PACING: You’ll visit 11 ports of call in 16 days, spending 14 nights aboard a Vantage Deluxe River Cruise Ship. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the wonders of the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, with their castle-crowned vistas, medieval townships, and grand capital cities of Vienna and Budapest. This itinerary features overnight and full-day stays in many ports, with the ship departing late in the evening.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: This is a very active itinerary with many included walking tours. The Rhine and Danube valleys are steep and many of the places you’ll visit rise up along the river banks. Therefore, you can expect short uphill walks from the ship as you set out to visit town centers. Much of the walking on tours is over uneven terrain, cobblestone walkways, and flagstone paths. Motorcoaches are used whenever possible to bring you as close to the pedestrian centers as the historic preservation of these older towns and cities allow. Castle visits often require climbing flights of stairs. Panoramic city tours use air-conditioned private motorcoaches. Please note: Vantage river cruise ships are not wheelchair accessible and there are steps on board.

CULTURAL FOCUS: River cruising is the perfect way to take in the legendary scenery of the Rhine and Danube, which has been lauded in music and writing throughout the ages. The fairytale nature of the region is enchanting, while the historic importance of the rivers to the heritages of Germany, Austria, and Hungary is evident as well. Vantage’s exclusive “Cultural Connections” activities, which include lectures, demonstrations, concerts, wine tastings, and a few meals ashore in local restaurants, provide you with opportunities to truly experience the cultures and traditions of the places you visit.