Danube Discovery 2013 (Vienna to Nuremberg)

Day 1: Vienna (embark)
Arrive at Vienna International Airport, where you will be transferred to the ship. (D)

Day 2: Vienna
Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna city tour and National Library visit OR “Vienna, City of Arts” tour

Get to know Vienna’s imperial history during a tour that takes you along the stately Ringstrasse to the beautiful Austrian National Library. Or opt to explore “Vienna, City of Arts”;  stand in awe at the Belvedere and enjoy an art historian-guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts. (BB, L, D)

Note: On Mondays, Mozarthaus will be substituted for the National Library.

Day 3: Cruising the Wachau Valley, Melk
Featured Excursion: Melk Abbey with library visit

Today, you’ll cruise the scenic, vineyard-rich Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape and one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe. Tour Melk’s 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a master- piece of Baroque art and architecture situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. The views from the terrace are spectacular, but the splendid frescoes, marble, and gilded plasterwork of its interior will be just
as memorable. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)

Day 4: Passau
Featured Excursions: Passau walking tour with St. Stephan’s organ concert and exploring “Bavarian Traditions,” Weisswurst and Lederhosen

Passau boasts a delightful layer of Italian style on top of quintessential German foundations. Step off the ship to discover an accessible, intriguing, and well-preserved town on your guided walking tour, with time to roam on your own before you hear the magnificent pipe organ, the largest in Europe, at St. Stephan’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, discover how traditional Bavarian clothing, such as lederhosen and dirndls, is designed and made in the small town of Obernzell, and then indulge in weisswurst (Bavaria’s beloved aromatic white sausage) along with a crispy pretzel and a refreshing weissbier (a local pale beer). (BB, L, D)

Note: St. Stephan’s organ concert is only available from May 2 to October 31, excluding Sundays and Catholic holidays. An alternate venue will be organized before and after these dates.

Day 5: Deggendorf (Theresienthal)
Featured Excursion: Exclusive Bavarian Forest horse-drawn carriage ride with Theresienthal visit

After enjoying an exclusive horse-drawn carriage ride through a scenic village in the Bavarian Forest and sampling home-baked bread fresh from the oven, you will head for the world-famous glass workshop, Theresien-thal. See firsthand how fine crystal glassware is made and learn the extraordinary history of Theresienthal, once the purveyor of the finest crystal to the royal houses of Europe and Russia. Spend your afternoon taking a scenic stroll or bike ride along the Danube and through the small town of Deggendorf. (BB, L, D)

Day 6: Regensburg
Featured Excursions: Choice of “2000 Years in One Hour” Regensburg walking tour OR Jewish Regensburg OR Audi factory visit

Regensburg, one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in Europe, captures 2,000 years of history with outstanding monuments like the 12th-century Stone Bridge and the towering Gothic cathedral.Your walking tour takes you past the architectural treasures of Old Town as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter, with its magnificent 14th-century stained- glass windows. For a different view of Medieval Regensburg, tour sites associated with Germany’s oldest Jewish community, dating back more than a thousand years. Or visit the Audi factory in Ingolstadt for a fascinating look at how a well-engineered German car is built. (BB, L, D)

Day 7: Cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Nuremberg
Featured Excursions: Choice of Nuremberg city tour OR visit Nuremberg WWII historical tour with Documentation Center

After cruising the most scenic parts of the Main-Danube Canal, a marvel of modern engineering, visit Nuremberg, an archetypal Medieval German city encircled by mighty defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Birthplace of Albrecht Dürer and famous for its pocket watches, the city also held the astounding War Crimes Trials after WWII. Discover the sights of Nuremberg during a panoramic tour. Or turn back the pages of history with a guided tour of the city’s most important WWII sites, including the enormous Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the actual site of the Nazi party rallies, and home to the permanent exhibition “Fascination and Terror.” You’ll also visit the newly opened Nuremberg Trials Memoriam which includes Courtroom 600, venue of the Nuremberg Trials that were so instrumental in forging our current ideals of international criminal law. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Note: Courtroom 600 is an active court. Visitors will only be permitted to see the courtroom during trial breaks.

Day 8: Depart Nuremberg (disembark)
Disembark the ship. (BB)

Relax as you sail the majestic Danube on an unforgettable journey from Vienna to Nuremberg. Celebrate the astounding beauty and variety of architectural styles to be found in just one region—and often in a single building.

Discover the imposing 900-year-old Baroque Melk Abbey; the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Wachau Valley; and Old Town Regensburg, the largest intact Medieval town in Europe. Waltz through imperial Vienna, home to some of Europe’s finest music, art, and architecture. Explore Passau with its Italian-Baroque flair, and delight in a cathedral organ concert. Walk through the Medieval walled town of Nuremberg, where you will encounter fascinating fortifications. And take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Bavarian Forest before visiting Theresienthal, one of the world’s leading handmade crystal glass manufacturers. At the start and end of your journey, take advantage of “Choice Is Yours” excursions that let you “See Vienna as the Viennese Do” on an intimate tour of Viennese daily life or take a WWII historical tour in Nuremberg.

Along the way, savor the flavors of the region, from Vienna’s pastries and distinctive coffee to the delicate, apricot-scented wines of the Wachau Valley.

• 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stylish River Ambassador
• All transfers on arrival and departure days 
• All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
• Captain’s Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinners
• Complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner onboard; bottled water replenished daily in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station
• Explore 3 countries
• 13 excursions, including 5 “Choice Is Yours” options, fully hosted by English-speaking local expert
• Exclusive Go Active Program and "Gentle Walking" Program
• 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
• Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
• Signature Lecture: “Maria Theresa: a Woman Shaping European Politics”

Cabin onboard River Ambassador

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Prices exclude additional port charges of $140.
• A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement. 
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.