DAY 1 Arrival in Munich
Your tour begins at 5:30 PM. Transfers are provided from Munich International Airport or the train station to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Meet your Tauck Director for a brief orientation walk this afternoon, followed by a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Bayerischer Hof
DAY 2 Exploring Munich's Royalty or Modernity
Choose between two excursions. Option one features a guided tour of Munich’s royal heritage, including the Munich Residenz, once a royal residence and now a museum with lavishly decorated rooms. Alternatively, explore modern Munich with a visit to the BMW Museum and World War II sites around the city. In the afternoon, enjoy free time or join a moving visit to Dachau. Your evening is free to experience Munich’s vibrant dining scene.
MEALS: Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Bayerischer Hof
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Munich and the Bavarian Royal Story
- Choice #2: Munich and the BMW Museum
- Choice #1: Visit to Dachau Concentration Camp
- Choice #2: Free Exploration
DAY 3 Garmisch-Partenkirchen / Zugspitze
Travel by coach to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a renowned ski area in the Wetterstein mountains. A cogwheel train will take you up to the summit of Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, for lunch and breathtaking views of glaciers and mountain peaks spanning four countries. Return to Partenkirchen, a charming Bavarian town, and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Riessersee Hotel
DAY 4 Oberammergau / Bavarian Castle
Choose between visiting Oberammergau, known for its Passion Play, and enjoying a walking tour of its medieval streets and theatre, or exploring Füssen’s romantic Old Town and Hohenschwangau Castle, King Ludwig II’s childhood home. Return to Partenkirchen for a free afternoon.
MEALS: Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION: Riessersee Hotel
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Hohenschwangau Castle and Füssen
- Choice #2: Oberammergau and Passion Play Theater Visit
DAY 5 Weltenberg Abbey / Embarkation in Vilshofen
Head to Weltenberg Abbey, situated on a Danube Gorge peninsula. Renowned for its Baroque architecture and ancient brewery, it’s one of Germany’s most beautiful monasteries. Enjoy lunch in its beer garden (seasonal) and a boat ride to Kelheim before boarding your riverboat.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
DAY 6 Passau’s Timeless Charm
Discover Passau, where the Danube, Ilz, and Inn rivers converge. Famous for its medieval and Baroque architecture, explore the city with a local guide or on a bicycle tour along the Inn River. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy onboard entertainment as you cruise towards Linz, Austria.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Passau Walking Tour
- Choice #2: Cycling Excursion around Passau
DAY 7 Linz / Salzkammergut / Cesky Krumlov
Travel from Linz to the picturesque Salzkammergut region, the setting for *The Sound of Music*. Visit St. Wolfgang and its Pilgrimage Church with its Renaissance Winged Altar. Alternatively, explore Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved medieval architecture. You may also stay in Linz to explore at your own pace. Dinner is served aboard the ship.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Salzkammergut Lake District
- Choice #2: Cesky Krumlov Walking Tour
- Choice #3: Exploring Linz at Leisure
DAY 8 Melk Abbey / Wachau Valley / Dürnstein
Visit Melk Abbey, an architectural masterpiece perched above the Danube, and enjoy its opulent Baroque interiors and panoramic views. Spend the afternoon cruising through the Wachau Valley, renowned for its vineyards and charming villages. Explore Dürnstein with a guided tour, visit the Augustinian monastery, or hike to the clifftop ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Sailing through the Wachau Valley
- Choice #2: Cycling Excursion through the Wachau Valley
DAY 9 Vienna’s Splendours
Arrive in Vienna and choose from a walking tour of the Ringstrasse, a visit to the Sisi Museum to learn about Empress Elizabeth, or a tour of World War II landmarks. Spend your afternoon at leisure and join a gala dinner at Palais Pallavicini, featuring music and pageantry exclusive to Tauck guests.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Vienna Walking Tour
- Choice #2: Vienna's Sisi Museum
- Choice #3: Vienna and its Flak Towers
DAY 10 Discovering Bratislava
Arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, where you can choose between a city walking tour or a visit to Devin Castle, offering stunning views and insights into WWII history. Enjoy a leisurely dinner aboard the ship as you sail to Budapest, accompanied by Slovak music and entertainment.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
EXCURSION CHOICES:
- Choice #1: Bratislava Walking Tour
- Choice #2: Devin Castle, Iron Curtain, and WWII Bunker
DAY 11 Exploring Budapest
Budapest, divided by the Danube into Buda and Pest, offers a blend of old-world charm and vibrant city life. Tour both districts, with highlights including Fisherman's Bastion and the Neo-Gothic Parliament. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure and enjoy a farewell dinner and reception aboard the riverboat.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Tauck Ship
DAY 12 Journey Home
The tour concludes in Budapest. Disembark by 9:00 AM. Transfer is provided to Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport or the Keleti train station; please allow three hours for check-in. Fly home at your convenience.
MEALS: Breakfast
