New Life Ministries

New Life Ministries
Blue Danube Discovery River Cruise

May 1-8, 2024

Itinerary


Itinerary Map

Optional Pre-Cruise Tour — Budapest

April 29 - May 1, 2024

Day 1, Monday, April 29, 2024

Arrive Budapest

You will be met on arrival at Budapest International Airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace

Day 2, Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Gödölló Royal Castle and Lázár Equestrian Parko

Following breakfast, we depart the hotel for the Gödölló Royal castle. The palace is one of the most important, largest monuments of Hungarian palace architecture. The palace has a double U shape, and is surrounded by an enormous park. The building underwent several enlargements and modifications during the 18th century. From here we travel to the Lázár Equestrian Park — owned by the coach driving world champions, Vilmos and Zoltán Lázár nestles among the picturesque lakes of the Gödöllo Hills. We will have a fabulous Hungarian lunch followed by their famous equestrian show featuring the famous Lipizzaner stallions and the display of horsemanship by the riders. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
OVERNIGHT: Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace

Day 3, Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Budapest / Embarkation

This morning is the Buda Castle tour. Check out of the hotel midday.
Lunch on your own.
This afternoon you will be transferred to the AmaSonata to begin our Danube 7-night cruise program. (B,D)

Blue Danube Discovery River Cruise

May 1-8, 2024

Day 1, Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Arrive Budapest / Embarkation

Arrive in Budapest to board your luxurious river cruise ship, the AmaSonata. (D)

Day 2, Thursday, May 2, 2024

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. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city. (B,L,D)

Day 3, Friday, May 3, 2024

Vienna, Austria

The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral. For a more active exploration of the area, take a guided bike ride. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring this iconic city even more. (B,L,D)

Day 4, Saturday, May 4, 2024

Dürnstein / Melk

After reaching the Wachau Valley in the morning, you’ll have a choice of three excursions in Dürnstein. Partake in a walking tour along cobblestone streets to the luminous blue façade of the Baroque Stiftskirche, with its famed church tower, Visit a local boutique, where you’ll be treated to the region’s finest apricot products. Alternatively, for a beautiful view of the Wachau Valley, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held. After your morning excursions, you have the choice to cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk or join a bike tour along the Danube. Upon reaching Melk, take a tour of the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. (B,L,D)

Day 5, Sunday, May 5, 2024

Linz, Austria / Passau, Germany

For those who love The Sound of Music, disembark in Linz and set off on a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael, where the famous wedding scene in the movie was filmed. Those who remain on board will enjoy a scenic morning sailing to the medieval city of Passau. Join a walking tour through this 2,000-year-old city, noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Guests looking for a more active morning can choose between a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress overlooking Passau or a guided bike tour along the Inn River. (B,L,D)
*Passau tours not available with full-day Salzburg

Day 6, Monday, May 6, 2024

Regensburg, Germany

Explore Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walking tour showcasing the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 A.D. As an alternate option, sample some of Bavaria’s specialties—beer, sausage and pretzels; or bike to Walhalla where you’ll see the neoclassical white marble temple inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Nuremberg, Germany

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise as the ship crosses the Continental Divide via the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. Explore the medieval city center with a tour that showcases the Imperial Castle and the famous town wall, as well as Albrecht Dürer’s home and Market Square with its legendary fountain. Or you can take a guided tour of the city’s WWII history, including a visit to the infamous Zeppelin Field, a museum built on the site of former Nazi rallies and the site of the Nuremberg Trials when not in session. Alternatively, savor traditional Franconian specialties by sampling famously delicious Nuremburger Bratwurst, Rot bier (red beer) and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). (B,L,D)

Day 8, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Nuremberg, Germany / Disembarkation

After breakfast, Bid farewell to Nuremberg and prepare for your flight home or onward travel. (B)

Optional Post-Cruise Tour — Prague, Czech Republic

May 8-11, 2024

Day 1, Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Disembarkation / Prague

Disembark the AmaSonata and depart for Prague. Stop in Pilsen — known for the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, specializing in bottom-fermented beer since 1842, with brewing cellars and a bottling plant. Ringed by parks, the old center has the 19th-century Great Synagogue, which also hosts concerts. The Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, completed in the 16th century, has Renaissance paintings and a tall spire with a viewing gallery. Following lunch, enjoy a walking tour and free time to explore the city’s historic district. Continue on to Prague, taking in the scenic beauty of the countryside before arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
OVERNIGHT: Andaz Prague Hotel


Day 2, Thursday, May 9, 2024

Prague

Your morning’s sightseeing tour reveals why Prague is considered one of Europe’s most attractive cities, with a historic city center that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see Rudolfinum, the National Museum, Wenceslas Square and the Hundertwasser Dancing House. After your morning walking tour to Old Town square, enjoy a short ride from Old Town to Prague Castle. Visit the Strahov Library — one of the most valuable and best-preserved historical libraries consisting of approximately 200,000 volumes. Following your visit to the Strahov Library, enjoy some local treats and a beer tasting. Either take the coach or walk over the romantic Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square, where you will find the capital’s famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and the statue of Jan Husek. The rest of the day is at your leisure. This visit the Jewish Quarter & Old Town on your own, or perhaps you may just want to enjoy yourself in one of the city’s many charming cafés. Lunch and dinner on your own.
OVERNIGHT: Andaz Prague Hotel

Day 3, Friday, May 10, 2024

Prague

Spend a day at your leisure, perhaps to stroll through a museum or gallery, wander along the banks of the Vltava River, relax at an outdoor café, or shop for local handicrafts. Alternatively, we have several optional sightseeing excursions available include either a visit to the Terezin Memorial (a former concentration camp), or a Prague Castle tour. Tonight our group enjoys a vintage tram ride to our private dinner at one of Prague’s elegant riverside restaurants. (B,D)
OVERNIGHT: Andaz Prague Hotel

Day 4, Saturday, May 11, 2024

Depart Prague

Bid farewell to Prague. You will be transferred to Prague Airport for your homeward flight. (B)

PLEASE NOTE:

A reasonable degree of mobility is required for all passengers on this program.
Most of the guided tours provided on your cruise are walking tours. Many historic villages in Europe are located on hilltops, where it is necessary to walk up and down hilly, cobblestone streets that may have narrow passageways. Ships docked in port are often rafted side-by-side to another river ship. Passengers are then required to ascend and descend flights of 12 or more stairs to walk up to observation deck, down to gang planks to enter or exit the rafted ships. To participate in tours and get on and off the ship, travelers must be able to walk unaccompanied.

Disabilities and Wheelchairs
Persons with a walking disability or an injury, or who require a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility device, must have another dedicated person traveling with them to assist/push etc. The ship's crew and other cruise guests are not available to assist persons with limited mobility. On customized pre or post cruise land programs, the Expanding Horizons tour manager is authorized to remove, or ask to leave from the tour, any traveler incapable of, unwilling to, or impeding the overall movement and progress of the tour group.