Danube Cruise

IT
Imprint Tours
  • Email address verified
113 reviews
Sep 20 - Oct 2, 2023
Group size: 30 - 38
Danube Cruise
Various

Imprint Tours
  • Email address verified
113 reviews

Sep 20 - Oct 2, 2023
Group size: 30 - 38

About this trip

The Danube, our first foray into river cruising, is still our favorite waterborne meander. Bookended by Salzburg and Prague, two of Europe’s most attractive and diverse urban destinations, this itinerary packs real touristic punch. Some of Europe’s greatest art and architecture are revealed on walking tours of Salzburg, Budapest, Vienna, Linz, Bratislava, and Prague - all escorted by hand-picked local guides. Those urban adventures are balanced with a visit to famous Melk Abbey, the scenic drive through western Austria’s Salzkammergut, and a time-travel foray to medieval Cesky Krumlov.

Imprint has adapted our distinct travel approach to river cruises. As with all cruises, after check-in you will be able to unpack once and settle into your cabin for the entire cruise with all meals included. But similarities end there. Each day we'll have a custom built sightseeing experience and, where possible, free time for personal exploration. Our local guides have been “hand-selected” for their passion and educational sensibilities and Imprint’s values drive the choice of sights and experiences. As you expect from us, the tour price includes ALL scheduled excursions, local guides, activities, entrances, and TIPS. We’ve also included transportation passes or tickets for free-time sightseeing in Budapest and Vienna and individual audio units for all cruise excursions and tour activities. You are used to paying a bit extra for all these inclusions from Imprint, but in this case, we are able to offer this tour for a price considerably less than competitors, even comparing prices before the expensive shore options are added. It gets better!  Rather than adding expensive extension options like other cruise companies, we are including Salzburg and Prague. For those destinations we are using centrally located hotels which match the comfort of our cruise accommodations.
We’ve partnered with Luftner Cruisesand we’ll be sailing on the elegant, new Amadeus Riva (https://www.lueftner-cruises.com/en/our-amadeus-fleet/ms-amadeus-riva.html). Our cruise features free wine with dinners, live music, 24-hour coffee station, afternoon cake & pastry, midnight snack; and the full time services of an onboard cruise director and concierge desk.

Available Packages

Strauss Cabin - Double/Twin

For couples or traveling companions.

Price is per person based on double occupancy.

8-Day Danube cruise plus Salzburg and Prague.

$4,000

Itinerary

Danube River Cruise
September 20, 2023

Day 1  Salzburg
We’ll meet for a get-acquainted meeting in our centrally located hotel.  Afterward we’ll have dinner together.
Hotel am Mirabellplatz  (2 nights)  https://imlauer.com/hotel-am-mirabellplatz/

Day 2  Salzburg
Walking tour
This morning begins with a guided walking tour of the charming historic center. Your afternoon is entirely free to explore Salzburg.  You might visit mighty Salzburg Fortress, hike the Monchberg, see a performance at the famous Marionette Theater, or enjoy one of the city’s many concert venues.

Amadeus Riva  The next 7 nights are spent aboard the Amadeus Riva

Day 3  Riva - Passau
SOM tour; Salzkammergut
After breakfast we’ll have our own private Sound of Music tour, visiting famous filming sights throughout the city and out in the beautiful Salzkammergut countryside. After several hours of alpine scenery we’ll arrive in Passau to board the Amadeus Riva for cocktail hour and dinner. Our first night on board is highlighted by a gala welcome dinner.

Day 4  Riva - Melk
Melk Abbey
This morning’s activity is a guided tour of the Barogue jewel, Melk Abbey. Perched on a ridge overlooking the scenic Wachau Valley and Danube River, this Abbey is world famous for its art, library, striking architecture, and beautiful setting. The afternoon will be spent luxuriating in a drifting idyll as we make our way east to Vienna.

Day 5  Riva - Vienna
Walking tour; Treasury
After breakfast we’ll head into Vienna, the great imperial seat of the Hapsburg dynasty. We’ll have a guided tour of the historic center, highlighted by St Stephens Cathedral and the Treasury of the Hofburg Palace where the accumulated wealth of the Hapsburgs is on lavish display. The rest of your afternoon is free for personal discovery. Perhaps you’ll visit impressive Schonbrunn Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Kunsthistorishe Museum, or simply while away time in a classic Viennese Coffee House.

Day 6  Riva - Budapest
Walking tour; Hungarian folklore show
The Riva will dock about breakfast time in regal Budapest.  We’ll spend our morning exploring historic Pest. Highlights include the Central Market; Heroes Square, Liberation Square, the iconic Parliament building, Andrassy St., and the waterfront. Your afternoon is free to indulge in one of Pest’s famous spas. This evening is special on board – an evening cruise with a Hungarian folklore show.

Day 7  Riva - Budapest
Walking tour
This day begins with our ace local guide taking us on a Buda Castle Hill tour. We’ll see Buda Castle (no entrance), the picturesque Fisherman’s Bastion, and St Mathias Church. Our cruise departs after lunch and we’ll enjoy the Danube Bend, one of the most scenic sections of the river.  [Optional excursion to Esztergom Cathedral available]

Day 8  Riva - Bratislava
Walking tour
Wake up in vibrant Bratislava. After your hardy Royal breakfast we’ll have a walking tour of the historic center of this unknown jewel of a town. The delightful historic center is both traditional and whimsical. At the end of our tour you’ll have free time to explore on your own before returning to the Riva for lunch.

Day 9  Riva - Linz
Walking tour; Gala dinner
We’ll arrive in Linz about lunchtime today. A local specialist will give us a tour of the historic center. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore Linz. If the weather is clear you can take the famous Postlingbergbahn excursion up to a panoramic viewpoint, overlooking the historic city. For our last night on board we enjoy the Captain’s Gala Farewell Dinner.

Day 10  Prague
Cesky Krumlov
The cruise ends after breakfast but our adventure continues. We’ll be picked up at the landing and transported by coach to spectacular Prague. The drive will be broken up by a stop in picturesque Cesky Krumlov. Set your clocks back 300 years for this medieval time capsule tucked into a scenic bend of the Vltava River.
Hotel Grandium (3 nights) https://www.hotel-grandium.cz/cs/

Day 11  Prague
Prague Castle
We’ll begin our Prague visit with a guided tour of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, and the Golden Lane. Your afternoon and evening are free. Visit the Mucha Museum, seek out one of Prague’s many venues for classical music, or indulge in the unique Black Light Theater.

Day 12  Prague
Walking tour; Jewish Quarter
Our explorations of this amazing city continue with a walking tour including the Charles V Bridge, Kampa Island, the Old Town Square with Jan Hus Monument, City Hall and Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, Wenceslas Square, the Jewish Quarter and Museum. Woven throughout will be examples of Prague’s unique and varied architecture, including Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, Moorish Revival, Art Nouveau, and Cubist. We’ll conclude our tour with a classic Czech feast.

Day 13 Tour Over
Tour over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.

[Itinerary details & hotels subject to change]

What’s Included:
Cruise inclusions:  7 nights accommodation (cabin of choice); All meals (including wine with dinner), 24 hour coffee/tea, afternoon cake & pastry; All tips for cruise staff, guides, and escort; Full-time services of on-board concierge and Imprint escort, local guides; VOX audioguide for all excursions; All shore excursions:  All entrances:  Melk, Hapsburg Treasury, Fisherman’s Bastion, St Mathias Church, Heroes Square; Walking tours of Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava & Linz, Melk Abbey tour; All activities:  Nightly on board entertainment, free use of bicycles; Local transportation - Vienna & Budapest; Port charges (approx. $150pp)

Salzburg & Prague:  5 nights accommodation; All breakfasts, 2 dinners; All transportation (coach); All tips (tour escort, local guides, drivers, group meals, hotels); Full-time services of Imprint escort; VOX audioguide for all excursions; All entrances:  Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg Cathedral, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Jewish synagogues & sites; All activities: Walking tours of Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, & Prague, SOM tour, Prague transportation

Important exclusions:
Tour participants are responsible for the cost of drinks (except dinner wine, bottled water, and coffee during the cruise), free-time sightseeing & meals, and expenditures of a personal nature.

Price determined by class of cabin.

Responsible Travel
A major concern of Imprint and Luftner as organizers of river cruises is that Europe’s beautiful waterways be traveled sustainably. It is particularly important for us to create an overall awareness of ecological responsibility on board in addition to our implementation of environmentally-friendly measures. We are therefore proud to be working closely with organizations “Green Globe” and “Atmosfair” in making an active contribution to climate control, protecting the environment, and making sure that the lovely riverside scenery can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Your Organizer


IT
Imprint Tours
113 reviews
We at Imprint Tours believe travel broadens horizons, introduces new ways to see the world, equips us with a new frame of reference for evaluating our own society, breaks down prejudice, and promotes global understanding. Therefore, we endeavor to “Travel with Intent”: an intention to take a reflective, introspective approach; connect with the cultures we visit; and balance the enjoyment of discovery with responsible travel. We want our “imprint” on the planet to be light and our “imprint” on the local culture to be positive.

Reviews

RG
Western France with Steve Smith Fun filled tour of Western France with Friends OLD and NEW! This tour took us to the iconic sites; Rouen Cathedral, Bayuex Tapestry, Market Day in the sea-faring village of Honfleur, Le Mont St Michel and of course Omaha Beach in Normandy. In addition we experienced the cuisine of Western France while enjoying group dinners of local seafood, foie gras, camembert cheese, and fruit pastries. We enjoyed a sea side stop at Etretat and St Malo, wine tasting in Saint-Émilion and the Musée National de Préhistoire. For added fun some of us took a Hot Air Balloon Ride over the historic castles in the Dordogne valley. We had a very skilled bus driver, great hotels and fine dining along the way. . Imprint tours always has so much to do and see, but with time to explore on your own. In my mind, this is the perfect combination for all touring. Steve was always looking for that special site, taste, or experience to enhance our experience while on tour in France.
By Robin G for Western France on Oct 26, 2024
We enjoyed traveling with Reid, as ever, and meeting some new travel companions. The sites, history lessons, food experiences, local guides, and accommodations were all amazing. Thank you so very much!
By Mark W for Greek Islands Tour - Cyclades on Oct 23, 2024
This was a really wonderful trip, the French countryside is beautiful. We had acomplete look at historic France from cromagnon mans cave drawings to a dreamy hot air baloon ride. The tour members were so friendly and tour guides wonderful. Steve was great and it was wonderful to finally meet Reid, Pat at the back keeping track of all of us and Jamal the best bus driver. I am looking forward to my next Imprint experience in Africa.
By Betty T for Western France on Oct 15, 2024
We had two experiences of a lifetime; the Amazon, and Machu Picchu. Our tour guide Diana was great, she was proud of her country and wanted us to love it like she does. William was always cheerful and positive. Be advised about the warning of the intensity of this trip. No air conditioning for four days and three nights in the jungle is challenging, but what a wonderful experience. Also be advised that start times on this trip are often early. You can’t see animals in the middle of the day. So from that perspective it’s a hard trip. But it was an adventure I’m not going to forget. Especially Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, the jungle, and the cultural experience with the Quechua people. I highly recommend this tour.
By Jerry G for Peru on Oct 13, 2024
We had so much fun, great group, fantastic driver, special tour guides, plus Reid, Cheryl, and Pat, but most importantly Steve Smith. We've been on many tours, many guides, many countries, Steve went way beyond what we expected. He shared his true love of France making us all want to return for more, especially with him. ❤️
By William M for Western France on Oct 11, 2024
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