Portraits of Eastern Europe

The Ceausescu Mansion - a Dictator's private home

Nicolae Ceausescu, the second and last communist leader of Romania, is infamous for many things. Today, a very physical manifestation of his dark legacy can be found in Romania’s architecture. Most famously, Ceausescu ordered the construction of the Palace of Parliament, a massive and undeniably beautiful building that came at the cost of much of historic Bucharest. Until quite recently, the dictator’s home was not open to visitors. Now, however, you can enter Ceausescu's home to see how he lived. As might be expected, the villa is grand; influences of Baroque and Rococo styles mingle with medieval Romanian elements, and gifts from historic heads of state—from Mao Zedong to Queen Elizabeth II—fill its halls.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Snagov Palace with Vlad the Impaler's tomb

Built by Prince Nicolae, brother of King Carol II, in the 1930s, Snagov Palace is a handsome estate on the shores of a lake with which it shares its name. On your tour here today, you’ll learn about its noteworthy design, as well as the historic figures who have walked its halls. We’ll complete our visit with a delightfully eerie experience: a quick trip to an island in the middle of Lake Snagov, where we’ll find a monastery rumored to house the remains of Vlad the Impaler—the real life Count Dracula.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Bucharest Communist tour with People's Palace

Bucharest began as a fortress in the 15th century, a warlike origin that set the tone for its turbulent history. It saw glory days as the summer residence of the Wallachian princes and was burned to the ground by the Ottoman Turks; then Austria-Hungary and imperial Russia fought over it for a century. After Wallachia and Moldavia united to form Romania in the mid-19th century, Bucharest enjoyed a prosperity that was reflected in its extravagant architecture, some of which miraculously survived WWII bombing and Communist building programs.

You’ll see Bucharest’s very own Triumphal Arch, which is modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and Victoria Boulevard, lined with chic shops and handsomely restored pre-war buildings—and sites where protests brought down Ceaușescu’s regime in 1989. These days Bucharest enjoys a lively and eclectic cultural scene, hosting international arts festivals and concerts, and a measure of prosperity apparent in its busy cafés and thriving street life.

For the most dazzling stop of the day, you’ll visit the colossal People’s Palace, the second largest office building in the world. It’s certainly one of the grandest as well, filled with crystal chandeliers, mosaics, marble, gold leaf and stained-glass windows. A remnant of the city’s communist history, the building’s original design took a team of approximately 700 architects and was inspired by Socialist Realism, Modernism and Neoclassical architecture. Though the People’s Palace was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu, the last communist leader of Romania, it was not completed until 8 years after his death. The Palace now houses the Romanian Parliament and three museums, including a contemporary art museum and the Museum of Communist Totalitarianism.

Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi with authentic Bulgarian lunch

Twice the capital of Bulgaria—before and after the Ottomans conquered the nation—Veliko Tarnovo climbs steep hills above the Yantra River, topped by the ruins of Tsarevets, the stronghold where Bulgaria’s kings ruled between 1185 and 1393. The remains of the great stone walls and towers that you see formed the historic heart of the Second Bulgarian Empire. History lives in this town, as a quick look at the wares for sale in Samovod Marketplace will show you: Handicrafts are all made by local artisans using ancient, medieval or Renaissance technologies. You’ll have time to peruse the exceptional local pottery and textiles there before heading to Arbanassi, home to six amazing 17th-century stone churches, each one decorated with colorful and intricate frescoes. Learn something of the multicultural history of this fascinating town at the Ethnographic Museum and visit the UNESCO-designated Nativity Church, where murals of the Nativity, the Last Judgment and the zodiac brilliantly blend religious and humanist iconography. At another of the churches, Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, you’ll hear the otherworldly singing of an Orthodox choir in a short concert. Your day’s adventure includes a traditional three-course Bulgarian lunch, complete with live folk music.

Rousse walking tour with Ivanovo and Basarbovo Monasteries

Walk through the woods of Rusenski Lom, a protected region that is home to a wide variety of rare birds, among other wildlife, to Ivanovo Rock Monastery—once an enclave of more than 40 churches and chapels that the devout built inside caves above the Lom River Valley. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its beautiful and well-preserved 14th-century murals.

Your next destination, the Basarbovo Rock Monastery, is the only rock monastery where monks still live and worship today. Climb the narrow rock stairway to the 15th-century cloister, which is cut into the limestone cliffs high above the Lom River, and take a look at the arresting frescoes. You’ll also spend some time in Rousse, a city with an easygoing, gracious feeling. Freedom Square, a huge open plaza, takes its name from the Freedom Monument, which soars from the center of the square; the stately Belle Epoque buildings surrounding the square attest to the city’s prosperity in the 1890s. Stroll along wide, tree-lined Alexandrovska, the main pedestrian street that links the city’s many attractive squares, encountering such landmark sights as Rousse’s grand theater, the city museum and the first movie theater (it opened in 1896).

Belogradchik red rock valley

Drive through the scenic Bulgarian countryside to Belogradchik, a small town in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains, not far from the Serbian border. After some light refreshment at a local hotel, you’ll be ready to explore the astonishing rock formations nearby, which are over 200 million years old—and have inspired nearly as many legends! Many of the strange wind- and weather-hewn shapes have names, such as Adam and Eve, the Bear and the Castle. The outcroppings formed a natural defense for the town that was enhanced with man-made fortifications over the centuries. Whether you choose to hike with a local expert to the top of the path or not, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views. Your return will take you past some sights that highlight Vidin’s mixed heritage: the Orthodox cathedral, the Turkish mosque, the Konak (the 18th-century headquarters of the Turkish police) and the cruciform barracks (which date to the 1790s). The final stop will be Baba Vida, whose stern 10th-century stone walls were built on the site of a Roman watchtower.

Banitza home baking experience

Today, a local baker will welcome you into their home for a demonstration and workshop on how to make a traditional Bulgarian treat, banitza. Typically made with filo dough, yoghurt and cheese, banitza can always be found at Bulgarian celebrations. First, your hostess will show you how the bread is made, then you will try your own hand at preparing this delicious treat while her banitza is in the oven.

You’ll also learn how yoghurt, a Bulgarian staple, can be made at home. When the hostess’ banitza is ready, you’ll sample it alongside the homemade yoghurt. In the meantime, your own banitza will be baking and will be ready to take back to the ship with you when the tasting is finished.

Before returning to the ship, you’ll stop at a local kindergarten to join the afternoon’s lesson. Enjoy some light refreshments while chatting with the kids, lending a hand in their craft session and watching their English poetry and song performance.

Lepenski Vir archaeological park and Golubac Castle

Lepenski Vir is one of the largest and most significant prehistoric archeological sites from the Stone Age, located on the Danube. It was once the epicenter of one of the most highly developed prehistoric cultures, with complex social relations and even rudimentary urban planning. The discovery of this prehistoric settlement has changed the image experts once had about the early Stone Age, expanding scientists’ knowledge about human communities that walked the earth millennia ago.

Later, you’ll visit Golubac Castle, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe, a powerhouse that has loomed over the Danube for centuries.

Nights Out: Saint Sava Concert and Wine Tasting

This evening, enter the Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade, a stunning building with a domed design that is meant to evoke the Hagia Sophia and an interior generously tiled in golden mosaics. Explore the crypt and sit for a special choir performance. Hum along to the familiar tune of Schubert’s Ave Maria and discover a host of Serbian classics.

After the concert, you will also be treated to a tasting of wine and brandy produced in the region.

Belgrade city tour with visit to the Royal Grounds of Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace

As a motorcoach carries you through the city, you’ll see a mix of architectural styles that reveal the city’s past, ranging from Gothic, Ottoman, baroque and art nouveau to utilitarian Communist apartment blocks and modern high-rises. While Belgrade has been no stranger to political upheaval, the 19th-century Residence of Princess Ljubica and serene old residential streets speak of calmer days, as do the bustling present-day café-lined boulevards. You’ll pass the tomb and memorial museum of Josip Broz Tito, which is located at the site of Tito’s former residence in Belgrade’s affluent Dedinje neighborhood, and visit Kalemegdan Fortress, high on a hill above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.

Ancient Romans built the first fortress here, and successive conquerors and defenders—Slavs, Byzantines, Ottomans, Habsburgs—continued to build and destroy fortifications on this site for another 1,500 years. Walk along the old stone walls, passing monuments and memorials (some will surprise you—poets and composers are honored here as well as military actions), for a sense of Serbia’s distant and more recent history. It’s not the only intriguing historical sight you’ll see today, however. You will also visit the Karadjordjevic Dynasty Palace and sip a glass of sparkling Serbian wine as you tour a compound of palaces built in the 1920s and 1930s. Serbia’s royal family, which is related to most of Europe’s royalty, has a strictly honorary position in modern-day democratic Serbia, but Crown Prince Alexander (who did not feel that taking the title of king was appropriate when his father died in exile in the United States in 1972) and his family still live in these palaces. A local expert will show you the public rooms of the Royal Palace, the White Palace, the adjacent chapel and the spacious grounds.

"Let's Go" "I Bike Belgrade" tour

Mount a bike and spend a leisurely half-day getting an up-close look at Belgrade, complete with lively commentary from your guide, who will tell you not just about the tumultuous recent past but also what it’s like to live here. Ride past Branko’s Bridge, Staro Sajmište (a former concentration camp), the Palace of Serbia and Hotel Jugoslavija; after a refreshing stop at a traditional fisherman’s bar, you’ll be ready to pedal to Kalemegdan Fortress and see a bit of Serbia’s more distant past.

Rakija Distillery Visit

Get to know the national drink of Serbia this afternoon with a rakija tasting. A drink of great cultural significance to Serbia and its nearby neighbors, rakija is a clear or light fruit brandy with an alcohol content ranging from 40-65%. Any fruit can be made into rakija, but the most popular varieties in Serbia are plum and grape. After soaking in the Belgradian countryside at the Avala Tower, a popular place for local families to escape the city, head to a local distillery to sample high-quality rakija for yourself.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Vucedol Culture Museum and lunch at a family restaurant

From Batina you’ll head to Karanac, a lovely village where you'll learn about traditional Croatian craftsmanship.

Later, you’ll visit the Vucedol Museum. The basic idea behind the concept of this unique museum was integration into the terrain—the entire structure is designed to be mostly buried in the ground and only the façade is open to the landscape. Its shape, as serpentine, follows terrain, and on whose green roof you can reach the archaeological sites over the museum. Along the path, you’ll encounter the various Vučedol culture archaeological findings that have been discovered to date, which showcase the daily life and customs during a turbulent time of the immigration of the first Indo-Europeans and their relationship with the natives, the blending of material cultures and religions. Following your time at the museum, enjoy lunch at the local family restaurant.

Next, you're off to Vukovar, whose bullet-riddled water tower stands as a reminder of the bitter Croatian War of Independence, fought between 1991 and 1995, when Croatia sought to break away from Yugoslavia. Thousands died during the siege of Vukovar, which was heavily damaged. Here you will see lasting signs of the conflict, but you will also see a revitalized community, determined to rebuild.

Home-hosted lunch with Karanac Craft Museum visit

From Batina you’ll head to Osijek. On a walking tour here, you’ll learn something of Osijek’s long history—which dates back to Roman times—and stop by the Church of the Holy Cross, built by the Franciscans after the Ottomans left.

Next, you’ll move on to the idyllic, countryside town of Karanac, known as an “Ethno Village” for how authentically it preserves the region’s cultural heritage through its architecture, customs and cuisine. Karanac is located in the heart of the Baranja region, over 12 miles from the nearest city, Osijek. In 2016, it was awarded as the best rural destination in Croatia. In addition to visiting a museum to learn about local traditions of craftsmanship, we’ll join a local family for lunch today. They’ll invite you to see their home and garden before its time to re-board our bus and meet the ship in Vukovar.

Budapest Communist Tour

Following World War II, Hungary spent 40 years as the Soviet-backed Hungarian People’s Republic, a fascist regime that was massively unpopular for its oppressive politics, brutal secret police force (the ÁVH) and declining economic conditions. An uprising in 1956 failed to eradicate the Soviet-backed government, but did eventually result in more liberal policies. The Hungarian People’s Republic finally ended with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989.

Step into the past for a tour of this fraught history, beginning at the House of Terror. Housed in the former headquarters of the dreaded ÁVH secret police, this museum focuses on the atrocities of Soviet-era Hungary in a permanent exhibition called Double Occupation. You’ll learn about the events leading up to the 1956 uprising and develop a deep understanding of the country’s complex political background.

Back on the coach, you’ll see Heroes’ Square, designed in 1896 to commemorate the millennium anniversary of the ancestral conquest of the Carpathian Basin, which would later become modern-day Hungary. Your last stop of the tour will be Gellért Hill for spectacular views over Budapest, where you’ll see Hungary’s own Statue of Liberty. Originally erected as a monument to the Soviet “liberation” of Hungary from Nazi occupation, the statue’s inscription was later altered to celebrate Hungarian independence, freedom and prosperity without mention of Soviet intervention.

Budapest panoramic highlights with synagogue visit

Start your tour with a drive down the picture-worthy Andrássy Avenue. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a masterpiece of Neo-Renaissance architecture and city planning. In addition to the many beautiful museums, palaces, and other public buildings lining its sidewalks, this street is also among the most popular in Budapest for shopping and dining. Marvel at such sites as Heroes’ Square, Franz Liszt Memorial House, House of Terror, the Széchenyi Baths, City Park and, of course, the Castle District.

Your coach will head into Budapest’s former Jewish quarter. Despite being one of the smallest districts in Budapest, it is still one of the liveliest, with a dense population and a plethora of bars, coffee shops and street food stands. You’ll see the area’s unique streets and hidden courtyards before exiting the coach at Dohány Street Synagogue.

Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as Central Synagogue or the Great Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe and the second-largest in the world. It’s gilded onion domes and red-striped facade make it one of the most interesting buildings in Budapest. The interior is even more ornate, with intricately designed ceilings and a combined floor and gallery space that can accommodate thousands of worshippers.

Unicum Distillery Visit

It was 1790 when Doctor Zwack, Royal Physician to the Imperial Court, offered the Habsburg monarch a sip of Unicum as a cure for his indigestion. Upon tasting, the monarch exclaimed, "Dr. Zwack, das ist ein Unikum!" Translation: "Dr. Zwack, this is unique!"—thus earning this herbal tincture its name. The beverage, which contains over 40 herbs, spread across the royal court in Vienna, growing more and more popular by the day. Learn more about Doctor Zwack and the Unicum brand and take a sip of history on this exclusive distillery tour. This experience is truly one of a kind and sure to delight the mind as well as the palate.

Budapest panoramic highlights with St. Stephen's Cathedral

Drive along one of the prettiest streets in Budapest, Andrassy Ave, on your way to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Andrassy Ave is a broad promenade of breathtaking neo-Renaissance architecture and home to many of Budapest’s must-see sites. You’ll pass by Heroes’ Square, the Franz Liszt Memorial House, the House of Terror, the Szechenyi Baths, City Park and, of course, the Castle District.

You will get off the coach near St. Stephen's Cathedral to visit this beautiful Catholic church. St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in Budapest, is dedicated to St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary. Its towers and domes feature prominently in the Pest skyline. The interior of the cathedral is a masterpiece of dramatic arches, marble and liberally applied gilding. Inside you’ll find one of Hungary’s most sacred artifacts, the Szent Jobb—meaning “Holy Right Hand—is the mummified right hand of St. Stephen.

Budapest walk with local treats

Today your guide will show you how to snack around Budapest like a local, starting with a tram ride to the House of Parliament. Hop off the tram and take a short walk to your first treat: a coffee break at the First Strudel House of Pest. Energized by your cup of coffee, you’ll continue your walk down to St. Stephen’s Basilica—a handsome Neo-Classical building that is one of Budapest’s most significant cultural sites.

From there, we’ll head to the Great Market Hall to sample some traditional Hungarian fare, such as salami, sausages and cheese, while your local expert explains the intricacies of Hungarian cuisine.

Jewish Budapest

On your way into the Jewish Quarter, take a panoramic drive along the UNESCO-designated Andrassy Avenue. Among its beautiful neo-Renaissance architecture are such sites as Heroes’ Square, the Franz Liszt Memorial House, the House of Terror, and the Castle District.

You will get off the coach near the Dohány Synagogue. The Great Synagogue of Budapest (also known as the Central Synagogue) on Dohány Street is a good starting point to learn about Jewish Budapest. The Dohány Synagogue is the largest in Europe and the 2nd largest Synagogue in the world.

Our Jewish Heritage Program allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and more.

"Morning with the Masters" at the Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere is a Baroque palatial complex commissioned during an immensely productive Habsburg building spree. Originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa after his death and turned into an exhibition venue for imperial art collections. In this way, The Belvedere become one of the first public museums in the world.

Today it is one of the finest art collections anywhere, making it an incredibly popular destination for Vienna tourism. Skip the crowds entirely this morning on your early private tour through the Upper Belvedere exhibits with Uniworld. You’ll appreciate the space and time to take in the palace’s expansive collection, including the world’s largest collection of works by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. His most famous work, “The Kiss” is on display here.

Vienna's historic trails and local treats

In many ways a must-visit destination for both the art lover and the gourmand, Vienna is full of artistic and culinary treasures. Today’s walking tour is all about immersing ourselves in that side of this beautiful city.

Our menu for the day includes a stop for coffee and strudel at a local coffee house—a hallmark of Viennese culture—and a glass of Viennese wine from one of the city’s oldest cellars. These treats will fuel our walks to see the Sisi Monument, a life-sized mosaic replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the Habsburg Palace and the extravagant St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Jewish Vienna

Explore the “City of Waltzes” from a Jewish heritage perspective on today’s outing. Beginning at the Judenplatz, you’ll learn about the community’s history and follow in the footsteps of some of the most internationally well-known figures. Your guide will take you by the Shoah Monument and Jewish museum, then stop at the Stadttempel, Vienna’s main temple and the only synagogue to have survived the “Night of Broken Glass”—a pogrom against Jews throughout Nazi Germany, Austria and other areas in the region. This temple dates back to 1826 and is the only synagogue in Vienna built in the simple, yet elegant, “Biedermeier Style.”

Note: The synagogue will not be available for visits on Jewish holidays; if unavailable, we will visit the Vienna Jewish Museum instead.

Our Jewish Heritage Program allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and more.

Private Mozart and Strauss Concert

Vienna is linked inextricably with music. The list of great composers who lived and worked here is as long as it is glorious. Enjoy an evening of compositions by some of the most famous names on this list, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss. In one of Vienna’s historic halls, world-class professionals of modern-day Vienna, including singers, will enchant you with their music.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Schönbrunn with Strudel Show

Embrace the imperial flair of Vienna with a visit to the famous Schönbrunn Palace complex. Arrive to marvel at the massive Baroque building with it's iconic yellow exteriors and head straight to the East Wing, where you'll find Cafe Residenz. Housed in the former kitchens for the palace guard, this elegant Viennese coffee shop and restaurant prepares the same traditional strudel recipe once used by the imperial palace bakers. Today, their pastry chef will demonstrate the laborious process of preparing this pastry. To get a perfectly smooth, elastic dough, a particularly rigorous kneading method is required. The dough is then rolled paper thin and topped with apple fling, and the entire pastry is then rolled up to create the characteristic spiral pattern that appears when sliced after baking. You'll leave this demonstration with your own copy of the original recipe. After the Strudel show, enjoy a guided visit of the palace. Stroll hallways elaborately decorated with golden stucco, rich velvet and stunning frescoes. This palace complex was the primary summer residence of the Habsburgs and features many testaments to their history and extravagance.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Treasures of the Wachau Valley

Drive from Emmersdorf to the attractive town of Spitz, and take note of the vine-covered hill rising above the town on your way in. A famous local landmark, this hill is the source of much of the town’s grapes. Wine is one of Spitz’s most important local products, alongside apricots. You’ll taste both of these today, starting with a variety of apricot treats upon your arrival.

Visit the shipping and maritime museum in town before meeting Spitz’s former count, Ferdinand Kufstein, who will take you on a walk through the charming village he calls home. Learn about his family history and get a local’s perspective on life in Spitz and the Wachau Valley.

After the walk, return to Emmersdorf, where a local wine expert will be waiting to guide you through a wine tasting onboard.

“Let's Go” scenic Bavarian river biking

Set off on an invigorating bike ride from Engelhartszell to Passau, led by an experienced professional bike guide. Wind your way through the lovely countryside, along the Danube’s right side, into the picturesque Danube Valley. These particular landscapes are some of the most beautiful in all of Europe—characterized by expansive vineyards, tree-lined slopes, and castle-dotted hillsides—and seamlessly blend the region’s cultural, historical and natural components together. Pedal onwards toward Passau, past more charming villages, meadows and orchards, rounding out your trip in Passau’s Old Town.

Passau "Village Day"

You’ll have the opportunity to choose one of four different ways to immerse yourself in this wonderful city today, learning about local people, trades and pastimes. Your first option, a visit to a berry farm on a mission to provide good work for people with disabilities. There, you’ll be taken on a tour of the farm and enjoy a tasting of its products, such as jams and vinegars.

With another option, you’ll meet a family from Passau as you’re invited into their home. Your host may welcome you with food, drinks and or stories about their life in the city.

At still another, we’ll mingle with people at work around town, including an artist, a pub owner and others.

And finally, you may opt to set out on a hike popular with locals. Take in Passau’s best scenery as you stop at a castle—the Veste Oberhaus—and the Triftsperre nature reserve, then walk along the Ilz river delta.

Bavarian Farm Visit

Meet a modern-day farm family in a region where tradition lives on. This is a fun--and delicious!--excursion that gives you a taste of daily life on a farm in today's Germany. A scenic road winding through the Bavarian Forest, Germany's first national park, leads to the tiny village of Anschiessing, where Christa and Josef Artman (and their children) welcome you to their farm. Cows in the stable, chickens pecking in the yard and a traditional wood-fired outdoor oven all speak to a traditional lifestyle, but these days a small family farm won't support a family, so the Artmans have branched out. They created a farm stand to sell their eggs and produce; then Christa decided to put her love of baking to good use: she has a bakery truck where she makes and delivers krapfen--fritters--to customers hungry for the hot, sugar-sprinkled treats. Want to try making them yourself? You'll get the chance. See how to light the wood-burning oven (and taste the bread baked in it), sample yogurt and farmers cheese made on the premises, ramble through the picturesque village. The scenery is lovely and the insight into the daily routine of the region is enlightening.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Regensburg walk with Thurn and Taxis castle visit

Begin this three-hour excursion with a visit to the city center of Regensburg’s Old Town, which has much to offer including the Porta Praetoria Roman ruins, the Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, medieval patrician towers and the former Jewish Quarter among many other sights. Next, take a short walk to the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis. The family estate is difficult to miss: at over 1,000 years old, the mansion boasts over 500 rooms complete with chandeliers, gold leafing, incredible art and architectural touches to make it truly a sight to behold. The palace has an incredible history and stands as a tale of revival, endurance and baroque style.  What’s even more spectacular? The palace has a long list of celebrities who have stayed within its walls: Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Steve Martin, Plácido Domingo and more. These walls may not be able to talk, but if they could they would surely say, “Come see us for yourself!”

“From Hops Field to Beer Stein” farm visit

Hops vines grow up their strings in a field tower almost twice a person’s height. They’re grown for their flowers, which add a distinctive flavor to beer—but the fields they grow in add a distinctive flavor to the hops. You could call it terroir for beer, and you can delve into hops cultivation and hops brewing today. Travel through Bavaria’s Holledau region, the largest hops growing district in the world, and meet an enthusiastic ambassador of hops growing and beer making. She will give you a quick and lively history of hops in Germany—including Bavaria’s law governing the making of beer, which has specified since 1560 that the only ingredients permitted in beer are water, barley and hops—and lead you on a tour through the growing fields her family owns, followed by a craft beer tasting in the cozy barn turned beer hall. It’s a delicious way to get to know a fascinating aspect of the international farm-to-table movement.

Jewish Regensburg

Join your local guide for a walking tour through the delightfully medieval town of Regensburg. Stroll over the Iron Bridge and on to the magnificent Stone Bridge, and pass by the architectural Gothic masterpiece of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Regensburg is the oldest documented settlement of Jewish people in Germany and your walk through the former Jewish Quarter (Neupfarrplatz) will introduce you to their enduring legacy here. See the Dani Karavan Monument memorializing the original Regensburg Synagogue and visit Oskar Schindler’s house.

Make your way to the New Synagogue for a presentation about Jewish culture and history in Regensburg. Here, you’ll meet some of Regensburg’s Jewish citizens and walk with them to the nearby Café Fürstenhof for a chat over coffee and cake.

Our Jewish Heritage Program allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and more.

Weltenburg Abbey Beer

You’ll find that some of the finest brews and Europe are produced by the humble monks and nuns of the continent’s many abbeys. Visit the Weltenburg Abbey today to learn about monastic brewing at the oldest such establishment in the world. Founded in the year 600, the abbey sits at the mouth of the Danube Gorge, making for a charming locale in which to enjoy a history lesson and a beer.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.

Nights Out: Faber-Castell Visit

Faber-Castell, established in 1761, is the world’s leading manufacturer of wood-cased pencils with a varied range of products for writing, drawing and creative design. The Faber-Castell headquarters make for a unique and fascinating expedition, with a collection of factory buildings, mansions and parklands spread out across the expansive property. Our guests will be hosted for a private evening experience, after the headquarters have closed to the public.

Please note: this excursion is only available on the Budapest to Prague and cruise-only Budapest to Nuremberg routes.

Prague Old Town and Charles Bridge walking tour

Get an overview of the city with a panoramic tour that carries you past such sights as the State Opera House, the National Museum and Wenceslas Square on your way to massive Prague Castle. Step inside the castle's protective walls and enter a self-contained city, with courtyards, palaces, towers, churches and gardens designed for kings and emperors, along with housing and workplaces for all those who tended the rulers. Among the highlights are the lofty St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to finish, and Vladislav Hall, whose complex stone-vaulting system was one of the most advanced engineering feats of the late Middle Ages. After strolling through Golden Lane, a street of quaint cottages where Prague's 17th-century goldsmiths lived (alas, there's no truth to the legend that it was named for the royal alchemists), you may reboard the motorcoach for a ride back to the hotel or continue our guided walk through the picturesque Lesser Quarter, the district around the castle, to Charles Bridge. Cross the landmark bridge named for Charles IV, who ordered its construction in 1357; it's strictly for pedestrians now, so you can pause and look down at the Vltava below you and examine some of the statues that line the bridge, before you head to Old Town Square. This was the original market square; the buildings that surround it form a case study in Prague's architectural history. You'll find Prague's most famous Gothic church, Our Lady Before Týn, there, along with the 14th-century Old Town Hall (which boasts a famous medieval astronomical clock), the beautiful baroque St. Nicholas, the rococo Kinsky Palace and a group of Renaissance houses.

Hradčany Castle visit

Get an overview of the city with a panoramic tour that carries you along the banks of the Vltava River past such sites as the Prague Castle, Queen Anne’s Summer Palace and the St. Agnes Convent.

Step off the coach to see the lofty St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to finish, and Vladislav Hall, whose complex stone-vaulting system was one of the most advanced engineering feats of the late Middle Ages. Then take a stroll through Golden Lane, a street of quaint cottages where Prague's 17th century goldsmiths lived (alas, there's no truth to the legend that it was named for the royal alchemists).

Here you may reboard the motorcoach for a ride back to the hotel or head out for some free time in the Old Town Square. This was the original market square; the buildings that surround it form a case study in Prague's architectural history. You'll find Prague's most famous Gothic church, Our Lady Before Týn, there, along with the 14th century Old Town Hall (which boasts a famous medieval astronomical clock), the beautiful baroque St. Nicholas, the rococo Kinský Palace and a group of Renaissance houses.

Prague's Old Jewish Quarter

Situated amid Prague’s Old Town is the best-preserved complex of historical Jewish monuments in all of Europe. The site of the former Jewish ghetto, the Jewish Quarter is home to the Jewish Museum in Prague, comprised of six synagogues, as well as the Jewish Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery. This area escaped destruction during the Holocaust by becoming the planned site of a Nazi museum, and consequently also housed stolen Jewish artifacts from all over Europe. Visit this district with your guide to see some of the oldest preserved Jewish monuments on the continent and learn about the community’s turbulent past.

Our Jewish Heritage Program allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues and more.

Terezin & Concentration Camp

In 1940, the Nazis turned a former garrison into a ghetto, cramming more than 140,000 Jews into it, where many died of disease or starvation. More, however, were transported to and perished in Auschwitz-Birkenau or other concentration camps. Theresienstadt is particularly well known for the 6,000 drawings made by interned children that were found after the war. You'll see the Jewish cemetery, ghetto and crematorium in the Large Fortress, along with the Ghetto Museum and, elsewhere, the central morgue, columbarium and the Small Fortress; just outside its walls is a cemetery where thousands of political prisoners are buried.

*Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be added to a booking up to 6 days prior to the cruise/tour start date if space allows. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 48 hours they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change.