VIVA
Passau to Passau -
7 night Danube River Cruise
DAY 1: PASSAU
Passau is a picturesque city located on a peninsula where the Inn and the Ilz join the Danube. The predominantly Baroque city has always been shaped by historical events. Its tourist attractions reflect its rich history. Passau is also called the "gateway to the Black Sea". If you have the chance, check out St Stephan's Cathedral. The church is home to one of the largest organs in the world. The church is definitely worth a look. Ship departs 5:00pm.
DAY 2: YBBS - VIENNA
Arrive Ybbs in the early morning. This historical town on the Danube was a properous centre for traders and ship masters for several centuries. The colourful facades that attracted approaching ships still pay tribute to this golden era. Highlights of the Ybbs cultural programme include the weeks of the cabaret and performers' festivals, the old town festival and autumn wine weeks. People riding along the Danube cycle path often enjoy a visit to the bicycle museum. Time to walk around this charming town on your own.
Depart for Vienna during lunch and arrive in the evening. Vienna, the capital of Austria, is known as the city on the blue Danube, but today the main river is actually detached from the inner city and only the Danube Channel runs through the city. Vienna is still one of Europe's most seductive cities, however, and is worth a visit not just for its incomparable cultural treasures, the pomp and elegance of former glory, but also for its traditional coffee houses.
DAY 3 : VIENNA
As you have all day to explore this historic city, you have time to join the optional city tour and explore on your own.
The theme of the optional excursion is Vienna around 1900: First of all, get to know the famous buildings of the Vienna Ring Road, a grand boulevard that encircles the historic Innere Stadt district of Vienna and was built for Emperor Franz-Josef. Afterwards, enjoy a short drive to the Secession and continue along the Naschmarkt, Vienna's most popular market, past the Art Nouveau villas. With facades decorated by Gustav Klimt, these houses reflect the Viennese Modernism of 1900. The next stop is the Belvedere Castle, where a short walk takes you to a wonderful vantage point with a view over Vienna. In the castle, which is now an art museum, you have the opportunity to admire Gustav Klimt's world-famous oil painting "The Kiss" in this extensive exhibition that also includes the largest collection of Viennese Biedermeier and important works of French Impressionism. The bus will then take you back to the ship.
If you want to do some exploring on your own, the city has a HopOn-HopOff bus that give you a good overview of the city; a 15 minute train ride will take you to Schonbrunn Palace; several different cycling tours available - including the Austrian countryside. If you are into museum the city has an abundance to choose from.
DAY 4: BUDAPEST
Arrive in Budapest in the morning. Of all the gracious cities that line the Danube, it is Budapest that truly has the river at her heart, separating the two halves of Buda and Pest, which you’ll see on our city tour. Your optional tour starts at the ship, where you enjoy a short bus ride to the former royal castle on the Buda side of Gellert Hill. Here you have a wonderful view over the Danube and the district of Pest. We then continue to the Matthias Church (interior tour), Fishermen's Bastion and the charming alleys of the picturesque old town of Buda. Drive over the old chain bridge to Pest, past the imposing 19th century St. Stephen's Basilica to Heldenplatz (Heroes' Square), which was erected with its monumental buildings in 1896 for the Hungarian millennium celebration. Passing the neo-Gothic Parliament Building, one of the city's landmarks, we return to the ship.
DAY 5: BUDAPEST
This morning, there is some free time before your ship departs.DAY 6: BRATISLAVA
Early morning arrival in Bratislava - with an optional tour of the city. Get to know the capital of the young Slovak Republic on this excursion. Bratislava has been the capital of Slovakia since its independence in 1993. Bratislava was also the capital of Hungary from 1536 to 1784. Bratislava lies where the borders of Slovakia, Hungary and Austria meet and has always been regarded as a melting pot of different peoples and cultures. The old town, which is well worth seeing, has largely retained its Gothic-Baroque style and in recent years has made a remarkable comeback after being brutally disfigured by its communist regime. You'll find traffic-free streets lined with colorfully restored facades, lively outdoor cafés and swanky boutiques. Next, visit the Primatial Palace and stroll past the Jesuit church, town hall and the Michaeler Tor. The tour ends as we visit the imposing Bratislava Castle, the city's most prominent landmark where you will enjoy an overwhelming view over the city and the Danube valley.
DAY 7: MELK
Early morning arrival in Melk - with an optional excursion of the Benedictine abbey at Melk. Optional tour of The abbey, enthroned on a 60 m high rocky outcrop above the town and the Danube, is one of the greatest Baroque buildings in Europe. The imposing baroque building of the early 18th century towers majestically over the city and attracts thousands of visitors every year. During the tour you will see the collegiate church, the marble hall and the world-famous library with over 80,000 volumes and an overwhelming ceiling painting by Paul Troger. From the terrace you can enjoy an impressive view of the Danube valley. An extensive visit forms the highpoint of your short tour, before you go back on board at Melk.
DAY 8: PASSAU
Ship arrive about 7am. Disembark after breakfast.
PASSAU TO PASSAU
| Day | Port | Arr | Dep | Comments |
| 1 | Passau (Germany) | 5:00pm | Embarkation 2:00pm | |
| 2 | Ybbs (Austria) | 07:00am | 12:00pm | Free Time to explore town |
| 2 | Vienna (Austria) | 08:30pm | ||
| 3 | Vienna (Austria) | 6:00pm | Optional city tour of Vienna with free time | |
| 4 | Budapest (Hungary) | 09:30am | Optional city tour of Budapest with free time | |
| 5 | Budapest (Hungary) | 2:00pm | Free time | |
| 6 | Bratislava (Slovakia) | 07:30am | 01:30pm | Optional city tour of Bratislava |
| 6 | Wachau Passage (Austria) | All day cruising | ||
| 7 | Melk (Austria) | 07:30am | 01:30pm | Optional excursion to Melk Abbey |
| 8 | Passau (Germany) | 7:30am | Disembarkation 08:00 |
- subject to changes -
2020 Per Person Cruise Only Fares
| Departure | Ship | DBL |
DBL Ruby Deck |
DBL Jr Suite Ruby Deck |
DBL Diamond Deck |
DBL Jr Suite Diamond Deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04-Jul-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 27-Jul-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 03-Aug-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 10-Aug-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 17-Aug-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 24-Aug-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 30-Sep-20 | Tiara | $2085 | $2365 | $2585 | $2515 | $2725 |
| 07-Oct-20 | Tiara | $1865 | $2156 | $2365 | $2295 | $2515 |
| 14-Oct-20 | Tiara | $1865 | $2156 | $2365 | $2295 | $2515 |
| 21-Oct-20 | Tiara | $1865 | $2156 | $2365 | $2295 | $2515 |
REGULAR Rate includes: cruise and port taxes, TIPS, all meals, wine, and a beverage package - Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee, Beer, wine, throughout the day and evening between 10am and midnight. Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked onboard.
