Autumn Fairy Tale | Blue Danube & Prague 12-Day River Cruise

Autumn Fairy Tale | Blue Danube & Prague 12-Day River Cruise 12 / 10

Days

Nights

Itinerary

Prague — Vienna — Esztergom — Budapest — Bratislava — Dürnstein — Melk — Linz (Salzburg) — Vienna

Features and Highlight

12-day premium river cruise: Czech Republic · Austria · Hungary · Slovakia — four Central European countries in one journey

7 nights on the Danube aboard MS Swiss Splendor, fully refurbished in 2024, with outside cabins throughout

3 nights in a 5-star hotel in Prague: the City of a Hundred Spires, plus a full-day trip to Český Krumlov

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: historic Český Krumlov, the banks of the Danube in Budapest, the Wachau Valley and Salzburg's old town

Iconic destinations: Prague — Vienna — Esztergom — Budapest — Bratislava — Dürnstein — Melk — Linz (Salzburg)

A musical journey: Vienna, city of music, and Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace and a filming location for The Sound of Music

All-inclusive: international airfare, shore excursions, port taxes, all meals on board and wine with meals

Professional service: English-speaking tour leader throughout

Departure cities: major North American cities

Itinerary : Prague — Vienna — Esztergom — Budapest — Bratislava — Dürnstein — Melk — Linz (Salzburg) — Vienna

PRICE AND RESERVATION
Itinerary

Day 1 | Oct 30 | North America - Prague

Depart from major North American cities on an international flight bound for Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, and begin your European journey.

Meals on your own

Day 2 | Oct 31 | Arrival in Prague

On arrival in Prague, you are met at the airport by a Xing Travel representative and transferred to your hotel to check in, adjust to the time change and rest.

Hotel: Grand Hotel Prague Towers or similar 5-star hotel in Prague

Day 3 | Nov 01 | Prague in Depth (Breakfast)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a classic tour of Prague (some sites are led by official local guides and are payable on site): Prague Castle — St. Vitus Cathedral — the Old Royal Palace — Golden Lane — Old Town Square — Charles Bridge. Wander the medieval streets and take in the history and romance of the "City of a Hundred Spires".

Hotel: Grand Hotel Prague Towers or similar 5-star hotel in Prague

Day 4 | Nov 02 | Day Trip to Český Krumlov (CK Town) (Breakfast)

After breakfast, drive to Český Krumlov, widely called one of the most beautiful small towns in the world. Founded in the 13th century along the Vltava River, its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The winding river wraps around a medieval castle and rows of colourful houses like a scene from a fairy tale. Return to Prague afterwards.

Hotel: Grand Hotel Prague Towers or similar 5-star hotel in Prague

Day 5 | Nov 03 | Prague - Vienna (Embarkation) (Breakfast / Welcome Dinner)

After breakfast, travel by coach to Vienna, the capital of Austria. On arrival, complete embarkation and begin your Danube river cruise.

This evening, join the Captain's Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner (formal attire is requested for the reception).

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 6 | Nov 04 | Vienna (City Tour) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After breakfast on board, enjoy a city tour of Vienna. Elegant and romantic, this "City of Music" brings together some of Europe's finest art and architecture. You may also visit Schönbrunn Palace, once home to Empress Sisi (optional, payable on site). In the evening, a Mozart concert in Vienna may be available as an optional activity.

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 7 | Nov 05 | Esztergom - Budapest (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Around midday the ship calls at Esztergom, once the religious centre of Hungary and known for its magnificent basilica. Quiet and dignified, the town is an important stop for understanding Hungarian history.

The ship sails for Budapest around dinner time and berths there in the evening.

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 8 | Nov 06 | Budapest (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Today explore Budapest, the Hungarian capital known as the "Pearl of the Danube". The city straddles both banks of the river and blends classical and modern beauty — one of the most captivating capitals in Europe.

At night, take in the glittering Budapest skyline to the strains of The Blue Danube. The ship departs around dinner time.

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 9 | Nov 07 | Bratislava (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After breakfast on board, arrive around midday in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The old town climbs the hillside in a patchwork of colourful streets — compact and full of character. Stroll the main square and the medieval lanes before the ship departs around dinner time.

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 10 | Nov 08 | Dürnstein (Wachau Valley) - Melk (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After breakfast, sail into the Wachau Valley, the most beautiful stretch of the Danube, where vineyards, castles and villages line both banks. Go ashore at Dürnstein and take time to wander this charming little town.

In the afternoon, continue to the Austrian cultural centre of Melk and visit the magnificent Melk Abbey, a Baroque landmark set high above the Danube and one of Austria's most iconic sights.

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 11 | Nov 09 | Linz (Salzburg) (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

The ship calls at Linz, from where a special full-day excursion takes you to Salzburg — Mozart's birthplace and one of the filming locations for The Sound of Music. Walk the old town among Baroque buildings with the Alps as a backdrop, and soak up the city's musical and artistic atmosphere. Return to the ship afterwards.

Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor, deluxe Danube river cruise ship

Day 12 | Nov 10 | Disembark in Vienna - Return to North America (Breakfast)

After breakfast, complete disembarkation. Airport transfers are arranged according to individual flight times for your international flight home to North America.

This brings your "Autumn Fairy Tale | Blue Danube & Prague 12-Day River Cruise" to a close.

About the Ship | MS Swiss Splendor

The ship was completely refurbished in early 2024 to meet Scylla's brand and service standards. She measures 135 metres in length and 11.40 metres across, with a draught of 1.60 metres.

MS Swiss Splendor accommodates up to 174 guests in 1 owner's suite, 12 suites, 1 junior suite, 66 double cabins and 14 single cabins. Cabins on the upper and middle decks feature French balconies, and every cabin is an outside cabin, so the passing riverbank is always in view.

Price Includes:

International airfare
3 nights in a 5-star hotel in Prague (breakfast included)
7 nights aboard a deluxe Danube river cruise ship (breakfast, lunch and dinner from embarkation through disembarkation)
Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board (bar drinks not included)
Complimentary WiFi on board
English-speaking tour leader and guide throughout
Deluxe coach throughout, plus shore excursions during the cruise
All port taxes

Price Does Not Include:

Checked baggage fees on international flights
Gratuities for the tour leader, guides, drivers and the entire ship's crew: €220 per person
Lunches and dinners noted in the itinerary as not included
Personal travel and medical insurance
Visas: no visa required for US, Canadian, Hong Kong and Taiwan passport holders. Green card holders must obtain a Schengen visa on their own.
Admission to sites noted in the itinerary as not included (see optional activities below)

Optional Activities (payable on site)

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna: €60 per person (admission, official English-speaking guide and headset included)
Prague Castle: €50 per person (admission, official English-speaking guide and headset included)
Mozart concert in Vienna: from €140 per person (concert ticket, booking and transfers included)

Please Note

The cruise itinerary may be adjusted according to river water levels, lock operations, weather or political circumstances. The daily programme announced on board is final. We will do everything we can to keep your journey running smoothly, and we thank you for your understanding.