Cruise The Danube With Us in June 2024

We Invite You To Join Us On The Beautiful Danube!

June 22-29, 2024 River Cruise

with optional pre-cruise tour of Prague

We'll sail from Vilshofen an der Danube, Germany (near Munich) to Budapest, Hungary, past historic, centuries-old castles, through Austria's scenic Wachau Valley, and visit three European capitols along the way.

All daily optional land excursions, meals (2 on-board restaurants), and meal-time wines and beers of the region are included in the cruise price.

In addition, our group will enjoy complimentary EXCLUSIVE ON-BOARD WINE DINNERS and tastings comparing European to Sonoma wines.

Full information & registration is at: https://toursandwine.com/spann24/

-your wine guides, Betsy & Peter Spann

After a city tour and Oktoberfest celebration in Vilshofen an der Danube, we'll sail to Passau Germany, where two tributaries flow into the Danube, giving this city its' nickname "City of Three Rivers". Standing guard above them is Veste Oberhaus, the former residence of the prince-bishops and one of the largest surviving castle complexes in Europe, dating back to 1219. Passau photo courtesy of Aconcagua via Wikimedia Commons

Linz, Austria will be our second port of call. Originally a Roman colony, this became, for a short period of time, the most important city in the empire as Habsburg Emperor Friedrich III chose it for his home. Astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler discovered the third law of planetary motion while teaching here.

Choose a city tour of historic Linz, join a bike ride along the Danube, or an take all-day excursion to:

Salzburg Austria, a picturesque alpine city that was Mozart's birthplace and family home, as well as the setting for The Sound of Music and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

En route, we'll stop at Mondsee, home of the famed Basilica St. Michael and site of the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. Salzburg photo courtesy of Jorge Franganillo via Wikimedia Commons

Austria's Wachau, is a valley steeped in history. Gaze at ancient abbeys and castle ruins, including Dürnstein, where England's King Richard The Lionheart was held captive by the Duke of Austria. Vineyards in this valley produce Austria's finest wines.

photo courtesy of C.Stadler/Bwag via Wikimedia Commons

VISIT 3 THE HISTORIC NATIONAL CAPITOLS

Vienna was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, controlled by the Habsburgs. The Hofburg was one of their two royal palaces. A few other famous residents were Beethoven and Mozart. Hofberg Palace photo courtesy of C.Stadler/Bwag via Wikimedia Commons

Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia, was the coronation site of Hungarian kings and queens for 3 centuries. Bratislava Castle overlooks Old Town. Old Town Photo courtesy of Rob Hurson via wikimwdia Commons Bratislava Castle photo courtesy of LMih via Wikimedia Commons

On the Danube in Budapest, Hungary's Parliament Building has to be considered among the world's most beautiful. As co-capitol of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and previously the home of Atilla The Hun, this city is rich in architecture, history and culture.

For complete itinerary click here. Cruise-only prices start at $3,798 per person with a $500 per person deposit. Exclusive tours, wine tastings and wine dinners are included. You must book through our tour operator Expanding Horizons of Tustin, CA to be part of the Spann Rhine Group. Click here for prices & inclusions or click here for full information or email Ruth@expanding-horizons.com at Expanding-Horizons or call her at (714) 975-9946‬.

Know anyone else who might be interested? Please forward this to them.

SPANN VINEYARDS, P.O. Box 1760 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 415-215-9540 www.spannvineyards.com