Danube Dreams with Habsburg and Royalty and with Oberammergau (WBDIT12022)

Itinerary

Day 1:
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Budapest must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

(D)

Day 2:
BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes ' Square.

DISCOVERY Visit the Royal Palace of Gödöllö, one of the favorite retreats of Sissi.

Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying some time exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city 's cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA

(B,L,D)

Day 3:
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowing Castle

DISCOVERY Enjoy a lecture about European Royal dynasties.

ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin 's Cathedral.

During lunchtime enjoy a short sailing to Hainburg

HAINBURG, AUSTRIA

Enjoy some free time in the village of Hainburg or take a Guided Optional Excursion to discover the natural beauties of this area.

DISCOVERY Later, enjoy an onboard Royal Waltz lesson, a living cultural heritage from the Habsburg monarchy.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

(B,L,D)

Day 4:
VIENNA Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna 's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen 's Cathedral.

DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to Schönbrunn Palace - the former imperial summer and vast gardens with a history spanning 300 years of the Habsburg monarchy.

Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.

This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN

(B,L,D)

Day 5:
DÜRNSTEIN-WACHAU VALLEY A King's Ransom and Castle Ruins

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.

Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs.

YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK

Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

DISCOVERY This afternoon, learn more about sweet Austrian pastry. A workshop in a local bakery with an expert chef, will let you create your own pastry, fill it and enjoy it as well, OR:

DISCOVERY Visit the Arstetten Castle, once owned by the Habsburg family and nowadays it is a property of the Hohenbergs, the family of Archduke Franz Ferdinand 's wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, assassinated in 1914, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk 's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley at a Wine Tasting on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ

(B,L,D)

Day 6:
LINZ Legendary, Lovely Linz

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activites.

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city 's historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria 's largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a full day excursion among the picturesque mountain lakes and romantic villages beloved by the Habsburgs.

You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube or hike through Linz 's beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird 's-eye view of the city and river below.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ

(B,L,D)

Day 7:
SCHLÖGEN OXBOW-PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river.

DISCOVERY Enjoy a lecture about European Royal dynasties.

ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”

Before sailing to Deggendorf take a little free time to explore Passau 's cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists ' Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen 's Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DEGGENDORF

(B,L,D)

Day 8:
DEGGENDORF (DISEMBARKATION)-INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA This morning bid farewell to your crew after breakfast and take a scenic drive through the Bavarian Alps to Kind Ludwig 's fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, high above the village of Hohenschwangau. Continue to Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian region of Tyrol, for a 2-night stay.

(B)

Day 9:
INNSBRUCK Join your local guide for a morning Guided Sightseeing of Innsbruck, visit St. James Cathedral and the Hofkirche. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Innsbruck on your own, or take an optional excursion to the Swarovski Crystal World in the nearby Wattens. This evening a Tyrolean optional dinner will be on offer.

(B)

Day 10:
INNSBRUCK-OBERAMMERGAU, GERMANY This morning a motorcoach transfer will take you to Oberammergau for the highlight of the vacation: the original “Passion Play”, which is performed only once a decade by the residents of the village since 1634. Dinner will be served during intermission.

(B,D)

Day 11:
OBERAMMERGAU-MUNICH This morning, depart for Germany 's lively city-Munich. With its historical museums, splendid English Garden, traditional cafés, and delightful shops, Munich o?ers plenty to see and do. A local guide will show you the highlights of this fascinating city. An evening optional dinner is on offer.

(B)

Day 12:
MUNICH Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)