Romantic Danube (Smithsonian Journeys)

Arrive in Vilshofen, set at the confluence of the Danube and the Vils Rivers in the heart of Bavaria. After boarding the ship, gather for an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration featuring traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing. (D)

Excursions:

• Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration

A morning cruise brings you to Passau, poised where the Danube meets the Inn and Ilz. Take a walking tour of the Old Town and visit a bakery to sample pretzels and chocolate, or hike into the hills above town for a visit to the Veste Oberhaus, a massive 13th-century fortress. Alternatively, go on a bike ride along the River Inn. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Free time
• “City of Three Rivers” walking tour with visit to local bakery – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Passau Castle hike OR River Inn Bike Tour

Dock in Linz and set out on your choice of excursion: Take a day trip to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and the setting of The Sound of Music, where you may join a walking tour of its UNESCO-designated Old Town. Or head to the Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov to discover its stunning architecture and the storybook Krumlov Castle. Alternatively, explore Linz on a guided walk or bike ride. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour OR Full-day Salzburg excursion with visit to Mozart's Birth House – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Full-day Český Krumlov and Linz excursion with beer tasting - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive

Sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a World Heritage site known for its wines. From Durnstein, choose a guided walk through the town followed by tour of nearby Melk Abbey, where you'll meet a librarian to view meticulously restored medieval books. Instead, hike to Durnstein fortress, or ride a bike through the vineyards along the Danube. Later, gather for a tasting of local wines. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Scenic cruising through Strudengau and UNESCO Wachau Valley
• Dürnstein walking tour and Melk Benedictine Abbey with librarian exclusive - Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Apricots, Sweets and Wine tasting OR Dürnstein Fortress hike OR Wachau Valley bike tour

Glide into Austria's capital and see its imperial treasures, from the majestic Opera House to the grand City Hall. Combine your city tour with a guided visit to one of Vienna's renowned art museums: opt for Kunsthistoriches Museum Wien, where one of the world's largest fine art collections is housed within a grand neoclassical building, or venture to the baroque Belvedere Palace, built as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy in 1723, and admire its extensive art collection, which includes Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. Alternatively, explore the city on a guided bike ride.

Enjoy free time in Vienna this afternoon. Those that wish, may attend an optional concert this evening in one of Vienna's iconic music venues (additional cost). (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Imperial Vienna” tour with Kunsthistoriches Museum guided tour and visit to Belvedere – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Vienna City Tour by Bike
• Free time

Take a walking tour through the charming Old Town of Bratislava, once the capital of the Habsburg Empire, and attend a folklore performance with a string quartet at Primate's Palace. Alternatively, sample local specialties on a “Tastes of Slovakia” tour or climb up to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• “Coronation City” walking tour with folklore performance – Smithsonian Journeys Exclusive OR Tastes of Slovakia OR Bratislava Castle hike

On a morning tour of Buda's Castle District, take in views from the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion and admire the striking architecture of Matthias Church. In the afternoon, explore the magnificent monuments of Pest or visit the largest synagogue in Europe and see the poignant Shoes on the Danube memorial on a Jewish history tour. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Buda city tour OR Castle Hill hike
• Pest city tour

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)