DANUBE RIVER WALK & CRUISE

Day 1

ARRIVE VIENNA, AUSTRIA (D)

Most flights arrive into Vienna early in the day. Our afternoon city tour highlights renowned architectural gems such as the State Opera, the Parliament, the Burgtheatre, and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, as well as the bustling pedestrian zone. After boarding the MS Kleine Prinz, we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and meet the captain and crew of the ship that will be our floating hotel as we cruise the Danube River together.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION – Classical Vienna Concert: The city of music offers a musical extravaganza in a palatial venue that vies for our admiration with the music itself!

Day 2

VIENNA, AUSTRIA (BLD)
Mörbisch, Austria Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Coaches will meet us at the dock outside beautiful Vienna today, and drive us south to the tiny wine-making town of Mörbisch, on the shores of Lake Neuseidl. Walking friends from past visits will meet us for a relaxing walk introducing us to their charming village and neighboring vineyards. Back in Vienna this afternoon, you are free to explore the delights of Old Town before we return to the ship for dinner, or participate in the optional visit to Schönbrunn Palace. We sail down the Blue Danube this evening to Bratislava.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION - Schönbrunn Palace: A guided tour of the lovely gardens and rooms of the palace introduces us to the life and times of Queen Maria Theresa, beloved 18th century Hapsburg monarch and matriarch.

Day 3

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA (BLD)
Bratislava, Slovakia Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

Our walk in lovely Bratislava takes us past highlights like St. Martin's Cathedral, the Castle and Primate's Palace, Michael's Gate, Michael's Tower, Main Square, Old Town Hall, and Slovak National Theatre. After free time to savor the Old Europe atmosphere of this charming city, our ship sets sail for Budapest down around “The Bend” in the Danube River.

Day 4

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BLD)
Budapest, Hungary Walk – 10 km, rated 1

The Hungarian walking club meets us today for a walk featuring Budapest panoramas along the Danube and out to Margaret Island. Later this afternoon, we’ll enjoy a guided coach tour of this historic Queen of the Danube. Join us on the Sun Deck when the ship weighs anchor tonight and sails between the illuminated bridges and monuments of Budapest!
OPTIONAL EXCURSION - Hungarian State Folk Ensemble: See some of Hungary’s best folklore dancers and musicians in an elegant Old World setting!

Day 5

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BLD)

After breakfast we depart for St. Andrej (Szentendre), a small picturesque village (17th century) 25 km north of Budapest that is renowned as a sanctuary for artists, painters, and hand-crafted arts. Following time to stroll the quaint cobblestone lanes and browse the delightful shops and beautiful old churches, the balance of the afternoon will be free back in Budapest to visit one of the many museums, people watch from an open air café, or take in the optional equestrian show.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION - Czikos Puzsta Horse Farm and Equestrian Show: This ranch showcases the renowned horsemanship of Hungarians, whose ancestors first invaded the Carpathian Basin on horseback in the 9th century.

Day 6

PECS, HUNGARY (BLD)

From the port of Mohac, a 45-minute bus ride takes us to the town of Pecs, a gem of Old World architecture. Here we visit Szecheni Square, Kaptalan Street, and the Palace of Lorant, including a visit to the catacombs. Lunch is back aboard ship as we set sail for Serbia. Relax this afternoon on board, take in a lecture on the Balkans held by our Cruise Manager, and end the day after dinner with a delightful concert of Gypsy music performed by our onboard Gypsy band!

Day 7

NOVI SAD, SERBIA (BLD)
Novi Sad, Serbia Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Pedestrian-friendly Novi Sad is the venue for our first walk in Serbia. The route includes the dramatic 17th century Petrovaradin Fortress, strategic post during the ongoing wars with invading Turks, and the traditional Old World architecture and inviting sidewalk cafes of the appealing historic district. Later this afternoon, we continue our Danube voyage through Serbia.

Day 8

BELGRADE, SERBIA (BD)
Belgrade, Serbia Walk – 10 km, rated 1+

We start our day with an excellent walk through the vibrant city of Belgrade that includes Kalemegdan Fortress, massive St. Sava’s Orthodox Cathedral, the Parliament Building, Princess Ljubica's, and more. It’s difficult to believe this bustling, upbeat city was the target of NATO bombing raids less than 10 years ago. This afternoon, we drive through pastoral Serbian countryside to the village of Jarak, where a local family will provide a delicious dinner followed by a finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’ performance of Serbian folk music and dance.

Day 9

TURNU SEVERIN, ROMANIA (BLD)

The morning cruise takes us through the highest natural gorge on the Danube. Over 100 km long, “The Iron Gates" had historically posed a major navigational obstacle until the Djerdap Hydroelectric and Navigation System was completed in 1972. Later today, we arrive in Turnu Severin, known as the site of Emperor Trajan’s Roman bridge, an engineering triumph unsurpassed for over 1000 years. The main focus of our visit will be the fascinating Museum of Ancient History. Later tonight, we continue downstream while dining together at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.

Day 10

VIDIN, BULGARIA (BLD)
Vidin, Bulgaria Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

Welcome to Bulgaria! Part 1 of our walk takes us to 13th century Baba Vida fortress and through the riverside town of Vidin. We’ll see firsthand how this country on the eastern edge of the Balkans is emerging as a 21st century democracy. Part 2 of the walk explores Belogradchik Rocks, a group of bizarre formations hailed as one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders. We reunite aboard ship tonight for a fun Farewell Dinner.

Day 11

GIURGIU – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA (BD)
Bucharest, Romania Walk – 8 km, rated 1

We disembark this morning after breakfast and continue by coach into Bucharest, capital of Romania, where we’ll participate in the walk offering highlights of the city, many connected with the rise and fall of the hated dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. The afternoon is free to explore Bucharest on your own before we rendezvous for dinner tonight at a local restaurant. (Travelers participating in the Transylvania Extension will do the Bucharest Walk on Day 3 of the Extension.)

Day 12

RETURN HOME OR CONTINUE TO BRASOV (B)

Following breakfast, we’ll say fond farewells to walking friends. We return home enriched by these relationships and renewed in our appreciation of the history, culture, and scenery of the Danube countries.

Day 1

GIURGIU – BRASOV, ROMANIA (BD)

Following breakfast, we’ll disembark the MS Kleine Prinz for the last time and depart by coach for the Carpathian Mountain resort town of Sinaia and a tour of Peles Castle, residence of the last Romanian monarch. Our final destination is Braşov, where a walking tour of this old Germanic town takes us into an old Romanian School, past the Black Cathedral, and down winding cobblestone lanes back to our hotel.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES FROM BRASOV (BD)
Transylvanian Alps Walk – 8 km, rated 3

This morning’s walk offers eye-popping panoramas of the Transylvanian Alps and traditional farms, with picturesque haystacks plopped on sloping hillsides like giant mushrooms. After lunch in the village of Bran, we’ll visit the Dracula Castle, 14th century testimony to the story of Transylvania and Count Vlad, “the Impaler.” Count Vlad inspired the fictional Count Dracula. Later tonight, we’ll enjoy a memorable folklore dinner together back in Braşov.

Day 3

BRASOV - BUCHAREST (BD)
Bucharest, Romania Walk – 8 km, rated 1

We return to Bucharest today to participate in a walk offering highlights of this Romanian capital, many connected with the rise and fall of the hated dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. Later this evening, we’ll rendezvous for dinner together, and reminisce about our Adventures together in Transylvania.

Day 4

RETURN HOME FROM BUCHAREST (B)

Following breakfast this morning, we’ll say farewell to our walking pals and be transferred to the airport for flights back to our North American reality.