One Departure Only!

10 Days/9 Nights

Danube Discovery

Tour Highlights

• Revel in the luxury of the River Princess, a modern river ship with all the amenities of a luxury hotel.
• Experience a guided tour of Vienna and explore a 900-year-old Benedictine abbey in Melk, Austria.
• Enjoy shore excursions into Germany’s historic cities of Nuremberg, Regensburg and Passau.
• Discover the bustling city of Munich, where you’ll visit the town square, see the Glockenspiel animated clock and visit a traditional German brewery.
• Thrill to a Bavarian horse-drawn carriage ride and St. Stephan’s organ concert in Passau.

Itinerary

Days 1-2—Chicago/Munich: Welcome to Germany! Today we’ll join Country Woman magazine contributing editor Ann Kaiser, our hostess on this European adventure. Our vacation begins with a tour of Munich, capital of Bavaria and Germany’s third-largest city. In the bustling town square at the heart of the city, you’ll marvel at the towering and ornate Glockenspiel. This world-famous clock tower soars 278 feet in the air! You’ll be amazed by the rotating life-sized carved figures that joust and dance as 43 bells chime a happy tune. Meal included: D.

Day 3—Countryside/Nuremberg: Today we’ll venture into the countryside to visit a family-run hops farm and tour an authentic German brewery, complete with beer samples and tasty snacks.

This afternoon we’ll head north to Nuremberg, a city devastated in World War II but faithfully restored to its old charm. Here we’ll board the River Princess, your home for the next 7 nights. This luxurious modern ship offers all the amenities of a five-star hotel, with spacious staterooms and plush beds draped in fine linens. The gourmet, European-inspired cuisine is prepared with the freshest ingredients available—often brought on board from local farmers’ markets. The English-speaking, award-winning staff is ready to cater to your every need during this relaxing river cruise. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 4—Nuremburg: After cruising parts of the Main-Danube Canal, we’ll enjoy the first of six shore excursions. Today we’ll tour Nuremburg, a medieval German city surrounded by defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Your guided tour takes you to some of the city’s most impressive sights and into the walled Old Town. You’ll return to the River Princess for a sumptuous Captain’s Welcome Dinner and a relaxing night of river cruising. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 5—Regensburg: Our second shore excursion takes us to Regensburg. One of the finest medieval towns in all of Europe, it was left virtually untouched by World War II. You’ll marvel at the 12th-century Stone Bridge and towering Gothic cathedral. Your walking tour reveals the architectural treasures of Old Town and the Cathedral of St. Peter with its magnificent 14th-century stained glass windows. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 6—Deggendorf/Theresienthal: Today we’ll drive through the Nature Reserve of the Bavarian Forest. This heavily wooded area extends into the Czech Republic, where it joins with the Bohemian Forest to form central Europe’s largest uninterrupted stretch of woodland.

After our scenic ride, we’ll arrive at Theresienthal. Established in 1836, this glass manufacturer is known worldwide for the unmatched beauty of its glassware. We’ll see the amazing collection in the Glass Museum, then follow the exquisite handcrafted glass from the oven to the cooling station at the nearby glass workshop.

You’ll be delighted by a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Bavarian Forest. Then it’s back to the River Princess for a private reception with hostess Ann Kaiser and another delicious dinner. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 7—Passau: The Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers meet at the delightful German city of Passau. It combines Venetian-style riverside streets and bridges with traditional German architecture. On your walking tour of the city, you’ll visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ. A magnificent organ recital is sure to stir your spirit! Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 8—Melk: Today you’re in for a treat! We’ll cruise through the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful river valleys in all of Europe. Steep slopes, blanketed with vineyards, produce some of Austria’s most delicious and prized Riesling wines. Be sure to keep your camera handy to capture memories of the gorgeous scenery!

In Melk, you’ll tour the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a towering masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture situated atop soaring granite cliffs. The terrace views are spectacular, but the true highlight of your visit will be the splendid frescos, marble and gilded plasterwork inside. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 9—Vienna: We’ll cap off our Danube cruise with a tour of Vienna, a city with historic roots that go back some 2,000 years. Your tour takes you past the Rathaus (City Hall), Parliament, Hofburg Palace and the State Opera. Our walking tour will reveal the Hofburg grounds and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, one of Europe’s most magnificent Gothic cathedrals. You’ll visit the Baroque State Hall of the Austrian National Library, one of the world’s most beautiful library rooms.

You’ll have time on your own to stroll the streets of Vienna. You can do a little last-minute shopping, sample delicious Austrian cuisine or just stroll along the pedestrian-friendly boulevards.

Back on the River Princess, we’ll enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner before retiring for the night. Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 10—Vienna/Chicago: Today we’ll disembark the River Princess for the last time and make our way into Vienna for our flight home. We’ll leave Germany and Austria far behind, but our memories of the Danube River and our great times with hostess Ann Kaiser will last a lifetime.

Accommodations

• Day 1: en route to Munich
• Day 2: TBD, Munich
• Days 3-9: River Princess
• Pre/Post-Tour: Courtyard by Marriott O'Hare, Chicago