Premium Danube Cruise Tour | Great Rail Journeys

Tour Highlights

Cologne
Nuremberg
Regensburg
Passau, Linz
Melk, Dürnstein
Vienna & Budapest

What’s Included (Full details)

First Class Rail
Eurostar Standard Premier
Eurostar Meals
4* Hotel Accommodation
Breakfast Every Day
Evening Meals With Wine
2 Nights' Accommodation
All Transfers Included
Selected Porterage
Optional Bag Concierge
Selected Excursions

Quick Links:

Itinerary
Ships, Hotels & Trains
Optional Extras

View Map

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Day 1

London to Cologne

We meet at our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras International and then travel by Eurostar in Standard Premier Class to Brussels, from where we continue to Cologne in First Class. Here we enjoy an overnight stay and our first dinner together.

Includes:

Dinner
Eurostar Meal

Day 2

Join your ship in Nuremberg

We transfer to Nuremberg today, where we board our ship.

Includes:

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Regensburg

We cruise this morning to Regensburg for a walking tour. The city has one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in Europe, which boats UNESCO World Heritage status. St Peter's Church, with its impressive stained glass windows from the middle ages, is the greatest Gothic cathedral in Bavaria and took over 600 years to build. Tonight we enjoy a 'Taste of Bavaria' introduction to local cuisine, enjoying traditional beer, snacks and entertainment.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Passau and Linz

Our ship arrives into Passau this morning. You can enjoy a walking tour of this delightful town, situated on the Austrian border and dominated by the Veste Oberhaus. This castle, which has never been conquered by military force, offers commanding views of the mighty river and rolling countryside. Otherwise, you could take the optional excursion to Salzburg, famous as the setting for 'The Sound of Music.' We cruise on to elegant Linz in Austria, where you can explore the historic Old Town.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Melk and Dürnstein

This morning we arrive in Melk, situated in Austria's wine-growing region and gateway to the scenic Wachau Valley. Melk boasts a glorious Benedictine Abbey, which stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and the town. We enjoy 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. At lunchtime we set sail down the river through the impressive scenery of the Wachau. Later we arrive in Dürnstein, an idyllic town set in the most scenic stretch of the Wachau Valley. Watched over by the ruins of its medieval castle, Dürnstein is a delight to explore. From here you have the chance to join an optional guided tour of the town, or to explore independently. Later our cruise continues, as the ship makes its way towards Vienna. This evening you could enjoy an optional Strauss and Mozart concert, or visit a traditional wine tavern.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Vienna

This morning you can explore glorious Vienna, either independently, or on an optional guided coach tour. The city is an effortless blend of past and present, as the grand Imperial palaces sit alongside avant-garde art galleries. As you meander around Vienna, the music of its famous inhabitants - Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss and Brahms - are resonant through its living streets, along with the aroma of its famous coffee. We also have the chance to take a guided tour which includes the Naschmarkt where you can sample some of the local delicacies.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

At leisure in Vienna

Today you are free to explore at your own pace. Vienna's glorious Gothic cathedral, the Stephansdom, is located at the very centre of the city. By climbing the 553 steps to the top of the cathedral you will be rewarded with one of the best views of the city. Alternatively, a ride on the giant Ferris wheel in Prater Gardens offers a more laid back way to achieve a superb view. This afternoon we have the chance to visit Schönbrunn Palace on an optional excursion, arguably one of Austria's greatest buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Includes:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 8-9

To Budapest

We reach Budapest today, the lively Hungarian capital. This stunning city of two halves is divided by the majestic Danube and sewn together by a collection of beautiful, elegant bridges. On one bank attractive, historical Buda looks across to its younger neighbour, the bustling, flatter Pest. Architecturally, Budapest is a gem, with enough Baroque, Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau buildings to satisfy anyone's appetite. We discover Budapest during an included guided tour, and later enjoy dinner on board. On Day 9 your cruise comes to an end in Budapest. Enjoy the remainder of your time here at leisure before taking the train back to Nuremberg.

Includes:

Day 8 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10

Homeward bound

Today we travel home by train, taking the Eurostar from Paris back to London.

Includes:

Breakfast
Eurostar Meal

Please note

Optional shore excursions are not included in the price of your tour and are payable on board the ship.



Premium Danube Cruise

Itinerary

Ships, Hotels & Trains

Optional Extras

Itinerary & Map

London to Cologne

Join your ship in Nuremberg

Regensburg

Passau and Linz

Melk and Dürnstein

Vienna

At leisure in Vienna

To Budapest

Homeward bound

Please note

Get in touch with one of our Travel Specialists

Sign up for our free newsletter