Departs Oct 30 · 3 nights 5-star Prague · 7-night deluxe Danube cruise · International flights included · Mandarin-speaking tour leader
- 3 nights in a 5-star Prague hotel + 7 nights on a deluxe Danube river cruise
- Four countries in one trip: Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia
- MS Swiss Splendor, fully refurbished in 2024 — every cabin is an outside cabin
- Day trip to Cesky Krumlov, one of the most beautiful small towns in the world
- Call at Linz with a special day trip to Salzburg
- Cruise the Wachau Valley and visit Melk Abbey
- Round-trip international flights from major North American cities included
- Mandarin-speaking tour leader throughout; unlimited drinks at lunch and dinner on board
What is included:
- Round-trip international flights from major North American cities
- 3 nights in a 5-star hotel in Prague, breakfast included
- 7 nights on a deluxe Danube river cruise, all meals from embarkation to the final breakfast
- Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner on board (bar drinks not included)
- Free WiFi on board
- Mandarin-speaking tour leader throughout
- Deluxe coach throughout, plus shore excursions during the cruise
- All port taxes
What is not included:
- Checked baggage fees on international flights
- Gratuities for the tour leader, guides, drivers and all cruise staff: €220 per person
- Lunches and dinners noted as not included in the itinerary
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- Visa fees
- Admissions noted as not included: Schönbrunn Palace €60 pp, Prague Castle €50 pp, Mozart concert in Vienna from €140 pp (admissions include a Mandarin-speaking official guide and headsets; the concert includes ticket, booking and transfers)
- Personal expenses and anything not listed in the itinerary
Visa information
This itinerary travels through the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, all of which are in the Schengen Area.
Holders of US, Canadian, Hong Kong and Taiwan passports do not need a visa for tourism in the Schengen Area.
Holders of Chinese passports must obtain a Schengen visa themselves; we do not process visa applications. Applying early is recommended.
Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of departure from the Schengen Area and must have been issued within the previous 10 years. Requirements are those in force at the time of travel — please confirm with the relevant consulate.
An autumn fairy tale that begins beneath the hundred spires of Prague and ends to a Viennese waltz. This itinerary threads together the four most captivating countries of Central Europe: the storybook towns of Bohemia, imperial Austria, the Danube pearl of Hungary and the hillside old town of Slovakia.
The first three nights are spent in a 5-star hotel in Prague, with time to take in Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Cesky Krumlov, widely called one of the most beautiful small towns in the world. On day five you board the MS Swiss Splendor in Vienna, and for the next seven nights your room travels with the river — a new city every morning, and only one suitcase to unpack.
The cruise calls at Esztergom, Budapest, Bratislava, Dürnstein and Melk, and puts in at Linz for a day trip to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace. Round-trip international flights from major North American cities, a Mandarin-speaking tour leader, deluxe coaches and all port taxes are included, along with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner on board.
Trip highlights
- 3 nights in a 5-star Prague hotel + 7 nights on a deluxe Danube river cruise
- Four countries in one trip: Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia
- MS Swiss Splendor, fully refurbished in 2024 — every cabin is an outside cabin
- Day trip to Cesky Krumlov, one of the most beautiful small towns in the world
- Call at Linz with a special day trip to Salzburg
- Cruise the Wachau Valley and visit Melk Abbey
- Round-trip international flights from major North American cities included
- Mandarin-speaking tour leader throughout; unlimited drinks at lunch and dinner on board
MS Swiss Splendor
The ship underwent a complete refurbishment in early 2024 to bring her in line with Scylla’s brand and service standards. She measures 135 m in length, 11.40 m in beam, with a draught of 1.60 m.
MS Swiss Splendor carries up to 174 guests in 1 owner’s suite, 12 suites, 1 junior suite, 66 double cabins and 14 single cabins. Cabins on the upper and middle decks have French balconies, and every cabin on board is an outside cabin, so the passing riverbank is always in view.
Cabins and cabin numbers
- Main Deck · Standard Window Cabin (fixed window) — double occupancy — 102, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120
- Main Deck · Standard Window Cabin (fixed window) — single occupancy — 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110
- Middle Deck · French Balcony Cabin — double occupancy — All cabins on the middle deck
- Upper Deck · French Balcony Cabin — double occupancy — 302, 304, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 330
- Upper Deck · French Balcony Cabin — single occupancy — 329, 331, 332, 333, 334, 336
- Upper Deck · French Balcony Suite — double occupancy — 303, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 316
- Upper Deck · French Balcony Master Suite — double occupancy — 301
Day-by-day itinerary
D1 | Oct 30 | North America → Prague
Depart from major North American cities on an international flight to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, and begin your European journey.
D2 | Oct 31 | Arrival in Prague
On arrival in Prague you are met and transferred to your hotel to check in, settle in and recover from the flight.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Prague Towers or similar 5-star
D3 | Nov 01 | Prague in depth (breakfast)
After breakfast, a classic tour of Prague (some sites are visited with an official local guide, at your own expense): Prague Castle — St. Vitus Cathedral — the Old Royal Palace — Golden Lane — Old Town Square — Charles Bridge. Wander the medieval streets and take in the history and romance of the “City of a Hundred Spires”.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Prague Towers or similar 5-star
D4 | Nov 02 | Day trip to Cesky Krumlov (breakfast)
After breakfast, drive to Cesky Krumlov, widely called one of the most beautiful small towns in the world. Founded in the 13th century on a bend of the Vltava River, its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The winding river wraps around a medieval castle and rows of coloured houses — a scene straight out of a storybook. Return to Prague afterwards.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Prague Towers or similar 5-star
D5 | Nov 03 | Prague → Vienna — embarkation (breakfast / welcome dinner)
After breakfast, travel by coach to Vienna, capital of Austria. On arrival, complete embarkation formalities and begin your Danube cruise. This evening: the Captain’s cocktail reception and welcome dinner (formal dress requested for the reception).
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D6 | Nov 04 | Vienna city tour (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
After breakfast on board, a tour of Vienna. Elegant and romantic, the “City of Music” brings together some of the finest art and architecture in Europe. Stroll the city and visit Schönbrunn Palace, home of Empress Sisi (optional, at your own expense). In the evening, a Mozart concert in Vienna may be available as an optional extra.
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D7 | Nov 05 | Esztergom → Budapest (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
Around midday the ship calls at Esztergom. Once the religious centre of Hungary, it is known for its imposing basilica; the town is quiet and dignified, and an important stop for understanding Hungarian history. Around dinner time the ship sails on to Budapest, arriving in the evening.
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D8 | Nov 06 | Budapest (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
Today, Budapest — the “Pearl of the Danube”. The city spans both banks of the river and blends the classical with the modern. In the evening, enjoy Budapest illuminated, to the strains of the Blue Danube waltz; the ship departs around dinner time.
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D9 | Nov 07 | Bratislava (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
After breakfast on board, arrive around midday in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. The old town climbs the hillside in a tangle of brightly coloured streets — small, but full of character. Walk the old squares and medieval lanes before the ship departs around dinner time.
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D10 | Nov 08 | Dürnstein (Wachau Valley) → Melk (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
After breakfast, the ship enters the loveliest stretch of the Danube — the picturesque Wachau Valley, where vineyards, ruined castles and river villages follow one another along the banks. Stop at Dürnstein and explore this charming little town at your own pace. In the afternoon, continue to Melk to visit its magnificent Baroque abbey, set high above the Danube and one of Austria’s great landmarks.
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D11 | Nov 09 | Linz — day trip to Salzburg (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
The ship calls at Linz, from where a special day trip to Salzburg is arranged. This is Mozart’s birthplace and one of the filming locations for The Sound of Music. Walk the old town among Baroque facades with the Alpine foothills as a backdrop, then return to the ship.
Accommodation: MS Swiss Splendor
D12 | Nov 10 | Disembark in Vienna → return to North America (breakfast)
After breakfast, complete disembarkation formalities. Transfers to the airport are arranged according to individual flight times for your international flight home — a fitting close to a memorable journey.
