This exceptional voyage caters to those who have a deep appreciation for European history, music, and art, and it becomes even more enchanting with a stay at a hotel in Prague. You'll have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Budapest, the grandeur of Vienna, and the beautifully preserved city of Prague.
Includes
10 Day Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
7-night cruise in a classic riverview stateroom on the stunning River Duchess
2 nights in Prague at the Art Deco Imperial Hotel (or similar) with breakfast
Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
7 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 the River Duchess
2-Nights in Prague at the Art Deco Imperial Hotel
All meals onboard
Carefully curated excursions
Itinerary
Day 1: Budapest, Embark
Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Day 2: Budapest
Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has a distinctive character and allure all its own. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of excursions—you can see it from a local’s perspective on a walking tour, or cover more ground with a panoramic tour. Or choose our Jewish Heritage excursion offering you a detailed introduction to Jewish Budapest.
In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Choose between...
Budapest Panoramic Highlights with St. Stephen's Cathedral
Drive along one of the prettiest streets in Budapest, Andrassy Ave, on your way to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Andrassy Ave is a broad promenade of breathtaking neo-Renaissance architecture and home to many of Budapest’s must-see sites.
You will get off the coach near St. Stephen's...
or
Budapest Walk with Local Treats
Today your guide will show you how to snack around Budapest like a local, starting with a tram ride to the House of Parliament. Hop off the tram and take a short walk to your first treat: a coffee break at the First Strudel House of Pest. Energized by your cup of coffee, you’ll continue your...
or
Jewish Budapest
On your way into the Jewish Quarter, take a panoramic drive along the UNESCO-designated Andrassy Avenue. Among its beautiful neo-Renaissance architecture are such sites as Heroes’ Square, the Franz Liszt Memorial House, the House of Terror, and the Castle District.
Day 3: Vienna
The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections and inviting cafés—and today it is yours to explore. A city tour will show you the architectural highlights of the Austrian capital as well as the legendary Belvedere Palace. Or, indulge your passion for fine art and fine food with a fascinating and memorable panoramic tour. Or explore Jewish Vienna via our Jewish Heritage excursion.
Choose between...
"Morning with the Masters" at the Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere is a Baroque palatial complex commissioned during an immensely productive Habsburg building spree. Originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa after his death and turned into an exhibition venue for imperial art...
or
Vienna's Historic Trails and Local Treats
In many ways a must-visit destination for both the art lover and the gourmand, Vienna is full of artistic and culinary treasures. Today’s walking tour is all about immersing ourselves in that side of this beautiful city.
Our menu for the day includes a stop for coffee and strudel at a local...
or
Jewish Vienna
Explore the “City of Waltzes” from a Jewish heritage perspective on today’s outing. Beginning at the Judenplatz, you’ll learn about the community’s history and follow in the footsteps of some of the most internationally well-known figures. Your guide will take you by...
Masterpiece Collection
Schönbrunn with Strudel Show
4 hours
Activity Level:Intermediate
R 1 986
Embrace the imperial flair of Vienna with a visit to the famous Schönbrunn Palace complex. Arrive to marvel at the massive Baroque building with it's iconic yellow exteriors and head straight to the East Wing, where you'll find Cafe Residenz. Housed in the former kitchens for the palace guard, this ...
Day 4: Krems
You’ll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck this afternoon as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape. Castle ruins dominate hilltops; baroque church towers appear on the riverbanks, marking historic villages and splendid abbeys; and apricot orchards and vineyards cling to the rocky slopes. Some of Austria’s finest white wines are produced from grapes ripening on the dry-stone terraces above the river, where grapes have been grown for 2,000 years. Your ship will dock in Krems, midway through this glorious landscape.
Choose between...
Stetteldorf Castle Visit
Schloss Stetteldorf, also known as Juliusburg Castle, sits right on the edge of the Wagram in Lower Austria. The castle was constructed in 1588 for Count Julius II zu Hardegg. Over the years, his descendants added to the stately residence, beautifying its gardens, adding a fresco to the ballroom,...
or
Treasures of the Wachau Valley
Drive from Emmersdorf to the attractive town of Spitz, and take note of the vine-covered hill rising above the town on your way in. A famous local landmark, this hill is the source of much of the town’s grapes. Wine is one of Spitz’s most important local products, alongside apricots....
Day 5: Engelharszell, Passau
Your ship cruises through a scenic highlight of the Danube early this morning, the Schlögener Schlinge—a hairpin loop in the Danube that was once very hazardous for ships and is now a lovely, serene stretch of water—and leaves Austria behind today. Your first German port of call is Passau, where three rivers meet—the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube—and three nations almost meet: Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town and its main claim to fame, Europe’s largest pipe organ, or join an invigorating riverside bike ride.
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.
Village Day: Passau
You’ll have the opportunity to choose one of four different ways to immerse yourself in this wonderful city today, learning about local people, trades and pastimes. Your first option, a visit to a berry farm on a mission to provide good work for people with disabilities.
Day 6: Regensburg
Bavaria’s first capital, Regensburg, owes its impressive historical lineage and rich architectural heritage to 600 years as a Free Imperial City, a fact recognized by UNESCO in 2006. Today, you’ll discover how the beautifully preserved medieval city coexists with a vibrant modern urban center.
Choose between...
Regensburg Walk with Thurn and Taxis Castle Visit
Begin this three-hour excursion with a visit to the city center of Regensburg’s Old Town, which has much to offer including the Porta Praetoria Roman ruins, the Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, medieval patrician towers and the former Jewish Quarter.
or
Jewish Regensburg
Join your local guide for a walking tour through the delightfully medieval town of Regensburg. Stroll over the Iron Bridge and on to the magnificent Stone Bridge, and pass by the architectural Gothic masterpiece of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Masterpiece Collection
Weltenburg Abbey Beer
4.5 hours
Activity Level: Intermediate
R 1 184
You’ll find that some of the finest brews and Europe are produced by the humble monks and nuns of the continent’s many abbeys. Visit the Weltenburg Abbey today to learn about monastic brewing at the oldest such establishment in the world.
Day 7: Nuremberg
Onboard, come out on deck or find a window seat where you can watch the ship navigate a series of locks as it travels across the “continental divide” and through one of the modern world’s greatest feats of engineering—the Main-Danube canal.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Featured Excursion
Nights Out: Faber-Castell Visit
Faber-Castell, established in 1761, is the world’s leading manufacturer of wood-cased pencils with a varied range of products for writing, drawing and creative design.
Day 8: Nuremberg, Disembark and transfer to Prague
Disembark the ship early and set your sights on the “city of a hundred spires” as you transfer to Prague via motorcoach.
Day 9: Prague
A magnet for generations of artists, writers, scientists and composers, Prague is famous for its dynamic energy and elegant ambiance (and the beers here are pretty amazing too). A thousand years of architecture, from ornate Gothic to fanciful postmodern, has been beautifully preserved here.
Choose between...
Prague Old Town & Castle District
or
Terezin & Concentration Camp
In 1940, the Nazis turned a former garrison into a ghetto, cramming more than 140,000 Jews into it, where many died of disease or starvation. More, however, were transported to and perished in Auschwitz-Birkenau or other concentration camps.
Day 10: Depart Prague
You’ve experienced the best of the Danube River and Prague, sampling myriad culinary delights and exploring fascinating stops along the way. Now your journey comes to a close. If your cruise/tour includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Prague Václav Havel Airport for your flight home. Your Uniworld adventure may be over, but we know you’ll enjoy the memories you’ve made for years to come.
Ship info
River Duchess
The River Duchess, a jewel in the crown of Uniworld's river fleet, captivates discerning travelers with its impeccable features, enticing destinations, and diverse accommodation options. This floating boutique hotel, with its charming ambiance, promises an unparalleled river cruising experience. Boasting an array of luxurious features, the River Duchess combines classic elegance with modern amenities.
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 13 April 2025 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. 2025 Early Booking Savings: SAVE 10% on all stateroom categories. Book by 30 September 2024 and pay in full at time of booking to be eligible for this offer. 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;.