Danube Cruise 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar in Standard Premier Class to Brussels, with a meal and drinks served on board during the journey. We continue on to Cologne, where we stay overnight at the Grand City Hotel or the Four Points Hotel Central, both located close to the railway station. (E,D)

Leaving Cologne we continue by train, travelling in First Class to Passau. Here we transfer by coach to our home for the next seven nights, MS Belvedere. Passau straddles the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz. The waterways are celebrated here as the source of wealth, for they brought 'white gold' in the form of salt. The pace of your holiday is set by you - you may wish to take part in optional excursions (payable on board) enjoy the facilities on board or relax and watch the world float by. We leave Passau this evening, cruising overnight to Melk in Austria. (B,D)

This morning we arrive in Melk as breakfast is served on board. Melk is situated in Austria's wine-growing region and is the gateway to the scenic Wachau Valley. The city boasts a glorious Benedictine Abbey which stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and town. You have the chance to join a guided tour of the Abbey, including the prestigious Marble Room and the Abbey Church, generally considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps. (B,L,D)

We arrive this morning in Esztergom, one of the oldest towns in Hungary and the nation's capital from the 10th to mid-13th century. From here you have the option of joining an excursion through the Danube Bend, a series of picturesque towns and villages wedged between the river and the imposing forest-covered hills that rise sharply from the riverbank. Later today we cruise on to Budapest; a 'city of two halves' straddling the majestic Danube; on one bank attractive Buda, and on the other its bustling neighbour Pest. Architecturally, Budapest is a gem, with enough baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau buildings to satisfy anyone's appetite. The neo-Gothic Parliament is a must see, and contains amongst other things the Hungarian Crown Jewels. One of the most stunning cities in central Europe, you may wish to explore Budapest at your leisure, or join an excursion to the famous Puszta Plains to experience the seemingly endless stretches of grassland, teeming with rare flora, fauna and wildlife, including the impressive purple heron. This evening you can join an optional tour of Budapest by night. (B,L,D)

Today you have the chance to join a morning city tour of Budapest, taking in the fascinating sights of the city by coach. We return to the boat for lunch, when our cruise continues towards Slovakia. (B,L,D)

This morning we reach the capital city of Slovakia, Bratislava. Home to several universities and a wealth of museums and galleries, the city's historic centre features delightful cobblestoned roads, pedestrian plazas, pastel 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. Explore at your leisure or join an optional tour before we leave for Vienna, arriving in the Austrian capital during dinner. This evening you can savour this year's vintage at a traditional Heurigen (wine-tasting tavern). (B,L,D)

This morning you have the option of exploring Vienna independently or taking an excursion on a guided coach tour. The city glides effortlessly between past and present, as the grand imperial palaces and magnificent museums emerge gracefully alongside avant-garde galleries. As you meander around Vienna, the music of its famous inhabitants - Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, Mahler and Schönberg are resonant through its living streets, along with the heady aroma of its famous coffee. This afternoon you have chance to visit Schönbrunn Palace, arguably one of Austria's greatest buildings. This magnificent building is a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the highlights being its acres of formal gardens and parkland. We depart tonight and cruise towards Linz. (B,L,D)

After sailing overnight and throughout the morning, we arrive in the elegant city of Linz. Here you have a chance to explore the historic Old Town and the more recently built Culture Mile during a guided city walk. We remain moored in Linz until after dinner. We cruise through the night to Germany. (B,L,D)

Our final cruise on board MS Belvedere is to Passau, arriving early this morning. After enjoying our final breakfast on board, we disembark the ship and transfer by coach to the railway station to join the train to Nuremberg, travelling in First Class. We overnight at the wonderful Maritim Hotel Nuremberg. On Day 10 we continue our journey home, travelling via Cologne to Brussels in First Class. Here we connect with the Eurostar to London in Standard Premier Class with a light meal and drinks. (Day 9-B,D; Day 10-B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday