Enchanting Danube

Budapest to Passau - 9 days

CRUISE HIGHLISTS INCLUDE:

• 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom on the classic Grand
• Classical European cuisine with a twist of contemporary elegance
• Complimentary wine during dinner, and bottled water in your stateroom
• 6 shore excursions fully hosted by English-speaking guides
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
• Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners
• Enriching onboard entertainment and insightful lectures
• An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive all English-speaking crew
• All transfers

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: Depart Home Gateway City to Budapest
• DAY 2: Budapest (embark)
  Arrive in Budapest where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)
• DAY 3: Budapest
  Featured Excursion: Budapest city tour
  Budapest is an enchanting city with a vibrant mix of East and West, and medieval and modern. Made up of two parts—Buda, the hills, and Pest, the flat lands—it is divided by the Danube and is an architectural dream. Your city tour features the famous Chain Bridge, the UNESCO-listed Castle Hill district, and the 19th-century Fisherman’s Bastion. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner)
• DAY 4: Bratislava
  Featured Excursion: Bratislava city tour
  A tour through Bratislava will acquaint you with a sampling of the town’s eclectic architecture of gothic, baroque and Art Deco styles. Bratislava has been aptly named the “Coronation City of Kings” and you’ll discover why as you walk along the sidewalks where there are little golden crowns in the pavement identifying the route of the coronation procession of eleven kings and eight royal spouses over the centuries. You’ll also pass the 17th-century palace that now serves as the seat of the Slovakian government, Old Town’s Freedom Square and Peace Square, Mirbach Palace and Primatial Palace. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 5: Vienna
  Featured Excursion: Vienna city tour
  Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Schönbrunn Palace or join the Connoisseur’s Vienna tour, and/or enjoy a classical music performance of Mozart and Strauss.
  Vienna is a treasure trove of secular and sacred gems, such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the stately Ringstrasse, the broad thoroughfare surrounded by the many imperial buildings and monuments that give Vienna its wedding cake appearance. Your city tour takes you along the Ringstrasse to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where Mozart was married. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 6: Dürnstein, Scenic Cruising Wachau Valley, Melk
  Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey tour
  Irresistible Optional Tour: Cycling through the picturesque Wachau Valley Vineyards
  The tiny baroque village of Dürnstein seems lost in time. Is perhaps most famous for being where Richard the Lionheart was held captive on his return from the Crusades. Enjoy leisure time exploring this charming village on your own before departing for Melk. Cruise through the heart of the picturesque, vineyard-rich Wachau Valley, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its abruptly rising hills, and nestling baroque villages. As you sail to Melk, you’ll be greeted by the famous Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. This 900-year old complex is a wonderful example of baroque art and architecture and home to a very famous Benedictine library. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 7: Linz (Salzburg)
  Featured Excursion: Full-day in Salzburg
  Today’s adventure will take you out of Linz—through the region known to many as the “smile on the face of Austria.” Upon arrival in Salzburg, the “city of salt,” you’ll enjoy a walking tour of Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its well-preserved medieval town core and for its musical heritage. See the Mirabellgarten, once featured in the well-beloved film The Sound of Music. Visit the 15th-century Dom Cathedral, representing Faith, Hope and Charity. (BB, D)
• DAY 8: Passau
  Featured Excursion: Walking tour and organ concert
  Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit Schärding, one of Austria’s most beautiful baroque towns situated in the bucolic River Inn Valley.
  Situated at the confluence of three rivers, Passaus wealth through trade is reflected in the medieval merchant houses that we pass when walking to the baroque St. Stephas Cathedral, home to Europe's largest pipe organ. Passaus Italian-baroque buildings, erected after the big fire of 1662, match the historic center with its winding little streets and narrow alleyways, which lead us back to St. Stephan's for an organ concert. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)
  Note: Organ concert not available on Sundays or before May 2 or after November 1.
• DAY 9: Passau (disembark), transfer to airport in Munich Disembark the ship in Passau and transfer to the airport in Munich for your flight home, or extend your stay in Prague.

2009 Cruises

*On these dates cruise operates from Passau to Budapest.

Prices: Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a stateroom or hotel room. Cruise/tour prices are based on costs, charges, tariffs, rates, taxes, levies, and exchange rates as of June 15, 2008. Should the total cruise/tour price increase by more than 10%, passengers will have the right to cancel their cruise within 7 days of notification of the surcharge without penalty. No surcharges in respect of cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment for the deposit of your cruise/tour is received. This does not apply to fuel surcharges and any taxes, charges, or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. Air-inclusive pricing is provided from NYC, CHI, and LAX only. Other gateway cities are available at additional costs. Please ask your Reservations Consultant at the time of booking for details. A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement. Reservations and Payments: A deposit of at least $200 per person is required at the time of reservation. Final payment is due at least 90 days prior to departure. Reservations will be cancelled if final payment is not received in a timely manner.