10 Days/9 Nights

Danube Discovery

Tour Highlights

• Cruise for 7 nights aboard the River Princess, a luxurious modern river ship.
• Take a guided tour of Vienna and explore a 900-year-old Benedictine abbey in Austria.
• Enjoy exciting shore excursions in the historic German cities of Nuremberg, Regensburg and Passau. No additional cost!
• 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! 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 have time on your own to explore before you settle into your room. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner.

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

This afternoon we’ll head north to the city of Nuremberg, devastated in World War II but faithfully restored to its old charm. Here we’ll board the River Princess, our home for the next 7 nights.

This luxurious ship offers the amenities of a five-star hotel, with spacious staterooms and plush beds draped in fine linens. The European-inspired gourmet cuisine is prepared with the freshest ­ingredients—often brought on board from local farmers’ markets.

The award-­winning staff will see to all your needs during this river cruise.

Day 4—Nuremberg: This morning we’ll tour Nuremberg, 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. The ship departs shortly after lunch where we’ll begin our journey with an exciting transit through the most impressive section of one of the modern marvels of our age—the Main-Danube Canal.

Later enjoy a sumptuous Captain’s Welcome Dinner and a relaxing evening of cruising the river.

Day 5—Regensburg: Our second shore excursion takes us to Regensburg. One of the finest medieval towns in all of Europe, it was left nearly untouched by World War II.

You’ll marvel at the 12th-century Stone Bridge and towering Gothic cathedral. Your walking tour will reveal the architectural treasures of Old Town and the Cathedral of St. Peter with its magnificent 14th- century stained glass windows.

Day 6—Deggendorf/Theresienthal: Today we’ll drive through the Bavarian Forest Nature Preserve. This 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 workshop.

You’ll be delighted by a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Bavarian Forest. Then it’s back to the River Princess for another delicious dinner.

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 you’ll visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ. A magnificent recital is sure to stir your spirit! Overnight we’ll leave Germany and cross into northern Austria.

Day 8—Melk: Today we’ll cruise through the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful in all of ­Europe. Steep slopes, blanketed with vineyards, produce some of Austria’s most delicious and prized Riesling wines. Keep your camera handy!

In Melk, tour the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture situated atop soaring granite cliffs. The terrace views are spectacular! The true highlight will be to see the splendid frescos, marble and gilded plasterwork inside.

Day 9—Vienna: We’ll cap off our Danube cruise with a tour of Vienna, a city with roots that go back 2,000 years. Your tour takes you past Rathaus (City Hall), Parliament, Hofburg Palace and State Opera. Our walking tour will reveal the Hofburg grounds and St. Stephen’s, a renowned European Gothic cathedral. 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 before returning to the River Princess. We’ll enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner before retiring for the night.

Day 10—Vienna/Chicago: Today we’ll disembark the River Princess and go to Vienna for our flight home. We leave behind Germany and Austria, but our memories will last a lifetime.

Accommodations

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