The Blue Danube - Eastbound 2016

12 days
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

River Cruise
Wind your way past medieval landscapes on a river cruise along the Danube aboard Tauck's premium riverboat, where you'll explore five European countries, visit castles and cathedrals, enjoy locally guided sightseeing and spend special evenings in two private palaces. Enjoy two nights each at centrally located hotels in Prague and Budapest.

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • All-inclusive 7-night cruise with two nights on land in Prague and Budapest
    • exclusive dinner and evening at a private palace in Vienna
    • private tour and dinner at Lobkowicz Palace in Prague

What's this trip about?

    Wind your way past medieval landscapes on a river cruise along the Danube aboard Tauck's premium riverboat, where you'll explore five European countries, visit castles and cathedrals, enjoy locally guided sightseeing and spend special evenings in two private palaces. Enjoy two nights each at centrally located hotels in Prague and Budapest.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPrague, Czech Republic
End CityBudapest

Travel Themes

  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director All private Tauck shore excursions - $1,350 Value! Two nights each in Prague and Budapest at centrally located hotels in the heart of the cities Tauck Exclusive - Private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna featuring dinner and Viennese performers Tauck Exclusive - Private aperitif and dinner in Prague at Lobkowicz Palace, Prague Castle Tauck Exclusive - A private tour of Prague's Baroque libraries, Strahov Monastery Choice in Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Apartments at the Hofburg Choice of a full day in Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov Evenings of local performing artists and classical music aboard the riverboat Special Solo Traveler Savings - No Single Supplement in Category 1: On all departures, the single price in Category 1 is the same as the double price - no single supplement, which means savings of up to 50% for solo travelers! Solo Travelers also enjoy Savings of $1000 per cabin in Category 4 and 5 on the April 7, June 30, September 29 and October 27 eastbound departures. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking. Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks. Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 27 meals (11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners); select meals in local restaurants; service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharges

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Prague - private evening at Lobkowicz Palace
Tour begins at 5:30 PM at the InterContinental Prague. A transfer is included from Václav Havel Airport Prague or the Praha Hlavni Nadrazi train station to the InterContinental Prague in the heart of the city. Tauck brings you inside Prague's soaring cathedrals and city ...
Day 2 Prague's castle, Strahov Monastery and a walking tour
Start today's exploration of Prague in the ancient Hradcany (Castle) district, where you'll see 1,000-year-old Prague Castle's complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens. Exquisite European architecture awaits on a guided excursion that takes you to the Hradcany (Castle)...
Day 3 Ancient Regensburg / Embark your riverboat for Danube cruising
Drive to the quintessential Bavarian town of Regensburg, whose roots stretch back to Roman days. Spend a little free time upon arrival, perhaps opting for some of the town's famous Bavarian sausage for lunch. The best way to explore this treasure-trove of history is on f...
Day 4 Picturesque Passau, "City of Three Rivers"
One of our guests told us that her experience on The Blue Danube was like taking a magic carpet ride through a parade of picturesque places, getting on and off in towns that just beg to be explored! Today's early arrival in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and D...
Day 5 Salzburg... or Cesky Krumlov
Your boat stays docked in Linz today, with a choice of how you spend your day - they include full-day excursions to Salzburg, Austria, or Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Salzburg on the Salzach River is the hometown of Austria's beloved composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mo...
Day 6 Wachau Valley cruise to Dürnstein
Onboard commentary enriches a leisurely cruise past lush vineyards, fairy-tale castles and ancient monasteries in the Wachau Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its intact medieval landscapes - and the perfect scenic appetizer for your stop in the charming ...
Day 7 Vienna as you please
Your riverboat arrives overnight in Vienna, Austria, where you'll get an overview of this former capital of the old Habsburg Empire - and one of Europe's grandest cities - on a morning walking tour focusing on either medieval Vienna or the Jewish district of old Vienna. ...
Day 8 A choice of Vienna sightseeing and on to Slovakia
A choice of sightseeing this morning features a tour of the Habsburgs' Schönbrunn Palace, an architectural masterpiece and Austrian cultural treasure, or the amazing Imperial Apartments at the Hofburg, Austria's official presidential residence. Then, shuttles are at the ...
Day 9 Baroque in Bratislava
Our local expert comes onboard to share insider anecdotes about ancient Bratislava - today the capital of modern Slovakia - before you embark on a walking tour of the city's cobblestoned, vehicle-free historic center. See 17 centuries of history eloquently chronicled in ...
Day 10 Disembark in Budapest and explore Buda
Disembark your riverboat this morning in Budapest. Once the two independent cities of Buda and Pest on opposite sides of the Danube, Hungary's capital is blessed with architecture known for its grandeur and style. Take a guided walking tour of the city's hilly Buda secti...
Day 11 Discover the landmarks of Pest and dine at the Akadémia Club
The Pest side of the city reveals itself to you today with views of Heroes' Square - bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary - and sightseeing including the spectacular Parliament building and tree-lined Andrassy Avenue. There may be some surprises i...
Day 12 Journey home
Tour ends: Budapest, Hungary. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest to Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport or the Keleti train station; allow a minimum of three hours for check-in at the airport. MEALS : B PORTOFCALL : Budapest

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,490
Price per day$374
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

4.4/5  Great
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Other Tauck Reviews

K

Kurlyk40

May 2024

Written on

Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost

My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sa...

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

Written on

Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

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Tauck

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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What they’re known for
Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
MS SAVOR, MS ESPRIT, MS JOY
MS SAVOR Maintaining Tauck’s high standards for quality and comfort, ms Savor cruises exclusively for Tauck on the Danube River as part of our Destination Fleet. With a maximum of 130 guests, the 443-foot riverboat and her sister ships continue our tradition of providing more space per guest on Europe’s inland waterways, transporting fewer passengers than most longships (135 meters). Her deck plan is innovative; with a total of 67 cabins, our most popular cabins tend to be our largest... so we have used the added ship length to offer twenty-two 300-square-foot Tauck Suites – the most of any river cruise ship on any European river. To increase the amount of natural sunlight on the lower deck, we’ve created 8 loft cabins that extend from the first to the second decks, providing guests with an additional view; all windows in these loft cabins open - MS ESPRIT One of five 361-foot (110-meter) riverboats in Tauck's Destination Fleet, ms Esprit accommodates no more than 118 guests, while similar-sized riverboats average about 160. Guest amenities inside her 14 lush 300-square-foot Tauck Suites include brocade upholstery, roomy walk-in closets with built-in drawers, spacious marble baths with full-size tubs, and two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to idyllic riverscapes. She also sports seven 183-square-foot cabins, similarly furnished. Standard cabins (150 square feet) are cozy and comfortable and are similar in décor and style to our larger suites. 85% have floor-to-ceiling windows with real French balconies that open on to a balcony in the fresh air; all have in-room movies, minibar, adjustable heating and cooling, private bathroom and shower with pampering toiletries. MS JOY Maintaining Tauck’s high standards for quality and comfort, ms Joy cruises exclusively for Tauck on the Danube River as part of our Destination Fleet. With a maximum of 130 guests, the 443-foot riverboat and her sister ships continue our tradition of providing more space per guest on Europe’s inland waterways, transporting fewer passengers than most longships (135 meters). Her deck plan is innovative; with a total of 67 cabins, our most popular cabins tend to be our largest... so we have used the added ship length to offer twenty-two 300-square-foot Tauck Suites – the most of any river cruise ship on any European river. To increase the amount of natural sunlight on the lower deck, we’ve created 8 loft cabins that extend from the first to the second decks, providing guests with an additional view; all windows in these loft cabins open
MS SAVOR MS ESPRIT MS JOY
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tauck-BLUE2016

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