiece. Under its subsequent owner, Empress Maria Theresa, an additional storey was added, and the Palace was remodelled in the style of French Classicism. After visiting the castle, enjoy free time at your leisure to see the beautiful garden and the Maierhof with its numerous animals.

We begin in Esztergom, the former residence of the Hungarian kings and seat of the Archbishop. We visit the vast domed basilica, the largest cathedral in Hungary. Completed in the early 19^th century, it includes a remarkable red marble chapel originally from a previous church.

We continue along the Danube to the imposing ruined fortress of Visegrad to take in a glorious view of the “knee” of the Danube. Then onto the artists’ village of Szentendre, home of many generations of Hungarian artists since the early 20th century. Various galleries and museums display the rich tapestry of visual arts through the years.

From Szentendre, we continue south to Budapest along the scenic west bank of the Danube. Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube,” is one of the most beautiful cities globally and has retained a unique charm in recent years. The Danube flows through the city’s heart, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest.

The tour first takes us through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its unique gourmet shops and stalls. We see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been the unmistakable mark of the city ever since then. Finally, we continue across one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where we will visit St. Matthew’s Church. Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

A scenic drive takes us from Budapest to Prague, “the City of a Hundred Spires.” We stop in Brno for lunch before arriving at our hotel this afternoon. Built in 1904 by the Brandejs family, the Hotel Paris offers unequalled style, beauty and excellent service in the city’s heart. Situated in the historic district of Prague, the hotel provides you with the best location for experiencing this one-of-a-kind city. Only minutes separate you from the architectural and historical gems that await exploration. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at our hotel.

Today we visit Prague Castle to discover this important cultural and historical monument. Here we experience the Loreta pilgrimage destination, St. Vitus Cathedral (the burial site of patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops), and the Golden Lane. The Crown Jewels are housed here, as are the relics of Bohemian kings, precious Christian relics, art treasures and historical documents. A delicious lunch awaits before your afternoon stroll across the glorious Charles Bridge on our way to the Old Town Square.

This morning a private tour takes us on a relaxing and scenic adventure through the Bohemian countryside to Karlovy Vary. This ancient spa treatment resort was founded in 1350 by Charles IV, Czech King and Roman Emperor. Free time allows you to drink from the healing springs or amble about shops seeking famous local cut glass.