Megan Kline

Paint By Destination, a proud affiliate of Embark Beyond

Paint The Danube With Al Kline

Aug 19, 2024 to Aug 26, 2024
Budapest

Join us for an unforgettable watercolor workshop along the Danube River with Al Kline

Journey along the Danube and see firsthand why this storied river has inspired generations of artists, poets and musicians. Indulge your passion for timeless architecture and art in three magnificent capitals: Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. Let the hills come alive with the sounds of music in Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District. Cruise through the enchanting Strudengau Valley and let the melodies of the Danube carry you from one gem to another on a regal journey through time.
 
We will cruise along the Danube together and paint Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia.
 
On this river cruise, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours and delicious meals. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder. The watercolor cruise workshop will also include 2-3 hours of instruction per day as well as the option to pack your painting supplies with you for plein air (open air painting) in each port stop.

Who is this trip for:

  • Small Groups
  • Painters of all levels
  • Non-painters are welcome

What's included in this trip:

  • Small Group Painting Experience
    • Daily painting
    • One-on-one instruction with world renown artist
    • Welcome dinner and drinks with other students and meet-and-greet with the artist
    • Personalized service from on-site travel coordinator
    • Small private group setting experience
    • Free time for plein air painting in all port cities or leisure time of choice
  • Spacious Accommodation
    • 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with twin balconies)
    • Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
    • Mini-fridge, desk and sitting area
    • Bottled water replenished daily
  • A Variety of Amenities
    • Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes as well as discussions on healthy eating and relaxation techniques, both on board and on shore.
    • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
    • Internet and Wi-Fi access
    • Sun deck pool with swim-up bar and walking track
    • Fitness room
    • Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
    • Daily entertainment including cultural performances
  • Award-Wining Dining
    • All onboard dining in a variety of venues
    • Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
    • The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
    • Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain's Cocktail and Gala Dinner
    • La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
    • Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
    • Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
    • Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
    • Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
  • A World of Exploration
    • Immersive tours in every destination
    • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
    • Bike tours and hikes
    • Special Interest Tours
    • Knowledgeable guides
    • Personal headset for easy exploration
    • Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
 
 

What's not included:

  1. Airfare to and from the embarkation and disembarkation port cities
  2. Airport transportation
  3. Passport fees
  4. Baggage fees
  5. Travel, health, accident or other insurance
  6. Vaccinations
  7. Laundry
  8. Additional food and beverages
  9. Optional excursions
  10. Gratuities or other items of a personal nature
 
 

Flight Information:

  • Arrival:
    • Please fly into Budapest (BUD) airport
  • Departure
    • Please fly out of Munich (MUC) airport

Itinerary:

  • Day 1 (Budapest): Arrive and settle into your stateroom. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group and artist meet-and-greet. This is where you will receive an itinerary for the trip, meet other artists and the instructor, and get excited for this incredible painting journey you're about to embark on.
 
  • Day 2 (Budapest): Start your second day with morning breakfast and the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial. Bring your supplies in the afternoon to paint plein air in Budapest.
 
  • Day 3 (Bratislava): Start the day with breakfast and a 2 hour watercolor workshop on board the ship. Practice your technique under the guidance and instruction of artist Al Kline. In the afternoon, explore Bratislava on a curated walking tour with the group, a city that earned the title “Coronation City of Kings”. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
 
  • Day 4 (Vienna): The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral with free time to explore, plein air paint, or sketch at leisure. Once back on board, enjoy lunch at leisure and a 2 hour watercolor workshop in the afternoon on board. In the evening, you’ll have the option to explore this iconic city further or relax on deck.
 
  • Day 5 (Weissenkirchen and Scenic Cruising along Grein): After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions to explore the area. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Later in the day, plein air paint on deck as we sail through the scenic Strudengau Valley to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above.
 
  • Day 6 (Linz): The ship arrives in Linz, where we will opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg and tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. En route to Salzburg, stop at Mondsee, home of the Basilica St. Michael. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Cesky Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes.   There will be free time to plein air paint or sketch in the beautiful Salzburg.
 
  • Day 7 (Passau and Vilshofen): Discover the city of Passau  by enjoying a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, participate in a 2-3 hour watercolor workshop on board as we cruise from Passau to Vilshofen. In Vilshofen, you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration as we bid farewell and prepare for your trip home or post-cruise extension.
 
  • Day 8 (Vilshofen): Bid farewell to Vilshofen and prepare for your flight home. 
 

Cancellation policy:

Deposit and Final Payment: To confirm a river cruise or river cruise and land reservation , we require a deposit of $400 per person for Europe itineraries on or before the deposit due date indicated on the confirmation . Half of the deposit ($200) is 100% refundable until 121 days from the cruise start date (May 21, 2024). Transoceanic airline flights reserved through Megan Kline (otherwise known as "the Agent") require an additional deposit of $350 per person for economy class or $600 per person for business/first-class flights. Upon receipt of deposit, air schedule will be provided (subject to changes by carrier); deposited air will be ticketed within 75 - 90 days prior to travel start date once paid in full. Full payment is required for airline tickets to be issued prior to 90 days before the travel start date, at which time deposits will be nonrefundable. Any air schedules and ticketing relating to AmaWaterways air promotions will be provided 75 - 90 days before the travel start date once full payment is received for the river cruise and promotional air price (if any). Hotel Extra Nights require a non-refundable deposit of $50 per cabin at the time of confirmation of the hotel availability. Other custom arrangements may also require non-refundable deposits and will be advised at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later than 90 days before the travel start date.

Cancellation Charges: In the unfortunate event a participant must cancel travel, notice must be made to the Agent during standard business hours or via email to megan.kline@embarkbeyond.com, which must include writing stating clearly and correctly each guest ’s name, ship name, start and end date of the cruise and a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient. Cancellations received within 24 hours of vacation start date will be deemed as trip interruption, cannot be cancelled and are 100% non-refundable. The effective date of the cancellation is the date the Agent  receives cancellation notice . A change in sailing date , name changes, the substitution of a participant or a reduction in the number of guests in a stateroom are treated as a cancellation in that all applicable cancellation charges apply. A reduction in occupancy is subject to a single supplement charge . Cancellation charges for bookings within charter and partcharter agreements are as per the charter contract. All other cancellation charges are per-person, based on the cancellation date, as seen in the chart below.

You acknowledge that your cancellation will cause us and the Carrier difficulty in selling a replacement cruise or cruise & land reservation and thus the cancellation fees described below apply regardless of whether your cruise or cruise & land reservation is resold. You agree that any losses sustained by us and /or the Carrier in the event of cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to quantify , and the cancellation fees are fair and reasonable as liquidated damages.

Available Packages

Painter Fee - LAST SPOT AVAILABLE
Unavailable as of May 31, 2024

$4,497.00
Deposit: $4,497.00 per person

Unavailable
This fee is based on double occupancy (shared room) for a painter in Category D. Painters have the option of choosing a single (private) room at an extra cost. 

 
*Rooms may be split into two separate twin beds or a single double bed for your comfort.
 
*Because we are officially 90 days away from the trip start date, the full payment is required to secure your spot.

Non-Painter Fee
Unavailable as of May 27, 2024

$3,987.00
Deposit: $3,987.00 per person

Unavailable
Bring a guest with you on this experience of a lifetime. Non-painter guests will be assumed to share a room with the painter. 
 
*Because we are officially 90 days away from the trip start date, the full payment is required to secure your spot.
 
*We will send you a follow-up email to fill out traveler information for your non-painter guest.

Extra Options

Non-Painter (Guest)
Unavailable as of May 31, 2024

$3,987.00
Deposit: $3,987.00

Bring a guest with you on this experience of a lifetime. Non-painter guests will be assumed to share a room with the painter. 
 
*Because we are officially 90 days away from the trip start date, the full payment is required to secure your spot.

2 Nights Budapest Package (Pre-cruise)
Unavailable as of May 31, 2024

$560.00

Enjoy two nights in Budapest, Hungary after the cruise embarkation date. The Budapest post-cruise will take place from August 17 - 19, 2024. Transportation from your Budapest hotel to the embarkation port will be provided free of charge. 
 
Please note:
  • The pre-cruise package is not part of the workshop and no watercolor lessons or teaching will take place.
  • This cost is per person and based on double occupancy. If you are traveling with a guest, please indicate a quantity of two. If you are a solo traveler, please contact us at contact@paintbydestination.com for single supplement rates.
  • Rates do not include intra-air flight segments.

3 Nights Prague Package (Post-cruise)
Unavailable as of May 31, 2024

$900.00

Enjoy three nights in Prague, Czech Republic after the cruise embarkation date. The Prague pre-cruise will take place from August 26 - 29, 2024. Transportation from your Prague hotel to the airport will be provided free of charge. 
 
Please note:
  • The post-cruise package is not part of the workshop and no watercolor lessons or teaching will take place.
  • This cost is per person and based on double occupancy. If you are traveling with a guest, please indicate a quantity of two. If you are a solo traveler, please contact us at contact@paintbydestination.com for single supplement rates.
  • Rates do not include intra-air flight segments.