Mind’s Eye Travel
Enriching the lives of people who are visually impaired or blind
Viking 'Danube Waltz'
Eight Days aboard Longship Viking Embla
Six Guided Tours and Four Countries
August 31 - September 7, 2025
Introduction
Soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school. Savor Austro- Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Admire the Wachau Valley’s beauty—and fine wines. Explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau. Observe monastic life on an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while wending leisurely through a spectacular landscape in the care of the wonderful sighted guides of Mind’s Eye Travel and the courteous, professional crew of a Viking Longship.
Price per person double occupancy starting at $4,990
For a limited time, only a $525 deposit per person is required to hold space; the balance will be due July 31, 2024, after which fees will no longer be refundable.
Airfare starting at $999
Please Call 207-542-4438 to check availability for this trip.
Itinerary
DAY 1, August 31
Budapest, Hungary
We board our ship and settle into our staterooms. Riverside beauty and a vibrant cultural scene make Budapest one of Europe’s most rewarding cities. Hungary’s enchanting capital straddles the Danube, with traditional hillside Buda on one side and modern Pest on the other. By day, stunning art nouveau buildings, stalwart castles and grand palaces set the stage for inspiring strolls and long soaks in thermal spas. By night, the lights of the Parliament building shimmer on the waters of the river, the Chain Bridge dramatically uniting it all. Optional shore excursions may include the Hungarian Horsemen Show or a visit to the Grand Market to sample local delicacies.
DAY 2, September 1
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest’s Old Town is a fascinating medieval patchwork of narrow streets and colorful houses. In the Castle District, the Matthias Church soars in Gothic glory. The expansive walls and seven turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion overlook the Danube, the graceful Chain Bridge and the Pest side of the river. The centerpiece of the district is sprawling Buda Castle. Built in the 13th Century and expanded to its current baroque splendor during the 18th Century, this was home to Hungary’s kings for almost 700 years.
Day 3, September 2
Bratislava, Slovakia
The Slovakian capital of Bratislava is filled with lovingly restored baroque palaces and leafy squares. The Little Carpathians rise steeply in the north and the enormous hrad (castle) perches picturesquely 300 feet above the Danube. Below the castle, the Old Town boasts elegant mansions, art nouveau houses and gracious pedestrian zones. Eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens were crowned here in St. Martin’s Cathedral, which is today a concert hall, a center of the city’s rich culture. An optional shore excursion will sample Slovakia’s famous beer and enjoy a traditional dinner.
Day 4, September 3
Vienna, Austria
The City of Waltzes, Austria’s capital is Europe’s center of classical music. Strauss and Mozart composed many of their finest pieces here. Vienna’s musical history is matched by the elegant architecture that lines the Ringstrasse, the boulevard circling the Inner City. Baroque, neo-Renaissance, Gothic-Romanesque and other splendidly styled structures, from the Hofburg Palace to the Vienna State Opera, take the breath away with their grand facades. Vienna has a more intimate side, too: inviting footpaths lead through green parks and famed Viennese cafés offer coffee and the city’s delectable Sachertorte. You can even learn to waltz on one of our optional shore excursions.
day 5, September 4
Krems, Austria
A small university town at the eastern end of the Wachau Valley, Krems is surrounded by terraced vineyards. In its 12th Century heyday, its iron, grain, salt and wine trade made it more important than Vienna. Today, Krems’ cobblestone streets, taverns, wine bars and coffeehouses have a timeless appeal, and the Wachau Valley is renowned for its wines. The south slope of the valley is bathed in sunlight all day, which helps create some of the best Riesling and Veltliner wines in the world. Optional shore excursions may include a visit to an abbey and learning to make Austrian apricot dumplings.
day 6, September 5
Linz, Austria
Known as Lentia when it was a 1st Century Roman castle-settlement, Linz is today the provincial capital of Upper Austria. Linzer Torte, the famous jam cake topped with almonds, hails from here and can be found in every café. In the Old Town, narrow lanes lead to the Hauptplatz, once the largest town square in Austria. Handsome patrician houses, the 17th Century Town Hall and an impressive cathedral line the square.
day 7, September 6
Passau, Germany
The pride of Passau, the massive organ in the baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral, is one of the largest in Europe; over centuries, it grew gradually and today is made up of five separate organs of different tonal qualities. Attending a concert in its elegant cathedral setting is truly an uplifting experience. Outside this small riverside city lies rural Bavaria, with its picturesque rolling hills and verdant pastures. Some of the region’s best-loved products are produced here, from its prized hams and sausages to rich milk alpine cheeses. Visit a Bavarian farm and countryside on an optional shore excursion.
day 8, September 7
Passau, Germany
After breakfast, we will disembark Viking Embla and begin our journeys home.
Prices
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Standard Stateroom, lower level: $4,990 per person, double occupancy
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French Balcony Stateroom: $6,490 per person, double occupancy
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Veranda Stateroom: $7,490 per person, double occupancy
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For a limited time, only a $525 deposit per person is required to hold space; the balance will be due July 31, 2024, after which fees will no longer be refundable.
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Airfare starting at $999.
Please Note
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These prices include one Mind’s Eye sighted guide per two passengers. If you prefer to bring your own sighted guide, please call for discounts.
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Prices are for double occupancy and do not include airfare, alcoholic beverages, personal items or any gratuities.
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Additional fees may apply to certain excursions or activities noted above.
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Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.
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There is a $100 change fee up to 120 days prior to the trip, after which the penalty fee starts at 20%.
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Mind’s Eye Travel recommends trip insurance.
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Our trips are non-smoking and not combinable with any other offer.
Features of Our Ship
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53 outside staterooms with river view (16 Standard Staterooms, 2 French Balcony Staterooms, 24 Veranda Staterooms, 11 Veranda Suites)
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All upper and middle deck staterooms have a full-size veranda or a French balcony.
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Sun Deck with shaded sitting area; organic herb garden; solar panels; putting green
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The Aquavit Terrace, an outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship, offers al fresco dining.
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Lounge & Bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
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Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views
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Library
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Elevator
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Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
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Laundry service
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Flat-screen TV in each stateroom with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary movies on demand and in-house programming.