LEARN more. EXPLORE more. DREAM more.
Enrich your vacation with Vantage's collection of deluxe optional tours, designed
exclusively for our guests. You’ll discover a world beyond the landmarks and gain
immeasurable insight into the culture and people of your destination. So join us
… and make the most of your journey!
Approximate Cost:
$95 USD per person
Weltenburg Monastery Tour
Regensburg, Germany
Half-day tour, including lunch
Approximate Time:
3 hours
Take a motorcoach ride from Regensburg to the town of Kelheim, where the main Danube Canal meets the Danube. The Benedictine Abbey of Weltenburg is situated on a peninsula in the Danube, in the area known as Weltenburg Narrows or the Danube Gorge. The monastery, founded by Irish or Scottish monks in about 620, is considered the oldest monastery in Bavaria. The monastery courtyard is surrounded by Bavarian baroque buildings, the highlight of which is the abbey church, dedicated to Saint George, which was built between 1716 and 1739. The abbey was dissolved in 1803. You will visit the interior of the church, which was designed by two architect brothers, Cosmas Damian Asam and Aegid Quirin Asam. The interior features an intricately carved high altar and some fascinating works of art. After your guided tour, you will have free time on your own, then enjoy a short boat excursion through the gorge.
Approximate Cost:
$89 USD per person
Gödöllö: Sissy Castle and Hungarian Horsemen show
Budapest, Hungary
Half Day Tour
Approximate Time:
4.5 hours
Should you like the story of Queen Elisabeth, the Sissi Palace in Gödöllö is a must-see in Hungary. Sissy has spent here more time than in Schönbrunn, and, this is one of the largest baroque castles in the world. Only the main wing of the palace is totally reconstructed During your 1-hour guided visit you can see 26 rooms the way Sissy and Emperor Franz Josef used them. After this classical visit we proceed our tour to a very scenic area, near Gödöllö, with a typical Hungarian countryside experience. Forget the busy city for some hours and enjoy the romantic feeling of the Great Hungarian Plain. You will visit the Equestrian Park of the Lázár brothers, who have won several world championships in two in a hand and four in a hand carriage riding. Hungarian horsemen will welcome and accompany you to the inn’s yard where you will enjoy the famous Hungarian “pálinka” (brandy) before going to the show. The horse show includes: four-hand driving, pony carriage driving, rangemen’s stunts, ox-drawn wagon, humorous show with a trained donkey, Hungarian Post with five horses, and fun competition with guests. After the show, a carriage ride awaits you to take you around so you can enjoy the view of the surrounding great territory. You should not miss this unforgettable day in the Puszta!
Approximate Cost:
$79 USD per person
Edam, Volendam, and Marken Tour
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Half-day tour
Approximate Time:
4 hours
This tour offers a taste of everything quintessentially Dutch — from
canals, old farmhouses, and windmills to cheese and wooden clogs, idyllic rural settings, and typical Dutch villages. Your tour begins
with a bus ride to the picturesque town of Edam, famous for the cheese
named after it. You'll take a guided stroll along the flat, narrow
main street to the bell tower and enjoy browsing for souvenirs. Your
tour continues to Volendam, where you’ll visit a farm for a professional
demonstration on the production of cheese and learn how wooden shoes are fashioned. After this experience, you'll
embark a ferry and ride to the authentic Dutch village of Marken, known
for its characteristic wooden houses.
Approximate Cost:
$79 USD per person
Nelahozeves Castle Tour
(extension only)
Prague, Czech Republic
Half-day tour
Approximate Time:
4 hours
Today you will set out to the village of Nelahozeves where the beautiful Renaissance palace Nelahozeves castle is located. The village of Nelahozeves is best known as the birthplace of the world-famous composer Antonín Dvorák. The castle was originally built in 1553 by Florián Griespek of Griespach who purchased the landed estate with its village and fortress. The castle was then sold to the Lobkowicz family in 1623 and has been in their possession ever since. The exterior Renaissance facades are almost completely preserved, as are some of the interiors. The contents of the castle are rich and of the highest quality. Most of them come from the castle of Roudnice, the main residence of this influential family, whose last owner is Martin Lobkowicz. This castle is a perfect representation of how very rich nobility lived in former times. It has been lovingly restored by the Lobkowicz family and their treasures are on display here. The grounds occupy a wonderful, tranquil setting, the perfect antidote to the sometimes hectic pace of life in Prague. After your guided visit of the exhibition and the premises, you will enjoy a winetasting which will feature three samples with a brief history and description of the wines.
Approximate Cost:
$95 USD per person
Red Stone Castle Tour with Wine Tasting
Bratislava, Slovakia
Afternoon Tour
Approximate Time:
3.5 hours
You’ll travel by motorcoach through the colorful scenery of the Little Carpathian vineyards to the Red Stone Castle, home to the biggest wine cellar in Europe. Inside the castle, you’ll see historic furniture as well as a unique collection of arms. After the castle tour, you’ll visit the wine cellar in the wine-making village of St. George, where you'll enjoy a tasting of local vintages with commentary and video about wine production in the Little Carpathian region. As the tour comes to an end, you’ll enjoy another scenic ride as you make your way back to the ship in Bratislava.
Approximate Cost:
$89 USD per person
Heurigen Evening
Evening Tour, including dinner
Approximate Time:
3 hours
The congenial atmosphere of cozy, family-style traditional wine
taverns, known as Heurigens, is perfectly complemented by hearty food,
lively music — and locally produced vintages, of course. Many have
accordion bands playing traditional Viennese songs. Although wine
taverns have existed for many centuries, Emperor Joseph II gave them
official status in 1784 when he decreed that wine growers within 10
kilometers of Vienna could sell their own wines. Heurigens
traditionally have rustic decor, and many have open courtyards with
outdoor seating. You’ll visit one of the oldest and most famous
Heurigens, the “Wolff ” in Neustift, which opened in 1609. The
restaurant is surrounded by vineyards, so in keeping with the theme of
this evening’s tour, you’ll also learn about local wine-growing
traditions and sample some local vintages while you’re here. This tour
includes motorcoach transfer between the ship and the restaurant.
Approximate Cost:
$55 USD per person
Belvedere Palace
Vienna, Austria
Half-Day Tour
Approximate Time:
4 hours
The
Belvedere is a stunningly beautiful baroque castle on the edge of
Vienna's city center. It was once the summer residence of Prince Eugene
of Savoy (1663-1736). The palace and their extensivegardens are
considered to be one of the world’s finest Baroque landmarks. Momentous
events have taken place in the Upper Belvedere’s Marble Hall, and from
here there is a spectacular view of Vienna. The Belvedere houses the
impressive collection of Austrian art dating back from the middle Ages
to the present day. At the heart of the displays is the world’s largest
Gustav Klimt collection. Klimt was one of the founders of the Secession
movement in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. Besides Klimt and
Oskar Kokoschka, Egon Schiele is one if the leading visual artists of
the Viennese modern movement. During your guided visit, you will be able
to admire the work of all three artists.
Approximate Cost:
$49 USD per person
Augustusburg Palace Excursion
Brühl, Germany
Half-day tour
Approximate Time:
3 hours
Pay a visit to the Augustusburg Palace, the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne. Along with Falkenlust, Augustusburg’s hunting lodge, the palace rank among the most impressive of the residences built by the princes who once ruled in Germany's many regions. Set in an idyllic garden landscape, the two buildings display some of the earliest examples of rococo architecture in 18th-century Germany, and have been listed as a UNESCO cultural World Heritage Site since 1984.
The baroque palaces were built at the beginning of the 18th century by the archbishop of Cologne, Clemens August of Bavaria, who employed an international calvacade of the era's architectural stars. The construction of Augustusburg began in 1725 under the supervision of the architect Johann Conrad Schlaun, and in 1728, Belgian-born architect François de Cuvilliés was commissioned to work alongside Schlaun. The palace’s imposing staircase was designed by Johann Balthasar Neumann, while the gardens are the work of Frenchman Dominique Girard.
You’ll have one hour to explore these impressive grounds, then enjoy an hour of free time in Brühl before returning to your tour in Cologne.
Approximate Cost:
$139 USD per person
Medieval Bruges
Bruges, Belgium
Half-day tour, including lunch money
Approximate Time:
6 hours
Visit the Venice of the North! Bruges is one of Belgium’s crown jewels, a splendid city that has somehow managed to preserve the atmosphere and the look of medieval times unlike any other city in Europe. The historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will enchant you. You will discover another aspect of the city during what will undoubtedly be the highlight of your tour, a canal cruise boat ride. While sitting back in a small boat, you can enjoy the serene waterways of this romantic historic city. You will then experience the city itself as your guide walks you through the narrow, twisting, cobbled streets — past picturesque views of ancient buildings, tree-lined canals, and gabled facades. Stroll through the bustling marketplace; see the Belfry Tower, the Town Hall, and the Chapel of the Holy Blood. Step back in time to the 14th century as you spend a full day enjoying this enchanting experience. Lunch money will be provided for lunch on your own.
Approximate Cost:
$109 USD per person
Holloko: A Step Back in Time
Budapest, Hungary
Full-day tour, including home-hosted lunch
Approximate Time:
8+ hours (including drive time)
A scenic journey back in time, into the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, takes you to the medieval UNESCO World heritage village of Holloko. Here life follows the same patterns it did centuries ago — the houses are built in a medieval style with whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs, and the locals still honor age-hold customs and dress in traditional embroidered clothing on special occasions — such as your arrival! You'll be greeted with singing, dancing, and a snack of Hungarian cheesecake. Then in small groups, we'll be invited into a home for lunch — a truly wonderful way to meet people of Hungary. Afterwards, you'll take a walking tour of the village's cobbled streets.
Approximate Cost:
$69 USD per person
Hungarian Folklore Evening
Budapest, Hungary
Evening tour
Approximate Time:
4 hours
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble — regarded as one of the best in
Hungary — was established in 1951. Its aims were to collect and play
authentic folk music, and to preserve the folk dances and traditional
costumes of Hungarian-inhabited areas by putting them on stage for the
public. During the more than five decades of its existence, the
Ensemble has achieved its aims by revitalizing the culture of the
Hungarian people. The Ensemble has performed in 44 countries across
four continents, and won the praise of more than 7.5 million audience
members. Consisting of 30 dancers, 14 members of the Gypsy Orchestra,
and five members of the Folk Orchestra, the Ensemble will perform
authentically choreographed dances accompanied by folk music that
inspired Liszt, Brahms, Bartók, and Kodály. You’ll be thoroughly
entertained by their rich repertoire that captures the true spirit of
Hungary.
Please Note: All prices are per person and subject to change.
All optional tours are offered by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Descriptions and
scheduling are subject to change. Minimum tour participation is required to operate
optional tours. Optional tours cancelled by passengers within 48 hours of the excursion
are non-refundable.
