We commenced our Gems of the Danube package with a 3 day extension in Prague. We were met by Cruise Director Martina and then transported to the Marriott Hotel to begin our stay. A short overview of the surrounds was provided by Martina on our first evening and we walked the short distance to the Old Town Prague Square. The following morning we were taken by coach to Prague Castle and then walked down with Martina through the gardens and town areas over the Charles Bridge and back to Old Town Square. The following day we spent exploring on our own. Day 4 we boarded the bus to Nuremberg to join the Scenic Diamond. Some were a little disappointed as we had been booked on the Scenic Jewel a newer spaceship but due to the recent flooding the Jewel was not in the area. We had wondered how the rivers would be and whether we would make it all the way. Fortunately we were the first boat to do so. We were made very welcome by Marin and the rest of the crew. We overnight-ed in Nuremberg and the following morning took the Tastes Of Nuremberg tour which we enjoyed. The next day we arrived in Regensburg a lovely medieval town and enjoyed a tour of the township and an organ recital at the Cathedral. We ere entertained that evening by the Ommpah Band while we sailed on toward Passau. The township of Passau had been badly ravaged by the 500 year flood and we could see the watermarks on buildings near the river banks. I took the tour to Chesky Krumlov which was wonderful and my husband went to Slazburg and the Salt mines. The next day we berthed in Melk and toured the beautiful Benedictine Abbey. On through the beautiful Wachau Valley and the next stop Durstein a pretty little river town.

The next morning we woke in Vienna and having previously seen Vienna we took the day tour to Bratislava. In the evening we were all bussed to the beautiful Palais Liechtenstein for a wonderful Mozart and Strauss concert which include opera and ballet. We did feel privileged. Budapest was our final destination on the cruise and we arrived early afternoon and were taken on a tour of Buda and Pest. This was a beautiful city and we were treated by the Captain to an evening cruise of the river at night with all the beautiful lights. The following morning we sadly disembarked our spaceship and bussed to the Marriott Hotel to be fare welled. We loved our cruise and the crew were all so friendly and obliging always with a smile they couldn't do enough for us. Everything was so well organized and we thoroughly recommend Scenic Tours.