DAY 1, DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight to Prague, Czech Republic.

DAY 2, ARRIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Arrive in Prague and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.

DAY 3, PRAGUE
Your morning's sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe's most attractive cities, with its historic city center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour begins with a scenic drive. You will see the Dancing House and the Metronome overlooking the Vltava River before arriving at the1,000 year-old Hradcany Castle for a visit. Afterwards, walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The balance of the day is free to mingle with the locals at Wenceslas Square, or enjoy yourself in one of the city’s charming cafés or restaurants. This evening, an optional Folklore Dinner Show provides an opportunity to learn about Czech music, dance and traditions. (B)

DAY 4, PRAGUE
Spend a day at your leisure to relax and stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, relax at an outdoor restaurant or shop for local handicrafts and art work. This afternoon, participate in an optional tour to Terezin, the infamous Nazi WWII concentration camp, now a memorial to those who perished. (B)

DAY 5, PRAGUE – REGENSBURG, GERMANY – EMBARKATION – VILSHOFEN
This morning, depart Prague after breakfast, taking in the scenic beauty of the countryside of Franconia and Bohemia. Stop in Regensburg for a guided walking tour of one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, its Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch on your own, your motor coach transfer continues to the charming 1200-year old Bavarian town of Vilshofen, on the confluence of the Vils and Danube rivers. You will embark your luxurious ship here. Later this afternoon, join your fellow passengers to celebrate “Oktoberfest” in Vilshofen. Relax at long tables and benches, enjoy traditional beers accompanied by Bavarian folk music, song and dance. (B,D)

DAY 6, VILSHOFEN – PASSAU
This morning you are free to explore Vilshofen’s beautiful old town, located directly on the banks of the Danube and the Vils. From the river the old town gives the impression of a floating peninsula. In the background above the town the imposing double-towers of the Benedictine Abbey Schweiklberg dominate the scenery. During lunch you will cruise to Passau, where this afternoon you will have your choice of two different excursions. The first option is to take a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old fairy tale city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town where you will see the city fortifications and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, which is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. As an alternative to a walking tour of Passau, experience this majestic city on a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)

DAY 7, LINZ, AUSTRIA – GMUNDEN
This morning the ship arrives in Linz, the second largest city in Austria. You will enjoy Brunch on board, followed by a walking tour of this historic city. The walking tour guides you along the Landstrasse, to the city’s Main Square. You will see St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Marian Column, the Landestheatre and St. Martin’s Church, the oldest church in Austria. This afternoon you have the choice of three different excursions. The first option is a visit to the scenic “Salzkammergut” region,the Austrian Lake District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic town of Gmunden, on the shore of Lake Tranusee, and visit the Castle Ort.The second option is to join an excursion to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This is a wonderfully preserved medieval town, nestled in the hills just over the Austrian-Czech border. Best known for the art and architecture of its historic old town, Cesky Krumlov also boasts Bohemia’s second largest castle. After your tour, enjoy some free time on your own exploring the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The third choice this afternoon is an excursion to Salzburg. Your excursion begins with a drive from Linz towards Salzburg, where you will take a walking tour of the historic center, famous as the setting for the “Sound of Music” and as the birthplace of Mozart. The tour includes a visit to the Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s Square, and much more. Enjoy free time on your own, before returning to the ship with a scenic drive through the majestic countryside of Austria’s Lake District and Salzkammergut. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, MELK – KREMS (DÜRNSTEIN)
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau this morning to Melk. A guided tour will take you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. From here, continue cruising the beautiful Wachau valley to Krems. You will have the choice of two excursions this afternoon. The first is a motor coach ride to Durnstein, where you will take a walking tour. Explore the town’s medieval cobblestone streets, passing by 16th century town houses and wine taverns. Marvel at the magnificent blue facade of the Baroque Stiftskirche and high above town, spot the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. As an alternative to a walking tour of Dürnstein, experience the majestic Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein and back (capacity controlled). Tonight, after dinner on board, enjoy wine tasting at a local winery. (B,L,D)

DAY 9, VIENNA
This morning, your guided sightseeing tour of Vienna includes the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse, and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll along the Kärtnerstrasse or sample Vienna's famous pastries in the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, there is an optional tour to the Palace of Schönbrunn, a famous example of Baroque architecture. Built originally as the summer residence of the Hapsburg Emperors, it became one of their favored homes. Your tour will include a guided tour of the Imperial apartments. Tonight, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in the “Music Capital of the World.” The concert will be held in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. Following the concert, there will be an illumination tour of the Ringstrasse, before returning to the ship. The ship moors in Vienna overnight. (B,L.D)

DAY 10, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
This afternoon, enjoy a scenic cruise to Bratislava, where you can choose from a walking tour which reveals the city's major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. In the alternative, you can take a “Communist Tour” of Bratislava, which includes architectural landmarks such as the Radio Building, Liberty Square and Soviet War Memorial. The remainder of the day is free to shop or explore on your own. Tonight, there is an evening music performance on board. (B,L,D)

DAY 11, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace and St. Stephen's Basilica. An optional excursion this afternoon takes you back to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. What started out as a student demonstration quickly spread across the country, resulting in an uprising against the Communist regime. See the Parliament Building still bearing bullet holes from Soviet intervention, as well as locations utilized by the Hungarian secret police. This evening, bid farewell to your fellow passengers at the Farewell Dinner with Hungarian folk music. Afterwards, the ship will sail a special “Illuminations Cruise” past the illuminated river front of Budapest. (B,L,D)

DAY 12, BUDAPEST
Your cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)