As your adventure starts, castles, stunning architecture, natural wonders and rich history ensue. Discover the old walled city of Nuremberg and its mesmerizing castles. Stroll through countless enchanting towns and villages, all teeming with magnificent architecture and age-old tradition. Explore Weissenkirchen and its beautiful landscapes. And in the historical capital of Vienna, you’ll be met with Austrian grandeur and mystique on your search for new inspiration along the Danube.
Includes
8 Day Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the regal River Princess
Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Onboard entertainment and enrichment
All gratuities on-board
Onboard fitness centre and wellness classes with a certified wellness instructor
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore use
Shipwide internet and wi-fi access
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio- headset system on all shore excursions
Mandatory port charges of R4,000 per person
Excludes
Flights
Arrival / departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Extras
Note
The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.
Highlights
7-night cruise onboard River Princess
All meals onboard
Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board
Carefully curated excursions
Itinerary
Day 1: Vienna, embark
Transfer from Vienna International Airport to your ship. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Day 2: Vienna
On this day, explore the “City of Waltzes” and dive into its vast artistic legacy. The city is known for its imperial palaces, famous residents, and expansive art collections.
Featured Excursion
Schönbrunn Palace Tour
Perhaps the apex of baroque design in Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace's gardens and structures form a perfectly integrated masterwork; it was Empress Maria Theresa's favorite palace, and she made it the social and political center of her empire, beginning in 1740. Your visit today will concentrate...
Choose between...
Magical History Tour
Watch as history comes alive on this exploration of the city at the interactive multimedia venue Time Travel Vienna. Discover Vienna’s eventful history in a unique way; Time Travel Vienna features a 5D cinema, animatronic wax figures, rides, and multimedia shows equipped with extraordinary...
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Schönbrunn Royal Experience
Learn more about the everyday life of the imperial family at the “Schloss Schönbrunn Experience” Children’s Museum. Dress up as a prince or princess, learn the secret language of fans, play with imperial toys, or set the table for an imperial dinner.
Day 3: Weissenkirchen, Melk
Start your day in the heart of the Danube’s Wachau Valley, strolling through Weissenkirchen’s idyllic wine village while sampling mouth watering apricot treats. Named for its white church that dominates the landscape, the city is flanked by vineyard-lined hills, historic houses, and beautiful courtyards. The Melk Abbey is a baroque monastery and sits atop a rocky formation overlooking the Danube.
In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursion
Let’s Go: Vineyard Hike
If you're up for a hike, join a group on a hike up through the vineyards. A stairway at the church will take you past the ancient cemetery and up to the hiking trail that leads through the vineyards planted with Riesling and Grüner Veltliner grapes.
Choose between...
Melk Abbey with Library Visit
The Babenbergs, a great medieval ducal family that controlled a wide swath of Austria before yielding to the Habsburgs, were the first to erect a castle on the hill above Melk, which they subsequently gave to Benedictine monks.
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Weissenkirchen Village Walk with Wine Tasting
You’ve seen the apricot orchards along the river banks; now taste the fruit. Begin with an easy walk to Weissenkirchen, which may be the prettiest village in the Wachau—and that’s saying quite a bit. Named for its famous white church, Weissenkirchen is simply picture-perfect.
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Secrets of Weissenkirchen
Weissenkirchen was once the hub of the Wachau Valley, and the main hub of Weissenkirchen was its historic church—in fact, the town’s name translates to “white church.”
Day 4: Engelhartszell, Passau, Vilshofen
A new day brings new experiences in the forest-lined district of Engelhartszell. Experience Germany’s great outdoors by biking along the Danube River. Arrive in the afternoon at the “City of Three Rivers,” Passau, where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers join together, at one time bringing an influx of wealth and culture into the region.
Featured Excursions
Let’s Go: Scenic Bavarian River Biking
Set off on an invigorating bike ride from Engelhartszell to Passau, led by an experienced professional bike guide. Wind your way through the lovely countryside, along the Danube’s right side, into the picturesque Danube Valley.
Passau Walking Tour
The skyline of Passau is dominated by two buildings that owe their existence to the prince-bishops who ruled the city until 1803: the great fortress looming on a hill above the three rivers, home to the bishops until the 17th century, and the green onion domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Pedal Passau
Head out on a cycling excursion on the famous Danube Bike Trail, venturing through Passau, Engelhartszell, and other fascinating locales. This flat pathway hugs the river and offers spectacular views of Germany’s lush scenery.
Day 5: Deggendorf, Straubing
Nestled between Regensburg and Passau sits a town surrounded by the foothills of the Bavarian Forest, Deggendorf. Journey deep into the alluring Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany’s first national park, and discover outdoor leisure at its best.
Featured Excursions
Bavarian Forest Adventure
Enter the Bavarian Forest, Germany’s first and largest national park, to discover an abundant wilderness covered in diverse flora and fauna. This area is home to several unique craft traditions, and you’ll have your choice of which ones you’d like to discover today.
Nights Out: The Regensburg Cathedral Choir
This evening, Regensburger Domspatzen will treat you to a private concert in their famous Gothic cathedral. Literally translated to “The Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows,” the Domspatzen is the oldest boys’ choir in the world, dating back to the 10th century.
Into The Woods
Enter the Bavarian Forest, Germany’s first and largest national park, to discover an abundant wilderness covered in diverse flora and fauna.
You’ll explore the forest in one of two ways today. You can choose to join a family host to see how the local style of glassware is crafted.
Day 6: Regensburg
The nearly 2,000-year-old history of Regensburg begins with a Roman fort in 90 AD, from which Regensburg grew into the large and prosperous trade center that it became in the last few centuries of the Medieval period. This long history has been excellently preserved through Regensburg’s iconic architecture—particularly its many Gothic and Romanesque churches and Patrician houses.
Featured Excursion
The Adventure Ball
A short drive outside of Regensburg, a giant wooden ball sits right on the shores of a beautifully blue Bavarian lake. Made up of twisting walkable paths, this “adventure ball” is the largest of its kind in the whole world.
Choose between
Regensburg Walking Tour
People have been describing Regensburg as “old and new” for a thousand years. A single structure perfectly illustrates this: Porta Praetoria, the gate built by the Romans during Marcus Aurelius’ reign.
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“From Hops Field to Beer Stein” Farm Visit
Hops vines grow up their strings in a field tower almost twice a person’s height. They’re grown for their flowers, which add a distinctive flavor to beer—but the fields they grow in add a distinctive flavor to the hops.
Day 7: Nuremberg
The archetypal medieval German city, Nuremberg was once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire, housing many German kings in the Kaiserburg castle complex. Later, this city became the epicenter of the Nazi party. When the end of WWII left Nuremberg almost completely leveled, it was chosen to be the site of the war crimes tribunal—the Nuremberg Trials. Now, most of the city has been restored, including the old castle.
In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursion
The Nuremberg Express
Start with a delicious bit of gingerbread as you walk with your guide around the city center. After a little while, you’ll find yourself at a station, where you’ll board a choo choo train for a sightseeing ride around Nuremberg.
Choose between
Nuremberg City Walk & Art Bunker Visit
Set out on a panoramic drive towards Nuremberg’s Old Town. Along the way, look out the window to catch a glimpse of several interesting sites, including the former SS Barracks, Nuremberg’s train station, and the old city walls.
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Nuremberg City Tour with WWII Rally Grounds and Documentation Center Visits
Hitler considered Nuremberg the perfect expression of German culture (partly because of its significance in the Holy Roman Empire, which he called the First Reich), and so beginning in 1927, he chose to hold his massive rallies in the city.
Day 8: Nuremburg, disembark.
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Nuremberg Airport for your flight.
Ship info
River Princess
The River Princess, a luxurious riverboat by Uniworld, epitomizes elegance and sophistication as it gracefully navigates through some of Europe's most enchanting waterways. With its regal design and attention to detail, this floating masterpiece offers a unique and immersive travel experience. Step aboard the River Princess, and you'll find yourself immersed in a world of opulence.
Prices is per single cabin, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Advertised price is based on 10 July 2024 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.