About this trip
The Danube, our first foray into river cruising, is still our favorite waterborne meander. Bookended by Salzburg and Prague, two of Europe’s most attractive and diverse urban destinations, this itinerary packs real touristic punch. Some of Europe’s greatest art and architecture are revealed on walking tours of Salzburg, Budapest, Vienna, Linz, Bratislava, and Prague - all escorted by hand-picked local guides. Those urban adventures are balanced with a visit to famous Melk Abbey, the scenic drive through western Austria’s Salzkammergut, and a time-travel foray to medieval Cesky Krumlov.
Imprint has adapted our distinct travel approach to river cruises. As with all cruises, after check-in you will be able to unpack once and settle into your cabin for the entire cruise with all meals included. But similarities end there. Each day we'll have a custom built sightseeing experience and, where possible, free time for personal exploration. Our local guides have been “hand-selected” for their passion and educational sensibilities and Imprint’s values drive the choice of sights and experiences. As you expect from us, the tour price includes ALL scheduled excursions, local guides, activities, entrances, and TIPS. We’ve also included transportation passes or tickets for free-time sightseeing in Budapest and Vienna and individual audio units for all cruise excursions and tour activities. You are used to paying a bit extra for all these inclusions from Imprint, but in this case, we are able to offer this tour for a price considerably less than competitors, even comparing prices before the expensive shore options are added. It gets better! Rather than adding expensive extension options like other cruise companies, we are including Salzburg and Prague. For those destinations we are using centrally located hotels which match the comfort of our cruise accommodations.
We’ve partnered with Luftner Cruisesand we’ll be sailing on the elegant, new Amadeus Riva (https://www.lueftner-cruises.com/en/our-amadeus-fleet/ms-amadeus-riva.html). Our cruise features free wine with dinners, live music, 24-hour coffee station, afternoon cake & pastry, midnight snack; and the full time services of an onboard cruise director and concierge desk.
Available Packages
For couples or traveling companions.
Price is per person based on double occupancy.
8-Day Danube cruise plus Salzburg and Prague.
Itinerary
Day 1 Salzburg
We’ll meet for a get-acquainted meeting in our centrally located hotel. Afterward we’ll have dinner together.
Hotel am Mirabellplatz (2 nights) https://imlauer.com/hotel-am-mirabellplatz/
Day 2 Salzburg
Walking tour
This morning begins with a guided walking tour of the charming historic center. Your afternoon is entirely free to explore Salzburg. You might visit mighty Salzburg Fortress, hike the Monchberg, see a performance at the famous Marionette Theater, or enjoy one of the city’s many concert venues.
Amadeus Riva The next 7 nights are spent aboard the Amadeus Riva
Day 3 Riva - Passau
SOM tour; Salzkammergut
After breakfast we’ll have our own private Sound of Music tour, visiting famous filming sights throughout the city and out in the beautiful Salzkammergut countryside. After several hours of alpine scenery we’ll arrive in Passau to board the Amadeus Riva for cocktail hour and dinner. Our first night on board is highlighted by a gala welcome dinner.
Day 4 Riva - Melk
Melk Abbey
This morning’s activity is a guided tour of the Barogue jewel, Melk Abbey. Perched on a ridge overlooking the scenic Wachau Valley and Danube River, this Abbey is world famous for its art, library, striking architecture, and beautiful setting. The afternoon will be spent luxuriating in a drifting idyll as we make our way east to Vienna.
Day 5 Riva - Vienna
Walking tour; Treasury
After breakfast we’ll head into Vienna, the great imperial seat of the Hapsburg dynasty. We’ll have a guided tour of the historic center, highlighted by St Stephens Cathedral and the Treasury of the Hofburg Palace where the accumulated wealth of the Hapsburgs is on lavish display. The rest of your afternoon is free for personal discovery. Perhaps you’ll visit impressive Schonbrunn Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Kunsthistorishe Museum, or simply while away time in a classic Viennese Coffee House.
Day 6 Riva - Budapest
Walking tour; Hungarian folklore show
The Riva will dock about breakfast time in regal Budapest. We’ll spend our morning exploring historic Pest. Highlights include the Central Market; Heroes Square, Liberation Square, the iconic Parliament building, Andrassy St., and the waterfront. Your afternoon is free to indulge in one of Pest’s famous spas. This evening is special on board – an evening cruise with a Hungarian folklore show.
Day 7 Riva - Budapest
Walking tour
This day begins with our ace local guide taking us on a Buda Castle Hill tour. We’ll see Buda Castle (no entrance), the picturesque Fisherman’s Bastion, and St Mathias Church. Our cruise departs after lunch and we’ll enjoy the Danube Bend, one of the most scenic sections of the river. [Optional excursion to Esztergom Cathedral available]
Day 8 Riva - Bratislava
Walking tour
Wake up in vibrant Bratislava. After your hardy Royal breakfast we’ll have a walking tour of the historic center of this unknown jewel of a town. The delightful historic center is both traditional and whimsical. At the end of our tour you’ll have free time to explore on your own before returning to the Riva for lunch.
Day 9 Riva - Linz
Walking tour; Gala dinner
We’ll arrive in Linz about lunchtime today. A local specialist will give us a tour of the historic center. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore Linz. If the weather is clear you can take the famous Postlingbergbahn excursion up to a panoramic viewpoint, overlooking the historic city. For our last night on board we enjoy the Captain’s Gala Farewell Dinner.
Day 10 Prague
Cesky Krumlov
The cruise ends after breakfast but our adventure continues. We’ll be picked up at the landing and transported by coach to spectacular Prague. The drive will be broken up by a stop in picturesque Cesky Krumlov. Set your clocks back 300 years for this medieval time capsule tucked into a scenic bend of the Vltava River.
Hotel Grandium (3 nights) https://www.hotel-grandium.cz/cs/
Day 11 Prague
Prague Castle
We’ll begin our Prague visit with a guided tour of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, and the Golden Lane. Your afternoon and evening are free. Visit the Mucha Museum, seek out one of Prague’s many venues for classical music, or indulge in the unique Black Light Theater.
Day 12 Prague
Walking tour; Jewish Quarter
Our explorations of this amazing city continue with a walking tour including the Charles V Bridge, Kampa Island, the Old Town Square with Jan Hus Monument, City Hall and Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, Wenceslas Square, the Jewish Quarter and Museum. Woven throughout will be examples of Prague’s unique and varied architecture, including Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, Moorish Revival, Art Nouveau, and Cubist. We’ll conclude our tour with a classic Czech feast.
Day 13 Tour Over
Tour over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.
[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]
What’s Included:
Cruise inclusions: 7 nights accommodation (cabin of choice); All meals (including wine with dinner), 24 hour coffee/tea, afternoon cake & pastry; All tips for cruise staff, guides, and escort; Full-time services of on-board concierge and Imprint escort, local guides; VOX audioguide for all excursions; All shore excursions: All entrances: Melk, Hapsburg Treasury, Fisherman’s Bastion, St Mathias Church, Heroes Square; Walking tours of Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava & Linz, Melk Abbey tour; All activities: Nightly on board entertainment, free use of bicycles; Local transportation - Vienna & Budapest; Port charges (approx. $150pp)
Salzburg & Prague: 5 nights accommodation; All breakfasts, 2 dinners; All transportation (coach); All tips (tour escort, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotels); Full-time services of Imprint escort; VOX audioguide for all excursions; All entrances: Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Jewish synagogues & sites; All activities: Walking tours of Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, & Prague, SOM tour, Prague transportation
Important exclusions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks (except dinner wine, bottled water, and coffee during the cruise), free-time sightseeing & meals, and expenditures of a personal nature.
Price determined by class of cabin.
Responsible Travel
A major concern of Imprint and Luftner as organizers of river cruises is that Europe’s beautiful waterways be traveled sustainably. It is particularly important for us to create an overall awareness of ecological responsibility on board in addition to our implementation of environmentally-friendly measures. We are therefore proud to be working closely with organizations “Green Globe” and “Atmosfair” in making an active contribution to climate control, protecting the environment, and making sure that the lovely riverside scenery can be enjoyed for many years to come.