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Imperial Cities and Danube Cruise (Passau-Budapest)

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Embrace the magic of the blue Danube, and explore Central Europe’s Imperial cities.

13 days From £3,395 per person

2024 Tour code: HIR24

About the tour

Our adventure starts by exploring two European giants, Berlin and Prague. We then experience the magic of the Danube and the lovely Wachau Valley, cruising comfortably to idyllic villages, visiting medieval towns and grand cities. Enjoy a private music recital in Vienna and discover Baroque treasures in Bratislava and Budapest.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Cologne

From London St Pancras, we take the Eurostar to Brussels then continue by rail to Cologne where we have dinner and spend the night.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Berlin

After breakfast we take the train journey to Berlin where we arrive in the afternoon to spend the night. The rest of your day is free to get to know the city, before dinner at the our hotel.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 3 - Berlin and to Prague

This morning we take a guided tour of Berlin, soaking up the sights of this once divided city. We see the incredible Brandenburg Gate, a monument important to Berliners because it was heavily bombed and fiercely fought over, prior to the surrender of Germany in 1945, surviving with only a few bullet holes. We also see a section of the Berlin Wall, and visit the Reichstag, meeting place of the current German parliament. At lunchtime we continue our journey to Prague by rail where we arrive this afternoon. We check into our hotel where we dine this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Guided tour of Prague

We enjoy a guided tour of the colourful Czech capital today, starting at Prague's impressive Hradcany Castle, the largest medieval complex in Europe, where entry is included. We also walk across the 14th century Charles Bridge, and pass the Gothic spires of St Vitus' Cathedral, where entrance is included. The rest of your day is at leisure in this vibrant city, before dinner back at the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Continue by rail to Passau

We make the short walk to Prague station for the train to Passau, travelling via Linz. On arrival in the afternoon, we join our Amadeus ship and are welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge before settling into our surroundings and enjoying dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Regensburg

Regensberg is our port of call this morning, which we explore on foot after lunch onboard our ship. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the whole region from the 9th century onwards. One of its most famous sights is the 12th century Old Stone Bridge, which is surrounded by local myths and legends. You have time to continue exploring this delightful town at leisure before we set sail again and enjoy dinner back on board this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Salzburg or the Austrian Lake District

We arrive back into 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. This includes UNESCO listed Hallstatt - one of Austria's most photographed villages, whose traditional pastel-coloured houses are perched on the tiny plain between the mountains and Hallstättersee Lake - and Mondsee. This pretty town is set on a lake and is best known for its 15th-century parish church, which featured in the wedding scenes of 'The Sound of Music'. You could also choose to travel by coach via Mondsee to Salzburg, one of Austria's most famous cities and Mozart's birthplace. A guided sightseeing tour reveals the city's stunning Baroque architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We return to our ship for another delicious dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Melk Abbey

Today we journey by coach to Melk Abbey, enjoying entrance to this 11th century Benedictine Abbey which stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, and the Abbey Church, considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps. We then make our way to Austria's Wachau Valley, a renowned wine-making region with green valleys and vineyards, picturesque riverside towns, and commanding fortresses with sweeping views. We sail during our lunch, then arrive in the idyllic village of Dürnstein where you have time at leisure. Within 10 minutes you can walk to the monastery and wineries or walk 15 minutes to see the castle. Dinner is served onboard again this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - The history and music of Vienna

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive into glorious Vienna, for a comprehensive sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's Imperial heritage of architecture, art and music. You'll see many of Vienna's finest ornate buildings, including the Hofburg Palace. This vast complex of buildings demonstrates the awesome power and wealth commanded by the Habsburgs. We also see the impressive Opera House, one of the leading opera venues in the world, as well as the grand Parliament Building.

Tonight a real treat awaits us onboard - after dinner we are joined by musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for an exclusive, private recital.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Arrival in Bratislava

Your morning is at leisure on board before we moor up early this afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach tour of 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 city destination historic Gothic buildings, several universities, a wealth of museums and galleries, and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic centre features delightful cobbled stoned roads, pedestrianised plazas, pastel 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. Following our excursion, we return to the ship for another delicious, 5-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Discovering Budapest

This morning we arrive at the scenic Danube Bend. This section of the river has a long and fascinating history and from the sun deck or panoramic windows in the bar, you'll be able to see castle ruins, churches, pretty houses hidden in the hills and dense forests. After lunch on board, we enjoy a guided coach tour of Budapest, introducing us to Budapest's main sights. 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 free time in Budapest before returning to our ship for dinner. This evening we see the illuminated sights of this beautiful city on a night time cruise.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 12 - Nuremberg

After breakfast, we disembark our ship and transfer to the station to start our journey back home by rail, stopping in the attractive Bavarian city of Nuremberg, where we spend the night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - London

This morning we continue our journey by rail back to London, travelling via Brussels.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Info - Travel Options

We offer a Standard Class and First Class rail options for departures on this tour. You can find out which class each departure is by clicking on the information button in the pricing grid. (Look for S - Standard Class and F - First Class)

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.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Maritim Pro Arte, Berlin

Maritim Pro Arte, Berlin

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NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie

NH Collection Berlin Mitte am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

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Vienna House Diplomat Prague, Prague

Vienna House Diplomat Prague, Prague

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Train

Eurostar

Ship

MS Amadeus Imperial

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Imperial Cities and Danube Cruise (Passau-Budapest)

Embrace the magic of the blue Danube, and explore Central Europe’s Imperial cities.

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Jo Jones
Jo
Lynne Broadley
Lynne