Danube Cruises Itinerary

Day 1 Fly from your chosen airport to Munich. Transfer from the airport direct to the port at Passau, a journey time of just over 2 hours. On arrival in Passau you join your cruise ship which leaves port at 4 pm. You pass through the winding stretch of the Danube known as the Schlögener Schlinge before enjoying a welcome cocktail and dinner on board.

Day 2 At around 10 am the ship docks in Vienna where you join the morning city tour highlighting the main sights such as St Stephen's Cathedral, the magnificent architecture on the grand Ring Boulevard and the spectacular Hofburg Imperial Palace, winter residence of the Habsburgs. The ship leaves Vienna at 6 pm and heads downstream to Budapest.

Day 3 Arriving in Budapest at 11 am you are greeted by the impressive sight of Budapest's principal landmarks which line the river banks - the Parliament buildings, the Castle District and the Fishermen's Bastion, to name but a few. A tour of the city shows you these sights in more details. After dinner on board ship, an evening cruise shows you the city floodlit by night as you enjoy traditional Hungarian entertainment with a gypsy band and folklore group.

Day 4 In the morning the ship docks at Kalocsa, a charming town in the Hungarian lowlands noted for its traditional embroidery and the cultivation of paprika, Hungary's national product. The optional excursion here includes a typical Hungarian horse show and a visit to the only paprika museum in the world. At 5 pm the ship heads upstream for Budapest. Once again musical entertainment follows the evening's dinner on board with an operetta performance by Hungarian musicians and singers.

Day 5 Arriving in Budapest at 7 am, the morning is at your disposal for shopping or sightseeing. After lunch on board an optional excursion by bus transfers you via Visegrad to Esztergom. Those remaining on board sail through the scenic stretch of the Danube often referred to as the 'Hungarian Wachau'. At 7 pm the coach party rejoins the ship before it departs for Slovakia.

Day 6 You arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava at 7.30 am and spend the morning exploring the historic city centre with its cathedral, town hall and city gates before the ship departs for Vienna. Enjoy your afternoon on board as you look forward to the optional evening excursion which takes you to the Prater giant wheel and amusement park and a typical Heuriger wine tavern. At midnight the ship departs Vienna.

Day 7 First port of call is the pretty winegrowing town of Weissenkirchen from where the optional excursion 'Beauties of the Wachau' departs. At 1 pm the ship continues through this scenic wine-growing region, passing the baroque Benedictine abbey at Melk overlooking the Danube. In the evening you celebrate your last evening on board ship with a farewell gala dinner with music and dancing to the ship’s orchestra.

Day 8 Arrival at Passau at about 8.30 am. Disembarkation by 9 am. Return transfer to Munich airport for your flight back to London.

Optional excursions

Day 5 Szentendre-Estergom £21
Leaving Budapest by bus you travel to the artists’ village of Szentendre and continue on to Visegrad Castle. At Esztergom, ancient residence of the Hungarian kings you visit the impressive basilica and the treasure vault before rejoining the ship at Esztergom.

Day 6 Evening excursion in Vienna £27
Vienna by night includes a ride on the ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park followed by a tour of the Ring Boulevard. Continue to Grinzing for a glass of wine in a Heuriger wine tavern on the outskirts of the city.

Day 7 Beauties of the Wachau valley tour £29
The Wachau wine growing district is one of Austria’s scenic jewels and this tour includes a visit to the 900 year old baroque abbey at Melk, a stroll through the pretty village of Dürnstein and a taste of local wine in the charming town of Weissenkirchen overlooking the Danube.