New Year's Eve Cruise on the Danube

While it may take days or weeks to fully discover Vienna, this tour will give you an overall impression of the most important sights Vienna has to offer. First, you will drive along the famous Ringstrasse, passing several magnificent buildings like the stunning opera house, the parliament, the Court Theatre and Vienna’s imposing city hall.

The panoramic drive is followed by a guided walk through the city center where you will get to know Vienna at its fullest. Begin at the well-known Hofburg Imperial Palace, walk along the Kohl market and finish at Vienna’s iconic St. Stephen’s cathedral. Before returning to the ship, enjoy free time to stroll along the pedestrian area.

Experience a wonderful torchlight hike through the cellar alleys of Grinzing and the vineyards on the hills of the Kahlenberg. Hike up to a rustic Buschenschank, a traditional wine tavern on one of the numerous wineries and reward yourself with homemade mulled wine and hot roasted chestnuts. Afterwards, your coach will take you back to the ship. (Good footwear and clothing appropriate to the weather is required)

Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube”, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has managed to retain a charm of its own with the help of renovations in recent years. The Danube flows through the heart of the city, dividing it into two parts: Buda and Pest. The tour first takes you through Pest, past the Great Market Hall with its outstanding gourmet shops and stalls.

You will see splendid Baroque buildings such as the Hungarian State Opera in Neo-Renaissance style and the incomparable parliament building, which was finished in 1904 and has been an emblem of the city ever since then. There’s an opportunity for a photo stop at the Heroes’ Square, famous for its monuments to many Hungarian kings. Continue aross one of the seven bridges into Buda and go up to Castle Hill, where you will visit St. Matthew’s Church and the famous Fisherman’s Bastion (provided that it is open to the public). Enjoy the unforgettable view over the city before returning to the vessel.

During this tour you will get to know the capital of the young Slovakian Republic. The gorgeous old town has maintained its Gothic-Baroque style. The tour passes St. Martin’s Cathedral and the Grassalkovich Palace and continues up to the hill, where you will have a stunning, panoramic view of the city and surrounding areas.

Afterwards, you have the opportunity to participate in a guided walking tour through the restored old town. From Michael’s Gate you will take a leisurely stroll through the historic city center, where you can admire sights such as the Primatial Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, a former coronation cathedral for Hungarian kings, as well as the Academia Istropolitana, the oldest university of the city, which dates back to the 15th century. In addition to numerous palaces, you will also walk past the main square with the old City Hall, the Opera House and Maximilian Fountain.

Travel by coach along the Marchfelder Schlösserstraße to Hof Castle in Austria. The magnificent complex was built in the early 18th century through the efforts of two of the most important personalities of the Baroque era. General Prince Eugene of Savoy was a legend in his own lifetime; as a lover of art, he provided almost unlimited funds for its construction. The brilliant architect Lucas von Hildebrandt was responsible for the execution of the masterful concept, which encompassed a magnificent palace complete with gardens and an idyllic country estate.

The palace was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa, who had the central building extended by one floor and remodeled in the style of French classicism. After her reign, the Habsburgs' interest in the country estate waned, but today the Imperial living quarters, banqueting hall and chapel present themselves again as they were once designed by the best artists of their time.

The Primatial Palace is one of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in Slovakia, built from 1778 to 1781. The palace was built as the residence of Cardinal József Batthyány, the Primate of Hungary, according to the plans of architect Melchior Hefele. The palace is not only a beautiful, magnificent building next to the old town hall, but also a place of important historical events. In 1805 the Peace of Pressburg was signed here, after the victory of Napoleon in the Battle of Austerlitz. In the gallery you can view a unique collection of six English tapestries.

Finally, enjoy a tasting of the country's typical beer "Pilsner Urquell" from the original tanks of the brewery.

Melk Abbey is an Austrian Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. The impressive Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and 1736 and is the biggest monastery complex of the Austrian baroque period. The abbey’s church, with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr, and the impressive library with countless medieval manuscripts and frescos by Paul Troger are particularly noteworthy.

A guided tour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, through the marble hall, the balconies and the library.

The Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig towering unmistakably on the eastern edge of the Danube valley in the Wachau.  Today it is not only a center of attraction for guests from all over the world, but also a spiritual cent in the heart of Lower Austria, supported by a community of 40 monks. Founded in 1083, Göttweig was handed over to the Benedictines in 1094 and is now one of the oldest monasteries in Austria. The famously and splendid Baroque-style interior "owes" to a devastating fire in 1718, which made it necessary to rebuild the medieval complex.

Immerse yourself in the history of the monastery and enjoy the unique panoramic view of the Danube valley and the Wachau.