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Port Of Call
From Strauss’s The Blue Danube to Mozart’s Linz Symphony, the Danube River has inspired countless composers over the centuries. Their famous melodies still echo along the river’s path, which you’ll follow on a thoughtfully curated journey for WABE listeners through some of Europe’s most captivating cities—Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Vienna & Salzburg, Austria—places where these legends lived, composed, and performed.
You’ll experience live performances by exceptional musicians, handpicked to fill your heart with love for the Danube music and history. Designed especially for those who share a love for classical music and cultural exploration, this unique itinerary offers moments that resonate with WABE’s community. Whether you’re a musician, a classical music devotee, or an adventurer seeking an immersive experience, let the Danube be your melodious guide on this unforgettable journey crafted just for you.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition. Start your exploration of the city on the Buda side of the Danube, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. In the afternoon, revel in an itinerary-exclusive classical music tour of Budapest. This special tour invites you to enter a world of grandeur as your knowledgeable local guide leads you through the exquisitely designed Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest, followed by a stop at the Franz Liszt Memorial Museum, where the renowned Hungarian musician and composer lived for many years. If you wish instead to explore the treasures of Pest, admire the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. In the evening, head up to the Sun Deck or stroll around town, delighting in the way Budapest’s magnificent landmarks illuminate against the night sky. (B,L,D)
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Along the way, be delighted by a few surprise musical performances. If you prefer exploring the world through your tastebuds, join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour to sample traditional flavors from the region, including local beer. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city, or journey further from the seat of your bike on a guided cycling tour. (B,L,D)
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
In the morning, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic city center as a traditionally costumed coachman regales you with fascinating stories along your route, offering a new perspective on this sophisticated city. Later in the day, take a thrilling guided bike ride along the romantic Danube Canal and through the city, traversing a bridge, cycling across a meadow and heading to Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse Boulevard. In the evening, join us for a special included concert on shore in Vienna you won’t soon forget. (B,L,D) . Following your overnight in the “City of Waltzes,” explore the city of music while following in the footsteps of one or more world-renowned composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, from their past residences to museums to grand monuments. Alternatively, you may visit the House of Music, an interactive museum where you can feel sound waves, learn more about composers of the Viennese Classical period and even enjoy a virtual simulation where you are the conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra! If you prefer to connect with nature, journey to the town of Cobenzl where you will embark on a hike through the famed Vienna Woods that inspired a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II. (B,L,D)
WACHAU VALLEY - MELK
Spend your morning reveling in the postcard-perfect landscapes of Austria’s picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wachau Valley. Later in the day, arrive in Melk. Located above the city on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, Melk Abbey is one of Europe’s largest and most revered Baroque monasteries and a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally founded in the 11th century, the magnificent abbey now houses a museum chronicling its history and a famous library with countless medieval manuscripts. During your tour you will see some of Melk’s musical manuscripts as well as frescoes painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr and Paul Troger. Plus, enjoy a live choir performance in or around the abbey. If you prefer a more active tour, you may hike to Melk Abbey or pedal around town on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, venture to the neighboring town of Dürnstein for a walking tour along its charming cobbled lanes, taking in the beauty of its brilliant blue Stiftskirche tower. (B,L,D)
LINZ - PASSAU, GERMANY
In the morning, step off the ship into Linz, taking in its contemporary architecture as well as the old city center, the old market and past the Mozart House, where he composed the Linz Symphony in only three days. Fulfill your travel wish list as you visit Salzburg, touring through the historic center, lovely Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. You will also visit the museum at the famed yellow building known as Mozart Birth House and residence where the legendary composer was born in 1756 and lived until 1773. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael where the wedding scene from The Sound of Music was filmed. If you would prefer to stay on your spacious ship, enjoy a scenic cruise through the Schloegener Horseshoe Bend as you make your way to Passau. (B,L,D)
VILSHOFEN
Bid farewell to Vilshofen and prepare for your flight home. (B)