Overview
Customer rating:
European grandeur meets high culture and epic scenery on this grand cruise through the historic cities of the Danube. Explore Vienna’s historic treasures, Bratislava’s medieval old town, and see the Hungarian horsemen of Kalocsa’s vast prairie.
Highlights
- Vienna Uncover the city’s rich heritage and visit the Opera House, City Hall and impressive Schönbrunn Palace on an optional excursion.
- Melk Visit the spectacular cliff-top location of the Benedictine Abbey for eye-catching views of the Danube on an optional excursion.
- Dürnstein Explore this elegant Baroque town overlooked by Kuenringerburg Castle, once prison to Richard the Lionheart.
- Bratislava Tucked into the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and surrounded by vineyards.
- Kalocsa Marvel at the Hungarian horsemanship of an equestrian show on this vast prairie on an optional excursion.
- Budapest A full day to experience the city’s wealth of historic treasures.
Cruise itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Total meals included:
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
UK - Vienna
Day1
Travel to Vienna where you will be met and transferred to your ship for embarkation. Vienna, the capital and largest city of Austria, is known for its cutting edge design, Imperial palaces and vibrant music scene. This evening, join the optional 'Vienna by Night' excursion to see some of Vienna's rich cultural treasures including the Opera House, City Hall, Johann Strauss statue, Imperial Apartments, and the Spanish Riding School.
Meals included:
- Dinner
Melk - Dürnstein
Day2
Today, perhaps join the optional visit to the pretty town of Melk and its spectacular Benedictine Abbey, perched on the cliff top, for stunning views of the Danube and the surrounding countryside. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise to medieval Dürnstein through the lush countryside of Austria's Wachau Valley. Enjoy an included walking tour of the Baroque town, overlooked by the fortifying walls of Kuenringerburg Castle and known for its enchanting blue-and-white Baroque church.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Bratislava
Day3
Tucked into the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and surrounded by vineyards, Bratislava is brimming with impressive sights from the imposing riverfront castle and Baroque palaces to Michael Gate and St Martin's Cathedral. The Old Town is a maze of cobbled medieval lanes and quaint bustling squares, overlooked by the stylish Mirbach and Primate's Palaces. Take an optional tour of the capital to visit The Jesuit Church, Town Hall, Castle Hill and Old Town. Have lunch on board and admire the scenery as you cruise to Kalocsa.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Kalocsa
Day4
Explore the charming Hungarian town of Kalocsa, set on marshy terraces above the Danube and renowned for its paprika, embroidery production and folkloric heritage. Take a stroll around the town centre soaking in sights such as the elaborate Baroque-style Archbishop's Palace and the Cathedral, fronted by the handsome Holy Trinity Square. Alternatively, join the optional excursion to the 'Puszta' or Great Plain. This vast prairie, once regarded as the 'wild west' of Hungary, is now a renowned equestrian centre where you can enjoy a fantastic show featuring Hungarian horsemanship. Return to your ship this afternoon and cruise to Budapest - the 'pearl of the Danube'.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Budapest
Day5
A full day to enjoy the beauty of Budapest, with its Art Nouveau architecture, the abundance of romantic views and steaming outdoor Turkish baths. One of Europe's finest cities, Budapest consists of two districts, old 'Buda' and more modern 'Pest', standing on either bank of the Danube and linked by seven picturesque bridges. This morning, perhaps join the optional tour through the winding streets of Buda. Discover the Royal Palace, looking across the water to the Parliament building and explore spa house, medieval homesteads, St Mathias Church and the turreted Fisherman's Bastion. In bustling Pest, get a close-up view of the Parliament Building, inspired by the London Parliament, and visit Heroes Square and St Stephen's Basilica. After lunch on board your ship, explore the city at leisure before this evening's optional excursion to a traditional folklore show.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Budapest - Esztergom
Day6
This morning, enjoy a short stop in Hungary's oldest town, Esztergom, overlooked by a colossal hilltop basilica which seems to rise out of nowhere. Return to your ship for lunch and continue your journey towards Vienna. Enjoy a gala dinner on board this evening.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Vienna
Day7
Conclude your cruise in Vienna, home to cobbled lanes and rambling palaces and steeped in a rich history waiting to be discovered. The charming and historic city of Vienna was the seat of the famous Habsburg dynasty for over 600 years. This morning's optional excursion gives you the chance to learn about their family history on a visit to the impressive Schönbrunn Palace, adorned with grandiose French-styled gardens and elegant décor. The tour also includes a drive along the famed Ringstrasse to see many of Vienna's historic landmarks. In the afternoon, there's an optional visit to the sumptuously furnished Hofburg Palace.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Vienna - UK
Day8
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
The following cruise optional excursion package can be purchased at the time of booking from £224 per person and includes:
Vienna
Day 1: Vienna by Night
Melk
Day 2: Visit to the world famous Benedictine Melk Abbey
Bratislava
Day 3: City tour
Kalocsa
Day 4: Half day visit to the Puszta
Budapest
Day 5: City tour and folklore evening show
Vienna
Day 7: Visit to Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace
Note: All optional excursions are subject to change and a minimum number of participants are required for them to operate. Please note that the optional excursion package can only be booked up to 35 days prior to departure.
Please call our Travel Specialists to book this holiday with an optional excursion package.
Extend your tour and see even more
On selected tours you can extend your time at the beginning or end of your holiday. To book your holiday with an extension, call us on 0330 0588 237 or speak to your travel agent.
To book your holiday with an extension, call 0330 0588 237 or speak to your travel agent.
What's included
Cruise only
Prefer to book your own flights and transfers? You have the freedom to do that with our Tour Only holiday option.
- VIP private home pick-up service
- Accommodation
- Selected meals
- All inclusive drinks on cruise
Cruise with flights
Let us take care of everything. Our package option includes return flights from your chosen airport, plus overseas transfers to your hotel.
- VIP private home pick-up service
- Flights
- Transfers
- Accommodation
- Selected meals
- All inclusive drinks on cruise
- All airport and port taxes
Book with confidence
We are a member of ABTA, and all our flight-inclusive holidays are protected by ATOL. So you can book, relax, and plan your sightseeing.
