Autumn on the Danube: Budapest to Regensburg from Sunstone Tours & Cruises

Explore Budapest, a city situated on both sides of the Danube. Seven bridges link the charming hills of Buda to cosmopolitan Pest. Then, embark River Cloud, and sail along the Danube where each bend reveals a surprise.

Newly added to your expedition in Vienna: You’ll attend an exclusive, private concert by the renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir, held at the 17th-century Palais Augaten, only for Lindblad guests. The choir has been a symbol of Central Europe’s music for more than 500 years, and the boys are wonderful musicians whose singing is sure to move you.

Itinerary

DAY 2 — Budapest
After a scenic drive through Budapest, check in to Le Meridian Hotel. The afternoon is free to settle in and relax. Gather this evening for an authentic Hungarian dinner. (L,D)

DAY 3 — Budapest
Explore some of Budapest’s “Great Interiors” at two of the city’s most interesting buildings, the Neo-Gothic Parliament and the State Opera House. This afternoon and evening are at leisure to discover Budapest on your own. (B)

Trip Extension

After exploring the heart of Central Europe discover Prague. The city is a living architectural museum.

DAY 12 — Regensburg / Disembark / Munich / Prague
Drive through the forests, farmlands and the remarkable landscape of the Czech countryside from Regensburg toward Prague. During the 4-hour drive, we stop for a traditional Czech lunch. Upon arrival, our first stop will be at 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. A brief overview of the city will familiarize you with Prague’s five districts. After settling in to the Palace Hotel, there will be a brief guided walk of Wenceslas Square. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 — Prague
This morning explore the Old Town, including the Jewish Quarter and the Charles Bridge. Continue to the Bertramka (Mozart Museum), where you will be welcomed with glasses of sparkling wine and a short opera performance consisting of two voices accompanied by piano. There will be free time to wander around the museum or walk through the garden. The rest of the day is at leisure; there will be opportunities for evening performances. (B)

DAY 14 — Prague
A morning tour of the Castle District includes Loreto, the Royal Palace, St. George Basilica and Golden Lane, originally named for the many goldsmiths who worked on the Lane. This afternoon and evening you are free to continue to discover Prague on your own. (B,L)

DAY 15 — Prague/U.S.
Transfer to the airport for flights home.

Cost Per Person*
Double Occupancy: $1,580
Single Occupancy: $1,980

*+To be added to the cost of Budapest to Prague.

DAY 4 — Budapest
After a morning at leisure a guided walk of the Castle District takes us to the Royal Palace, Holy Trinity Square and the world famous Matthias Church. Take in a memorable view of the ramparts and towers of Fishermen's Bastion. There will be opportunities for evening performances. (B)

DAY 5 — Budapest
At Lajosmizse-Bene, horse-drawn carriages take us to a puszta (farm) to attend a traditional horse parade and riding demonstration followed by a Hungarian country lunch with gypsy music, folk dancing and plenty of Hungarian wine. Return to Budapest to embark the River Cloud. We’ll have a welcome dinner on board this evening. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 — Cruising/Bratislava, Slovakia
Cruise to Bratislava listening to a presentation about the history of the region. On a walk in the city we visit 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 7 — Vienna, Austria
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 ground of the Imperial Palace at Hofburg. In the early afternoon we’ll have a Viennese lunch at the famous Griechenbeisl. Later visit the treasures of the Liechtenstein Museum. There will be opportunities for evening performances. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — 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 and in the Palace bakery. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Vienna. There will be opportunities for evening performances. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 — Dürnstein/Cruising/Wachau Valley/Melk
A guided walk of Dürnstein brings us to the town’s monastery. Then gather in a heurigen (wine tavern) to taste local wines. This afternoon sail through 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.) At Melk we have a guided visit of the Abbey and an organ recital at the Abbey Church. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 — Cruising/Passau, Germany
Take in the scenery along the Danube’s banks before arriving at Passau. Drive up to Veste Oberhaus Fort for a panoramic city view. Then descend to Passau for a guided walk. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 — Cruising/Regensburg
Cruise from Passau to Regensburg where we visit the former monastery, castle and current residence 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 town center. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 — Regensburg/Disembark/Munich/Home
Disembark River Cloud and fly home this morning or extend your voyage in Prague. (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.

What's Included:

All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar
All meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated
Air transportation where indicated as included
Shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees
Special access permits
Transfers to and from group flights
Use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits
Use of kayaks (where available)
Tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew)
Taxes and service charges
Services of a ship physician on most voyages
Services of our expedition staff.

What's Not Included:

Air transportation (except where shown as included)
Extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees
Scuba diving (where available)
Meals not indicated
Baggage/accident/travel protection plan
Items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry
Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.

All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.

Destinations

Special Interests