Days 1-2 Depart US to Munich, Germany: After an overnight flight arrive in Munich, Germany, the city of alpine beauty and culinary delights. If you have booked your air arrangements through YMT you will be met by a local YMT representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel (Guests who have made their individual air arrangements must make their own way to the hotel). At night meet your fellow travelers for an included Welcome Dinner at your hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure to explore the city on your own. (D) Overnight: Feringapark Munich (or similar accommodations)
Day 3Travel by coach to Schloss Neusschwanstein and Rothenburg o.d. Tauber: Today your tour of Southern Germany will start with two highlights: First you will travel in your comfortable European motorcoach to Schwangau, where you will visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Once commissioned by the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig, it has become a famous movie background and inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle in modern times. You will enjoy a guided tour of the castle followed by lunch on your own. From there you will continue to Rothenburg o.d. Tauber, an enchanting, fully preserved medieval town where we will stay for the night. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a brief orientation tour of the town, then the rest of the evening is at leisure, perhaps visit the famed Christmas Museum in town! (B) Overnight: Hotel Rappen (or similar accommodations)
Day 4Rothenburg o.d. Tauber via Plzen to Prague: Today you will leave Germany behind and venture into the Czech Republic. Our first stop will be in Plzen were the Pilsner beer was created. You will be able to enjoy an included brewery tour to learn all about the beer making process in its original form. Afterwards enjoy lunch on own before we continue to Bohemia and its capital, Prague. (B) Overnight: Ibis Mala Strana (or similar accommodations)
Day 5Prague Local Sightseeing: Today enjoy a full day of included sightseeing in Prague. The historic center of Prague has been named an UNESCO world Heritage site and during your tour you will surely see why. Towering over the city is famous Prague Castle, watching over the Charles Bridge, beautiful Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter. Let your Tour Director guide you and show you the hidden gems of this beautiful city. At night perhaps join your fellow travelers for a traditional bohemian meal with folklore music in the historic center of Prague (optional). (B) Overnight: Ibis Mala Strana (or similar accommodations)
Day 6Prague to Passau and Embarkation on River Cruise: You will leave the Czech Republic behind and re-enter Germany as you travel to Passau. This main Danube port is also a “City of Three Rivers” as the Danube joins here with the Inn and Iltz rivers, and this river delta is surely a beautiful sight! Upon arrival you will enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of this city and have time for lunch on your own, before you embark the TUI Melodia, your luxurious 4 star floating hotel for the next 8 days. (B,D)
Day 7Melk, Austria to Vienna, Austria: After silent, vibration free cruising on the river overnight, you will be greeted by your first port in the morning -Melk, Austria. The city of Melk was founded around 831 AD with the construction of the Monastry that thrones over the Danube here. A visit of the beautiful monastery is part of the optional shore excursions program that you may choose to partake in or you may venture out into town on your own. Return for your exquisitely prepared lunch on board and enjoy the afternoon as you cruise the scenic area of the Wachau. Sit back and relax as you watch the gently sloping vineyards pass by. You will pass Dürnstein, (where once Richard Lionheart was held captive by Leopold the 5th, while supposedly Robin Hood kept his subjects honest in Sherwood Forest) while you enjoy the rivers’ curves and bends as you travel to Vienna for an early evening arrival in Vienna. After dinner, it may be time to join your fellow travelers on an optional excursion to a “Heurigen” a local Vintner’s bar, where you can enjoy the local wines while being entertained by local live music. (B,L,D)
Day 8Full day in Vienna and Evening Departure to Esztergom: Enjoy the day in Vienna! This classical city of Music, Waltz and royal dynasties has a lot to offer! Our shore excursions program offers a comprehensive city tour for your enjoyment of the major attractions such as the Anchor Clock, the National Theatre, the Hofburg (where the annual Viennese ball takes place), the Naschmarkt (an extensive open air farmer’s market), the Prater with is world famous Ferris Wheel and Schoenbrunn Palace. If you prefer a slower pace on your own, make sure to stop in one of Vienna’s most famous coffeehouses, the Café Sacher and enjoy the world famous cake! Return to the Melodia for a 6:00 pm departure to Esztergom and dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Day 9Esztergom to Budapest, Hungary: As you wake up to enjoy the full breakfast buffet, the Melodia will dock in Esztergom, Hungary. One of the oldest cities of Hungary, Esztergom used to be the capital and is home to the Basilica, the main Roman Catholic church of Hungary. You may choose to visit the basilica by means of a small train transfer this morning or venture into town on your own. The TUI Melodia will continue to nearby Budapest in the late morning. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Budapest sits on a total of 80 geothermal springs and is famous for its healing Spa treatments. Optional shore excursions offer you an opportunity to visit one of the thermal Spas and enjoy some relaxation in addition to a comprehensive city tour of this beautiful city. The Melodia will stay in port over night. (B,L,D)
Day 10Budapest: Enjoy another morning in Budapest, perhaps for some shopping or other activity in the city. The Melodia will leave port around 2:30 pm and take you on another scenic cruise to Bratislava, Slovakia were you will arrive early the next morning. (B,L,D)
Day 11Bratislava to Linz: Wake up in Slovakia and spend the morning to discover Bratislava! Perhaps you would like to join a comprehensive city tour in the traditional “tram trains” of the city or you would like to walk in the historic town center on your own, the choice is yours! Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia with a unique location: Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries. At 1:30 pm the Melodia will get ready to take you to Linz while you enjoy lunch on board. The remainder of the day is for you to enjoy the amenities of the Melodia. (B,L,D)
Day 12Linz: Linz is not only home to the famous Linzer Tart and Linzer cookies, but also to a picturesque old town and a history dating back to the Romans. As part of our shore excursion program you will be able to visit a large underground wine cellar that has been used by the Romans, or you may want to get an insider’s view on Linz’ beautiful residential architecture with plenty of beautifully decorated courtyards as part of a walking city tour. Enjoy your farewell gala dinner in the port, as it is almost time to bid farewell to Linz and start the journey back to Passau. (B,L,D)
Day 13Passau (disembark) to Munich: Welcome back to Passau! It is time to say good bye to the ship and the crew of the TUI Melodia. You will be greeted by your YMT Tour Director upon disembarkation in Passau. From here your coach will take you to Munich where you will enjoy comprehensive panoramic city tour upon arrival. Munich is certainly known for its hardy German cuisine, its beer specialties and the original Oktoberfest, but it has also a vibrant art scene and beautifully preserved architecture that you will be able to see. Tonight you will join your fellow travelers for an included traditional Bavarian dinner with Music and Dance at the famed Hofbrauhaus as a farewell to new found friends and the perfect ending to a two week river cruise & tour vacation. Guests who are traveling with us in September will enjoy a locally guided tour on the original Oktoberfest followed by dinner in a local brewery– a highlight surely not to be missed! (B, L or D) Overnight: Feringaprk Munich (or similar accommodations)
Day 14Depart Home: It’s time to say good bye and to travel back home with plenty of memories from your European river cruise and tour. If you have booked your air with YMT you will be transferred to Munich Airport in order to catch your return flight to the US. Guest who have made individual air arrangements will have to make their own way to the airport. (B)
Note:Some of the sightseeing and visits included in this tour require up to 2 hours of walking and some periods of standing. Steps, stairs and uneven grounds will also be encountered on occasion. This does not pose a challenge to most guests, but should be considered when booking this tour.
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I was so impressed with all the knowledge that was provided. All together, it was a lovely experience and I look forward to doing more tours with you folks.
- J. Drinan, FL