A Taste of the Danube 2011 (Budapest to Vienna with Both Extensions)

Day 1 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary
(Mon.) Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2 Budapest
(Tue.) Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN’S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (B)

Day 3 Budapest (Embarkation)
(Wed.) This morning you can explore this vibrant city at your own pace. In the afternoon, transfer to your river cruise vessel and join Day 1 of cruise WBV. Meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

Day 4 Bratislava, Slovakia
(Thu.) A morning to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. As you cruise upriver, Hungary is on your left and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. Situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava is the dynamic capital of Slovakia. The charming Old Town with its Town Hall and Mirbach Palace as well as gothic ST. MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL should not be missed. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Dürnstein, Austria–Melk
(Fri.) This morning our first stop is Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lying right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above town are the ruins of the castle where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. Explore this picturesque little town on your own or choose from a number of optional excursions. Melk’s magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site, and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! (B,L,D)

Day 6 Linz–Grein
(Sat.) Linz, Austria’s third-largest town, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. Culture is an important part of life in Linz. The composer Anton Bruckner lived here and Mozart’s Linzer Symphony was composed in the city. Choose from a variety of optional activities today. In the late afternoon, arrive in the attractive country resort of Grein, which is nestled at the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle and tour the highlights with a Local Guide. The turreted houses on the main square make excellent photo material. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Vienna (Disembarkation)
(Sun.) Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your city tour. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse or simply savor the atmosphere of the “City of Music” while enjoying a slice of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. (B)

Day 8 Vienna
(Mon.) A full day at leisure in this fascinating city! (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 4-night cruise from Budapest to Vienna in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• BUDAPEST: Welcome reception
• BRATISLAVA: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral
• DÜRNSTEIN: See the Stiftskirche
• MELK: Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
• GREIN: Guided sightseeing
• BUDAPEST EXTENSION: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion; services of a Local Host
• VIENNA EXTENSION: Guided sightseeing; services of a Local Host

Discover the fascinating Danube with its charming small towns and exciting cities on this river cruise vacation. Begin your vacation with a 2-night city stay in the vibrant Hungarian city of Budapest for a more comprehensive experience. Then, board your ship and explore Slovakia’s vibrant capital of Bratislava, see Dürnstein’s baroque Stiftskirche, visit Melk’s impressive Benedictine Abbey, and bask in the natural beauty of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Spend time at leisure in Linz and in the resort of Grein. Your vacation ends in Vienna, the “City of Music,” where you’ll disembark and spend an additional two nights.

• Superb dining on board daily, featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements. Vienna & Budapest Extensions: Full buffet breakfast (B); complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

Budapest: InterContinental
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Tapestry 
Vienna: Hilton Stadtpark

Extra nights per person in Vienna:
in single room $210, in twin room $128

Extra nights per person in Budapest:
Departures May 1 -June 21 & Oct 9 - Oct 11: in single room $260, in twin room $142
Departures Aug 7 & Aug 9: in single room $210, in twin room $115

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $56 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); the responsibility for obtaining a visa rests with the traveler.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.