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

Autumn is the absolute best time to be on the Danube. The weather is mild and riverside nature trails are alive with color.

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)

Trip Extension

A visit of Budapest is the perfect grace note to complement your Danube voyage. The sweeping beauty of this city—with its eight bridges that link the commanding hilltop castles and forts of Buda with the expansive boulevards, parks and monumental buildings of Pest—is arresting.

DAY 12 — Budapest / Disembark
At Lajosmizse-Bene horse-drawn carriages take us to a puszta (farm). Attend a traditional horse parade and riding demonstration for which the plains of Hungary are famous. A Hungarian country lunch accompanied by gypsy music, folk dancing and plenty of Hungarian wine is an unforgettable experience. Check in to Le Meridien Hotel; and your afternoon and evening are at leisure. There will be opportunity for evening performances (B,L)

DAY 13 — Budapest
A drive through Budapest brings us to Market Hall and the University of Economics, Andrassy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, Gellert Hill citadel, the National Museum, Budapest’s Synagogue, Parliament, the Opera House and St. Stephen’s Basilica. In the afternoon a guided walk plus a wine tasting at the Hungarian House of wines completes the day. (B,L)

DAY 14 — Prague
This morning discover some of Budapest’s “Great Interiors” at two of the most interesting buildings in Budapest, the Neo-Gothic Parliament and the pride of Hungarian art and architecture, the State Opera House. This afternoon you are free to visit Budapest on your own. Dinner this evening will be at Gundel’s Restaurant, known throughout Europe for its elegant interiors and culinary masterpieces. (B,D)

DAY 15 —Budapest / 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 Prague to Budapest.

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. (See Right)

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.

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