The Beautiful Blue Danube

Our holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras to begin our journey. We board the Eurostar to Brussels, then continue by rail to vibrant Cologne, known for its impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest in Northern Europe. After settling into our hotel we enjoy dinner in this striking city.

We enjoy a walking tour of Cologne this morning, exploring its bustling streets and lively squares. As well as visiting the cathedral, we admire the Romanesque townhouses dotting the city’s streets. This afternoon, we journey by rail to Passau where our luxurious ship awaits us and we’re welcomed on board with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge. During dinner, we set sail downstream on our first cruise of the holiday.

This morning we visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey that stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It’s here we see the abbey’s church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

After lunch, we cruise through the scenery of the Wachau Valley, truly a highlight of the river. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with picturesque riverside towns and commanding fortresses.

Austria’s Wachau Valley is a famous wine-making region, which makes it the perfect stop on our cruise to sample the renowned local wine. There’s free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to do just that, or simply wander the charming streets, soaking up the fairytale landscapes. This village is also home to the renowned castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned for a time and we get a great view of it from the riverside.

After dinner back onboard, a real treat awaits us in the lounge tonight. As we sail into the magnificent city of Vienna, we’re joined by four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra who whisk us away with their performances of well-known classical pieces.

Vienna beckons today with its grandeur and elegance and we head into the city for a guided tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria’s Imperial culture, one full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic and musical heritage. With our expert guide, we visit the illustrious Ringstrasse boulevard. Here, we see many of Vienna’s most ornate buildings including the world-renowned Opera House, where the greatest singers of our time have graced the stage, and the imposing Parliament Building.

After our inspiring tour, there’s time to explore the city at leisure. The city’s vibrant energy is infectious, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the magnificent atmosphere. Wander through the city centre and marvel at the striking St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or delve into one of the countless museums that bring the city’s history to life. You could also indulge in the famous Sacher Torte, a Viennese delight, at one of the cosy coffee shops. During dinner this evening, we begin our overnight sail toward Budapest.

We arrive in glorious Budapest after breakfast and this afternoon, we’re introduced to the beauty and history on a sightseeing tour of this captivating city. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, Budapest has plenty of impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the river. From the State Opera House and St Stephen’s Basilica to Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, each sight is more remarkable than the last. After dinner back on board this evening, we enjoy the enchanting ambience of a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe.

After a morning at leisure in Budapest with time to wander and explore, we begin cruising the Bratislava after lunch. Relax onboard as we navigate the scenic Danube bend, passing the village of Visegrad famous for its dramatic hilltop castle and the town of Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary. We continue cruising by the delightful landscapes of the Danube for the rest of the day.

This morning we arrive in the enchanting and historic Slovakian capital of Bratislava, welcomed by its castle overlooking the river. We set out on a fascinating guided tour after lunch. Bratislava is divided neatly into two parts by the waters of the Danube, and we have time to get to know both the Baroque Old Town and the newer city.

As we explore the enchanting streets, we’re immersed in the vibrancy of the city, which has dramatic historic buildings, Baroque palaces and a wealth of fantastic museums and galleries. Later this afternoon we continue sailing overnight.

After a relaxed morning of cruising, we arrive into Linz this afternoon. The town is known for its gorgeous old town as well as its mix of baroque and modern architecture. On a guided tour, we discover the charming Main Square, explore the quaint old town with its historic architecture, and stroll through the serene City Park. The rest of our day is at leisure and you can experience Linz’s vibrant atmosphere at your own pace. This evening we enjoy a Gala dinner on board, as we begin our final cruise towards Passau.

It’s time to bid farewell to our lovely crew this morning as we disembark in Passau. Heading to the station, we journey by rail to London. Here, we say goodbye to our fellow travellers, leaving with new memories of our wonderful cruise.