SEP 2021 - The Historic Danube: Golf & Culture

We board our overnight flight to Budapest.

Upon arrival in Budapest, we transfer to our hotel and check in. We’ll gather for a Welcome Drink and overview of our Danube Golf Tour with Golf Pro Ryan Anderson. (D)

Parliament, Budapest © AngMoKio

The spectacular city of Budapest offers tremendous culture, tradition, and an air of myth and mystery. We take a Panoramic Tour of both the Buda (hill) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river, beginning with the Great Market Hall. We’ll see Heroes Square and Castle Hill, home to the Royal Palace; the Fisherman’s Bastion, which enjoys a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River; and Matthias Church with its richly painted interior. (B,D)

Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest

This morning we enjoy our first round, at one of the country’s best golf courses.
This afternoon we embark upon our seven-night luxury Danube journey with an evening illumination cruise to enjoy the city’s shimmering riverfront. The Gryphon Trio, Roman Borys, Dr. Jamie Parker and Annalee Patipatanakoon will be accompanying the tour as musical hosts, performing as part of the Danube Concert Series arranged in cooperation with Artistic Director George Zukerman, OC, OBC. (B,D)

GOLF:
Pannonia Golf & Country Club.

CONCERT:
Chamber music by the Gryphon Trio at a local venue

Pannonia Golf & Country Club

The “Coronation City of Kings” saw 11 Hungarian kings and queens crowned between 1536 and 1830. We’ll enjoy a brief Tour of Bratislava en route to Penati Golf Course. (B,L,D)

GOLF:
Penati Golf Course.

Bratislava Castle @ MS Agency, VisitBratislava.com

We’ll experience the regal elegance of Vienna on a City Tour which will take us by the majestic Opera House and Hofburg Palace, the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburg Emperors. We conclude our tour in Vienna’s stately and historic city centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city. (B,L,D)

CONCERT:
Optional Symphony at the Musikverein on Day 6 or 7.

Belvedere © Christian Stemper, WienTourismus

While the golfers face the challenge of the exceptional course nearby, the non-golfers can enjoy a day at leisure in the “City of Waltzes”. Numerous options await those wishing to explore Vienna. There is a wealth of monumental buildings, historic sites and famed institutions. Perhaps visit some of its museums, an art exhibit at the Belvedere, or the Spanish Riding School at the Hofburg. Stroll cosmopolitan Kartnerstrasse and enjoy a slice of Sacher torte, or seek out the city panorama from the Prater ferris wheel. Explore the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s ring road lined with majestic buildings, monuments and parks. Maybe make a trip to Schoenbrunn Palace, where in 1762 a six-year-old prodigy named Mozart gave his first concert, for the indomitable Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa. (B,L,D)

GOLF:
Fontana Golf Course or alternate, TBC.

CONCERT:
Optional performance at the Vienna State Opera or local venue.

Fontana Golf Course © Golf & Land Design

Weissenkirchen is the gateway to historic Duernstein in the heart of the famously beautiful Wachau Valley. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a Walking Tour of the city’s landmarks and visit a local vintner to taste the wine for which this region is known and sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. The cobblestone streets of this quaint 16th-century town are overlooked by ruins of a castle where, according to legend, Richard I “The Lionheart” was imprisoned and held for ransom on his return from the Crusades.
Later in the day, we sail through the Strudengau Valley to medieval Grein, above which Greinburg Castle has been imperially perched for over half a millennium. (B,L,D)

CONCERT:
Chamber music by the Gryphon Trio at a local venue.

Aggstein, Wachau Valley

We’ll enjoy a brief orientation Tour of Linz en route to the Golf Club Linz St. Florian. Non-golfers can explore the historic town or possibly join an excursion to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting for the Sound of Music. We’ll enjoy a Tour of Salzburg’s lovely historic centre, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. There are also optional excursions including a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. We’ll reconvene aboard the ship in Linz for dinner. (B,L*,D)
*Lunch may not be included when opting for full-day excursions.

GOLF:
Golf Club Linz St. Florian.

Fortress Hohensalzburg and the Old Town of Salzburg © Salzburg Tourism

The fairytale city of Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” was founded more than 2,000 years ago at a strategic junction of the three waterways. On our Walking Tour, we will see the city fortifications and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ. 
A scenic cruise then transports us to the charming 1,200-year old town of Vilshofen, on the confluence of the rivers Vils and Danube. Vilshofen’s beautiful old town, located directly on the banks of the Danube and the Vils, when seen from the river resembles a floating peninsula. Above the town, the imposing double towers of the Benedictine Abbey Schweiklberg dominate the landscape. (B,L,D)

CONCERT:
Chamber music by the Gryphon Trio at a local venue.

Passau panorama © Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH

We bid farewell to our ship at Vilshofen today. After disembarkation, we proceed to Prague via Pilsen, where we’ll have a brief Tour and lunch at the Brewery. Once in Prague, we’ll enjoy an Orientation Tour of the city with a walking tour of the St. Charles Bridge and Old Town, before check in and dinner. The lively pedestrian-only Charles Bridge draws visitors, musicians and artists. Prague’s Old Market Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site instantly recognizable for its famous Astronomical Clock and distinctive spiky towers. The artisan traditions of Bohemia are evident in Prague’s colourful architecture, theatre, arts and gastronomy. (B,L,D)

Charles Bridge, Prague © AmaWaterways

We enjoy a day trip to Karlstejn with a Tour of the Castle and a round of golf at the notable course, which offers splendid views of the castle. (B,D)

GOLF:
Karlstejn Golf Course.

Karlstejn Golf Club

The continuation of our Prague city Tour starts at the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle, residence of the head of state, and St. Vitus Cathedral, in all its Gothic glory. From the castle’s hilltop situation you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s domes, spires and red roofs. Both Kafka and Neruda lived in the picturesque lanes which lead down to the town below. Then we head for our final round of golf, followed by our farewell dinner. (B,D)

GOLF:
Albatross Golf Course.

Albatross Golf Club

We transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)