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Fly overnight to Hungary
Today, you’ll board an overnight flight to Budapest.
Satisfy your thirst for Hungary
Today, you’ll land in Budapest, Hungary. If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a Vantage representative will meet you and arrange transfer to the pier, where you will board your Deluxe river ship and officially begin your European river cruise. Get settled into the rhythm of your cruise, unwinding with your first "Cocktail of the Day" selection in the lounge. Culinary Feature:
Included meals:
Discover the best of Budapest
Wake up in Budapest, which you’ll see this morning on a city tour. Almost the entirety of Budapest’s historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you’ll see the best of it as you visit City Park, Heroes' Square with its statues of Magyar chieftains, elegant Andrassy Avenue, the iconic Parliament building, and Castle Hill, where you’ll have free time and entrance to Fisherman's Bastion. Your afternoon is free for you to explore. Perhaps you’ll visit a famous confectioner like Gerbeaud, Café Demel, or the Sacher Café, and join the perennial argument over who makes the world’s best Sachertorte. Maybe you’ll do some window shopping on Váci Utca, the pedestrian shopping zone. Or ask your Concierge to help arrange a visit to one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths, such as Széchenyi or Gellért. Included Feature:
Two ways to get acquainted with Vienna
This morning you’ll cruise past Bratislava, Slovakia, with commentary from the bridge. In the afternoon you’ll have two different tour choices in Vienna. This morning you can learn the secrets of making a perfect Austrian apple strudel during an onboard cooking demonstration. There will also be a German language lesson. In the afternoon you will have your choice of included tours. Come explore Schönbrunn Palace, a 1,441-room Baroque marvel that was the Habsburg’s summer home, Today it is a symbol of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your other choice is a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (the Museum of Art History). It is Austria’s largest art museum and home to 2,100 objects that were part of the Habsburg’s collection. Included Feature:
Tour Vienna’s UNESCO-listed center, exclusive Kursalon concert
The highlight of your day is a tour of Vienna’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your morning city tour takes you by coach and on foot across the famous Ringstrasse into the Innere Stadt, where you’ll see the Hofburg palace, the Stephansdom cathedral, the fashionable Graben area and its adjoining Kohlmarkt. The latter was once a coal market, but today, the only coal is of the highly compressed type, namely the diamonds that glitter in the street’s many high-end jewelry shops. Your tour also features a visit to the Austrian National Library, the largest Baroque library in Europe.
In the morning you can attend a presentation on Vienna’s famous musical heritage. When you return to your ship after your city tour, the afternoon is free. Perhaps you’ll join your Concierge for a Viennese pub crawl. Then, in the early evening, you will experience Vienna’s musical gifts during your visit to the Kursalon, where an orchestra, singers, and dancers perform a wonderful classical concert. Back on board later this evening, come to the lounge where professionals from Viennese opera and music halls will teach you how to dance the waltz in true Blue Danube style. Vantage Exclusives:
Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley
Relax as your ship cruises the Danube River through the scenic Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Landscape. As you take in the romantic views of hilltop castles, ancient monasteries, and terraced vineyards, you'll cruise by the wine town of Dürnstein. In 1192, King Richard the Lionheart of England was imprisoned in the castle that looms above the town. Your Cruise Director will provide live commentary from the bridge. Learn how to kick your next breakfast, lunch, or brunch up a notch with a cooking demonstration of Tiroler Gröstl, a hearty mountain mash-up of potatoes, onions, beef, bacon, and egg. Follow it up with a tour of the ship’s galley. Tonight’s dinner will be further enhanced by a pairing and tasting of local wines. Included Feature:
Passau organ concert and painting class
Passau is a charming Bavarian university town set at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers. The town is dominated by the hilltop Veste Oberhaus and the Veste Niederhaus, which are both parts of the Bishop’s former fortress. Your walking tour showcases the town’s tidy Baroque houses, Gothic Town Hall, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. During your tour you’ll go inside St. Stephen’s to enjoy an organ concert played on the world’s second largest pipe organ. Afterwards you’ll be free to enjoy the afternoon as you wish. You might borrow one of the bikes on board to cycle along the riverbanks, or join our painting class, conducted by a local artist. Included Feature:
Regensburg: Roman architecture and Bavarian charms
Explore UNESCO-listed Regensburg today. This city has a history stretching back to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and you’ll get to know its heritage during a walking tour. Admire the impressive cathedral, as well as the famous stone bridge which was built in the 12th century. Included Feature:
Nuremberg, customized for you: explore World War II history or medieval Nuremberg
This morning you'll have your choice of two city tours of Nuremberg. You can explore the city’s troubled past during a “Nuremberg and World War II” tour, which includes a visit to the Documentation Center, where many rallies took place. Alternatively, you can choose a “Medieval Nuremberg” tour featuring the grounds of Nuremberg castle which date to the Holy Roman Empire, and the charming Hauptmarkt or market square. In the afternoon you may return to Nuremberg on your own, visiting the Toy Museum with your entrance covered by Vantage. Nuremberg is a famous city of inventors and tinkerers, so this will be a delightful visit. During the day there will be a presentation on board about the Bavarian Beer Experience. You will also enjoy an evening performance of a local Magic of Rhythm tap show. Included Feature:
Altmühl Valley sailing, Bamberg walking tour
Some scenic cruising in the morning is followed by a walking tour in Bamberg. The town is ringed by seven hills and is considered one of the prettiest towns in Germany. You be the judge on this morning’s walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, pointing out its showstopping cathedral, Town Hall and pretty Rose Garden. You’ll have free time to explore independently afterward, perhaps stopping at one of the many pubs associated with the town’s nine breweries. The famous Rauchbier, or smoke-flavored beer, is a Bamberg specialty. When you set sail this afternoon bound for Würzburg you can attend a fascinating onboard presentation on Germany in the 21st century. Then learn to make maultaschen or meat pockets, a hearty Swabian dumpling filled with minced meat, bacon, spinach, and herbs. Tonight’s delicious dinner on board includes a pairing of four wines with insights on their local production. Included Feature:
Würzburg tour and wine tasting inside the Residenz
Arriving in Würzburg, set out on a half-day tour of the Würzburg Residenz, a spectacular Baroque European bishop’s palace castle that was designed by the visionary architect Balthasar Neumann. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Residenz grounds are ideal for strolling, and you’ll have time to do so before transferring back to the ship for lunch. Your tour includes a visit to the Residenz’s wine cellar where you will enjoy a tasting and talk conducted by an experienced sommelier. During an onboard cooking demonstration today, try making and savoring the German tender rolled beef delicacy called rouladen. Included Feature:
Village life and a BBQ lunch in Marktheidenfeld
The lovely half-timbered village of Marktheidenfeld boasts several traditional industries, and today you’ll choose which one to explore. You can visit the local paper factory, a forge where traditional blacksmithing is done, or a local château whose owner will show you his antique piano and klavier collection. Your fourth choice is a visit to a family-owned winery, where you’ll sample some lovely Franconian vintages. After your choice of tour concludes you’ll enjoy a German-style barbecue or “grill party,” with traditional live music. Back on the ship, a glassblowing demonstration introduces us to the artistry of this age-old craft. Then, an interactive cooking lesson introduces you to Germany’s answer to mac and cheese, Käsespätzle, or another regional specialty.
A full day in romantic Heidelberg
Disembarking in Aschaffenburg, you’ll set off for a full-day excursion to Heidelberg, a red-roofed town on the Neckar River that is home to Germany’s oldest university. Enjoy panoramic views from the plaza of imposing Heidelberg Castle. You'll also see the famed Heidelberg Tun, an immense wine barrel, now empty, with a capacity of some 58,000 gallons. It would seem the immense volume was warranted, judging by the numerous old student pubs, cafés, and beer gardens that line Heidelberg’s charming alleys. Sample a local restaurant at an included lunch, then have some free time to explore here on your own. Perhaps you’ll poke into the old student jail (the Studentenkarzer), where drunk or unruly collegians were temporarily locked up. It was considered a badge of honor to spend time here, and you can still see the graffiti scribbled by 19th-century “inmates.” After your touring, you’ll transfer back to your ship. After dinner, enjoy the musicianship of four string virtuosos performing classical and contemporary favorites. Included Feature:
Enjoy Rüdesheim personalized for you and Rhine Valley views
In the morning, arrive in cheerful Rüdesheim, you'll have your choice of three tours. The first is a cable car ride to the historic Niederwald Monument, which overlooks the Rhine Valley and commemorates the unification of Germany in the late 19th century. Or, choose a mini-train ride to Siegfried's Musikkabinett, an amusing museum dedicated to self-playing music and its instruments. Your third choice of tours is a wine hike, where you’ll pop into different Weinstuben to sample three different regional vintages.
This afternoon, it’s all hands on deck for some of the most spectacular scenery of the cruise as your ship winds through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Studded with historic castles and beautiful gorges, it is a sight you can only truly appreciate from the river. A highlight will be your sighting of the famous Lorelei, a steep slate rock that makes a soft, murmuring sound under certain conditions. It used to be the site of many shipwrecks, and a legend sprang up about a lovely, golden-haired maiden who would sit atop the rock combing her hair and singing a song that lured sailors too close to the rock . . . and into perilous waters.
Cologne walking tour and Kölsch beer tasting
After breakfast you’ll set out to discover Cologne. The city was founded in the first century and became the seat of Roman rule. Germany's fourth largest city, Cologne preserves many fine medieval structures, including Romanesque churches, the city hall, and three of the city's 12 medieval gates. Your walking tour features the Romanic Museum, and the old City Hall, which incorporates a building that was once part of Cologne’s medieval synagogue. It was taken over in 1424 when Cologne’s Jews were expelled, but today a glass pyramid protects the antechamber that led to the ceremonial baths or Mikwe, which was built in 1170. Your Cologne walking tour concludes in the grand plaza of the massive, twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current building was begun in 1248 and it took 632 years for it to be completed. Your city tour ends here and you may return to the ship with your group; or if you prefer, you can go inside the cathedral on your own to see the gilded Shrine of the Three Magi, which is said to contain the remains of the three kings of the Christmas story fame. During your city tour, you’ll pop into the brewery to taste this town's famous Kölsch beer, a classically dry and herbaceous ale that is only produced here in Cologne. “Prost!” (cheers!) The rest of the afternoon is at your liesure. Back on board, the Captain invites you to a Farewell Reception and Dinner, featuring some sparkling Sekt, Germany’s champagne-style wine. Join shipmates later in the evening for onboard entertainment. Included Feature:
Cultural Connections:
Disembark ship and return home
Today you will disembark in Bonn and return home. Alternatively, you can stay on to enjoy an optional post-trip Paris extension.
Important Notice: The above day-by-day itinerary is preliminary and subject to change. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Cruise Director or regional expert. In addition, should there be an extreme change in water levels, Vantage will do everything possible to provide either the included excursion or an alternate excursion at Vantage’s discretion.
Please Note: Port times & itineraries are subject to change. Fluctuating water levels may affect itinerary.
