★ Hosted by Jeff and Emily Cavins

Catholic Cruise · 12 Days · Austria

Danube River Cruise Pilgrimage with Jeff and Emily Cavins

Join Jeff and Emily Cavins on a Danube River Pilgrimage Cruise. This cruise will visit Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and more!

Dates

September 28 – October 9, 2027

Departs Newark or Minneapolis

Duration

12 Days

Trip code 27JA09DANJC

From

$5,295

Reserve your spot

The Pilgrimage

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Join Jeff and Emily Cavins on a Danube River Pilgrimage Cruise including Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and more!

Highlights at a glance

This trips visits: Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and more!
Budapest
Budapest – Cruise Embarkation
Györ – Budapest
Onboard Retreat – Bratislava
Vienna: The Royal Life At Schonbrunn Palace Plus A Classical Music Concert
A Day Of Wine And Abbeys Biking Through The Countryside
The Art And Music Of Linz – Passau

Activity Level 3 of 4 Expect regular walking, stairs, slopes, cobblestones, and uneven surfaces. Review the brochure and prepare by walking before departure.

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Your Host

Jeff and Emily Cavins

Catholic authors, educators, and pilgrimage leaders

Jeff and Emily Cavins are Catholic authors, educators, and experienced pilgrimage leaders. Jeff created The Great Adventure Bible Study and is a nationally known speaker, author, television host, and podcaster; he also serves as Director Emeritus and a teacher at the Catechetical Institute. Emily studied Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology, participated in archaeological work in Israel, and has written books and resources for Catholic adults and children. Together, they help pilgrims understand Scripture through the history, geography, and living faith of the places they visit.

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Know Before You Go

What's included

✓ Included

✓Round-trip airfare from Minneapolis or Newark to Budapest x Prague to Newark or Minneapolis (air is not included and will be added to the cost in November)
✓Airport tax and fuel surcharges (subject to change)
✓Accommodations in first-class hotels, 1 night in Budapest, and 2 nights in Prague
✓English-speaking Christian tour manager on each bus
✓Transportation by private deluxe motorcoach
✓Whisper Sets
✓All port taxes
✓All transfers to and from the cruise ship
✓All shore excursions as listed
✓Private organ concert in St. Florian Abbey
✓Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on the ship
✓Wine, Beer, or Soda served with meals are included on the ship
✓Buffet breakfast daily at the hotels, plus a welcome and farewell dinner with wine.
✓The ship does not require a special dress code. An elegant, casual dress code is recommended for dinner (no shorts, sneakers, or flip-flops). We recommend a dressier outfit for the Captain’s dinner.
✓Daily music and entertainment program
✓24-hour coffee station
✓Private Daily Mass
✓Teaching by Jeff and Emily Cavins on the ship
✓Baggage handling for one suitcase per person on the ship and in the hotels
✓Select International Tours Travel Portfolio
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: 2 nights in a four-star hotel in Györ
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Breakfast daily
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Lunch with wine
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Dinner at the hotel in Györ
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Wine tasting
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Transportation by private bus
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: English-speaking Tour Guide
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Local hotel taxes
✓Optional pre-tour to Hungary: Admission and visits as per the itinerary
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: 4 nights’ accommodations in a first-class hotel in Krakow
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: Breakfast daily and 2 hotel dinners
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: Farewell dinner with wine in a local restaurant
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: One lunch
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: Transportation by private bus
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: English-speaking Tour Guide
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: Local hotel taxes
✓Optional post-tour to Krakow: Admission and visits as per the itinerary

× Not included

×Trip Protection and Medical Insurance (highly recommended)
×Any items not explicitly mentioned in the list of inclusions
×Beverages at meals, unless otherwise noted
×Meals not specifically listed at the end of each day (B.L.D.)
×Church donations (budget $3.00 - $5.00 per Mass)
×Airport transfers for land-only passengers unless they are at the airport at the same time as the group
×Personal expenses
×Airline Seat assignments and assistance with flight pre-check-in
×ETIAS European Travel Authorization
×Airline baggage charges
×Baggage handling at the airports and hotels is limited to one suitcase per person.
×Any charges incurred due to excessive luggage, including the cost of an additional baggage vehicle or porterage charges.

For your convenience, a gratuities fund will be added to the invoice and distributed on your behalf to the guide(s), drivers, cruise staff, baggage handling at hotels, and meals in restaurants and hotels. $250.00 per person for the main tour; $60.00 per person for the extension; $45 per person for the pre-tour.

Day by Day

Your pilgrimage, mapped out

Tap any day to explore. Meals: B breakfast · L lunch · D dinner.

Day 1September 26, 2027

DEPART USA

Board our overnight flight to Budapest, where our spiritual adventure begins. Settle in and enjoy dinner and breakfast served aloft. This is the perfect time to rest and anticipate the sacred experiences that await us. For those seeking extra comfort, quotes for Premium Economy or Business Class seating can be provided starting 120 days prior to departure. Please be aware that group air contracts (for 10+ travelers) do not allow for specific seat location requests; we suggest booking land-only packages if specific confirmed seating is required. Your dedicated Account Manager, Jane Allison, and our team, are always available to help with any travel questions.

Day 2September 27, 2027

BUDAPEST – ESZTERGOM – SZENTENDRE – GYÖR

Upon arrival in Budapest, we will be warmly greeted by our professional driver-guide. Our journey begins with a visit to the magnificent Esztergom Cathedral (TBC), Hungary’s largest church, for Mass. Afterward, enjoy lunch on our own and and explore the colorful, winding streets of Szentendre, a charming artist colony on the Danube. We then continue to Györ, a baroque gem where history comes alive. After settling into our hotel, enjoy a peaceful evening stroll through the town before a delicious dinner accompanied by local Hungarian wine. Overnight in Györ. Meals: D

Day 3September 28, 2027

GYÖR – PANNONHALMA ABBEY – HUNGARIAN WINE TASTING

After breakfast, which is included each morning, we travel to the Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over a millennium of history. Located on the legendary birthplace of St. Martin of Tours, we celebrate Mass, explore the stunning neoclassical library, and enjoy a unique opportunity to meet the monks. The day continues with lunch and an exclusive wine tasting, where we learn about the Abbey’s ancient winemaking traditions while exploring their historic cellars. We return to Györ for a restful evening with dinner at our leisure. Meals: B.L. Wine tasting

Day 4September 29, 2027

GYÖR – BUDAPEST

We return to Budapest this morning to unite with the main tour group. From the comfort of our motorcoach, our exploration begins at City Park and the majestic Heroes’ Square, where statues of iconic Hungarian leaders tell the story of a nation. We visit the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Basilica, enjoy some free time for lunch in the bustling city center, and then celebrate Mass. Check-in at our hotel begins at 4 PM, leaving us time to rest or explore before our group welcome dinner with wine. Overnight in Budapest. Meals: DWine included *We suggest a visit to the New York Cafe for coffee and dessert, as many consider it one of the most beautiful cafes in the world.

Day 1September 28, 2027

DEPART USA

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on an overnight flight to the historic city of Budapest. Enjoy the amenities on board, including dinner and breakfast service, as we prepare for the journey ahead. For those seeking extra comfort, quotes for Premium Economy or Business Class seating can be provided starting 120 days prior to departure. Please be aware that group air contracts (for 10+ travelers) do not allow for specific seat location requests; we suggest booking land-only packages if specific confirmed seating is required. Your dedicated Account Manager, Jane Allison, and our team are always available to help with any travel questions.

Day 2September 29, 2027

BUDAPEST

Welcome to Hungary! Our English-speaking tour managers will meet us at the airport to begin a breathtaking panoramic tour of this divided city. From the comfort of our motorcoach, our exploration begins at City Park and the majestic Heroes’ Square, where statues of iconic Hungarian leaders tell the story of a nation. We visit the awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Basilica, enjoy some free time for lunch in the bustling city center, and then celebrate Mass. Check-in at our hotel begins at 4 PM, leaving us time to rest or explore before our group welcome dinner with wine. Overnight in Budapest. Meals: DWine included *We suggest a visit to the New York Cafe for coffee and dessert, as many consider it one of the most beautiful cafes in the world.

Day 3September 30, 2027

BUDAPEST – CRUISE EMBARKATION

We check out of the hotel and celebrate Mass. Our next visit is to Memento Park, a powerful open-air museum housing statues from Hungary’s communist era. Here, our guide will share stories of resilience and the secret lives of the faithful during the years of the Iron Curtain, when religious practice was restricted and many clergy were imprisoned. We then visit the vibrant Central Market for lunch before heading to the pier for embarkation at 4:00 PM. After settling into our elegant cabin, join us for a welcome cocktail reception and orientation. As the sun sets, enjoy dinner on board while the ship sails past the illuminated splendor of the city’s riverside architecture. Meals: B. Welcome cocktail.Dinner on the ship

Day 4October 1, 2027

BUDAPEST: A TASTE OF THE CITY

We cross the St. Elizabeth Bridge to explore the historic Castle District. Marvel at the intricate beauty of St. Matthias Church and the panoramic views from Fisherman’s Bastion. Mass will be celebrated (TBC). We return to the ship for lunch and begin our scenic cruise along the Danube. Enjoy the amenities of our luxury vessel as the beautiful landscapes glide by. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B.L.D

BLD

Day 5October 2, 2027

ONBOARD RETREAT – BRATISLAVA

We will not want to miss the morning retreat on the ship with the tour leadership! Following lunch, we disembark in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic. We celebrate Mass at Blue Church. In the afternoon, we have time at leisure and an opportunity to explore the city on our own. We will find relaxed pedestrian plazas and stylish street cafes. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B.L.D

BLD

Day 6October 3, 2027

VIENNA: THE ROYAL LIFE AT SCHONBRUNN PALACE PLUS A CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT

This morning, we wake up in the beautiful city of Vienna and explore Austria’s most vibrant city. We celebrate Mass and enjoy a panoramic drive through Vienna, taking in the world-famous Opera House, Town Hall, Habsburg Imperial Palace, and more. We meet our city guides for a 90-minute walking tour of Vienna, including the most important sights, such as the Imperial Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, enjoy lunch and explore the city on our own or return to the ship for included lunch. Be sure to stop by the world-famous Hotel Sacher to try Sacher cake, a not-to-be-missed Viennese custom. OPTIONAL HIGHLIGHT: After dinner tonight, a special treat awaits us, as we have a private tour of Schönbrunn Palace, followed by a classical music concert. Price is $195.00 per person and must be reserved in advance before we depart the US. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B.L.D

BLD

Day 7October 4, 2027

A DAY OF WINE AND ABBEYS - BIKING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

We are docked in the magnificent Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village of Dürnstein is in the center of Austria’s wine country. Take a walk to on our own to explore the many quaint wineries in the village and see the Baroque houses, the Rathouse, the Augustinian Monastery, and the Blue Monastery Church and Abbey. Our journey continues along the most beautiful stretch of the Danube as we sail past lush vineyards, fairy-tale castles, and ancient monasteries. Bicycling enthusiasts can take an optional 60-minute bike ride* along the Danube River. We stop at the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Melk for Mass and to learn about the life of the monks who live here. Enjoy a relaxing dinner on the ship, followed by drinks and music in the lounge. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B.L.D*The optional 60 minute bike ride is $85.00 per person and includes a bike, safety helmet, and a guide.

Day 8October 5, 2027

THE ART AND MUSIC OF LINZ – PASSAU

Today, we have a choice to stay on the ship all day and relax, perhaps get a massage or enjoy reading a book, or take a walking tour of Linz, followed by a visit to St. Florian Monastery. Our day starts with Mass in Linz, Austria’s cultural capital. We visit the New Cathedral, also known as the Mariendom, the largest church in Austria, with a seating capacity of 20,000. Inside, we admire the gorgeous interior design, featuring a majestic altar, crypts, hand-carved wooden details, and exquisite stained-glass windows, some of which depict Linz’s history. Following lunch, we take our buses for a short drive up the hill to visit St. Florian Monastery to explore its royal apartments, galleries, and library. We are in for a treat after the visit, as we are attending a private music concert. Tonight, enjoy an opportunity to get dressed up for the Captain’s dinner, followed by music in the lounge. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B. Captain’s Gala Dinner

Day 9October 6, 2027

REGENSBURG: THE CITY OF POPE BENEDICT

This morning, we arrive in Passau and drive to Regensburg to explore one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, famous for sausage-making and for being where Pope Benedict grew up, studied, and became a priest. We embark on a walking tour of the city, highlighting places the Holy Father visited in his youth. We see the Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Basilica of Our Lady – known as the oldest Catholic place of worship in Bavaria, St. Emmeram’s Basilica, and more. Lunch is not included for those that go to Regensburg. We suggest having the famous wurst sausage that Regensburg is known for. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight on the ship. Meals: B.D

Day 10October 7, 2027

DISEMBARKATION IN PASSAU – PRAGUE

We disembark this morning and proceed to Prague. Upon arrival, we will celebrate Mass at Strahov Monastery, then make our way to the massive Prague Castle. Step inside the castle’s protective walls and enter a self-contained city with courtyards, palaces, towers, churches, and gardens designed for kings and emperors, and housing and workplaces for all those who tended the rulers. We see the lofty St. Vitus Cathedral, which took 600 years to complete, and Vladislav Hall, whose complex stone-vaulting system was among the most advanced engineering feats of the late Middle Ages. Settle into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure to explore the city on our own. Overnight in Prague. Meals: B

Day 11October 8, 2027

PRAGUE: INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE

Our day in Prague starts with Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, where we see the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague (TBC). Our city tour gives us an overview as we drive past the State Opera House, the National Museum, and Wenceslas Square. After strolling through Golden Lane, a street of quaint cottages where Prague’s 17th-century goldsmiths lived, we take our bus to the picturesque Lesser Quarter, the district around the castle, to Charles Bridge. Enjoy a lunch break in one of the many cafes and time at leisure to explore this area on our own. See the Old Town Square, Prague’s most famous Gothic church, Our Lady Before Týn, along with the 14th-century Old Town Hall (which boasts a famous medieval astronomical clock), the beautiful baroque St. Nicholas, the rococo Kinsky Palace, and a group of Renaissance houses. Although today we will be walking more than usual, the beautiful city of Prague cannot be seen by bus, so we must put on our most comfortable shoes and prepare for extended walking. Tonight we have our farewell dinner at a local brewery. Overnight in Prague. Meals: B. Special dinner

Day 12October 9, 2027

PRAGUE – USA

This morning, after breakfast, we head to the airport for our flights back to the USA. Meals: B

Day 12October 9, 2027

PRAGUE – KRAKOW

We depart for Krakow this morning, crossing from the Czech Republic into Poland. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and enjoy time at leisure in one of the most beautiful European cities. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Krakow. Meals: B.D

Day 13October 10, 2027

KRAKÓW SITES – DIVINE MERCY – HAVE NO FEAR CENTER

Our sightseeing tour of Krakow includes stops in the Medieval Old Town and on Wawel Hill, where we see the Cathedral and the St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the relics of Poland’s patron saint. We see the Pope’s room and the famous Pope’s Window honoring St. John Paul II. We travel a short distance to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, where St. Faustina, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, lived and died. We celebrate Mass at the Divine Mercy Shrine (TBC) and visit the “Have No Fear Center,” dedicated to St. John Paul II, to venerate his relics. Dinner is at leisure tonight to enjoy one of the many restaurants in Central Market Square, the largest medieval square in Europe. Overnight in Krakow. Meals: B

Day 14October 11, 2027

CZESTOCHOWA

Today, we visit Jasna Gora Monastery to see the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. We celebrate Mass and explore the monastery. Time for prayer and reflection is scheduled. Return to Krakow for dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Krakow. Meals: B.D

Day 15October 12, 2027

AUSCHWITZ – WADOWICE

This morning, we visit the infamous concentration camp at Auschwitz and see the cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Following our included lunch, we visit the hometown of St. John Paul II, where we see his home, which is now a fabulous museum, and the church next door where he was baptized. Return to Krakow for our farewell dinner, including a wonderful, fun folklore show. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Krakow. Meals: B. L. Farewell dinner with folklore show

BLD

Day 16October 13, 2027

DEPART FOR USA

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flights home. Meals: B

Pricing

Choose how you travel

Mozart Deck Suites - Land Only (cash)

$6,295per person

Mozart Deck Suites - Land Only (cash). Main trip package. Cash price.

Mozart Deck Suites - Land Only (credit card)

$6,547per person

Mozart Deck Suites - Land Only (credit card). Main trip package. Credit-card price.

Mozart Deck Staterooms - Land Only (cash)

$5,695per person

Mozart Deck Staterooms - Land Only (cash). Main trip package. Cash price.

Mozart Deck Staterooms - Land Only (credit card)

$5,923per person

Mozart Deck Staterooms - Land Only (credit card). Main trip package. Credit-card price.

Strauss Deck Staterooms - Land Only (cash)

$5,495per person

Strauss Deck Staterooms - Land Only (cash). Main trip package. Cash price.

Strauss Deck Staterooms - Land Only (credit card)

$5,715per person

Strauss Deck Staterooms - Land Only (credit card). Main trip package. Credit-card price.

Strauss Deck Solo Occupancy (cash)

$9,995per person

Strauss Deck Solo Occupancy (cash). Main trip package. Cash price.

Strauss Deck Solo Occupancy (credit card)

$10,395per person

Strauss Deck Solo Occupancy (credit card). Main trip package. Credit-card price.

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Visas & Entry

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Know Before You Go

Packing, weather, electrical and on-the-ground practicalities.

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Two-Minute Travel Tips

Short, practical videos to help you make the most of your pilgrimage.

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FAQ

Registration, payments, lodging, walking, mobility and more.

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Danube River Cruise Pilgrimage with Jeff and Emily Cavins

Walk in the Footsteps of Faith

Jeff and Emily Cavins

What's included

✓ Included

× Not included

Your pilgrimage, mapped out

Choose how you travel

Everything else for this trip

Travel Protection

Terms & Conditions

Visas & Entry

Know Before You Go

Two-Minute Travel Tips

FAQ

Ready to Begin Your Pilgrimage?

Focus on your faith.
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