DAY 1
ARRIVE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA – EMBARKATION
Board the ship in VIENNA for your Majestic Captials of the Danube Cruise
DAY 2VIENNA
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. Alternatively, visit a traditional Viennese café to experience a true Vienna specialty, the Sacher Torte, and savor this treat with a piping hot Viennese Coffee. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. For those of us that have been to Vienna before we can check the schedule of the Spanish Riding School to see if they have anything training sessions or other events available to us an an optional tour.(B,L,D)
DAY 3
VIENNA/BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Visit the UNESCO-designated Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in Austria. For guests that have visited the palace before you might want to consider an optional tour of Vienna exploring the Jewish or WWII history of Vienna. If you prefer a more active tour, pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuburg and its majestic 12th-century Augustinian monastery. Enjoy a scenic cruise in Vienna before sailing to Bratislava. In the evening, end your day with an exclusive Slovakian folkloric experience. (B,L,D)
DAY 4BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city or enjoy a guided biking tour. Take in the magnificent view as we glide along the Danube River into Budapest. For a different experience you might want to consider a self-guided pub crawl of Bratislava.(B,L,D)DAY 5
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Your city tour begins venturing to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river. You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church. If you prefer venturing off the beaten path or are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our Jewish heritage tour which visits the museum at beautiful Dohány Synagogue, as well as the Tree of Life Holocaust memorial and the Temple of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish Hungarian soldiers who fought during WWI. As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below. In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city. If you have been to Budapest and would like to explore more of the city rather than take the offered tours you may consider a tour of the Budapest Synagogue, schedule a visit to the Thermal Baths or a WWII history tour. (B,L,D)DAY 6
DISEMBARK THE SHIP
If you book cruise only you can head to the airport after disembarking the ship. If you decide to join us in Krakow, Poland the itinerary continues:
After departing the ship, you will stop in Banská Bystrica, an historic and picturesque Slovakian city with architecture that dates to the medieval period. Enjoy time for a nice lunch, then continue to Krakow to check into your hotel. (B)
DAY 7
KRAKOW, POLAND
Get acquainted with your surroundings and take a deeper dive into the fascinating history of Krakow with a comprehensive city tour. Visit the Wawel Royal Castle – the world’s very first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and Poland’s largest castle, located in the center of its Old Town. The Wawel Hill it stands upon features a limestone cave renowned for its connection to the legendary Wawel Dragon of Polish folklore, which you will learn more about during your tour. You will also venture into Krakow’s historic Jewish Quarter and see the factory of Oskar Schindler, who was credited with saving 1,200 Jewish lives during World War II, and who was famously honored in the award-winning film Schindler’s List. You will also be treated to a live performance of the Polish anthem by a trumpeter on the highest tower of Saint Mary’s Church, otherwise known as St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a tradition since the 19th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore more of the city. (B)
DAY 8
Prepare yourself for an emotional day as together, we explore a darker period in Poland’s history with a visit to Auschwitz, the largest and most tragically infamous of Europe’s labor and death camps. The main gate, barbed wire fences, buildings and barracks look much the same today as they did during the Holocaust, when 1.1 million lives were taken within the camp. It was liberated from January 17-21, 1945, saving 58,000 from further horrors. Though not for the feint of heart, this once-in-a-lifetime excursion will honor the memory of those who perished and promises to be one you won’t soon forget. (B)
DAY 9
Bid farewell to Krakow and prepare for your return flight home.
AmaMagna
