(641) 990-1925 info@djcountrytours.com

2023 danube explorer river cruise

Hungary • Slovakia • Austria • Germany • the Czech Republic

October 1 – 11, 2023  
9 Days / 8 Nights
Taking Reservations ~ Sign Up Now!

 

Deposit and payment of the optional Travelers Protection Plan must be paid within five business days after making the reservation.
Cruise Tour with Air  Deposit Per Person Final Payment

• With TPP Coverage cruise tour priced up to $5000                           $899 90 Days
• With TPP Coverage cruise tour priced from $5001 and up                $969 90 Days
• Without TPP Coverage                                                                               $400 90 Days

Cruise Tour Only (NO AIR)  Deposit Per Person Final Payment

• With TPP Coverage priced up to $5000                                                $799 90 Days
• With TPP Coverage priced from $5001 and up                                   $869 90 Days
• Without TPP Coverage                                                                            $400 90 Days

Departure Cities:

Local Pick-up as needed

Price Per Person:

See brochure below:

INCREDIBLE FULLY-LOADED TOUR includes:

  • 21 Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, and 7 Dinners
  • Airport transfers on tour dates when air is provided by Mayflower Cruises & Tours
  • Visit five countries
  • Seven-night cruise in a suite or stateroom of your choice onboard the vessel
  • All gratuities included
  • First-class service by an English-speaking crew
  • Onboard Activity Manager will support all EmeraldACTIVE excursions and host daily onboard wellness activities, games, classes and evening entertainment
  • Shore excursions with English-speaking local guides
  • Personal listening device for onboard excursions
  • Most meals included onboard with a variety of international cuisine
  • Complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks accompany onboard lunches and dinners
  • Complimentary bottled water in your stateroom
  • Complimentary WiFi onboard
  • Complimentary bicycles onboard for use ashore
  • All port charges included
  • Two-night hotel stay and touring in Prague, the Czech Republic
  • $55 in Mayflower Money

Day 1:
sunday, october 1

Welcome Aboard! Depart the USA on our overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

Day 2:
monday, october 2

Budapest, Hungary: Welcome to the “Pearl of the Danube”. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, home for the next seven nights. This evening, join your fellow guests for a folklore performance onboard and a traditional Hungarian dinner. After dinner, relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy the fabulous view of the Parliament Building, aglow in nighttime splendor. Meal: D
EmeraldPLUS: A traditional Hungarian folklore show

Day 3:
tuesday, october 3

Budapest: Explore Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center. Your guide will highlight a number of architectural wonders from across the ages, enabling you to follow a journey from Budapest’s Roman beginnings to the addition of ornate Romanesque and Baroque architecture in the centuries that followed. If you are feeling more active, you may instead choose to hike to Buda Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th- century Baroque houses still stand, best explored by foot along the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Buda Hill (instead of city tour)

Day 4:
wednesday, october 4

Bratislava, Slovakia: This morning, relax onboard as we sail into the capital of Slovakia. This graceful nation became an independent country in 1993, and since then, Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural center. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are explored with your local guide, as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center, seeing the Slovak National Theater and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. For the more active guests, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legends that looks as though it came from the pages of a fairytale book.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
EmeraldPLUS: Local Slovakian entertainment onboard

Day 5:
thursday, october 5

Vienna, Austria: Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital and the capital of classical music. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. On the included city tour, see monuments and buildings of grandeur as the coach drives along the famous Ringstrasse. During the walking tour, stroll with your guide through the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the classical architectural styles of the buildings, see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace, right in the heart of the city center. If you are feeling more active, opt to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to experience the city by bike.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Bike tour in Vienna (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE: Tastes of Vienna tour (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE: An exclusive Viennese evening concert with the
music of Mozart and Strauss (additional expense)

Day 6:
friday, october 6

Dürnstein – Melk: Effortlessly suspended in time, Dürnstein is a small, charming village nestled in the Wachau wine region. Enjoy free time to wander through the cobblestoned lanes of this enchanting village. Or, if you’re feeling energetic, join the hike up to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle which served as a prison to England’s Richard the Lionheart. Later this morning, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley, passing medieval villages, terraced vineyards and areas of natural beauty. Upon arrival in Melk, enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey, originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century. This opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world.                       Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE*: A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE*: A guided bike ride along the Danube from Dürnstein to Melk
DiscoverMORE (from Dürnstein)*: Weissenkirchen vineyard hike with tasting (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE (from Melk): Tour of Schallaburg Castle
(additional expense)
*These activities overlap; only one can be selected

Day 7:
saturday, october 7

Linz, Austria / Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic: Today’s adventure takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Ceský Krumlov. With its 13th-century castle, meandering river, and a maze of quaint alleyways, this town has one of the best- preserved centers in Europe. Join your local guide to traverse a labyrinth of winding cobblestone lanes as you experience the charming atmosphere of Ceský Krumlov’s medieval buildings and
iconic castle complex. During the excursion, visit the 15th-century St. VItus’ Church, a highlight of the town.               Meals: B, D
EmeraldPLUS: A guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
DiscoverMORE: A tour of Salzburg (additional expense)
NOTE: The included excursion and DiscoverMORE operate at the same time

Day 8:
sunday, october 8

Passau, Germany: Narrow cobblestone streets welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This important historic trading center borders Austria and Germany, and a distinctive blend of cultures can be found here. Your local guide will take you on a walking tour of the town, touching on its distinctive historic buildings. See the Baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate columns and arches and the Altes Rathaus, or Town Hall, a collection of eight historic patrician houses built between the 14th and 15th centuries.                                                                                                                                                               Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Veste Oberhaus (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE: Bavaria Live (additional expense)

Day 9:
monday, october 9

 Passau – Prague, Czech Republic: After breakfast, say goodbye to your Captain and crew as you disembark your ship and depart by motorcoach for Prague, Czech Republic. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time for lunch on your own before the included city tour highlighting the famous sites of this beautiful city. Following a brief panoramic drive, the heart of the city is discovered on foot. See the Old Town Square with its historic astronomical clock, and
the medieval Charles Bridge. The tour concludes at the hotel with the evening at leisure.                                      Meal: B

Day 10:
tuesday, october 10

Prague: Your final day is left free of planned activities for your independent exploration of Prague. Or, if you choose, join the morning optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp.                                                            Meal: B
DiscoverMORE: Terezin Concentration Camp (additional expense)

Day 11:
wednesday, october 11

Prague / USA: Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with wonderful memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River.                                                                                                             Meal: B

*Itinerary is subject to change.

 

Cruise & Hotel Accommodations:

Days 2 through 8: Aboard an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship

Days 9 and 10: Hotel Grandium or Similar Prague Czech Republic

Pre-cruise hotel stays available in Budapest. Call for details.

 

Send Deposit to: Janine McCarthy, DJ Country Tours, Inc., P.O. Box 96, Conrad, IA 50621

Now’s the time to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to protect your trip investment. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 15-0107.

Travel Insurance is underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 W20

P.O. Box 96, Conrad, IA 50621
(641) 990-1925
info@djcountrytours.com