Cruising the Danube
Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Durnstein
18th to 29th September 12 Days
£1180
£330 single supplement
Cruise down the majestic Danube...
The Danube is the Europe’s second longest river length 2,860km, passing through 10 countries and 4 capital
cities from its source in the Black Forest of Germany until it empties into the Black Sea. This awe-inspiring
waterway provides the perfect location for a European river cruise.
The scenery surrounding the Danube will take your breath away. The mountains and valleys scattered with
vineyards and wildlife provide an excellent backdrop for you to enjoy from the sundeck of your luxury river
cruise vessel. There are also a wealth of new places to explore when you leave the boat, including elegant
Vienna, beautiful Budapest, ancient Bratislava, Durnstein a picturesque village noted for its blue and white
cathedral, and majestic Melk Abbey.
Day 1 We welcome you aboard at your home to
home taxi pick up point, settle into your chosen seat
and continue the journey to Folkestone catch the
train to Calais proceeding onto the Altia Hotel for
our overnight accommodation. Set dinner, Buffet
breakfast. Comfort stops on route.
Day 2 A leisurely breakfast. Karlshruhe is our
destination today, crossing Belgium, Luxembourg,
into Germany for our overnight stop at Leonardo
Hotel comfort stops on route. Buffet style dinner &
Breakfast
Day 3 Linz is our destination today set on the
Danube in Austria. Continuing across Germany,
Austria comfort stops on route. Joining cruise boat
late afternoon.
Day 4 This morning we sail early 05-00 for Vienna,
Breakfast, Lunch on board relax in the lounge or go
up on deck. Morning afternoon coffee served.
Arriving Vienna 18-00 early evening. Dinner
served.
Day 5 After breakfast A full day in Vienna. Vienna,
the capital of Austria, lies in the country’s east on
the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy
was shaped by residents including Mozart,
Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also
known for its Imperial palaces, including
Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence.
In the Museums Quartier district, historic and
contemporary buildings display works by Egon
Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists. Tour of
Vienna will be arranged for today with leisure time.
Back on board late afternoon. Setting sail 18-00 for
Budapest during dinner.
Day 6 A full free day in Budapest. Budapest,
Hungary’s Capital, is bisected by the River
Danube, and the 19th-century Chain Bridge
connects its hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A
funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town,
where the Budapest History Museum traces life
from Roman times onwards. Trinity Square is
home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the
turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer
sweeping views.
Today, many of the original renaissance buildings
disappeared during the varied history of Buda, but
Budapest is still rich in renaissance and neorenaissance buildings, like the famous Hungarian
State Opera House, the St. Stephen's Basilica and
the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Sailing 19-00 this evening during dinner heading
for Bratislava.
with frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr and
the library with countless medieval manuscripts,
including a famed collection of musical manuscripts
and frescos by Paul Troger. One can wonder into
the town and walk up the steps to the abbey if so
wish. Depart Melk 12-00 sailing for Linz arriving
21-00.
Day 10 Disembark cruise boat this morning.
Heading for Karlshruhe for our overnight stay.
Comfort stops on route.
Day 11 After breakfast head for Lille and our
overnight hotel comfort stops on route.
Day 12 Catching the train from Calais this morning
proceeding to the West Country in time to meet
your home to home taxi comfort stops on route.
Day 7 Breakfast while cruising arriving Bratislava
13-00 during lunch free time. Bratislava is situated
in south-western Slovakia, within the Bratislava
region. Its location on the borders with Austria and
Hungary makes it the only national capital that
borders two countries. One of the most prominent
structures in the city is Bratislava Castle, situated
on a plateau 85 metres (279 ft) above the Danube.
Under Queen Maria Theresa, the castle became a
prestigious royal seat. In 1811, the castle was
inadvertently destroyed by fire and lay in ruins
until the 1950s, when it was rebuilt mostly in its
former Theresian style.
Most historical buildings are concentrated in
the Old Town. Bratislava's Town Hall is a complex
of three buildings erected in the 14th–15th
centuries and now hosts the Bratislava City
Museum. Michael's Gate is the only gate that has
been preserved from the medieval fortifications,
and it ranks among the oldest of the town's
buildings the narrowest house in Europe is nearby.
Most of Bratislava is traffic free in the centre. Take
the little touristic train ride of the city or wonder
the meandering streets, have a coffee by the river
running through the town. Plenty to do.
Day 8 Departing Bratislava early hours 04-00 of
the morning arriving in Durnstein 16-30. Durnstein
a picturesque village noted for its blue and white
cathedral.
Day 9 Departing Durnstein 06-00 for Melk arriving
09-00. Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey
overlooking the town. The Abbey was founded in
1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave
one of his castles to Benedictine monks
from Lambach Abbey. A monastic school,
the Stiftsgymnasium Melk, was founded in the 12th
century, and the monastic library soon became
renowned for its extensive manuscript collection.
Today's Baroque abbey was built between 1702 and
1736 to designs by Jakob Prandtauer. Particularly
noteworthy are the abbey church
Tour includes Home to home, VIP Class coach
Altia Hotel, Half board, Dinner, Buffet Breakfast
Welcome drink, Tea / coffee after dinner
Leonardo Hotel, Half board
Buffet dinner / Breakfast Tea/coffee after dinner
Esmeralda Cruise boat Porterage Welcome drink
Full board, Breakfast , Lunch, & Dinner
Breakfast hot/cold buffet
Lunch 3 course Choice of main
Dinner 4 course with choice of main
Tea/coffee after dinner
Coffee/tea morning/afternoon
Midnight snack approx. 22-00hrs
Captain’s farewell Gala Dinner
Live entertainment each evening, Ships musician
The Captain reserves the right to change the
itinerary due to operational reasons
Upper deck supplement £70 per person