During this 8-day journey, discover the grand cities and quaint villages along the celebrated Danube River. Explore both sides of Hungary's capital-traditional "Buda" and more cosmopolitan "Pest"-and from Fishermen's Bastion, see how the river divides this fascinating city. Experience Vienna's imperial architecture and gracious culture, and tour riverside towns in Austria's Wachau Valley. And in Germany, explore a baroque cathedral and stroll cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends, and see why Strauss immortalized this romantic river in his famous "Blue Danube" waltz.

Day 1 Budapest
Arrive in Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital divided by the Danube River. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, you have free time to visit both sides, traditional "Buda" and cosmopolitan "Pest"-or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)

Day 2 Budapest
Your morning begins with a tour of the Pest side of the city. Journey along famous Andrassy Avenue and see numerous 19th- and 20th-century mansions and the National Opera House. Other noted sites are the renowned Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Stop in Heroes' Square to learn more about Hungarian culture and history. Cross the Danube to tour the Buda side with a visit to the Castle District. Walk up the hill to see Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church and catch brilliant views of the city below. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Vienna
Arrive in Vienna just after breakfast for your half-day city tour. See some of Vienna's lovely baroque architecture, then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. You then visit St. Stephan's Cathedral. Return to your ship for lunch. The afternoon is yours to further explore this city on your own. You may go shopping along the Kartnerstrasse or take an excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, home of Maria Theresa and the Habsburgs' summer residence. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and you may choose to complete your day in this "City of Waltzes" with an optional evening concert. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Melk & Linz
Join a guided tour through the ornate interior of this baroque gem of architecture, the Benedictine abbey at Melk. See its elaborate wall and ceiling frescoes and admire the library's impressive collection of medieval manuscripts; take time to enjoy the garden courtyard and the terrace's Wachau Valley views. Rejoin your ship for lunch and an afternoon cruise along the Danube.

Cruise through dinner and arrive this evening in Linz, capital of Upper Austria. Enjoy your evening at leisure with a stroll around town or sample some locally produced wines. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Passau
Arrive midmorning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town's narrow streets takes you through the Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe's largest church organ. Eat lunch aboard, but return to the city for further exploration on your own before an early evening departure and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Regensburg
After breakfast, meet your guide dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities. You see one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. Take time to stroll the streets or shop before returning to your ship for lunch.

This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising along the Danube River-or take an optional Danube Gorge excursion. Travel by road to Kelheim and board a ferryboat to the Danube Gorge's dramatic scenery and spectacular 400-foot chalk cliffs. Visit Weltenburg Abbey, renowned for the dark ale brewed here by monks since 1050, then rejoin your ship in Kelheim in time for dinner aboard. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Main-Danube Canal & Nuremberg
Very early this morning, you sail through a number of locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube. Begun as Charlemagne's dream in 793, it was completed in 1992 with 16 locks that raise the water level 1,332 feet. Today it enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea.

Arrive during breakfast in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second largest city. Your tour features the former Nazi parade grounds, the Main Railway Station and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. You have a brief stop at the Court House before returning to the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls.

You see Elizabeth and St. James Church, and your tour ends with a walk from the castle grounds, passing the Albrecht Durer House and Main Market Square. Or, join an optional World War II history tour visiting the Documentation Center Museum. Lunch is served aboard, but you have the rest of the day to explore; your ship remains docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Nuremberg
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey in another country with 3 nights in Prague, Czech Republic. You will stay close to Prague's Old Town and will get a tour of the landmark Prague Castle. (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.