The Beautiful Blue Danube

PASSAU – MELK – VIENNA - BUDAPEST

Experience the best of the Danube and the exciting historic cities of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna on this short  6-day tour.  Highlights include Schonbrunn Castle and the Hapsburg Palace in Vienna and the amazing Abbey of Melk.

Board the ship at 4.00 pm. Time to settle comfortably in your cabins before meeting the crew. At 5.00 pm , we set off cruising along the Danube towards the Austrian-German border through the attractive region of Engelhartszell. A welcome cocktail reception will be organised on board. Dinner and evening on board.

Breakfast on board before disembarking at 8.00 am for an excursion to the Benedictine Abbey of Melk which is perched up high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It is the symbol of Austrian Baroque at its finest. Return to the ship around 11.00 am and sail on to Dürnstein, arriving there for lunch around 12.30 pm. Dürnstein is the best known village in the Wachau thanks to the legend of King Richard the Lion Heart. Have a free afternoon to discover this picturesque village and its baroque church for yourselves. Back on board around 3.30 pm before cruising on to Vienna. Dinner on board before reaching our destination at around 8.30 pm. Disembark and leave on a tour of the illuminated sights of Vienna. Overnight stop.

VIENNA – BUDAPEST

After breakfast, take part in the visit to the Palace of Schoenbrunn, which was the summer residence of the Emperor of Austria and his family. Lunch on board before enjoying a free afternoon to tour this magnificent city on your own. Back on board by 7.00 pm before sailing on towards Budapest, passing Bratislava on the way. Dinner and gala evening on board.

BUDAPEST

Breakfast onboard before visiting Esztergom at your own pace, the former capital of Hungary, under the reign of the Arpad kings. It is still a prominent town as it is the seat of the Hungarian archbishops. Esztergom is decidedly full of treasures with its neo-classic basilica and former Royal Palace. We set sail once again around noon to arrive in Budapest around 4.00 pm. The Hungarian capital, which lies along the banks of the Danube, also known as the "pearl of the Danube" is one of the most attractive cities in Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore the city before returning to the ship for dinner. Visit of Budapest by night.

Breakfast on board before having a free day or join the morning sightseeing tour of the city. Budapest embodies the contrast between the twin cities of Buda and Pest, which were separated one from the other on each bank of the Danube before being reunited in 1872.  Buda, the higher of the two cities, with its winding cobble-stoned streets and baroque palaces, Turkish baths and Royal castles and her sister, Pest, the "fiery", which presents its visitors a proud display of different architectural styles. Return to the ship for lunch before enjoying a free afternoon to discover the amazing city on your own. After dinner, free evening or disembark for a folk evening with traditional dances in the city.

Breakfast on board before disembarking. End of our services.

This offer includes: The cruise on full board from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the final day, local wine, beer and fruit juice at lunch and dinner (on board meals only), Open bar including a variety of French and regional wine and spirits  (excluding Champagne and premium drinks),  accommodation in a twin air conditioned cabin with shower and WC, entertainment, the assistance of our hostess on board, the welcome cocktail, the gala evening, port taxes and pre paid English sightseeing (subject to minimum numbers).

This offer does not include:  insurance, personal expenses, Drinks - wine selected from the premium drinks list and those purchased on shore excursions, shore excursions.