Grand Alpine Explorer and Danube Cruise (Passau-Budapest)

We meet in London St Pancras to board the Eurostar to Paris. We continue by train to Montreux, in Switzerland, before transferring to our hotel for 2 nights, close to the shores of Lake Geneva. We dine this evening at our hotel.

• Dinner

Today, we take a local train to Cully in the Lavaux region, where terraced vineyards rise from the shores of Lake Geneva. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards from on board a charming local land train. We then visit a nearby winery for a talk and a wine tasting. We return by rail at the end of the afternoon, where you are free to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, we take the train to Brig where we embark on what is undoubtedly one the highlights of our holiday - a journey on the iconic Glacier Express. Affectionately referred to as 'the slowest express train in the world', we enjoy panoramic views across sprawling Alpine landscapes as the train makes its way through quintessentially Swiss mountain scenery. The climax of our journey comes as we cross the famous Landwasser Viaduct and cross the upper Rhine Valley. The train climbs steadily up and over the Oberalp Pass, the peak of the route, then spirals downwards past countless villages before reaching the town of Chur, the oldest settlement in Switzerland. Here, we transfer to our hotel for the night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we travel by rail to Innsbruck. Located in the Inn Valley and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Alps, Innsbruck is known for its imperial buildings and quaint Old Town. Magnificently preserved, this area still reflects the Tyrolean capital's historic and cultural past, boasting wonderful Renaissance and Baroque buildings, which contrast with traditional Tyrolean architecture. After checking into our hotel, the rest of our evening is free to explore or relax.

We take a trip on the Zillertalbahn today, taking in the breathtaking scenery of Austria's Tyrol region. After journeying to Jenbach by mainline rail, we take our seats in the train's cheerful red carriages for a journey that takes us across the Ziller valey floor, offering a glimpse into the distinct charm of Austria's verdant countryside. We snake our way past quaint Tyrolean towns and villages on the way to the ski resort of Mayrhofen, where there's some free time. The picturesque town is a delight to explore, with cobbled streets lined with a host of enticing shops, restaurants and pavement cafés.

• Breakfast

Following breakfast, we transfer to the station to take the train to Linz, then on by coach to the beautiful Baroque city of Passau, on the Danube, where we board our luxurious Amadeus Imperial ship. On arrival we are welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge before our five course dinner with drinks. This evening we set sail for Regensburg.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a relaxing morning on board, we arrive into Regensberg at lunchtime. After a four-course lunch on our ship, you have the option of joining a guided walking tour of the city. If you prefer, you're free to explore Regensberg at your own pace. The tour takes us around Regensburg's beautiful Old Town and gives us an overview of the city's history from the Roman era until the present. We see the Stone Bridge, the Cathedral, the Porta Praetoria, the Old Town Hall and the patrician houses with their impressive towers. There is free time before dinner and drinks, back on our ship. This evening we cruise overnight to Passau.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We disembark in Passau this morning, where you have a choice of excursions. You could head further into the countryside for a day spent amidst the spectacular scenery of the Austrian lakes. We stop at Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages, Hallstättersee Lake, and Mondsee. This pretty town is set on the lake of the same name and its most famous sight is the 15th-century parish church, which featured in the wedding scenes of 'The Sound of Music'. Otherwise, travel by coach to Salzburg, via Mondsee, one of Austria's most famous cities and known as the birthplace of Mozart. A guided sightseeing tour reveals the city's internationally renowned Baroque architecture, a World Heritage site. We rejoin the ship in Linz. After dinner this evening we sail overnight to Emmersdorf.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We disembark our ship in Emmersdorf where there's an optional excursion to travel of a guided coach tour to Melk Abbey, enjoying entrance to this 11th-century Benedictine Abbey which stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. The Abbey is also home to the Abbey Church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps. We return to our boat for an Austrian-style buffet lunch and begin sailing into the picturesque Wachau Valley, a beautifully scenic area with green valleys and vineyards, picturesque riverside towns and fortresses. We reach the idyllic village of Dürnstein where you have an afternoon at leisure. This evening, as we enjoy dinner, we continue cruising towards Nussdorf, once an important port on the Danube in Vienna.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive into Nussdorf where there's an optional guided coach excursion to glorious Vienna. On this tour we experience Austria's Imperial heritage, marked by its grand architecture, art and music, and see many of Vienna's ornate buildings, including the impressive Opera House and Parliament Building. We return to our ship for lunch and your afternoon is at leisure, to spend either relaxing on our ship or exploring Vienna further. After dinner this evening we enjoy a highlight of our cruise as we are joined by musicians from the world renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for a private recital.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive into Bratislava today where there's an optional excursion of a guided coach tour of the Slovakian capital. Located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava straddles the Danube which neatly divides the city into two parts; the Baroque Old Town (Stare Mesto) and the new city. This picture-postcard destination boasts Gothic architecture, several universities, a wealth of museums and galleries, and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic centre features delightful cobblestone roads, spacious plazas, Rococo-style buildings and street cafés galore. Following our excursion, we return to our ship for lunch. You have a free afternoon to relax on board as we set sail from Bratislava towards Budapest. Over dinner we arrive into Esztergom where we moor overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning our route takes us around the wonderful Danube bend, as we cruise into Buda-pest where we spend the day and night. After lunch we disembark and are introduced to the city on a guided coach and walking tour. We pass impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the neo-Gothic Parliament building, the magnificent State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. After our tour you have some free time to explore the city independently before dinner. After dinner we experience the illuminated sights of this astonishing city as we cruise up and down. We are also treated to a performance from a local Hungarian folk band in the lounge.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After our final breakfast we disembark our ship and are escorted by our Tour Manager to start our journey home by rail. We stop in Linz for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We are introduced to Linz on a guided tour after breakfast. We then travel via Munich to Frankfurt, where we spend the night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we have a guided tour of Frankfurt before taking the train to Brussels. There, we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving early evening.

• Breakfast