The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest

Your holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras this morning. Boarding the Eurostar service, we travel to Brussels then continue by rail to Cologne for an overnight stop.

Standing on the Rhine River, this grand city is dominated by its Gothic cathedral with two piercing spires. Just outside Cologne's main train station, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a symbol of the city, and the largest church in northern Europe.

On arrival, we check in to our hotel for the night and enjoy our first dinner together as a group this evening.

*If you would like to travel by air, view our Fly & Cruise option here.

• Dinner

Breakfast is served in our hotel this morning, before we continue our journey. Heading to Cologne's train station, we travel by rail through Germany to the Bavarian border town of Passau, on the banks of the Danube.

Our luxurious ship awaits here, and we're greeted onboard by our friendly crew, sipping on a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views from the lounge. After settling into your cabin and familiarising yourself with our ship's facilities, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Awaking on board our ship this morning, we set out on a guided tour of Passau after breakfast. Known as the 'Three Rivers City', it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. The delightful Old Town is filled with Baroque architecture, including St Stephen's Cathedral, and lies in the shadow of the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress.

This afternoon, we begin our relaxing cruise along the Danube. Drifting through beautiful scenery into Austria, we get our first sight of rising hills covered with vineyards and orchards. The ever-changing landscapes create a picturesque backdrop, occasionally revealing charming villages, medieval castles and centuries-old monasteries that cling to the hilltops.

Our destination today is the Austrian city of Linz, where we arrive this evening and moor for the night.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we wake up in beautiful Linz where you can choose between a day in the Austrian Lake District, the Salzkammergut, or a visit to Salzburg.

The first option sees us heading into the country for a day in the lakes where we stop at UNESCO-listed Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages thanks to its pastel-coloured houses. We also visit Hallstätter See Lake and Mondsee, a pretty town set on the lake of the same name and famous for its 15th-century parish church which featured in 'The Sound of Music'.

Alternatively, travel via Mondsee to Salzburg, a beautiful Baroque city on the banks of the Salzach river. During a guided sightseeing tour, we explore Getreidegasse street, famed for its traditional shops with metal signboards and the place where Mozart was born. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is filled with stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, quaint squares, and charming alleyways that we admire as we meander through.

We return to our ship for dinner on board and set sail for a pleasant overnight cruise.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Emmersdorf this morning, we set out for a visit to Melk Abbey after breakfast. This 11th-century Benedictine Abbey stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. On our guided tour, we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

Back on the ship, we enjoy lunch as we sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley - truly a highlight of the Danube. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with attractive riverside towns and commanding fortresses. It is also one of Austria's most famous wine-making regions, specialising in Grüner Veltliner.

Arriving in the riverside village of Dürnstein, there's free time to sample the local produce or simply wander the charming streets and admire its powder blue Baroque church tower. Dürnstein is also home to the hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the 12th century, and we get a great view of it from the riverside. After dinner, we continue sailing towards Vienna.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The noble city of Vienna beckons today as we embark on a guided tour to uncover Austria's imperial heritage. With our expert guide, we make our way to the illustrious Ringstrasse boulevard. Here, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings including the world-renowned Opera House and the imposing Parliament.

Following the tour, there's time to explore the city at leisure. It's a delight to stroll amongst its scenic streets, marvelling at the striking St Stephen's Cathedral or entering one of the countless museums and galleries that bring the city's history to life. You may choose to visit Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family or indulge in a slice of famous Sachertorte, a delicious Viennese cake, at one of the grand coffeehouses.

Tonight, a real treat awaits us in the lounge as we're joined by four previous members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra who whisk us away with their performances of well-known classical pieces.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed overnight sailing, we make our way to Slovakia's capital and welcomed by views of Bratislava Castle's gleaming white walls. Arriving this morning, we set out on a guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district.

Despite being a national capital, beautiful Bratislava is nicknamed the 'Little Big City' due to its compact size. Wandering the utterly charming streets, where each corner reveals delightful new views, we admire attractive squares, idyllic streets, grand palaces and historic churches. Keep an eye out for some of Bratislava's quirky statues, including a sculpture commemorating Schöne Náci, an eccentric local character, and Čumil, a subterranean worker peeking out of a manhole. From the hilltop castle, soak up views across the terracotta roofs of the Old Town and the SNP Bridge - also known as the UFO bridge because of its futuristic design.

Later this afternoon, we continue downstream to Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary, where we berth for the night.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we sail onwards this morning, we navigate the scenic Danube Bend, passing the village of Visegrad and its striking hilltop castle.

Arriving in Budapest, we get an overview of the 'Pearl of the Danube' during a visit to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, enjoying incredible views of the river and Pest. After lunch onboard, we continue our explorations, admiring impressive landmarks including the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica. A performance by a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe accompanies dinner.

Afterwards, we embark on a magical night-time cruise along the Danube, taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest. From the piercing spires of the iconic neo-Gothic Parliament building to Buda's huge Baroque castle, the state buildings lining both banks are lit up, as well as the Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy lounge or take in the panoramic views from the sun deck, this is the best way to see this beautiful city as the flickering lights cast a magical glow across the Danube - the perfect ending to our cruise.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It's time to leave our ship this morning as we say goodbye to our wonderful crew after breakfast.

Making our way to the rail station, we board a train for a journey to Linz. Enroute, we glimpse sections of the Danube we sailed along a few days before. Linz is a fascinating city that blends the traditional elegance of Austria with a vibrant and forward-looking cultural scene. There is free time on arrival to exploring Linz, strolling round the Baroque Old Town and spotting public art installations or venturing into renowned modern galleries.

This evening, we gather back at our hotel for a three-course dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out on a guided sightseeing tour of Linz. This thriving city blends historic and modern architectural styles. The focal point of life in Linz is the Hauptmarkt, one of the largest main squares in Austria. Wandering the charming lanes of the Old Town reveals timeless scenes and impressive churches, while its 14th-century castle now houses a museum.

This afternoon, we journey by rail through the scenic Bavarian countryside. Our destination is Frankfurt, Germany's most important financial hub. Bisected by the Main River, Frankfurt is a dynamic city that still retains historic charm with its picturesque centre. On arrival, we check in to our hotel for an overnight stop, enjoying our final dinner together in the restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This rail-and-cruise holiday has showcased the beauty of the Danube from Passau to Budapest. From natural wonders such as the Wachau Valley and Danube Bend to the elegant cities and pretty villages lining its banks, this spectacular river has revealed the treasures of central Europe.

From Frankfurt, we travel by train back to London, via Brussels. On arrival at London St Pancras, your Danube holiday comes to a conclusion.

• Breakfast