Trip Highlights
- Three-night pre-cruise stay at Hotel Sacher in Salzburg with golf and cultural touring
- Private Sound of Music experience plus Salzburg Salt Mines
- Luxurious seven-night Tauck river golf cruise along the Danube aboard ms Savor
- Five rounds including the top-ranked courses in Austria and Slovakia
- Play the Jack Nicklaus and Ron Kirby design on the outskirts of Mozart’s hometown
- Explore Vienna and Budapest where imperial elegance meets vibrant life
- A Tauck Exclusive evening at Vienna's Palais Pallavicini — reception, dinner, and live performance in a gilded imperial ballroom
Itinerary
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Tues, May 11Salzburg, Austria
Arrive in Salzburg and transfer to Hotel Sacher for your three-night stay before we begin our seven-night Tauck river cruise along the Danube on ms Savor.
This evening, gather with fellow PerryGolf guests for a welcome dinner in this elegant baroque city, birthplace of Mozart.
Hotel Sacher - Deluxe Room
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Wed, May 12Salzburg Golfclub Am Mondsee
Golfclub Am Mondsee, designed by Max Lamberg, unfolds beneath the dramatic Drachenwand mountains. Water shapes the closing holes along Lake Mondsee, rewarding precise placement and a composed finish.
Enjoy Salzburg’s Altstadt at your leisure, perhaps strolling through the iconic Mirabell Gardens framed by church spires and manicured lawns.
Hotel Sacher - Deluxe Room
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Thurs, May 13Salzburg
Today is devoted to Salzburg’s cultural heritage. Follow filming locations from The Sound of Music before venturing underground at the remarkable Salzburg Salt Mines, where centuries of industry shaped the region’s prosperity.
Hotel Sacher - Deluxe Room
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Fri, May 14Vilshofen, GermanyGut Altentann Golf & Country Club
Gut Altentann Golf & Country Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus with Ron Kirby, was Nicklaus’s first mainland European course. Contoured greens and purposeful bunkering reward thoughtful angles and disciplined approach play.
After golf, transfer to Vilshofen to embark ms Savor and settle in as your Tauck river cruise along the Danube begins in refined comfort.
This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner exclusively for PerryGolf guests.
On the river
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Sat, May 15Passau
Discover Passau, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers converge beneath the domes of St. Stephen's Cathedral — explore its cobbled streets and baroque and Gothic architecture on a guided walking tour. Alternatively, venture to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic, a medieval hilltop town built around one of Central Europe's largest castle complexes.
On the river
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Sun, May 16Weissenkirchen, Austria Golf Club Linz–St. Florian
Golf Club Linz–St. Florian, originally designed by Donald Harradine, blends classic parkland shaping with modern refinement. Tree-lined corridors and well-placed water hazards reward patient strategy and clean ball-striking.
Non-golfers explore Grein, one of Austria's most picturesque riverside villages, on a guided walking tour taking in the historic town square, Gothic St. Giles Church, and the Grein Theatre — the oldest working theatre in Austria, operating since 1791. For those wishing to reflect, an alternative is a guided visit to the Mauthausen Memorial, the preserved site of the World War II-era concentration camp, approximately 20 kilometers away.
The afternoon brings a relaxing cruise through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with vineyards and castle ruins.On the river
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Mon, May 17Dürnstein Adamstal Golf Club
Adamstal Golf Club, designed by Jeff Howes and the #1 ranked course in Austria, sweeps through alpine foothills with bold elevation changes and expansive mountain views.
Non-golfers have a choice of excursions in Dürnstein. A guided walking tour explores the village's baroque architecture and the ruins of Kuenringerburg Castle high above the town — where King Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner in 1192. Alternatively, a cycling excursion winds through the Wachau Valley along the Danube, past vineyards and apricot orchards, starting and ending in Dürnstein.
On the river
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Tues, May 18Vienna
Arrive in imperial Vienna, where grand boulevards and café culture define the city's rhythm. Two morning touring options are available: a guided city sightseeing tour taking in the Ringstrasse, the Opera House, and the Parliament building, with the opportunity to listen to a Viennese orchestra rehearse mid-morning in a palace-turned-concert hall — or a tour of Vienna's landmark sights followed by a visit to the Imperial Treasury at Hofburg Palace, home to an extraordinary collection of royal and ecclesiastical treasures spanning over a thousand years of European history.
This evening, an exclusive Tauck gala at Palais Pallavicini — one of Vienna's few remaining privately held noble palaces — brings together the group for dinner and live musical performance in a gilded ballroom.
On the river
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Wed, May 19Bratislava, Slovakia Penati Golf Resort
Penati Golf Resort (Legend Course), a Jack Nicklaus Design and a top-ranked course in Slovakia, features expansive fairways and bold shaping in a modern setting.
Non-golfers choose between a walking tour of Bratislava's cobblestoned Old Town — taking in the 13th-century Old Town Hall, St. Martin's Cathedral, and the Primate's Palace — or a visit to Červený Kameň Castle in the Little Carpathian Mountains, followed by a falconry demonstration. Both excursions conclude in Modra for wine tasting and a family-style lunch at a local winery.
On the river
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Thurs, May 20Budapest, Hungary
Budapest unfolds along the Danube where historic Buda meets vibrant Pest. A guided tour takes in Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square, and the Parliament before crossing to Castle Hill — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Fisherman's Bastion, and Matthias Church with its richly decorated interior.
On the river
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Fri, May 21Budapest, Hungary
Disembark ms Savor after breakfast, concluding your PerryGolf + Tauck river cruise along the Danube through Central Europe’s most storied capitals.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Please note: All courses are played with golf carts; however, please be advised that supply is limited at Golfclub Am Mondsee. Guests should be prepared to walk this course with electric pull trollies. Golf carts will be allocated to those players in most need, who would not be able to play without the use of a cart. If you require a golf cart, please discuss with your Golf Travel Expert prior to booking.
Please note: All courses are played with golf carts; however, please be advised that supply is limited at Golfclub Am Mondsee. Guests should be prepared to walk this course with electric pull trollies. Golf carts will be allocated to those players in most need, who would not be able to play without the use of a cart. If you require a golf cart, please discuss with your Golf Travel Expert prior to booking.
Golf Courses
Ship
Tauck River Cruise Ships
Click here to view more information about the spacious, intimate-sized river cruise ships of Tauck.
Inclusions
Cruise Fare
- Airport transfers on arrival in Salzburg and departure from Budapest (guest flight details must be received in advance of travel)
- 3 nights' pre-cruise accommodation and welcome dinner at Hotel Sacher, Salzburg (Deluxe Room)
- 7 nights' accommodation aboard this elegant Tauck riverboat in the cabin category of your choice, subject to availability
- All meals during the 7-night cruise, including special dinners as outlined in the itinerary (breakfast room service included for Category 7 cabins)
- Unlimited beverages aboard ship, including regional wine, beer, premium spirits, specialty coffee, soft drinks, and water
- All scheduled Tauck shore excursions, sightseeing, and admissions throughout the itinerary
- All motor coach transportation, including the services of local guides and drivers
- Onboard entertainment including enrichment lectures, nightly piano music, culinary demonstrations, local performances, and in-room movies
- Services of ship staff and Tauck Cruise Directors
- Porterage throughout the program
- Complimentary internet and email access
- All port charges
- All customary gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff, local guides, drivers, and Tauck Cruise Directors
For a full overview of what sets Tauck apart, visit their Distinctively Inclusive page.
Not Included
- Airfare to/from destination
- Travel protection
Golf Package
- Full-time PerryGolf program manager onboard and onsite at each golf venue
- Welcome and farewell cocktail parties onboard, plus Golfers Social gatherings where scheduling permits
- Green fees and starting times for the number of rounds as indicated, and shared use of golf cart and/or caddies where available (refer to itinerary for cart and caddie availability by course)
- Handling, cleaning, and transporting of golf equipment for the duration of the program
- All transfers to and from the scheduled golf courses in luxury air-conditioned coaches
- Practice range facilities and golf balls where available
- Light lunch at each golf course plus open bar for a selection of beers, wines, and spirits
- Casual tournament format with awards on one day
- All gratuities for golf-related staff including drivers and golf bag handlers
Important Information
- Golf Handicap Limit: Our golf tours and cruises visit courses with varying challenges, requiring players to meet a certain standard. To ensure an enjoyable experience among like-minded golfers, we set maximum handicaps of 28 for men and 36 for women.
- Golf Courses: Course lineup may be subject to change if a club hosts a conflicting event or for other reasons. In such cases, PerryGolf will endeavor to arrange a comparable course and notify guests promptly.
Pricing (USD)
Pricing based on double occupancy.
FAQs
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What is a River Golf Cruise?
A River Golf Cruise combines a luxury European river cruise with a curated golf program at outstanding courses along the itinerary. PerryGolf and Tauck each bring their distinct expertise to the program: PerryGolf manages all golf logistics — including tee times, transportation, and equipment handling — while Tauck delivers the river cruise experience, with their Cruise Directors, Tauck Directors, and ship staff handling every non-golf aspect of life onboard and ashore. On golf days, golfers travel together with PerryGolf to the course while non-golfers join Tauck's included shore excursions. For all shared experiences — evening events, onboard programming, exclusive excursions, and meals — the full group travels together, with both PerryGolf and Tauck hosts present throughout.
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What is included in the price of the River Golf Cruise?
This ten-night program is designed to be as all-inclusive as possible. The PerryGolf + Tauck Danube River Golf Cruise itinerary begins with three nights pre-cruise in Salzburg, Austria, with luxury accommodations and a welcome dinner at the iconic Hotel Sacher, followed by seven nights aboard ms Joy or ms Savor, sister ships within the Tauck River Cruises fleet. A full-time PerryGolf program manager is onboard and present at every golf venue throughout.
The cruise fare includes: all accommodations, meals, drinks, entertainment, shore excursions, and gratuities.
The golf program includes: five rounds of golf — two pre-cruise in Salzburg and three during the Danube cruise — green fees, golf cart fees, ground transportation, practice range balls, a light lunch at each course, an open bar offering a selection of beers, wines, and spirits, and gratuities. Tee times, pairings, and all logistics are arranged and managed by PerryGolf.
Privately guided cultural touring and selected meals are included for both golfers and non-golfing companions, ensuring an enjoyable balance of golf and sightseeing throughout the itinerary. Guests may also explore independently or join Tauck's included shore excursion program. Throughout the journey, guests benefit from Tauck's fully guided experience, featuring the highest Tauck Director-to-guest ratio on Europe's rivers, with dedicated Directors onboard and ashore handling every detail from start to finish. For more on what sets Tauck apart, visit their Fully Guided page.
A reduced rate is available for non-golfing guests.
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What is a typical River Golf Cruise group size?
The PerryGolf group is planned for a maximum of 40 golfers, along with approximately 10 non-golfing companions. Some guests travel as small groups of friends, while others join as couples or individuals. It is worth noting that the ship is shared with other Tauck guests — ms Savor and ms Joy accommodate a maximum of 130 passengers in total, which adds to the social atmosphere onboard while maintaining an intimate and uncrowded feel throughout the cruise.
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Can you tell me more about the golf program on a River Golf Cruise?
The golf program is fully managed by PerryGolf staff both onboard and ashore. Clubs are transported to each venue in advance and placed on carts ready for your arrival. Transfers are scheduled to allow time to warm up at the range and visit the pro shop before play. Tee times and pairings are thoughtfully arranged in advance. A light lunch is provided at each golf course. Following the round, guests are welcomed inside the clubhouse to relax and enjoy an open bar offering a selection of beers, wines, and spirits – before returning to the ship. A friendly competition is staged at one course during the program, with prizes awarded at a farewell gathering.
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Does my spouse have to play golf?
No. There is a reduced cost for non-golfing spouses. About 25% of PerryGolf guests are non-golfers. Non-golfers can also expect a genuinely full and rewarding experience throughout this program. On golf days, non-golfers typically join Tauck’s included shore excursions — exploring the cultural, culinary, and historic highlights of each destination with a Tauck Director as their guide. Onboard, they enjoy all the comforts of a Tauck river cruise: excellent dining, scenic sailing, onboard programming, and the social atmosphere of a well-matched group. Additionally, non-golfing spouses are cordially welcome – and encouraged – to join their golfing spouses for exclusive PerryGolf private functions onboard.
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Why is the Danube an ideal river for a European River Golf Cruise?
The Danube flows through some of Central Europe’s most storied cities — Salzburg, Passau, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest among them — each with excellent golf nearby. The river corridor also offers exceptional cultural depth: imperial palaces, Baroque architecture, medieval old towns, UNESCO-listed landscapes, renowned vineyards, and world-class cuisine. For golfers and non-golfers alike, the combination of quality courses and genuinely rewarding destinations makes the Danube one of the most compelling settings for a European River Golf Cruise.
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What is PerryGolf’s Golf Cruise background?
PerryGolf has operated golf cruises since 1997 on a variety of vessels, building on the expertise developed through custom land tours which date back to 1984. In 2011 PerryGolf introduced its first Golf Cruises with Azamara Cruises, whose fleet of four intimate-sized ocean liners have proven ideal for this style of travel. Beginning in 2027, PerryGolf is delighted to partner with Tauck to offer European River Golf Cruises on the Danube.
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Who is Tauck, and why are they the ideal River Golf Cruise partner for PerryGolf?
Tauck is one of the most respected names in travel, recognized for award-winning river cruises across Europe and a century-long legacy of delivering exceptional guided travel. Their custom-built riverboats including ms Joy and ms Savor carry a maximum of 130 guests and offer an intimate experience, featuring exclusive, behind-the-scenes access travelers can't get on their own. PerryGolf and Tauck come together to deliver a seamless experience, combining expert golf logistics with the trusted Tauck river cruise experience. The result is a purpose-built River Golf Cruise, designed to bring the full strengths of both organizations to life, onboard and ashore.
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Is there a PerryGolf host on the River Golf Cruise?
Yes. A PerryGolf host travels with the group throughout the full program, managing all golf-day logistics, coordinating with course staff, and serving as the on-the-ground point of contact for any questions or adjustments. This hosted format is central to what distinguishes a PerryGolf Cruise from independent travel. On the Tauck side, a dedicated Cruise Director and Tauck Director are present throughout the river cruise portion.
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Can you tell me more about the Tauck ships used on a River Golf Cruise?
Our Danube River Golf Cruises operate on either ms Joy or ms Savor, both elegant and part of the Tauck River Cruises fleet. Each vessel accommodates a maximum of 130 guests, fewer than most riverboats of comparable size in Europe — ensuring a notably intimate and spacious experience. Each ship features 67 cabins, including 22 Tauck Suites of approximately 300 square feet. Guests enjoy open seating dining in The Compass Rose as well as the alternative venue Arthur’s. Additional onboard amenities include complimentary beverages, enrichment programs, fitness facilities, a Sun Deck putting green and Plunge Pool, Wi‑Fi, and bicycles for use ashore.
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What is the dress code onboard and at the golf courses for a River Golf Cruise?
The atmosphere onboard ms Joy and ms Savor is relaxed, with a resort casual dress code. During the day, comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended for sightseeing and excursions. In the evening, most guests choose smart casual attire such as collared shirts and trousers for men and dresses or elegant tops for women. Standard golf club attire is required at the golf courses.
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What level of fitness & mobility is required to join a River Golf Cruise?
A reasonable level of mobility is required to participate comfortably in this program. Historic European towns frequently feature cobblestone streets, uneven surfaces, and pedestrian-only areas. Guests should also expect narrow hallways and unavoidable stairs when moving through the ship or embarking and disembarking. Please note that Tauck's River Cruising itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Tauck Directors are responsible for ensuring the larger group enjoys a relaxing and seamless journey and are therefore unable to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests who require such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who can provide it.
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Can you tell me about Double-Docking (“Rafting”) during a River Golf Cruise?
River cruise ships sometimes dock alongside one another in a process known as double-docking or rafting. When this occurs, guests may walk through or across another riverboat to reach the shore. This is a normal and common part of cruising on Europe’s rivers.
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Can I ship my golf clubs ahead of my River Golf Cruise?
Yes. Guests may ship golf clubs or luggage in advance to their destination to avoid checked baggage during air travel. PerryGolf partners with Luggage Forward, who offers our guests a 10% discount and complimentary $2,000 insurance. Book with Luggage Forward here, and use the code PERRYGOLF at checkout.
Please note that golf clubs cannot be accommodated onboard ms Savor or ms Joy. PerryGolf arranges secure storage and transportation of all golf equipment between venues for the duration of the program, so clubs are handled on your behalf throughout. -
Can PerryGolf assist with my air travel arrangements for my River Golf Cruise?
Yes. Our dedicated Air Department handles everything from complex international routings to last-minute changes, with access to preferred fares and personalized support throughout. If you'd prefer to use airline miles for a free ticket, those bookings do need to be made directly with the airline. To get started, contact the Air Department at 800.344.5257 ext. 230 or air@perrygolf.com.
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Should I take out travel insurance for my River Golf Cruise?
PerryGolf strongly recommends that guests obtain luggage, accident, and trip cancellation insurance to protect their travel investment. Full details are available here.
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Who should I contact for further assistance or to book a River Golf Cruise?
For more information or assistance, please contact PerryGolf’s seasoned team of Golf Travel Experts at expert@perrygolf.com or 800.344.5257.



