Set on the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, Passau has been an important trading city since medieval times, particularly for salt, commonly known as 'white gold'. Each river is distinct in color and some days you can clearly see the green, blue, and black hues where the waters meet. At the center of the Baroque city, the 13th-century Italianate Old Town is packed with tight laneways tunnels and archways, including an "Artists' mile" where old buildings are occupied by artist studios, workshops, and galleries. Freechoice: Decide how you will spend your day from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions: Highlights of Passau walking tour: Join your local guide on a walking tour, admiring the brightly colored buildings that line the waterways. Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral: originally built in the year 450, the church proudly stood in Passau's Old Town until a devastating fire ripped through it in 1662. It was rebuilt in its current form with an Italian-style exterior complete with a Baroque stucco interior, and nowadays houses the world's largest Catholic church organ, which boasts 17,974 pipes and 233 registers. Full-day excursion to Salzburg: This morning, you will disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Passau, from where you will journey via motorcoach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. This storybook city has a thriving art scene, music and concert halls filled with classical music, a Baroque old town where you'll find Mozart's birthplace, and Hohensalzburg, Central Europe's largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city. During a guided tour explore this incredible city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant and some free time to explore at your leisure. You will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the Austrian town of Schlogen. Full-day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Passau, journey via motorcoach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful UNESCO World Heritage-listed town is brimming with charm. Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historic center before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and some time at leisure. Inclusions: Breakfast. ...
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