Blue Danube Discovery

13 days • Budapest / Prague
From $2349 land & cruise only
(see Departure Dates and Rates)

All sailings guaranteed

Your Travel Value Includes

• Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Budapest on day 2 and Prague on day 14 when tour operator issues the airline tickets
• Two nights hotel accommodation in Budapest including buffet breakfast daily
• Transfer from the hotel in Budapest to the ship
• Seven nights deluxe cruise accommodation in outside cabin with hotel-style beds
• Transfer from the ship in Nuremberg to Prague
• Three nights hotel accommodation in Prague including buffet breakfast daily
• Superb dining with all meals included while cruising
• Quality wines with dinner
• Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner
• Captain’s Gala Dinner
• Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• Special highlights including a folklore performance, wine tasting, lectures, theme dinners, local festivities and on board music performances
• Services of a professional Cruise Manager throughout your cruise
• Nightly piano entertainment on board
• On board amenities including fitness center, massage and beauty salon, souvenir shop and Club Lounge
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking only on the Sun Deck)
• All local taxes
• Brendan flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Itinerary

Day 1 BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Day 2 ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax or begin exploring this beautiful city.

Day 3 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.
Budapest, spanning the banks of the Danube, is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis of Eastern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with the impressive Fisherman’s Bastion and historic Matthias Church are sights not to be missed. This afternoon is at leisure. There is time to explore on your own, relax, or shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain and paprika. (B)

Day 4 BUDAPEST / EMBARK SHIP.
Enjoy a free morning in Budapest. This afternoon, transfer to your luxurious river cruise ship, where your crew waits to welcome you on board. Step aboard and settle in for an enchanting week of cruising. Tonight gather for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

Day 5 BRATISLAVA / CRUISING.
A beautiful day on the Danube. Stop in Bratislava for a walking tour and free time. Then glide past outstanding scenery on the way to charming Vienna, the “City of Music.” (B,L,D)

Day 6 VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
Sightseeing in Vienna includes Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. There is time to shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and to enjoy sachertorte or apfelstrudel in a café. (B,L,D)

Day 7 DÜRNSTEIN / MELK.
Cruise through the Wachau Valley and stop in Dürnstein, known for the baroque Stiftskirche with its blue facade. Above town you will spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Continue to Melk. A guided tour takes you to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest baroque monasteries. (B,L,D)

Day 8 LINZ / PASSAU, GERMANY.
After breakfast, take an optional full day excursion to fascinating Salzburg and its Sound of Music sights, or cruise through Upper Austria to Passau in Germany. (B,L,D)

Day 9 REGENSBURG.
In magnificent Regensburg, a tour will show you the architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria – gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. (B,L,D)

Day 10 NUREMBERG.
Enjoy a tour of this historic city with its fabulous Gothic churches and elegant patrician houses. Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during World War II, much of it was restored to its original style. Nuremberg's traditions include its famous spice cookies called Lebkuchen, toy making and metal working. (B,L,D)

Day 11 NUREMBERG / PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Disembark after breakfast. Heading east, stop in the spa town of Karlovy Vary and take a city tour. Continue on to Prague, where the balance of the day is free to begin exploring this splendid city. (B)

Days 12 & 13 PRAGUE.
Two days in the captivating city of Prague. This 1,000-year-old capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. See some of its best-known treasures on a half-day sightseeing tour, including the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock; Hradcany Castle; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge. You have plenty of time to browse through the shops, relax in a café, mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (B daily)

Day 14 DEPART PRAGUE.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Extra nights are available if you wish to extend your stay in Europe. (B)

Ask about our Worry Free Travel Plan

For Group Bookings
Inquire with specialist

*Price is per person, twin share, and is cruise only on Rhine Holiday Markets, European Holiday Markets and Danube Holiday Markets and land and cruise only on Christmas Markets on the Danube and Blue Danube Discovery. Price reflects savings. Savings of up to $300 per cabin are based on $150 per person off Brendan's Christmas Time Cruises with select November and December 2008 departures. Special sailing of European Holiday Markets is an extended 13 days sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, ask your Brendan River Cruise specialist for details. Cabin upgrades are available at an additional cost. Must be booked and deposited by September 30, 2008 to receive discount. Port taxes from $84 - $168 per person are additional. Ask about our low international airfares.