TAUCK RIVER CRUISES
8 Days | Danube Family Adventure
Westbound Only

BUDAPEST TO REGENSBURG

Day 1 | Budapest, Hungary. Embark. Your adventures cruising the Blue Danube begin at 2:00 PM in Budapest, Hungary. A transfer is included from Budapest's Ferihegy Airport right to the gangway, where you'll drop off your luggage aboard ms Swiss Jewel. Your 7-night cruise begins with a sightseeing tour of the city. Budapest is divided by the Danube River into two sections, Buda and Pest; you'll learn about the turbulent history and see iconic sites such as Heroes' Square and Fisherman's Bastion. Board ms Swiss Jewel, settle in, and meet fellow families at the Captain's welcome reception and dinner aboard the riverboat tonight. (D)

Day 2 | Bratislava, Slovakia. If you think that you'll spend the first day of your journey tromping through musty museums and dusty cathedrals, think again! After a morning spent cruising the Danube along Hungary's border with Slovakia to Bratislava, get set for one of the most exciting days you've ever spent. Become a detective on Tauck Bridges' scavenger hunt; we don't want to give too much away, but look up... and down... and sideways when following the clues. You'll also shoot the "rapids" on a controlled whitewater rafting course* in one of the best artificial water channels in the world, used as a training ground for Olympians. Back on board ms Swiss Jewel, a Slovakian cultural presentation and a dinner featuring Slovakian specialties complete the day. This is one day (of many) on your Danube River tour that your family will never forget! Note: The minimum age for whitewater rafting is 12 years; an alternate activity will be provided for guests under age 12. (B,L,D)

Day 3 | Vienna, Austria. While most of the world knows this city as Vienna, the Austrians (and other German-speaking people) call it Wien. Whatever you call it, it's famous for its history as the former capital of the Habsburg Empire, the many great classical composers who lived and worked here, and much more. A sightseeing tour of this grand Imperial city views magnificent boulevards like the celebrated Ringstrasse, beautiful gardens and parks, and Vienna's famed architecture. Discover what royal life was like during a guided visit to the huge – it has 1,441 rooms! – Schönbrunn Palace, the permanent summer residence of the Austrian Imperial Family, the Habsburgs, from Empress Maria Theresa's time in the 18th century until 1918. Once, only the Imperial family was allowed to walk through the garden Maze. Today, it's your turn; look for its hidden secrets! Tonight brings another highlight on this most unique of family Danube river cruises – a visit to a traditional private Vienna palace for an Imperial Evening. Welcome drinks are followed by a special dinner and some extraordinary Viennese entertainment for a grand night of family fun. (B,L,D)

Day 4 | Vienna. Continue your Vienna sightseeing this morning, including family fun at the world-famous Vienna Prater amusement park, featuring over 250 rides and attractions to enjoy. You'll find the Riesenrad, a giant ferris wheel (which film buffs will recognize from the film The Third Man); "extreme-speed" rides, merry-go-rounds and go-carts tracks; haunted houses and a fun house; and so much more. A horse-drawn carriage ride through Old Town take you back to Vienna's grand Imperial days, then spend a free afternoon as you please; the city boasts over 100 museums among its many historical and cultural attractions! Back aboard the riverboat, activities include a demonstration in making real Viennese strüdel as ms Swiss Jewel sails on to Dürnstein. (B,L,D)

Day 5 | Durnstein. Wachau Valley. When you wake up this morning, your riverboat will be docked in the pretty medieval town of Dürnstein, known for its 13th-century abbey and 16th-century houses along twisting, narrow, cobblestone streets. Take off on a leisurely bicycle tour* along the Danube River and through the countryside to the historic town of Krems. Take a look around town and, while you're there, you might spot a landmark that seems to belong in Texas rather than Austria! Bike on back to Dürnstein, where you might want to hike up to the hilltop ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle, for terrific vistas of the town, river and surrounding vineyards. Within the walls of this very castle, England's King Richard the Lionhearted was held as a prisoner after the Third Crusade – although he probably couldn't enjoy the view like you can! The Wachau Valley is renowned for its vineyards, and a wine tasting enables the adults to sample some of the vintages produced here. Spend the afternoon aboard ms Swiss Jewel; every evening there are briefings before dinner, and tonight there is Austrian entertainment as your family's Danube River tour continues. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Salzburg. Once upon a time, there was a Prince Archbishop of Salzburg who really liked playing practical jokes... and was possibly a little bit crazy. His many guests were astounded both by the Baroque beauty they found at his home, Schloss Hellbrunn (or Hellbrunn Castle), and the tricks he played on them in his "pleasure grounds" filled with gardens, fountains and gadgets that were a kind of 18th-century animatronics. Whether or not his guests found his pranks as funny as he did is another matter... but today, you'll find out for yourselves what surprises Schloss Hellbrunn has in store... and you may be as amazed by what you experience as his guests were! You'll also find some locations made famous by the movie The Sound of Music, including the pavilion that was the setting for the song Sixteen Going on Seventeen. Later, discover how much there is to see and do in lovely, historic Salzburg, as you explore the hometown of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as you please... perhaps visiting his birthplace on your own, or joining your Tauck Director for a stroll through beautiful Mirabell Gardens. Maybe you'll even find all 14 of the ancient drinking fountains scattered around the Old City... or have fun trying! (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Passau, Germany. Have you ever had a chance to take a look at a really humongous pipe organ? If you have, you've no doubt wondered how any one person can play an instrument with as many as five keyboards and a whole bunch of pedals on the floor. Today, you'll see – as well as hear – the biggest pipe organ in Europe at historic St. Stephan's Cathedral in Passau; it has 17,774 pipes and 233 registers... and it's totally awesome! Later, learn how marzipan, a candy made from sugar and ground almonds in all sorts of very realistic shapes, is made – and try your hand at making your own tasty tidbit in the shape of a face, very popular in Passau. Tonight, be sure to get the addresses of all your new friends who shared this cool Danube River tour with you at our festive farewell dinner aboard ms Swiss Jewel. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Regensburg. Tauck's family-friendly Danube River cruises end in Regensburg, Germany. Disembark your riverboat in Regensburg. Fly home anytime after 2:00 PM. A transfer from Regensburg to Munich Airport is included. Be sure to allow 3 hours for check-in formalities at the airport. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

ITINERARY 8 DAY | BUDAPEST TO REGENSBURG Click ship name to view deck plan.