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The
Itinerary
(subject to change)
- Day 1 - Budapest Board your ship & Free
time
- Day 2 - Budapest Enjoy your ship, Motor Coach
and walking tour (included)
- Day 3 - Vienna Motor Coach and walking tour
(included); Free time
- Day 4 - Danube Wine Tasting in AM. Visit Melk
for short stay: Melk Abbey optional
- Day 5 - Passau Walking tour, concert (included)
and Free time
- Day 6 - Regensburg Walking tour (included) and
Free time
Kelheim Weltenburg Abbey & Danube Gorge by boat
(included)
- Day 7 - Main-Danube Canal Scenic cruising
Nuremberg Motor Coach tour (included); Free time
- Day 8 - Nuremberg Departure
See Itinerary Details
Below
Enjoy the warmth of not only the central European
people but also the warmth of the sun daily on your ship's clothing-optional
sun deck as you glide through the absolute best of central Europe from Budapest
to Vienna and Nuremberg, and optional side trips close by to Prague, the Paris
of central Europe.
The Danube Adult Cruise is
personally hosted by James & Champagne |
A river cruise with Viking River Cruises is the best
way to see Europe up close and in depth. Explore the best destinations in the
world from an intimate and fun clothing optional perspective, spending your
time being there, not getting there.
Viking River Cruises offers you
fine food, great service, romantic and scenic cruising along the famous Danube,
one of world's greatest rivers.
Viking River Cruises visits at least
one port a day so you can explore small villages off the beaten path that are
inaccessible via an ocean cruise. Docking in the heart of town, you'll have
more time to see and experience the cities and villages, not just travel to the
cities.
You'll enjoy ever-changing riverside scenery on board butt
naked if you choose, riverside wine tours as well as local nightlife when your
ship overnights in ports of Budapest, Vienna and Nuremberg.
Come
aboard with Castaways Travel and Viking River Cruises!
Itinerary
Details - (Updated 03-25-2008)
July 2008 Clothing Optional Cruise on
the Danube
See this detailed
printable PDF Itinerary
Pre Tour for
Budapest:
Visit the famous spas and nightclubs in the hottest
capital city in Central Europe. Post tours: Transfer to Prague, two hours away,
to the "Paris of the East!" Or, fly over to Holland for even more fun in the
wild and wicked city of Amsterdam.
Sunday & Monday -
Budapest-Overnight
This enchanting and exotic capital of Hungary
straddles the banks of the Danube and is divided into two distinct parts,
traditional Buda and more modern Pest. Budapest is aptly called "Paris of the
East," for its beautiful evening illumination and reflected lights in the
Danube's waters. The old city features amazing examples of architecture such as
Buda Castle, the baroque Parliament building, Chain Bridge and Matthias church,
where the coronation ceremonies of Hungarian Kings were held. Gellert Hill,
high above the city, offers not-to-be missed views.
Tuesday - Vienna
This capital city of Austria is filled with
green parks, elegant stores, theatres and gracious boulevards. Known as the
"City of Waltzes," Vienna is considered the center of classical music, where
Strauss, Beethoven and Mozart composed many of their finest pieces. Any visitor
to Vienna should be sure to stop in one of the city's famous cafes to taste the
delectable Sacher Torte. Noted landmarks include the impressive Hofsburg
Palace, Vienna Opera House, and lavish Schönbrunn Palace, the preferred
residence of the Hapsburgs. Set amidst an important wine-growing region with
picturesque villages and hilltop castles, the charming city of Vienna will
charm you with you with her charms and vineyards nearby..
Wednesday - Krems/Melk
SPECIAL TOUR: A special
wine tasting awaits you in Krems, arranged exclusively for Castaways clients.
This extra event and transfers are compliments of Castaways Travel. Krems'
historical buildings in the old town center have been declared a "World
Heritage" site by UNESCO in 2000. After the wine tasting, the motor coaches
will transfer guests along the Danube from Krems to Melk Abbey for an optional
tour. (Admission tickets to the Abbey are approximately 8-9 Euros/person and
takes about 45 minutes). Or, you may depart the coach and proceed directly on
foot to the village of Melk a few steps down from the Abbey to visit the quaint
shops, stores, boutiques and even a side walk market traditionally held during
the summer months. Of course, pubs, wine shops and restaurants are along the
way, too. From there, you may proceed across the foot bridge to the dock to
re-join your ship. By the way, a wonderful little Austrian beer garden is
strategically located adjacent to the ship dock at Melk.
Melk lies at
the confluence of the Danube and Melk Rivers at the base of the Wachau Valley.
An imposing 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a breathtaking example of baroque
architecture, overlooks the town from its dramatic hilltop location. This
architectural treasure has 365 windows, one for each day of the year. Its
beautiful library houses medieval manuscripts and marvelous frescoes by Paul
Troger, and its meticulously kept grounds are inviting and picturesque.
Linz
Linz was the setting for Lentia, the Roman
castle and settlement in the 1st century A.D. Today, Linz's art, history and
architecture make it an inspiring city to visit and a leading cultural center
of Austria.
Thursday - Passau
Set at the
confluence of Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers, enchanting Passau is home to charming
cobblestone streets, elegantly colored building facades, and graceful arcades.
Founded by the Celts more than 2,000 years ago, it is one of Bavaria's oldest
cities. Passau's baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral houses the world's largest
church organ with more than 17,000 pipes, which is still used for concerts
today.
Friday - Regensburg
Having escaped
major damage during World War II, the picturesque town of Regensburg, is one of
Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and the oldest city along the Danube.
Its history dates back to its founding by Marcus Aurelius, more than 2,000
years ago. Amidst its many architectural highlights to see are the Old Stone
Bridge, constructed in the 12th century, and St. Peter's Cathedral with its
single remaining romanesque tower around which the new gothic cathedral was
constructed. One of our favorite stops there is the oldest riverside restaurant
in town that continues to serve its terrific sausages... since the 1300s.
Kelheim
The beautiful city of Kelheim is located at
the confluence of the Danube River and the Main-Danube Canal. This town was the
first residence of the Wittelsbach princes, and was granted town rights as
early as 1181. The city is the gateway for excursions via small ferries through
the dramatic scenery of the Danube Gorge. With its 400-foot cliffs, this Gorge
is the river's steepest, narrowest area and is justly famous for its stunning
scenery. Nearby is Weltenberg Abbey, founded in 610 A.D. and well known for the
brewing of dark ale, a tradition begun in Bavaria in 1050.
Saturday - Main-Danube Canal
Throughout history, man has
tried to alter the course of Europe's major rivers to shorten the journey
across Europe. Twelve hundred years ago Charlemagne dreamed of connecting the
Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, uniting them in one watercourse between the
North Sea and Black Sea. In 1992, his dream was realized with the opening of
the 106-mile-long Main-Danube Canal. The addition of the canal created a 2,200
mile-long waterway, which passes through 15 countries and hundreds of inland
ports linking the North Sea to the Black Sea.
Arrival Saturday
afternoon in Nuremburg for city tour.
The second largest city
in Bavaria, Nuremberg is filled with gothic churches and traditional
half-timbered houses. Although nearly destroyed during World War II, the
protective city walls still feature some of the ancient moats, tall watchtowers
and grand gateways. Nuremberg was long known for its metal and toy
craftsmanship, and the city's modern historical significance can be traced to
its role as the location for the post-World War II war crimes trials of the
Nazis at the Palace of Justice. These trials were immortalized in the 1961
film, Judgment at Nuremberg.
Sunday -
Nuremberg
Departure for home or optional tours to:
Nuremberg or Prague or Amsterdam (optional add on for Prague and Amsterdam)
Optional trip and 2-hour transfer to Prague, an elegant and fun city, home of
the largest dance club in Europe....four floors with something for everyone.
Plus enough adult clubs you can't count them all. See the richest and most
famous city central Eu rope.
Departure for Nuremberg, Prague or
Amsterdam
For Reservations, contact
Jennifer or
Tammy at Castaways Travel.
Escorted by James, Champagne and your favorite host couples you've enjoyed over
the years.
800-470-2020
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