When people think of the legendary waterways of Europe, often the most famous one that springs to mind is the Danube. The second-longest river after Russia’s Volga, the Danube stretches from the Black Forest in Germany and continues until it reaches the Black Sea. Besides being an important trade and transportation route, the Danube has captured the imagination of citizens and travelers for centuries. It even boasts its own “theme song” composed by Austrian Johann Strauss, On the Beautiful Blue Danube, or more commonly just The Blue Danube.

Launched in August 2011, MS Treasures is the newest member of the Tauck fleet. Photo courtesy of Tauck.

If you’ve always wanted to explore this fascinating region of the world, Tauck offers a compelling reason to do so next year by combining a spectacular itinerary operated by it’s newest vessel, the elegant MS Treasures.

Christened just this past August, the MS Treasures carries just 118 fortunate guests aboard a ship that is as comfortable as it is attractive. A full 85 percent of all staterooms feature full floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies, and all cabins boast a new modular design for bedding that allows two single beds to be transformed seamlessly into a fully integrated king size bed. Four-hundred thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and luxurious Hungarian down-filled pillows help ensure that your time aboard will be as comfortable as it is adventurous..

Luxurious bedding and French balconies await you aboard MS Treasures. Photo courtesy of Tauck.

On board MS Treasures, Tauck has chosen amenities from the refreshing L’Occitane toiletries found in the staterooms. Weather also need not play a factor in your cruise enjoyment: MS Treasures has an attractive Lido Bar located at the stern of the vessel that features a remarkable 180-degree glass wall that opens to create an indoor/outdoor cocktail lounge when weather permits.

The sweeping atrium aboard the new MS Treasures. Photo courtesy of Tauck.

Guests looking for a little more space will obviously be delighted to learn there are 14 suites measuring 300-square feet and equipped with marble baths, flat-screen televisions, walk-in closets, and floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies.

Complementing the nautical beauty of the MS Treasures is the natural beauty of the legendary Danube and the historic sights of some of Europe’s most fascinating cities. Departing May 10, June 7, July 1, August 16, September 13, and September 27, 2012, this itinerary includes time to expore both Prague and Budapest in-depth. But it’s also noteworthy for combining port calls in cities like Vienna alongside smaller ports like Durnstein, which are sometimes passed over on other itineraries.

The beautiful town of Cesky Krumlov is almost storybook in appearance. Photo © 2011 Alicia Saunders

Be sure to take part in the journey to storybook-like Cesky Krumlov; it is an experience you won’t soon forget!

The full itinerary, offered aboard MS Treasures and the equally elegant MS Swiss Jewel:

Aboard Tauck, all gratuities are included in the price of the river cruise, along with all Tauck shore excursions and two nights in both Prague and Budapest. Three Tauck Exclusive experiences are also included on this itinerary: in Vienna, a private evening at an imperial palace features dinner and Viennese performers; while guests are treated to a private aperitif and dinner at Lobkowicz Palace in Prague. Guests are also treated to a private tour of Prague’s Baroque libraries and the Strahov Monastery.

The beautiful MS Treasures enjoys a European evening. Photo courtesy of Tauck.

Frankly, this is one itinerary that has us humming The Blue Danube and daydreaming a little. What about you?

For more information about Tauck, its fleet of four elegant river cruise ships and itineraries, be sure to read our Tauck River Cruises profile right here on River Cruise Advisor.

Durnstein Castle still sits on the cliff face high above Durnstein, Austria. Photo courtesy of Uniworld.

Located along the famous Danube in Lower Austria, Durnstein is well-known for its wineries and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Wachau region. The city’s name literally means “dry castle” in German, presumably after the stone castle situated high above the main town area.

The town was first mentioned in 1019 and gained notoriety in late 1192 when Richard the Lionheart was held captive in the castle by Duke Lepold V of Austria. It was officially made a town in 1476, and is well-known for the 1805 Battle of Durnstein that took place just outside the city. Read River Cruise Advisor’s City Guide of Durnstein, Austria.

Immortalized by Johann Strauss in Blue Danube Waltz, the Danube winds from Germany’s Black Forest through Austria into the Balkans before dumping into the Black Sea.

The romantic river flows through six countries and meanders for nearly 1,800 miles. Some of Europe’s most-fabled cities — Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest — are situated on the banks of the Danube, making the Danube a good choice for first-time river cruisers.

On our eight-day cruise on Uniworld’s River Empress, there were both first-timers and repeaters. Our cruise began in Budapest and ended in Passau, with an overnight on board in each city at the beginning and end of the cruise.

Ashore, Uniworld includes at least one free tour in each destination, so that passengers get an overview and introduction to the places they visit. Following is a brief overview of the destinations we visited along the Danube.

Budapest was once referred to as the “Queen of the Danube,” because of the city’s cultural significance at a time when Hungary was three times the size it is today.

On one side of the Danube, hilly Buda retains much of its Middle Age charm; its cobbled streets and Gothic buildings have been well preserved. On the other side of the river, Pest is the thriving city center.

River Empress was docked on the Buda side. A free ferry shuttled us between Buda and Pest.

Bratislava. Slovakia’s capital city was a “capital in exile” for Hungary’s kings and archbishops during Turkey’s occupation of Hungary and most of the middle Danube basin from 1526 to 1784.

Bratislava is dominated by an enormous castle that stands sentinel over the Danube. Though the castle dates back to the 9th century it was razed in 1811 and rebuilt.

Vienna was the next stop for River Empress. After the included city tour, many passengers visited Schonbrunn Palace, the imperial summer palace of the Habsburgs, one of Europe’s principal sovereign dynasties from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

Vienna is characterized by beautiful parks, legendary Viennese coffee houses and Baroque palaces. One of the city’s most famous landmarks, Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral) is also one of Europe’s most impressive Gothic structures.

The musically inclined will appreciate that Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss composed their greatest operas and symphonies in Austria’s capital city. The composer Schubert was born here.

An optional excursion offered by Uniworld features an evening concert, and this one is a “don’t miss” for lovers of music and culture.

River Empress called on Durnstein one morning, and Melk (pictured) that afternoon, with scenic river cruising and an outdoor Bavarian buffet on the upper deck.

Using the bicycles on board, a group of us bicycled through the vineyard-rich Wacchau Valley in Durnstein. Read more about that by clicking on “Pedaling Along The Danube.”

In Melk, the included tour took us to the 900-plus-year-old Melk Abby, situated high atop granite cliffs overlooking the Danube and the village of Melk.

From Linz, on the following day, most passengers opted for the included tour to Salzburg (about two hours each way), birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the acclaimed musical, “The Sound of Music.”

Situated at the confluence of three rivers, Passau marked the end of our cruise. We overnighted on board.

The included tour featured a walking tour and an organ concert, performed on Europe’s largest pipe organ at St. Stephan’s Cathedral.

Disembarking passengers either transferred to Munich’s international airport, 90 minutes drive, or for a post-cruise stay in Prague, about three hours by motorcoach.