Cruise & Explore: Budapest, Vienna and more

Your ship is moored in Passau, with embarkation from the afternoon, so fly into Munich and transfer to your ship. You may choose to arrive a day or two early to explore more of the local area, including Munich, known for its lively Marienplatz Square, Hofbräu beer, designer shopping at Maximilianstrasse and of course as the home of the BMW museum. Our friendly crew will be there to welcome you on board your modern ship, moored overnight in this fascinating city, where the river Inn and the river Ilz meet the Danube. Take in the views from the spacious sun deck or explore ashore before our chef’s prepare your à la carte dinner on board this evening.

Dinner included

After a leisurely breakfast, take the opportunity to explore the ‘City of Three Rivers’, overlooked by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress. The old town below is known for its Baroque architecture including Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, where the world’s largest cathedral organ sounds. You have a full day here and how you fill it is up to you. Perhaps enjoy a guided tour of Passau or arrange a full day visit to neighbouring Český Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed town with a magnificent Gothic castle.

We’re moored here until the clock strikes midnight, so be sure to use this time make the most of this fabulous city. Perhaps take a stroll along the charming waterfront and see what restaurants and bars catch your eye. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to local Bavarian beers, as well as delicious German cheeses and smoked Bratwurst sausages.

Depart Passau 23:59. Breakfast & lunch included.            

Austria is a country synonymous with superb scenery, but this beautiful section of the Danube Valley is something of a secret. This morning you’ll awake in Linz, known for its charming Baroque old town. At its heart you’ll see one of the finest squares in Austria, lined by grand pastel-coloured facades with an impressive central Trinity Column of white marble, crowned by a gilded sunburst. Home to creative types for centuries, Linz exudes a cool Bohemian feel and still hosts cultural events throughout the year – so look out for independent art galleries and music cafes galore. 

Or perhaps arrange a visit to Salzburg today. Dominating the skyline is one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, while beneath its walls church domes and spires rise from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. Then there’s the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace and the formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace – a must for horticulture fans. Wherever your feet take you, be sure to return in time for this evening’s Signature Dinner. As you enjoy fine cuisine inspired by local flavours, watch from the panoramic windows as your ship gently cruises to Melk.

Arrive Linz 6:30. Depart Linz 18:30. Breakfast & dinner included       

 

Wake up this morning in the historic city of Melk, where the enormous honey-coloured abbey, stands resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, Melk Abbey was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since. The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms and an ornate library. 

If visiting the abbey isn’t on your to-do list, perhaps hire a bike and enjoy the views from the Danube cycling path or simply wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town and find a spot to sample the local culinary delights, such as Topfentascherl, a fruit pastry. This evening, why not head to the bar to enjoy an aperitif before dinner on board, served as we sail to a twinkling Vienna.

Arrive Melk 02:00. Depart Melk 15:30. Arrive Vienna 22:00. Breakfast & dinner included

If you stayed up over a cocktail to see us moor in this splendid city, you’ll already have witnessed the incredible skyline by night. Imagine Vienna and you think of culture, ornate architecture and resplendent cafés, with the music of the great composers filling the air. In fact, the reality is little different and there’s an absolute wealth of things to see in this former capital of the Habsburg Empire. For such a grand city Vienna is quite compact and you have the day and evening here to soak it all in. And if you aren’t sure – perhaps start with the 200ft-high Wiener Riesenrad ferris wheel to plan your day from above.

Whether you explore on foot – or even – by bike there’s plenty to discover between lunch on board, with the ship's riverside location making it extra convenient to fuel up between exploring. For the foodies amongst you, a visit to the open Naschmarkt or chocolate making class might sound like the perfect way to spend an afternoon in the home of cake and coffee culture. At Vienna‘s heart there’s the Saint Stephen’s Cathedral with its dazzling patterned roof of glazed tiles, then the awe-inspiring Hofburg Palace, the former royal court that’s now a collection of museums, home to the Crown Jewels and relics of the Holy Roman Empire as well as the famous Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs. Since we’re here until the evening, you might even want to book yourself a seat for a concert – afterall you are in perhaps the world’s most musical metropolis!

This evening is yours to embrace, so perch up at a table at one of the many incredible restaurants or Beisl (Viennese bistro) as you enjoy dinner and drinks on shore.

Breakfast & lunch included

This morning we arrive in Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava. Until relatively recently swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town. Equally impressive is the imposing 17th-century castle commanding expansive views across the Danube. We’re here from morning to night, with lunch provided on board inbetween, so why not use your free time to get yourself acquainted with this fascinating city and eye up dinner reservations for this evening? For a unique dining experience, book ahead for the UFO restaurant for enviable sky-high views across the river.

But how to spend your day? Perhaps look into a classic or culinary guided tour, or visit the majestic Primatial Palace.

This majestic building is a Baroque-classicist palace in the heart of Bratislava, where Napoleon signed a peace treaty 'The Peace of Pressburg' in 1805. Be sure to be back at the ship before 10pm as the Captain sets our course for beautiful Budapest, as you relax over your drink of choice in the bar.

Depart Vienna 04:00. Arrive Bratislava 08:00. Depart Bratislava 22:00. Breakfast & lunch included

Over breakfast, Budapest’s brooding skyline provides a striking backdrop. Straddling the Danube, this imperial capital is a collage of palatial buildings, grand domes and attractive Baroque churches with soaring spires. With a full day and evening to explore, there’s so much to see at every turn. From Roman ruins to Ottoman Turkish baths and elegant Art Nouveau facades, the eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects the city’s varied history, with numerous foreign powers ruling here over the centuries. Perhaps arrange a guided tour, seeing all the main sights of this lovely city including the iconic Parliament Building, the National Gallery with its huge collection of Hungarian masterpieces, and the Matthias Church with its intricate rose windows. 

If you’re already familiar with this city, there’s so much more to do – from cooking classes in the Market Hall, a trip to a local spa, a hike to Buda hill or a Hungarian wine and cheese tasting. You might even fancy a dip in a thermal spa at the Széchenyi baths, where the bright yellow palace walls provide opulent surroundings for ultimate relaxations – though some prefer to play chess on floating boards! Or perhaps head back to the Castle District to take in the panoramic views or explore one of the city’s many museums and galleries – the National Gallery Museum is particularly impressive.

This evening, enjoy your final dinner on shore, with a plethora of restaurants and bars to choose from. For a special finale with incredible views of Castle Hill and the Danube, Felix Kitchen & Bar is a strong choice. Beneath its Neo-Renaissance façade, you’ll find a mix of classic Hungarian favourites and creative flair. They even have live cooking experiences, art exhibitions and cocktail classes to look out for. You also might stumble across a ruin bar - romkocsma - without realising it at first, since this contemporary concept breathes new life into old and damaged pre-war buildings. You’ll mostly spot them in the Jewish Quarter, made up of higgledy-piggledy furniture and brimming with leafy plants - Mazel Tov is a particularly popular example. As the sun sets on this memorable city, enjoy your final night, whether it's a late evening in one of Budapest's atmospheric wine bars, or a chilled night in the ship's bar with your fellow travellers.

Arrive Budapest 09:30. Breakfast & lunch included

 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight. Or you may even wish to stay a little longer in Budapest, the choice is yours.

Breakfast included