Grand Danube & Prague 2013
(Prague to Belgrade)
17 days with Uniworld
Day 1: Prague
Arrive at the Prague airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to your hotel, where your local host will meet you. You can choose to have a low-key dinner in the hotel or venture out to see the city. Prague offers a trove of treasures to discover; your host will be happy to offer suggestions.
Day 2: Prague
Featured Excursions: Choice of Prague city tour OR Jewish Prague Beauty and drama abound in the “City of Spires.”
Enjoy a panoramic city tour, taking in such places as the State Opera House, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, and the avant-garde Dancing House, before arriving at Prague Castle. Here, you’ll visit St. Vitus Cathedral, Vladislav Hall, and Golden Lane. You’ll cross Charles Bridge on foot to the beautiful Old Town Square with Tyn Church and the famous astronomical clock. Or explore Jewish Prague on a walking tour of Josefov, the city’s old Jewish quarter, including Europe’s oldest surviving Jewish cemetery; Old New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue; and Pinkas Synagogue, now a memorial to Holocaust victims. (BB)
Note: The synagogues and Jewish cemetery are closed on Saturdays. If the tour lands on a Saturday, we will visit sites in the Josefov district associated with writer Franz Kafka.
Day 3: Nuremberg (embark)
You'll have the morning to explore Prague on your own. Alfons Mucha, the most celebrated of all Art Nouveau artists, came from Prague, and a museum devoted to his work is housed in Kaunický Palace. Franz Kafka lived his entire life in Old Town Prague; you’ll find a small museum full of interesting exhibits about the writer in a house in the district. Stop by the Café Milena, named for Kafka’s one true love, for a coffee and a view of the Astronomical Clock. Or browse through the shops full of the Bohemian glass and garnet jewelry the region is noted for. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Nuremberg to embark on your exciting voyage along the Danube. (BB, D)
Day 4: Roth (Nuremberg), cruising the Main-Danube Canal
Featured Excursions: Nuremberg city tour OR choice of Nuremberg WWII historical tour, with Documentation Center visit
Nuremberg, the second largest city in Bavaria, attracted artists and intellectuals from all over Europe between 1200 and 1600, making it one of the cultural centers of the continent. Albrecht Dürer was probably its most famous resident during the Renaissance, and his house is now a museum. You can choose to explore the archetypal German medieval city or sites associated with its darker 20th-century history.
We will show you the medieval ramparts around the old city and take you to the Kaiserburg, where the emperors of Germany resided from 1050 to 1571. Or you can see the sites where filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl immortalized Hitler during his infamous parades and rallies, including the unfinished coliseum, Kongresshalle, and the courtroom where the Nuremberg trials took place. This afternoon your ship traverses the most impressive section of a modern marvel of engineering: the Main-Danube Canal. This masterwork, more than 100 miles long, allows ships of all shapes and sizes to readily cruise from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
Day 5: Regensburg
Featured Excursions: Choice of “2000 Years in One Hour” Regensburg walking tour OR Jewish Regensburg OR Audi factory visit
Regensburg, one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in Europe, captures 2,000 years of history with outstanding monuments like the 12th-century Stone Bridge and the towering Gothic cathedral. Your walking tour takes you past the architectural treasures of Old Town as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter, with its magnificent 14th-century stained- glass windows. For a different view of Medieval Regensburg, tour sites associated with Germany’s oldest Jewish community, dating back more than a thousand years. Or visit the Audi factory in Ingolstadt for a fascinating look at how a well-engineered German car is built. (BB, L, D)
Day 6: Deggendorf (Theresienthal)
Featured Excursion: Exclusive Bavarian Forest horse-drawn carriage ride and Theresienthal visit
Early this morning you’ll arrive in Deggendorf, gateway to the Bavarian Forest. The Bavarian Forest, called the “green roof of Europe,” is Germany's oldest national park. You get to discover it in the most traditional way imaginable, riding through the woods in a horse-drawn carriage. Keep a sharp eye out for some of the rare species that still survive in the forest as you enjoy the fresh air and sylvan atmosphere. Then you'll continue to the world-famous glass studio, Theresienthal, which has produced glassware cherished by princes for centuries. Tour the workshop to learn how glass is made and see some of the exquisite pieces produced over the years in the glass museum. You'll also have a chance to pick up some treasures of your own in the shop.
In the afternoon you'll have the opportunity to explore Deggendorf on your own —discover the quaint shops and intimate streets, enjoy a glass of local beer or wine, or take a stroll or bike-ride along the beautiful Danube river. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursions: Passau walking tour with St. Stephan’s organ concert and exploring “Bavarian Traditions,” Weisswurst and Lederhosen
Passau boasts a delightful layer of Italian style on top of quintessential German foundations. Step off the ship to discover an accessible, intriguing, and well-preserved town on your guided walking tour, with time to roam on your own before you hear the magnificent pipe organ, the largest in Europe, at St. Stephan’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, discover how traditional Bavarian clothing, such as lederhosen and dirndls, is designed and made in the small town of Obernzell, and then indulge in weisswurst (Bavaria’s beloved aromatic white sausage) along with a crispy pretzel and a refreshing weissbier (a local pale beer). (BB, L, D)
Note: St. Stephan’s organ concert is only available from May 2 to October 31, excluding Sundays and Catholic holidays. An alternate venue will be organized before and after these dates.
Day 8: Melk, cruising the Wachau Valley
Featured Excursion: Tour of Melk Abbey
Melk is a town with a long and storied past, dominated by a 900-year-old abbey sitting high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. Stift Melk (Melk Abbey) was one of the most important centers of learning in the Middle Ages (Umberto Eco paid tribute to Melk's significance to medieval scholarship in his novel The Name of the Rose). Local guides will take you through the abbey’s Marble Hall, with its ceiling richly painted in an allegorical scene paying tribute to Emperor Charles VI; the impressive library; the Emperors’ Gallery; and the awe-inspiring Baroque-era Abbey Church. After your tour of the abbey, you’ll have time to explore Melk on your own.
Be sure to come up on deck as the ship cruises through the Wachau Valley, a 19-mile (30-km) stretch of the Danube that cuts through a rocky gorge in the foothills of the Bohemian Forest between Krems and Melk. This beautiful region, with steep-sided, densely wooded southern slopes and a mixture of crags and south-facing vineyards on the north side of the river, is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Dotting the banks are a series of historic small towns and winemaking communities. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Day 9: Vienna
Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour with National Library visit OR exclusive “See Vienna as the Viennese Do”
There can be no exploration of the Danube without a visit to Vienna, a city both steeped in history and on the cusp of current trends. Your panoramic city tour showcases all the imperial Habsburg grandeur of the stately Ringstrasse, taking you past the Rathaus (City Hall), Parliament, the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), and the State Opera, among other sights. You will walk through the Hofburg grounds, culminating at the magnificent State Hall of the Austrian National Library, which is said to be the most beautiful library room in the world. For a more intimate look at this stunning city, opt to “ See Vienna as the Viennese Do,” discovering the daily life of the Viennese in the historic town center with a visit to a popular park and a stop at a traditional Viennese coffee house. (BB, L, D)
Note: The Austrian National Library is closed on Mondays. If the tour lands on a Monday, Mozarthaus will be visited instead.
Day 10: Vienna
Today you have time to explore this amazing city on your own - there's still much to see in Vienna. Ask your Cruise Manager for suggestions - see historical sites, wander through museums, or enjoy a lingering cup of coffee at a Viennese café. A light buffet-style lunch will be provided onboard this afternoon. Also today, some of your fellow passengers will be leaving the ship to go home, and some new passengers will be coming onboard. Please offer them a warm welcome as you meet them during the welcome briefing. (BB, L, D)
Day 11: Vienna
Featured Excursions: Choice of royal Vienna tour with a visit to the Royal Treasury Silver Chambers OR exclusive “See Vienna as the Viennese Do”
Capture Vienna’s imperial history during a tour that takes you along the stately Ringstrasse. Among the magnificent sights you’ll see on your drive are Rathaus (City Hall), the Parliament, the Hofburg (Imperial
Palace), and the Staatsoper (State Opera); then you’ll stroll through the Hofburg grounds to the oldest part of the complex, which dates to the 13th century and houses the extraordinary treasures collected by the
Habsburgs. For a more intimate look at this stunning city, opt to “See Vienna as the Viennese Do,” discovering the daily life of city residents in the historic town center with a visit to a popular park and a stop at a traditional Viennese coffee house. (BB, L, D)
Day 12: Cruising the Danube River, Bratislava
Featured Excursion: Bratislava walking tour
Bratislava’s compact Old Town contains an eclectic collection of handsome Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco buildings. Today, you’ll find a lively mix of designer galleries, old-fashioned shops, and coffee houses in lovely Art Deco buildings, as well as an international population of young bohemians reveling in a dynamic art scene. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)
Day 13: Budapest
Featured Excursions: Choice of Budapest city tour OR Budapest walking discovery of national treasures
Savor the beauty of Buda and Pest, on opposite sides of the Danube, with a panoramic coach tour that shows all the key highlights of this gorgeous city, including the Hungarian State Opera House, the national museum, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and Castle Hill, a UNESCO-designated district that has been called the heart of the nation. Or join a walking tour that begins with an exploration of the remarkable Hungarian Parliament building. Its Neo-Gothic façade is ornamented with striking turrets and arches, and its outer walls feature more than 200 statues of notable Hungarian monarchs and military commanders. You’ll have an hour-long guided tour, seeing the sweeping main staircase; the soaring Dome Hall; the Deputy Council Chamber, where the Hungarian legislature sits today; and the richly decorated Old Upper House Hall. Then, you’ll head to the Central Market Hall. Intoxicating aromas and vibrant colors strike you as you step inside. Your guide will introduce you to the dazzling array of fresh produce, spices, meats, pastries, and wines on display and will even arrange a few tastings for you. You’ll then have time to wander among the stalls and pick up souvenirs before heading outside to stroll Váci Street, Budapest’s most famous pedestrian mall and shopping boulevard. For generations, this is where the city’s wealthiest residents have come to see and be seen. (BB, L, D)
Note: The Parliament may be closed for official business without prior notice. If the Parliament is closed, we will visit St. Stephen’s Basilica instead.
Day 14: Budapest, cruising the Danube River
Spend the morning exploring Budapest on your own. Budapest is a mecca for lovers of Art Nouveau architecture, and the building housing the Franz Liszt Academy of Music is particularly worth visiting. For a reminder of the centuries when Hungary was ruled by the Ottoman Turks, take a look at the 16th-century tomb of Gül Baba (and enjoy a Turkish coffee at the adjoining coffee house). Or relax at one of the city's many wonderful spas. You might want to check out the famous Gellert Baths, built in gorgeous Art Nouveau style; or Szechenyi, whose balmy outdoor pool, fed by natural mineral springs, is tempting in any season. This afternoon your ship cruises through the Hungarian countryside toward Croatia. (BB, L, D)
Day 15: Vukovar (Osijek)
Featured Excursion: Full-day tour of Osijek, school visit, and home-hosted lunch
Morning finds the ship docking in the Croatian port of Vukovar, where you’ll begin one of the most intriguing and personal adventures of this entire cruise. Meet modern-day Croatians in an intimate setting as you have lunch with a family in Osijek and chat with students at their school. Osijek, the largest city in eastern Croatia, was founded by the Romans in the second century and has seen its share of trouble in the centuries since then. The Tvrda complex, built in the 18th century by Austrian military engineers, was designed as the military nerve center of eastern Slavonia after the Austrians wrested control of the region from the Ottoman Turks. They created a planned community, well fortified with moats and walls that have largely disappeared, but the handsome Baroque buildings and squares remain, making up the best-preserved Baroque complex in Croatia—though some structures were slightly damaged by the shelling the city endured in the early 1990s. (BB, L, D)
Note: School visit not available during school holidays.
Day 16: Belgrade
Featured Excursion: Belgrade city tour with walking tour of Kalemegdan fortress
One of the oldest cities in Europe, with a turbulent 2,500-year history, Belgrade has retained its vibrant character, rich in culture and eclectic architecture. The day begins with a look into the region’s Roman and medieval past at Kalemegdan Fortress. To contrast Belgrade’s distant past with its more recent history, you’ll ride through the upscale district where high-ranking Communist leaders once lived, and past the grim Communist housing projects built for ordinary citizens on the other side of the Danube. You’ll have an opportunity to photograph St. Sava Cathedral, the largest active Orthodox church in the world, with a dome that can be seen throughout the city. Finally, you’ll pass the tomb and memorial of longtime Yugoslavian prime minister and president Josip Broz Tito, located at the site of his former residence in Belgrade’s affluent neighborhood of Dedinje. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Day 17: Belgrade (disembark), transfer to the airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to the Belgrade Nicola Tesla Airport for your flight home. (CB/BB)
Tour Map
All This Included
Let the Danube show you the history of Europe, from the Middle Ages to the vibrant present, as you travel through six nations—Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia—and visit legendary capital cities along the way.
Begin in beautifully preserved Prague, the millennium-old crossroads of Central Europe. Waltz through imperial Vienna, home to some of the continent’s finest music, art, and architecture. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Wachau Valley, the imposing 900-year-old Baroque Melk Abbey, and Passau, with its Italian-Baroque flair. Step back in time to the Middle Ages in Regensburg. See Bratislava, where 19 Hungarian rulers were crowned; and majestic Budapest, overrun by conquerors through the centuries and now triumphantly coming into its own in the 21st century. In Belgrade discover a remarkable fusion of Habsburg, Balkan and Communist influences.
This cruise provides scenic sailing with a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to enjoy both the shipboard experience and the intriguing destinations, from small-town Croatia to bustling Belgrade.
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14-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stylish River Ambassador
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2 nights in Prague at the deluxe Boscolo Prague (or similar) with breakfast
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All transfers on arrival and departure days
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All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
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16 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners
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2 Captain’s Welcome Galas and 2 Farewell Dinners
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Complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner onboard; bottled water replenished daily in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station
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Explore 7 countries
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20 excursions, including 7 “Choice Is Yours” options, fully hosted by English-speaking local expert
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Exclusive Go Active Program and "Gentle Walking" Program
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5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
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State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
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Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
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Captivating onboard local entertainment
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2 Signature Lectures
Accommodations on this Tour
Prague: Boscolo Prague (or similar)
Cruising: outside cabin onboard the River Ambassador
Notes
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Cabin upgrades are available.
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Prices exclude additional port charges of $280 per person.
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A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement.
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Itineraries, hotels, and vessels may change, and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water level fluctuations and other uncontrollable factors.
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The order of sightseeing and docking ports are subject to change according to port authority assignments.
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Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
Terms and Conditions
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The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.
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