Limited Time Uniworld Offer! 8-day Danube River Cruise
Trip Highlights
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For centuries, the enchanting Danube has cast its spell on poets, musicians and artists of all kinds. And in 2017, it will cast its spell on you even more as it is the year marking the 300th anniversary of Maria Theresa’s birth, the namesake of your stately ship, the S.S. Maria Theresa. Travel through the very places Maria Theresa ruled for over 40 years on this regal journey.
Exclusive celebratory events both onboard and onshore will be plentiful. In Vienna, where Maria Theresa resided, experience “Morning with the Masters” with exclusive early-morning entrance to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Go on a private guided tour of one of the most prestigious museums in the world, home to the royal Habsburg family’s numerous treasures as well as countless major works of art, including Raphael’s Madonna in the Meadow, Vermeer’s The Allegory of Painting, and the Infanta paintings by Velázquez. Conclude your tour with a Bellini cocktail served in the stunning temple of art. That same evening, attend an exclusive private “Royal Anniversary” concert celebrating Maria Theresa at a UNESCO-designated Viennese palace.
You will also experience delightful Salzburg, Dürnstein, Passau and Linz. And all along the way, delve into the flavors of the region with events ranging from an organic wine tasting of the Wachau Valley’s Rieslings to a saffron workshop.
Who will enjoy this cruise
Those who love history, art, architecture, music and exquisite food and wine will discover the best of both Eastern and Western Europe.
The Monarch Collection (select sailings)
Get exclusive insider access to Europe’s rich aristocratic heritage, including: being hosted at a private reception by a Habsburg princess at her castle; enjoying an exclusive concert, dinner and ballroom dancing at a Viennese palace; and going behind the scenes at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School to discover the 450-year-old equestrian tradition of the Lipizzaner stallion
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Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: BUDAPEST
Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship.
DAY 2: BUDAPEST
Choice of Budapest city tour OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Budapest walking tour OR exclusive guided “Let’s Go” Budapest bike tour
Choose one of three ways to discover the wonders of the “Queen of the Danube.” Savor the beauty of both Buda and Pest on a panoramic tour showcasing key highlights. If you prefer to experience the city as the locals do, then take a ride on the metro; stop at a lively market hall; visit the oldest and most beautiful garden in the city, Károlyi; and explore the National Museum. For a more active exploration, join “Green Budapest” with stops at various sites, such as the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Rose and Japanese gardens, the Olympic pool, Várkert Bazár and Gellert Baths, followed by a picnic on Margaret Island—complete with local wine and other typical delights. Cap your day off with the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.
DAY 3: CRUISING THE DANUBE RIVER, BRATISLAVA
Bratislava walking discovery tour. Enjoy a day of leisure onboard as your ship cruises the Danube Bend, which is lined with scenic towns—some of the oldest settlements in the country—nestled at the foot of lovely wooded hills. Before arriving in Vienna, explore Slovakia’s capital city, a thriving commercial centre with a village-like atmosphere and a fascinating mosaic of architectural styles.
DAY 4: VIENNA
Choice of exclusive “Morning with the Masters” at Kunsthistorisches Museum OR exclusive “Do as the Locals Do” Vienna walking tour, and exclusive “Royal Anniversary” Mozart and Strauss Concert at a Viennese Palace
You’re in for a real treat with “Morning with the Masters,” an exclusive early opening and art tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, showcasing the Habsburg’s imperial treasures as well as magnificent works of art by some of the world’s greatest artists, including Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto. Afterward, enjoy a Bellini cocktail on the stunning cupola terrace. If you prefer to experience the city as locals do, go on a guided walk that highlights Viennese essentials, such as coffee, sausages, wine, music and public transportation. No visit to the “City of Waltzes” is complete without music, so you’ll be treated to an exclusive private “Royal Anniversary” concert, celebrating Maria Theresa’s 300th birthday and legacy in a Viennese palace.
DAY 5: DÜRNSTEIN
Dürnstein “Village Day” with choice of exclusive Nikolaihof wine estate visit and tasting OR exclusive saffron workshop with village stroll OR exclusive guided “Let’s Go” Wachau Valley bicycle ride, and Melk Abbey with library visit
Take a guided tour of the village of Dürnstein, where you have a choice of activities, depending on your tastes. Sample the organic wines at the historic Nikolaihof estate, perhaps the oldest winery in Austria, which produces some of the world’s best Rieslings. Prefer a tasting of a different type? Visit one of the world’s only bio-dynamically certified saffron producers, where you’ll educate your taste buds with flavorful delicacies as you taste saffron-infused chocolate and jams. You’ll then set sail through spectacular UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley to Melk. For a more active adventure, bike along the Danube through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk. Once in Melk, visit its 900-year-old abbey, a significant centre of learning over the centuries and home to the famous baroque library that inspired the novel The Name of the Rose.
DAY 6: LINZ
Choice of full day Salzburg* OR Linz town and country: opera house and cider farm visit
Salzburg or Linz—the choice is yours. In UNESCO-designated Salzburg, you’ll see Mozart’s childhood home and the garden where the famous “Do-Re-Mi” scene from The Sound of Music was filmed. If you wish, head to nearby Linz instead, a former Roman settlement that is now a vibrant centre for the arts. After a guided walking tour that stops for coffee and a taste of Linzer torte, venture into the countryside to visit a local farm and sample another delicious treat— hard cider, a specialty of the region. *Note: Lunch is not offered with the full day excursion to Salzburg.
DAY 7: PASSAU
Choice of Passau walking discovery tour with St. Stephan’s organ concert OR exclusive guided “Let’s Go” bicycle ride along the Inn River OR exclusive guided “Let’s Go” hike along the Ilz River
Cruise the picturesque landscape and hairpin loop in the middle of the Danube, known as Schlögener Schlinge, appointed a “Natural Wonder of Austria.” Once at your first German port of call, Passau, discover the medieval city with a walking tour along the cobblestone streets to the baroque St. Stephan’s Cathedral, where you’ll have a rare opportunity to hear a concert played on Europe’s largest pipe organ. You then have two “Let’s Go” choices. For cyclists, join a local guide for a bike ride along the Inn River; for hikers, go on a guided hike with a nature expert along the beautiful Ilz River. Spend your last night onboard at the festive Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner. Note: The organ concert is only available May 1 – October 31, excluding Sundays and Catholic holidays. An alternative venue will be organized before and after these dates.
DAY 8: DEPART
Disembark in Passau and transfer to Munich Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Prague.
Aboard Your Ship
S.S. Maria Theresa, Uniworld
The 75-stateroom Maria Theresa was built in 2015, and earned the “Best New River Ship” award by Cruise Critic editors in the same year. A baroque homage to the former Austrian empress from bow to stern, the S.S Maria Theresa is among the newest and most lavish river boats on the Danube. Suites are individually decorated; all B&R cabins boast French balconies affording wide views of the riverscapes. The vessel is fully airconditioned, and features high-quality beds and linens, marble bathrooms with Occitane accessories, and a knowledgeable, professional crew of 50-plus. The restaurant, often resupplied with fresh regional ingredients en route, offers an array of beautifully prepared starters and entrees, as well as a sumptuous buffet breakfast, all in a panoramic setting.
*Limited space, other conditions and restrictions may apply. Offer is Subject to change or cancellation at any time. This is a limited time offer.