Compare Blue Danube Discovery by AMA Waterways vs Germany, Czech Republic, Austria & Hungary in 11 days - Capitals of Central Europe - CHARM BY BUS by Exoticca
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| Trip |
3.5 | Average
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Germany, Czech Republic, Austria & Hungary in 11 days - Capitals of Central Europe - CHARM BY BUS
by
Exoticca
4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 13 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 4,199 | $ 1,899 |
| Price Per Day | $ 323 | $ 173 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
12 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
10 breakfasts. |
| Description |
Discover a wealth of art, history and cultural treasures as you cruise to some of Europe’s most famous destinations. From Budapest, journey to Bratislava, Vienna, Passau and the 2,000-year-old town of Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, visit magnificent cathedrals and Baroque abbeys, sample Vienna’s sinfully rich sachertorte cake, experience the breathtaking scenery of the Wachau Valley wine-making region, and traverse Europe’s Continental Divide. |
Get to know the magical cities and charming culture of Central Europe! Unearth the history of bohemian Berlin, a melting pot of cultures. In Prague, stroll through the fairytale streets of this 'City of a Hundred Spires' before discovering the artistic legacy of enchanting Vienna. Finally, explore the Hungarian capital of Budapest, on the banks of the River Danube. |
Day 1: Arrive In Budapest, Hungary
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or to begin exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2: Budapest
Meals: Breakfast
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in the cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the river. You will see famed Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and spectacular views of the Danube.
Day 3: Budapest – Embarkation
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After checking out of your hotel in Budapest, you will have your choice of a free morning to explore Budapest on your own or join an optional excursion to Puszta. This excursion includes a traditional goulash lunch and a horse riding demonstration by Hungarian cowboys. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Bratislava. (B,D)
Day 4: Bratislava, Slovakia – Vienna, Austria
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This afternoon, arrive in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. Enjoy a walking tour of the city’s major sites, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Spend your evening in Bratislava before the ship cruises to magnificent Vienna later tonight.
Day 5: Vienna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A panoramic tour of Vienna guides you past the majestic Opera House, the former Imperial Palace of the Hapsburg Emperors, Parliament, Town Hall and Vienna University. Afterwards, you will visit Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben and the World Famous Spanish Riding School. You are free to explore on your own this afternoon, so be sure to sample some Viennese coffee and pastries.
Day 6: Dürnstein – Melk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After reaching the Wachau Valley early this morning, you will have three tour options: A walking tour along Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets followed by a wine tasting, a hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held for ransom, or an apricots and sweets tasting. Later, relax on board during a scenic cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley or join a guided bike tour along the Danube to Melk. Your ship arrives late this afternoon in Melk, one of Europe’s most renowned spiritual and cultural heritage sites, where you will tour its spectacular Benedictine Abbey. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the charming town of Melk on your own.
Day 7: Passau, Germany
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Arrive in Passau, a 2,000-year-old city noted for its Gothic and Baroque architecture. You can explore this charming city on a walking tour, guided bike ride or on a hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress. The ship cruises overnight.
Day 8: Regensburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This afternoon, the ship arrives in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You have your choice of one of three tours this afternoon. Your first option is a guided walking tour of the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, the gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. Your second option is an opportunity to sample the city’s most renowned specialties – sausage, beer and pretzels. Your third option is a guided bike tour from Regensburg to Walhalla through the spectacular scenery of the Danube Valley.
Day 9: Nuremberg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal and leisurely cruises through the beautiful Altmühl Valley. This afternoon, you have a choice of three activities in Nuremberg. Take a tour of the city’s medieval highlights, including Nuremberg Castle, the 900-year-old ramparts surrounding the city, Town Hall, Notre Dame and the house of artist Albrecht Dürer, or join a WWII tour and see the Coliseum, Nazi Parade Ground and Justice Palace. Alternatively, savor traditional flavors on a Franconian Specialties tasting as you sample the famous Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier and Lebkuchen. The ship moors here overnight.
Day 10: Nuremberg – Disembarkation – Pilzen – Prague, Czech Republic
Meals: Breakfast
Depart the ship after breakfast and drive through the pastoral countryside to Pilzen, a city perhaps best known for producing Pilsner beer, a pale gold-hued Bavarian style lager. You will have free time to explore this lovely town and have lunch on your own before continuing to Prague and checking into your hotel.
Day 11: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, choose between a standard city tour and a hike. Both will reveal why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Rudolfinum, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. Next, visit the 1,000 year-old Prague Castle and St. Vitus before walking over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and the statue of Jan Husek. The rest of the day is at your leisure, perhaps to enjoy yourself in one of the city’s many charming cafés.
Day 12: Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Spend a day at your leisure, perhaps to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, relax at an outdoor café, or shop for local handicrafts.
Day 13: Depart Prague
Meals: Breakfast
Bid farewell to Prague and prepare for your homeward flight.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to Berlin, the Germany capital. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Berlin
Touch down in Berlin, the stylish and historic German capital. Get settled at the hotel and, if time allows, get to know the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Berlin.
Day 3: Berlin
Tuck into a hearty German breakfast at the hotel and set off on an exciting panoramic city tour of East and West Berlin, to uncover the history and sights of the capital! Take an iconic photo at the majestic Brandenburg Gate, visit the poignant Holocaust Memorial and stroll along the leafy Unter den Linden Avenue. Discover Museum Island, the Red Town Hall, the Nikolai Quarter. Trace the turbulent history of the city at Checkpoint Charlie and see the fragmented remains of the Berlin Wall, noticing the contrasts between the different sides of the city. See the Forum of Culture and the idyllic Tiergarten Park. Potsdamer Platz shows you a modern side of the city before you spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. It's time for a well-deserved German beer after a day of sightseeing! Overnight stay in Berlin.
Day 4: Berlin
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day exploring Berlin at your leisure. Why not visit the brilliant amazing cultural treasures at Museum Island or spend the day exploring the flower gardens of the Tiergarten. Overnight stay in Berlin.
Day 5: Berlin - Prague
Breakfast at the hotel. Self-transfer to the bus station to catch a shared bus to the Czech capital of Prague, a journey of around 5 hours. Arrive in Prague, known for its fairytale old town, lively nightlife and nicknamed the 'City of a Hundred Spires'. Self-transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. Alternatively, enjoy an optional excursion to Kozel Brewery, the home of the most famous Czech beer! Overnight stay in Prague
Day 6: Prague
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on a city tour of Prague, nicknamed the 'Golden City'. See the famous Powder Tower and explore the Old Town. Reach Old Town Square home to the famous Astronomical Clock, one of the most popular sights in Prague, and the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn. Finish the tour at the iconic Charles Bridge. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure to explore the sights and sample the local cuisine at your own pace. Overnight stay in Prague.
Day 7: Prague - Vienna
After breakfast at the hotel self-transfer to the bus station to catch a shared bus to Vienna, a journey of around 4.5 hours. Travel through the beautiful landscapes of Bohemia and Moravia towards Austria and its capital, Vienna. Arrive in Vienna, an imperial city famed for its artistic legacy and for being the home town of Mozart and Beethoven. Self-transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. We recommend heading to the historic centre to enjoy the charming atmosphere. During the summer the riverbanks come alive with lively bars and restaurants, so be sure to check this out if the weather is pleasant. Overnight stay in Vienna.
Day 8: Vienna
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure, soaking up the cultural sights of Vienna at your leisure. Overnight stay in Vienna
Day 9: Vienna - Budapest
Breakfast at the hotel. Catch a shared bus this morning to travel to Budapest, the capital of Hungary, a journey of around 3 hours. After enjoying the changing landscapes of the Danube Delta arrive in Budapest and self-transfer to the hotel. The city is famously divided in two by the River Danube Buda and Pest, each with its own distinctive atmosphere. Overnight stay in Budapest
Day 10: Budapest
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on an enthralling guided tour of Budapest, beginning with Heroes Square, the largest and most impressive in the city and an emblem of Pest's Golden Era. Next, see the National Opera Theatre and the amazing Parliament building, a true icon of the city on the banks of the Danube. Continue the tour across the river, in the Castle District, where you can enjoy the sweeping views from Castle Hill and the amazing architecture of the Fisherman's Bastion. Cross Margaret Bridge to visit the Király Baths before ending the tour at the oldest and most photographed bridge in the city, the glorious Chain Bridge. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Budapest.
Day 11: Budapest
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Budapest. Why not take in the views from Fisherman's Bastion or stroll along the riverside promenade. Overnight stay in Budapest.
Day 12: Budapest - US
Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bring your journey through Central Europe to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip.
