Grand Capitals of the Danube

Your holiday begins today with a flight to elegant Vienna, the Austrian capital, where you’ll be welcomed by your friendly local tour manager. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might also have the chance to soak up some of the city’s imperial landmarks and famous café culture.

This evening, head to the Danube waterfront and board your ship with a welcome cocktail and greetings from the crew on arrival. The ship will depart a few hours later, and dinner will be served.

Enjoy your first breakfast on the Danube this morning and gaze out across the riverside vistas as you cruise. Today, you’ll visit the exquisite town of Melk, crowned by its magnificent Benedictine monastery, on an included excursion. This picturesque abbey, which has stood watch over the town for over 1,000 years, is a marvel of Baroque architecture and houses the remains of numerous Austrian royals. Here, you’ll see the regal inner courtyard, before delving into the site’s colourful history with a tour of its museum. After some time exploring this exquisite landmark, you’ll return to the ship and continue along the idyllic Wachau Valley to Dürnstein.

Arriving later this afternoon, you’ll then head back out alongside your tour manager for an introduction to this charming medieval town. As you meander along Dürnstein’s cobbled streets, you’ll see its blue abbey church, the ruined hilltop castle, where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned, and the traditional 15th-century buildings of its old town. Reboard the ship this evening for dinner on the Danube and the onward journey into Slovakia.

Wake up in lively Bratislava, the historic Slovakian capital, this morning and get ready for another memorable day’s exploration with breakfast on board. Afterwards, disembark and join your tour manager for a tour of the city’s major highlights.

Start at the imposing Bratislava Castle, a fortified palace which has stood since 1811, where you can admire its imposing walls, the manicured Baroque gardens, and its breathtaking views over the Danube waterfront. From here, head to the historic Michael’s Gate and enter the city’s Old Town, a sprawl of medieval, baroque and art nouveau buildings. Visit the Old Town Hall, spot some of the playful statues dotted around the city and finish the day at the Primate’s Palace, one of Europe’s most elegant buildings. As the tour ends, you’ll have a few more hours in the city to spend as you see fit, perhaps setting out to soak up more of the city’s sights or watching the world go by from a pavement-side café.

This afternoon, head back to the ship and set sail eastwards as you settle in for dinner.

Wake up to breakfast on board and embrace a day at leisure as you cruise along the blue Danube. You can make the most of the ship’s facilities, perhaps taking in the region’s idyllic riverside vistas from the sundeck or stopping for a cocktail or two in the lounge area.

Alternatively, you can venture into the Puszta on an optional excursion. A vast UNESCO-listed grassland, the Puszta was seen as the Wild West of Hungary in the 19th century. After coming ashore, take a scenic coach ride through the plains to Kiskunsag Park, a reserve at the heart of the Puszta. Here, you’ll swap your coach for a charabanc, a traditional horse-drawn carriage, which will offer an immersive insight into the region’s unique history. On your journey further into the park, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of the local scenery and its elusive wildlife. Spot native racka sheep and Hungarian Grey cattle, with their unusually long twisted horns, and see the region’s diverse bird species, including the red-footed falcon and great bustard.

Stop at a local ranch for a traditional csikós equestrian show, which will showcase the historic attire and horse-riding techniques of the Puszta’s ‘cowboys’. While here, you’ll have the chance to try authentic local palinka, a Hungarian fruit brandy, with an assortment of pogacsa, small savoury buns.

Later this evening, head back to the ship for your onward journey to Budapest, the delightful ‘Pearl of the Danube’, with dinner on board.

Wake up in the Hungarian capital this morning and waste no time in exploring its sprawling historic streets. After breakfast, join your tour manager for an included tour of the city’s major sights, starting on the western bank in Buda. This quiet suburban district, known for its hillside spas and UNESCO-listed heritage sites, offers the ideal introduction to the city’s colourful history. After taking in Buda’s eclectic mix of medieval, baroque and gothic architecture, you’ll climb Castle Hill and can marvel at the intricate exteriors of the Royal Palace. From here, you’ll also enjoy views of the Danube waterfront and its magnificent Fisherman’s Bastion from above.

Next, head across the Danube to Pest, the flatter second half of the Hungarian capital, with its cosmopolitan atmosphere and bustling modern attractions. Visit Heroes’ Square, which commemorates chieftain Árpád and Hungary’s other seven founding leaders, before heading to the famous Széchenyi Baths. Built in 1913, these grand thermal pools are the largest medicinal baths in Europe and showcase the city’s spa traditions. Next will be Vaidahunyad Castle, a beautiful collection of buildings at the heart of City Park, and you’ll then board a coach for a drive along Andrássy Avenue. Pass St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, before finishing the morning with a drive along the Danube waterfront. It is here, on the banks of the river, that you’ll find the majestic Országház, the seat of the Hungarian parliament, and you’ll have some time to admire the views before heading back to the ship.

This afternoon is at leisure, and you’ll be free to book your own optional excursion at the ship’s reception. If you’d like a more in-depth glimpse into Hungary’s thermal baths, return to Széchenyi Baths and experience their healing waters, saunas, pool and spa facilities for yourself. You can also visit Budapest’s Market Hall, with opportunities to soak up the scents, sounds and sights of everyday life in the Hungarian capital, and taste an array of traditional local delicacies.

This evening, a final optional excursion, showcasing the dances, dress and folklore of Hungary’s earliest cultures, will be available at one of the city’s downtown theatres. Finish the day back on board the ship as it sets sail for Esztergom.

This morning will be at leisure, and shortly after breakfast, you’ll arrive in Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest cities. Here, you’ll have a couple of hours to explore under your own steam, perhaps visiting the town’s iconic domed basilica or stopping at a local café for a taste of life on the Danube.

Back on board the ship this afternoon, you’ll continue cruising to Vienna, enjoying a gala dinner as the sun goes down.

It’s the final day of your cruise, and once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll be free to spend it the way you want to. If you’d like, you can book an optional half-day tour to the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace, starting with a panoramic drive along the famous Ringstrasse.

This afternoon, an optional visit to Hofburg Palace will showcase the treasures of one of Europe’s most powerful empires. This evening, one final optional excursion will be available, and you can step back into the time of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi with a night at the opera accompanied by a sparkling wine reception.

This morning, after one last breakfast on board your ship, bid your hosts farewell and head back to the airport for the return flight to the UK.