SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA & DANUBE RIVER CRUISE

ITINERARY

Day 01: July 30, 2026: Flight(s) from Canada [IFM]
Depart North America with an overnight flight to Switzerland.

Day 02: July 31, 2026: Luzern, Switzerland     [IFM]
Afternoon arrival into Zurich, Switzerland. Meet local guide. Transfer to Luzern and check in to hotel for the evening free to rest after your international flight. Overnight in Luzern.

Day 03: August 01, 2026: Luzern - Geneva, Switzerland [B/L/D]
Happy “National Swiss Day”! The group will enjoy a traditional brunch at a farmer’s barn, where you can sample local specialties in a rustic atmosphere. Enjoy sitting with local farmers to enjoy this traditional experience! Enjoy a tour of the farm before driving to Geneva. Afternoon arrival into Geneva, Switzerland. Check-in to the hotel & enjoy dinner, with the possibility of fireworks for the national holiday! Overnight in Geneva.

Day 04: August 02, 2026: Geneva, Switzerland [B/L/D]
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a city tour of Geneva. Geneva is a jewel on the shores of Lake Geneva, framed by the Alps and Jura Mountains. See the famous Jet d’Eau Fountain, the Flower Clock, and the international district with the United Nations headquarters. Enjoy a cruise across Lake Geneva, taking in the breathtaking views. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the heart of the city before an afternoon to explore the city on your own. Dinner and overnight in Geneva.

Day 05: August 03, 2026: Geneva - Visp, Switzerland [B/L/D]
After breakfast at the hotel, set off on a scenic panoramic drive from Geneva, passing the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva and the charming cities of Lausanne and Montreux. Enjoy lunch along the way before descending into the fascinating underground world of a historic salt mine. You will descend underground and learn how salt has been extracted for centuries. Continue your journey to Visp for dinner & overnight.

Day 06: August 04, 2026: Visp, Switzerland [B/L/D]
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the train station to board the Zermatt Train. The train to Zermatt winds through picturesque valleys, past rushing rivers, and beneath snow-capped peaks, revealing postcard views of the Swiss Alps at every turn. As you climb higher, the iconic Matterhorn comes into view—an unforgettable welcome to the charming, car-free mountain village of Zermatt. Enjoy lunch in the village. Return to Visp for dinner and overnight.

Day 07: August 05, 2026: Visp - Zurich, Switzerland [B/D]
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before traveling to the rolling green hills of Emmental, where you’ll tour a traditional cheese factory and savor its famous creamy flavors during a tasting. Continue on to the Zurich area for a sweet stop at the Lindt Chocolate Manufactory, where rich aromas and decadent samples await. In the evening, enjoy dinner and settle in for an overnight stay in Zurich.

Day 08: August 06, 2026: Zurich - Tyrol, Austria [B/L]
After breakfast at the hotel, depart toward the Germany–Austria border, enjoying scenic landscapes along the way. Stop for lunch en route before visiting a traditional distillery, where you’ll learn about the craft and sample its distinctive flavors. Continue to the fairytale Castle Neuschwanstein for a photo-worthy visit, then travel onward to Seefeld in Tyrol for your overnight stay.

Day 09: August 07, 2026: Tyrol - Innsbruck, Austria [B/D]
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Wattens. Enjoy a visit to the Swarovski Crystal World. This dazzling attraction blends art, design, and fantasy, with shimmering crystal installations, whimsical gardens, and immersive exhibits created by renowned artists. From the iconic Giant’s head to the glittering Chambers of Wonder, it’s a magical experience that shines as brightly as the crystals themselves. Visit to a traditional animal farm, where you will experience the authentic rural life in the Alps. Continue to Innsbruck for some leisure time before a dinner and overnight.

Day 10: August 08, 2026: Salzburg, Austria [B/L/D]
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the enchanting city of Salzburg. Enjoy lunch along the way, then step into movie magic with a guided Sound of Music tour, exploring the film’s iconic locations and the city’s rich history. Later, visit a local brewery to learn the art of brewing and sample its fresh flavors. Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Salzburg.

Day 11: August 09, 2026: Melk, Austria [B/L/D]
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the charming town of Melk, known for its stunning baroque architecture. Enjoy lunch along the way before touring the magnificent Melk Monastery, a masterpiece perched high above the Danube. Continue to a local vineyard, where you’ll savor regional wines during a guided tasting. End the day with dinner and an overnight.

Day 12: August 10, 2026: Melk - Vienna, Austria [B/L/D]
After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a picturesque boat cruise along the Danube River to Krems, drifting past vineyard-covered hills, medieval castles, charming riverside villages, and the storybook landscapes of the Wachau Valley—a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy lunch on board as the scenery unfolds around you. Upon arrival, transfer to Vienna and spend the evening at a traditional Heuriger, where hearty Viennese dishes and local wines create an authentic and cozy atmosphere. Overnight in Vienna.

Day 13: August 11, 2026: Vienna, Austria [B/L/D]
Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a guided city tour of Vienna, showcasing its grand boulevards, imperial palaces, and elegant architecture. After lunch, explore the opulent Schönbrunn Palace and stroll up to the Gloriette for sweeping views, with an audio guide bringing the history to life. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner show blending fine cuisine with lively entertainment, before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay in Vienna.

Day 14: August 12, 2026: Budapest, Hungary [IFM/D]
Board a flight to Budapest, Hungary & transfer to your river cruise ship. The day is yours to relax and explore the ship. [IFM/D]

Day 15: August 13, 2026: Budapest, Hungary [B/L/D]
The whole day is yours to explore Budapest, known as the “Pearl of the Danube”. Choose your own adventure with shore excursions for a walking city tour, onboard lectures and so much more!

Day 16: August 14, 2026: Bratislava, Slovakia [B/L/D]
Bratislava is known for it’s Cathedral Coronations and Castles. Optional excursion to hike the lofty Bratislava Castle or take a classic guided city tour to St. Martins Cathedral. This afternoon a certified sommelier will come onboard to host a wine & cheese tasting event!

Day 17: August 15, 2026: Vienna, Austria [B/L/D]
Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host. Enjoy a Guided Visit to House of Strauss and embark on an interactive journey through Vienna's illustrious past at an immersive audio-visual experience. After the tour, enjoy a coffee and homemade cake. Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna or take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.

Day 18: August 16, 2026: Durnstein - Wachu Valley - Ybbs - Melk [B/L/D]
Discover the fascinating world of wine with a visit to a local wine cellar. While sipping a selection of different wines, you will learn how the wine production developed over the centuries till nowadays. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs. Enjoy sweet interactive experiences and tastings of local Austrian products as you visit a pastry-baking workshop and an Austrian bee farm.

Day 19: August 17, 2026: Linz, Austria [B/L/D]
Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column. Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.

Day 20: August 18, 2026: Schlogen Oxbow - Passau, Germany [B/L/D]
This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. Enjoy an onboard chocolate and wine tasting with your Certified Sommelier while sailing to Passau. Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Before sailing to Vilshofen. take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. Enjoy a short sailing to Vilshofen.

Day 21: August 19, 2026: Vilshofen - Regensburg - Prague, Czech Republic [B/D]
Today you will disembark the ship for the Prague land portion. Join a Guided City Walk in Regensburg and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. Take free time to enjoy a hearty lunch and a local beer, then step back in time through historic lanes and squares of today’s modern and vibrant Regensburg. Continue to the Golden City of Prague.

Day 22: August 20, 2026: Prague, Czech Republic [B]
After breakfast at the hotel, take a guided city walk to visit Hradčany Castle Ground to see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Mingle with the locals and be mesmerized by street performers in Wenceslas Square, or admire the arches and statues decorating Charles Bridge. Overnight in Prague.

Day 23: August 21, 2026: Prague - Home [IFM]
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning then transfer to the airport for your flight back to North America.