Photos compliments of Andrew Ryback Photography
The 2026 FEI World Championships will be held from August 11 to 23, 2026, in Aachen, Germany, marking a significant return to the iconic Soers venue. This event will feature six equestrian disciplines: Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, Eventing, Driving, and Vaulting, all hosted at a single, central location. The event’s theme, “Win as One,” emphasizes unity and excellence in equestrian sport.
Aachen’s Main Stadium will host Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing competitions, while the Deutsche Bank Stadium will serve as the primary arena for Para Dressage, featuring a 50m x 80m sand arena with seating for 6,300 spectators. The event will also include a vibrant side program in Aachen’s City Market Square, offering daily activities and opportunities for fans and athletes to interact. Additionally, a Championship Village with 200 white pagoda tents will house approximately 185 exhibitors.
The event is expected to attract a global audience, with ample accommodation options available in Aachen, including over 5,700 hotel beds across 63 establishments. The city is well-served by multiple airports and excellent train links, ensuring easy access for international visitors.
Aachen’s rich history in hosting major equestrian events, including the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, underscores its reputation as a premier destination for equestrian sport.
- Attend FEI World Championships Aachen 2026
See a performance of the Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria
Visit Budapest, Hungary and attend a Puszta Horse Show
- Meet Andrew Ryback and learn the secrets behind horse show photography
* above excursions are optional and may require additional trip investment
The Plaidcast
Itinerary – Romantic Danube
Route: Vilshofen to Budapest
Dates: August 10th-17th, 2026
Ship: AmaBella
August 10, 2026 VILSHOFEN (Embarkation)
Board the ship for your Romantic Danube cruise. Later in the day, attend an exclusive Oktoberfest celebration with traditional beer and Bavarian folk music and dancing.
August 11, 2026 PASSAU
Cruise to Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers.” Join a walking tour or if you prefer to be more active, hike high into the hills for a visit to the “Veste Oberhaus,” Passau’s Castle Hill; or go on a River Inn bike tour.
August 12, 2026 LINZ
The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český 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. Following these full-day excursions, you may also choose to take a brief walking tour in Linz. Alternatively, join a walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or bike along the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube.
August 13, 2026 WEISSENKIRCHEN
Head up to the Sun Deck for panoramic views as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the Strudengau and UNESCO-designated Wachau valleys. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. Or hike the trail up to the ruins of Durnstein Fortress, where Richard the Lionheart was once held captive, and where you’ll find spectacular views of the valley, river and village below. You can also choose to cycle through the Wachau Valley on a guided bike tour. For a more culinary-focused experience, sample special apricot treats and regional wine from a local boutique.
August 14, 2026 VIENNA
The “City of Waltzes” offers a treasure trove of gems and your city tour showcases them, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace. Your tour concludes in the historic city center with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Or if you prefer a more active tour, take a guided bike ride through Vienna. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city.
August 15, 2026 BRATISLAVA
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
August 16, 2026 BUDAPEST
Today you have 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. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. 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.
August 17, 2026 BUDAPEST (Disembarkation)
Disembark the ship as you prepare for your flight home.
*optional 2-night, pre-cruise extension in Munich for $980/person double occupancy
*optional 3-night, pre-cruise extension in Prague for $975/person double occupancy
For more information on this cruise contact Nicole Zima
Phone: 407-457-9799 / Email: nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com
Terms & Conditions
ITINERARY:
Schedule and times are subject to change without notice due to water levels, wind factors and other conditions.
REGISTRATION FORM
To book a stateroom on this sailing, you must submit a completed registration form with deposit. For your convenience the registration form can be completed and electronically signed online by all passengers traveling.
For PC users the PDF form can be completed online, saved and returned via email to nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com.
For MAC users, the process for properly filling in and saving a PDF form is slightly different than on a Windows machine. By default, the Mac’s Preview application is set to open all PDF files, but Preview will not save the data you put into the forms. Right-click on the pdf or hold down the Control key on your keyboard and click on it. A menu will appear, select “Open With”. Choose Acrobat Reader from the list of programs. From within Acrobat you will be able to fill in the fields and save the file with your text and submit the completed form via email.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
All Guests will be required to check‐in online to complete and submit their PASSENGER INFORMATION FORM before final documentation will be processed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Sail Away Group Travel strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to safeguard your trip investment.