Lindblad Expeditions Cruises, Autumn On The Danube Aboard River Cloud: Prague To Budapest, Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights Priced From: $7,460 pp Dbl. Occ. Dates: Sep, Oct Ship: River Cloud

 Discover Prague, a fascinating city linked by graceful bridges, which hold together five distinctly diverse districts. Then embark River Cloud and ply the Danube’s waters through thickly wooded slopes, rolling vineyards, imposing castles, ancient river towns and colorful open-air markets.
Itinerary
Day 1 — New York
U.S./Fly overnight from New York to Prague, Czech Republic
Day 2 — Prague
An introductory drive brings us to Prague Castle for a view of the city. Then visit the Strahov Monastery, noted for its massive library and glimpse into the baroque Church of Our Lady. Continue to the Bertramka (Mozart Museum) for a brief operatic concert. After settling in to the Palace Hotel, the afternoon is free to relax or explore. This evening gather for an authentic welcome dinner with Czech wine. (L,D)
Day 3 — Prague
Explore Prague’s Old Town, including the Jewish Quarter and the Charles Bridge. The rest of the day is at leisure; there will be opportunities for evening performances. (B)
Day 4 — Prague
Discover the Castle District including, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace, St. George Basilica and Golden Lane, originally named for the many goldsmiths who worked here. This afternoon and evening you are free to discover Prague on your own. (B,L)
Day 5 — Prague/Regensburg, Germany
Drive through the forests, farmlands and the remarkable landscape of the Czech countryside toward Regensburg. During the 4-hour drive we'll stop at Plzen for a traditional Czech lunch. Embark River Cloud at Regensburg in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Regensburg
At Regensburg we have a guided visit to the former monastery and current residential palace of the Thurn & Taxis family. Walk through the State Rooms of the palace. Then visit the Old Town to see the splendid gothic cathedral and medieval town center. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Passau
Hike to Veste Oberhaus Fort for a panoramic city view. Or, visit Passau's center for a walk through the lovely medieval town. Cruise this afternoon toward Melk and the beautiful Wachau Valley. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Melk, Austria/Wachau/Cruise/Dürnstein
At Melk, we have a guided visit of the Abbey and an organ recital at the Abbey Church. Back on board we cruise along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Wachau Valley known for its richness, its vineyards, its beauty as well as its cultural and historic importance. (Bicycles are available on board, so, if you like, you can ride along the river’s bank following the ship.) A guided walk of Dürnstein brings us to the town’s monastery. Then gather in a heurigen (wine tavern) to taste local wines. (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Vienna
A morning ride on Vienna’s Riesenrad ferris wheel is a great preface to a walk through the city center and a walk through the gardens of the Imperial Palace at Hofburg. In the early afternoon we’ll have a Viennese lunch at the famous Griechenbeisl. This afternoon we visit the treasures of the Liechtenstein Museum. There will be opportunities for evening performances. (B,L,D)
Day 10 — Vienna
We leave Vienna for Schönbrunn, the famous summer palace of the Hapsburg Emperors. After a visit of the Palace there will be a brief performance in the Palace’s Marionette Theater. Expressive marionettes (and their handlers) perform a ballet to music from Mozart. By the time the performance is over, you’ll believe the marionettes are real. After the performance and a “back stage visit” with the starring marionettes, you’ll learn the secrets of apfelstrudel making at the Palace bakery. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Vienna. There will be opportunities for evening performances. (B,L,D)
Day 11 — Cruising/Bratislava, Slovakia
Cruise to Bratislava listening to a presentation about the history of the region. A guided walk of the city includes St. Martin’s Cathedral, Panska Street, Main Square with Old Town Hall, and the Church of the Poor Clares before we return to River Cloud. (B,L,D)
Day 12 — Budapest, Hungary/Disembark/Home
Disembark River Cloud and fly home this morning or extend your voyage in Budapest. (B) Cost Includes: All accommodations. Meals where indicated, wine and beer with lunch & dinner and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, transfers when group flights are used, taxes and service charges, services of our expedition staff and gratuities to guides and drivers. All shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees. Not included: Air transportation, extensions, evening performances, passport, visa and security fees, immigration fees, meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plans, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages not indicated above, email, laundry. Gratuities to ship’s crew at your discretion.
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10/09
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