Danube Cruise: Passau to Budapest

8 days/7 nights: Multiple 2013 Dates

Starting at $2329* per person/based on double occupancy
Cabin upgrades available

Enjoy Europe's second largest river, the Danube, from the charming Bavarian "three river city" of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Admire the beauty and culture of three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, and Budapest, the "Hungarian Danube Queen"! You will discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great Loop"), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend where the important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from the distance. On board your "floating hotel" you will savor the comfort of a cruise ship and delicious regional specialties!

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Munich, Germany, transfer to Passau, Germany (boarding)
Day 2: Great Loop, Austria
Day 3: Hainburg, Austria - Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 4: Budapest, Hungary
Day 5: Danube Bend - Visegrad - Esztergom, Hungary
Day 6: Vienna, Austria
Day 7: Wachau, Austria
Day 8: Passau, Germany (disembarkation)

2013 Dates and Price: See table below

NOTE: Lower priced cabins are filling up. See table for specific dates

$2329* - April 27
$2659* - April 21, May 5, May 18, Sep 21, Sep 29
$2999* - May 12, May 26, Aug 31, Sep 8, Sep 15
$3165* - June 2, June 8, June 16, June 23, Aug 4, Aug 10, Aug 18, Aug 25
$3498* - June 29, July 7, July 14, July 20, July 28, Oct 6
*For tours with included airfare: A surcharge may be required for travel within 14 days of booking due to availability of flights. Specific dates are subject to lodging and airfare availability.

Single Supplement

MS Theodor Körner: Low Season - $600 Danube Deck; High Season - $750 Danube Deck MS My Story: Low Season - $850 Main Deck; High Season - $950 Main Deck
Low Season: Apr - May 25 and Aug 30 - Oct 5; High Season: June - Aug 25
Other decks available. Please inquire for pricing

Boats:

MS My Story
MS Theodor Körner

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1: Passau - Engelhartszell

Arrive Munich, Germany airport, transfer by shared ride to Passau, Germany.

Arrival in the "Three River City" with boarding starting at 5 p.m. Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and it's charming Old Town. Departure will be around 6 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: Great Loop

The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the "Great Loop" - one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. After a stop in the charming village of Brandstatt, we will "sail into the night" towards Hainburg.

Optional excursion

• Bike the route on your own - No charge
• Morning tour of the old quarter of Scharding followed by coffee and cake at a lovely inn. Includes: Taxi, tour, and coffee and cake. (extra charge)

Day 3: Hainburg - Bratislava

Begin from the medieval town of Hainburg through Austria's "vegetable garden" to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm. We cross the green line (the former "Iron Curtain") towards the coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains.

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and the country's largest city. It is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River and on the left bank of Morava river.
Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.
Bratislava has a very pleasant medieval inner city with narrow, winding streets, a hill-top castle next to the river Danube, and many historic churches and buildings.
The old town is centered on two squares, Hlavne namestie and Hviezdoslavovo namestie. One can find some impressive communist-era buildings in the modern parts of the city.

Optional excursion

• 2 hour walking tour of Hainburg (extra charge)
• There are many options available for tours around Bratislava (extra charge)
• Bike the route on your own - No charge
• Bike package - City tour Bratislava by excursion train

Day 4: Budapest

In the morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape on the Sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary. Due to its cultural and architectural significance it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its nickname, "Paris of the East," refers to its exceedingly scenic setting, and its architecture. A romantic city at night, be sure to experience a beautiful illuminated Budapest.

Optional excursion

• There are many options available for tours in Budapest (extra charge)
• Bike the route on your own - No charge
• Bike package - Guided city tour Illuminated Budapest by Bus

Day 5: Danube Bend - Visegrad - Esztergom

The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's we start at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace and end in Esztergom, with its gorgeous basilica - Hungary's largest Catholic Church - overlooking the village

Optional excursion

• Scenic drive through the countryside from Visegrad to Esztergom. You will visit King Mattyas Castle and the Treasury in Esztergom on the way. Meet boat in Esztergom. (extra charge)
• Bike the route on your own - No charge
• Bike package - Visit of Hungary's largest church in Esztergom

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest)

The day is at your leisure. Be sure to see the gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraße" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall takes you back to the past. You can end the evening with a Waltz and Operetta concert and a glass of wine at a Viennese wine tavern or at the Imperial Palace (optional, not included).

Optional excursion

• There are many options available for tours (extra charge)
• Bike the route on your own - No charge
• Bike package - Guided city tour Vienna by bus

Day 7: Wachau - Rossatz - Melk

Your last day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. After a ceremonial gala dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during a crew show.

Optional excursion

• Tour of Durnstein where King Richard the Lionhjeart was imprisoned, then a visit to the Melk Monastery (extra charge)
• Bike the route on your own - No charge
• Bike package - Wine-tasting in the Wachau region

Day 8: Passau - End of Tour

Every journey comes to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Disembarkation approx. 12:30 PM.

Transfer by shared ride to Munich, Germany airport for return flight to the US.

Included:

• Round trip shared ride transfer Munich airport/Passau
• 7 nights cruise with private facilities and air conditioning*
• Captains greeting and Welcome Cocktail
• Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bedding
• Full meals: breakfast, lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, afternoon coffee break, dinner
• Gala Dinner with farewell cocktail
• Farewell Crew Show
• Daily Live Music
• Bike rental (modern 7-speed-hybrid bike with coaster brake and panniers)
• Daily informational meeting (bikers)
• Information pack with route book (bikers, one per cabin)
• Port charges

*MS My Story base cabin: main deck 2 beds front and back; MS Theodor Körner base cabin: bunk beds.

Not Included:

• Gratuities for service staff
• Any expenses of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, mini bar in rooms, laundry and telephone bills etc. and anything not specifically mentioned as "included"
• Beverages where not included
• Entrance fees and extras where not included
• Helmets for bikers - Required for some bike days
• Travel insurance

Optional land excursions

• Morning tour of the old quarter of Scharding followed by coffee and cake at a lovely inn. Includes: Taxi, tour, and coffee and cake. ($75 based on 6 people)
• 2 hour walking tour of Hainburg ($50 based on 6 people)
• Multiple Bratislava city tours (Starting at 35 euros)
• Multiple Budapest city tours (Starting at 35 euros)
• Scenic drive through the countryside from Visegrad to Esztergom. You will visit King Mattyas Castle and the Treasury in Esztergom on the way. Meet boat in Esztergom. ($125 based on 6 persons)
• Multiple Vienna city tours (Starting at 35 euros)
• Tour of Durnstein where King Richard the Lionhjeart was imprisoned, then a visit to the Melk Monastery ($95 based on 6 people). Ferry to starting point is 5 Euro.
• Tour of the beautiful villages of the Wachau with a wine tasting (extra charge)

Biking Ability level 1:

For those who choose to ride a bike - the cycle route is completely flat, at times on a gentle downhill slope, and is ideal for bikers with less experience, leisure cyclists and children.

Bikes and Equipment:

• 7-speed-hybrid-bike with coaster brake (included in tour price)
• 21-speed-hybrid-bike with freewheel (supplement, on request)
• Electrically assisted bike/pedelec (supplement, limited availability)
• Child seat, bikes for children, bike trailer or trailer bikes on request
• All rental bikes are equipped with panniers.
• Helmets are available for purchase on board (€ 17).
• Helmets are MANDATORY in Austria for children up to 12 yrs., in Slovakia for every cyclist outside the villages/towns

NOTE: There is limited possibility to bring your own bicycle (only upon request); no liability is accepted for any damages or thefts.

Dates/Price/Boat:

2013 Dates	$2329	$2659	$2999	$3165	$3498
Apr 21		SOLD OUT
Apr 27**	Theodor Körner
May 5**		My Story
May 12**			My Story
May 18**		Theodor Körner
May 26**			SOLD OUT
Jun 2**				My Story
Jun 8				Theodor Körner
Jun 16**				My Story
Jun 23**				My Story
Jun 29					Theodor Körner
Jul 7					My Story
Jul 14					My Story
Jul 20**					Theodor Körner
Jul 28					My Story
Aug 4**				My Story
Aug 10				Theodor Körner
Aug 18				My Story
Aug 25**				My Story
Aug 31			Theodor Körner
Sep 8**			My Story
Sep 15**			My Story
Sep 21		Theodor Körner
Sep 29		My Story
Oct 6					My Story

** Lower priced cabins are full. These dates are Upgrades only.

Travel Insurance

Our preferred travel insurance provider is Travelex