Classical Danube Budapest to Passau

Your journey starts in Budapest. This evening, join us for a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner. A romantic evening cruise through beautifully illuminated Budapest, as well as a Hungarian folklore show, make for a perfect beginning!

Discover the beautiful sights and attractions of Budapest. This morning, explore the city which straddles the Danube, with its Fisherman‘s Bastion on the Buda side, overlooking the river, and the Pest side with its grand, Neo Gothic style Parliament House. Depart from Budapest after lunch by coach on an excursion to the Hungarian countryside to explore the artists‘ town of Szentendre, and the former capital of Hungary, Esztergom.

Should you choose to remain on board, enjoy an afternoon relaxing on deck, before arriving in Esztergom for dinner, where your fellow passengers rejoin the vessel.

In the morning, we call at our next capital city — Bratislava. Explore the city during a walking tour, or on your own. See the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia. Just a stone‘s throw away from Bratislava lies a true gem of Baroque architecture – Schloss Hof. This afternoon, take the opportunity to step into a bygone era of opulence and grandeur and visit its aristocratic palace, terraced gardens and tranquil estate farm that seems to have sprung from the pages of a fairytale. Enjoy dinner on board before the vessel departs from Slovakia late this evening.

There is much to see in Imperial Vienna: Palaces, a Museum Quarter displaying works by artists Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, the historic buildings along the Ringstrasse, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the famous Vienna State Opera among others. This afternoon, choose to venture to Schönbrunn Palace, the sumptuous summer palace and gardens of Empress Maria Theresia and the Habsburg Empire. This evening take the chance to attend the “Sound of Vienna“ and listen to the “Alt Vienna“ orchestra play popular pieces from Vienna’s classical era — a perfect end to your Vienna experience.

The romantic Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful landscapes of Austria. In the morning your ship docks in Dürnstein, with its blue medieval abbey on the edge of the Danube river. Wander through this quaint village or join a walking tour featuring a visit to the Dürnstein Abbey. Alternatively, if you wish to explore the wines of the Wachau, a visit to the Krems winery estate to learn about the history and enjoy a tasting is a must. During lunch on board, your cruise continues to Emmersdorf.

Spend the afternoon discovering this typical small town in Lower Austria or opt to travel across the river to nearby Melk and its glorious Benedictine abbey — the largest in Austria. In the evening, your ship leaves the Wachau and heads for Linz.

Arrive in the erstwhile cultural capital of Linz, where your vessel makes a short stop for the departure of today‘s excursions — the walking tour of Linz with a scenic drive to Aschach to rejoin the vessel for lunch, or a full day tour to the Mozart town of Salzburg with lunch at a local restaurant. Late in the afternoon, the ship arrives at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz Rivers, in the three-rivers city of Passau, which you can explore on a commented walking tour. This evening, celebrate at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast, arrive in Regensburg, which is one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts architecture from many centuries, reflective of its varied history. The stone bridge, built in 1135—1146 and the Cathedral of St. Peter are a few of the highlights seen on the guided walking tour. This afternoon, offers two options — an excursion to the Danube Gorge and Weltenburg Abbey or a visit to the Thurn and Taxis Palace — both excursions offer the opportunity to sample the local brew. A traditional Bavarian dinner is served as your ship departs.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you again soon!