UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Giving you the chance to get under the skin of a destination by enjoying the local food and culture.

Budapest Culinary Walking Tour

Your tour begins with a tram ride to the First Strudel House, where you can enjoy a video about the traditions of strudel-making in Hungary followed by a live demonstration of how to prepare, stretch and fill the dough – with instructions in English. Perhaps try your own hand at the skill and then relax with a hot drink while you wait for your creations to bake. After enjoying your strudel, take a walk through the city to enjoy some authentic chimney cake and after a brief stop continue to the Central Market Hall where you can try some authentic Hungarian salami before you return to your ship by tram. Walking Grade 4

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 14 days before departure and has a minimum number of 7, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled. This excursion may run at the same time as an included one, if this is the case the cost of the included will have been deducted from the selling price.

Four hours

Bratislava city tour

Step aboard the miniature Bratislava City Train to explore the many highlights of this historic city. You’ll pass the 18th-century Slovak Philharmonic Hall and impressive National Theatre before your train slowly makes its way around the Old Town, arriving at Bratislava Castle, with its commanding hill-top setting, to admire magnificent views across the city. The train will then continue through Leopold Gate, back to the Old Town where you’ll disembark for a walking tour. A stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets will reveal sights such as the Archbishop’s Palace, St Martin’s Cathedral, the charming Main Square with its fountain and Old Town Hall, and a number of 18th-century palaces. Walking Grade 2

Two hours

Godollo Palace

Visit Godollo Palace, the second largest baroque palace in the world. This grandiose former summer residence of Queen Elisabeth and Franz Joseph, the Hapsburg Emperor and King of Hungary between 1867-1916, fully reflects their resplendent lifestyle. Explore the interior of the palace, and the beautiful gardens, and gain an insight into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. You'll also visit the decorative baroque Palace Theatre, where Prince Antal Grassalkovich II once kept a permanent 24-piece orchestra at his beck and call! Walking Grade 2

Four hours

Lazar Equestrian Park Horse Farm

Travel by coach from Budapest to the Lazar Equestrian Park, owned by the world champion horse and carriage drivers, the Lazar brothers. After a warm welcome and refreshments of freshly-baked leavened biscuits and palinka - Hungarian brandy - you'll take your seats for a fascinating show demonstrating exceptional horsemanship: there'll be commentary in English to explain about the horses and the skills required. Afterwards you have the opportunity to take a carriage ride around the park, followed by a walk through the yard, typical of a Hungarian village, where you can see various local breeds of livestock. You also have the chance to visit the stables where the Lazar's champion horses are kept. Walking Grade 1

Two-and-a-half hours

Melk Abbey

Set in a beautiful position on a promontory overlooking the Danube River, the wonderfully ornate Melk Abbey is a masterpiece of high baroque architecture. Formerly the site of a castle given to Benedictine monks by Leopold III von Babenberg in the 11th century, work on the present monastery began in 1702 to the plans of Jakob Prandtauer. The exterior is an imposing and majestic sight with symmetrical towers and a large octagonal dome, while the interior is lavishly decorated and contains innumerable artistic treasures. After visiting the abbey you can enjoy some free time in the beautiful garden, before returning to the ship. Walking Grade 3

Two-and-a-half hours

Passau city walk

Also known as the ‘Venice of Bavaria’, Passau is set in the beautiful location at the meeting point of three rivers – the Danube, Inn and Ilz. The surrounding hills create a picture-postcard backdrop to the city’s towers, spires and red-roofed houses. A historic city full of culture, Passau’s wealthy past is reflected in its many fine buildings, including the magnificent baroque St Stephen’s Cathedra as well as the old and new Bishop’s Palaces. Enjoy a walking tour through the charming streets to the banks of the Danube and riverside promenades, following on to Cathedral Square dominated by St Stephen’s Cathedral with its distinctive three towers. Maybe you'll get lucky and hear Europes largest church organ which is housed in this great place of worship. Walking Grade 3

Two hours

Regensburg city walk

Regensburg's old town, a labyrinth of charming medieval streets and alleys with a skyline punctuated by historic towers, dates back two millennia. This one-time centre of the Holy Roman Empire, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was fortunate to escape damage during WWII. Highlights of your tour include Gothic St Peter's Cathedral, the splendid eight-storey Old Town Hall and the 12th-century Stone Bridge, which was, until the 1930s, the only bridge across the river. Walking grade 3

Two hours

Salzburg

The beautifully preserved romantic city of Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace. It is split by the River Salzach and overlooked by two hills: the Kapuzinerberg and the Monchsberg. From the city you can also see the famous hill of Festungsberg, crowned by Hohensalzburg castle. Journey through picturesque mountain scenery and on arrival enjoy a guided walk through the old town to see churches, elegant squares and winding narrow alleys line with houses that, in parts, date back to medieval times. On the 'Getreidegasse', you'll find the house where, in 1756, Mozart was born, now a museum dedicated to his life. Enjoy free time to explore independently - fans of The Sound of Music might like to head for the Mirabell Gardens and Residenz Square to see film locations - and perhaps find time to stop for a slice of that famous Austrian chocolate cake Sachertorte! Walking Grade 4

Full day

Schonbrunn Palace

The sumptuous Imperial Summer Palace of the Hapsburgs was the centre of royal life in the 18th century. Leopold I commissioned Fischer von Erlach to create it in 1695, after being inspired by the glories of Versailles. It lies in beautiful formal gardens and parkland and the lavish interiors are adorned with priceless treasures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is bursting with fine examples of the decorative arts. Discover riches such as the Millions Room – panelled in rosewood with Persian miniature watercolours – and the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart played a recital for Maria Theresa. Stroll through the grounds with their vast flowerbeds and perhaps visit the Coach and Carriage Museum. Walking Grade 3

Four hours

Vienna Evening Concert

A trip to Vienna would not be complete without an after-dinner concert of Viennese music. Travel to Palace Auersperg, or one of Vienna’s other impressive palaces near the famous Ringstrasse and parliament. Relax and enjoy the uplifting music of the Strauss family, and be transported back to 18th-century Vienna as you listen to Mozart. Details of performances are provided on board. Walking Grade 1

Two-and-a-half hours

Weltenburg Abbey & The Danube Gorge

Weltenburg Abbey lies in beautiful countryside on a gorge beside the Danube River in eastern Bavaria. Built between 1715-1734, the abbey is a masterpiece of German baroque architecture and is exquisitely painted. The Benedictine monks who live here are renowned for their award-winning dark ale - Weltenburger Kloster Baroque Dunkel - that they have brewed since the 11th century. Enjoy a thirty-minute boat ride through the Danube Gorge and a visit to the abbey, where a guide will give a short talk. With some free time at leisure, why not sample some ale of cheese in the restaurant? Walking Grade 3

Four hours

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Vienna Culinary Walking Tour

Look forward to a series of tastings in Vienna which are sure to leave your tastebuds in a whirl. After transferring from your ship to Albertina Square, enjoy a guided walk through the city, winding up at the Imperial Palace. Along the way you will pause to sample some of the famous sandwiches for which Vienna is renowned, try the local speciality sausage, served with horseradish and bread, raise a glass of sparkling wine and even sample some delicious Mozart Thaler sweet chocolate biscuits. Walking Grade 3

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 2 days before departure and has a minimum number of 5, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled. This excursion may run at the same time as an included one, if this is the case the cost of the included will have been deducted from the selling price.