01904 521 936
Tour Search



River CruiseRiver Cruise

Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube

Save
You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
202420252026
13 days From £3,295 £3,095 per person
4.4 stars(40 reviews)
Gallery
Map
Tour & Cruise

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

Save £200pp

Save £200pp on River Cruise 2025 holidays when you book by 31st October 2024.

View terms and conditions

2025 Tour code: HUR25

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 onboard in Vienna and discover Baroque treasures in Bratislava and Budapest.

Interested in this tour but haven't found a date that works for you?
You might also like our similar tour Imperial Cities and The Classic Blue Danube!

Unforgettable experiences

Discover medieval Prague and its enchanting sights
Discover medieval Prague and its enchanting sights
Tour the Czech capital and view spellbinding locations including the largest medieval castle complex in Europe, magnificent churches and the renowned astronomical clock.
Uncover the turbulent past of vibrant Berlin
Uncover the turbulent past of vibrant Berlin
Explore the German capital, discovering reminders of a recent past that shaped Europe throughout the 20th century while unearthing a modern, friendly and creative city.
Experience the beauty of Budapest
Experience the beauty of Budapest
See the sparkling Danube from a new perspective as you enjoy an evening cruise by Budapest’s illuminated buildings and wander among the grand architecture that covers both sides of the Danube in the city.
Enjoy a tour of elegant Vienna
Enjoy a tour of elegant Vienna
Uncover the grandeur of this noble imperial city on a tour of the majestic Ringstrasse’s architecture and enjoy time at leisure where you can discover Viennese coffeehouse culture.
Captivating Salzburg or the breathtaking Austrian Lake District
Captivating Salzburg or the breathtaking Austrian Lake District
Walk in the footsteps of Mozart and discover this enchanting city on a guided tour or spend your day in the Austrian Lake District amongst fairytale settings.
Cruise the sensational Wachau Valley
Cruise the sensational Wachau Valley
Sail through the verdant valleys and vineyards of this beautiful stretch of the river before visiting the 11th-century Melk Abbey with beautiful views across the Danube.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To vibrant Cologne

Our holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels. We continue to bustling Cologne and stay the night amongst the Romanesque townhouses dotting the city's streets.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - To bustling Berlin

We enjoy breakfast this morning before we journey by rail to the lively and eclectic city of Berlin. Arriving this afternoon, we check into our hotel for the night and before dinner you can explore this fascinating city and its unique combination of style and history. Known for its avant-garde art scene and green spaces, Berlin is alive with creativity, diversity, and resilience.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Discovering Berlin

Setting out on a guided tour, we discover more of Berlin today. With our knowledgeable guide, we explore Germany's vibrant capital visiting iconic landmarks, including the remains of the historic Berlin Wall outside the Topography of Terror museum, located in the former headquarters of the SS and Gestapo. The route of the Berlin Wall is still marked today by a double row of cobblestones laid into the streets. Our powerful tour concludes at the Brandenburg Gate - a spectacular 18th-century Neoclassical monument that is the city's oldest surviving gate and now a symbol of unity. After lunch, we continue by rail to Prague for the night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Beautiful Prague

Today we have the whole day ahead to explore Prague starting with a guided tour. The narrow streets of the Old Town reveal some of the city's most famous sights and we begin at Hradčany Castle before strolling across the 14th-century Charles Bridge where we can admire lovely views of the city. We also visit the city's renowned astronomical clock aside the Old Town square - the perfect photo opportunity.

After our tour, there's plenty of time to explore at leisure and you could enjoy a boat cruise down the beautiful Vltava river with your lunch.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - To Budapest where we board our luxurious ship

Today we travel by rail to the mesmerising city of Budapest. Our luxurious ship awaits us here, where we're greeted with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge. After settling into your wonderful cabin and familiarising ourselves with our magnificent ship, we indulge in our first dinner on board before enjoying the enchanting ambience of a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe.

Once the sun sets, we begin a magical night-time cruise along the Danube River, taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest. From the Gothic-style Parliament building to Buda castle, the state buildings that line the banks on both sides are all sensationally lit up, as well as the stunning Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy lounge or take in the panoramic views from the sun deck, Budapest's elegant scenery is a spectacular start to our cruise.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Discovering striking Budapest

This morning, we delve deeper into Budapest's beauty and history that we saw last night. On a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', we explore its impressive buildings and monuments. From St Stephen's Basilica to Heroes Square and Fisherman's Bastion, each sight is more remarkable than the last. After lunch on board, you can explore the city further at your leisure before we set sail to Bratislava.

As we sail upstream through the evening we navigate the scenic Danube bend, passing the village of Visegrad famous for its hilltop castle and Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Glorious Bratislava

After a morning of relaxing sailing, we arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, welcomed by its castle overlooking the river. We set out on a fascinating guided tour after lunch, getting to know both the Baroque Old Town and the castle district. As we explore the enchanting streets, we're immersed in the vibrancy of the city, which has dramatic historic buildings, Baroque palaces and a wealth of fantastic museums and galleries.

Following our tour, you have free time to explore the tangle of cobblestoned roads, pedestrianised plazas, 18th-century Rococo buildings, and street cafés.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Imperial Vienna

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive in glorious Vienna for a sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's Imperial culture, one full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic and musical heritage. Making our way to Ringstrasse boulevard, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings including the impressive Opera House (one of the leading opera venues in the world), and the grand Parliament Building.

After our tour, there's time to wander around at leisure and soak up the magnificent atmosphere of Vienna. You could indulge in the famous Sacher Torte, a Viennese delight, at one of the cosy coffee shops. Alternatively, you could explore the city centre and marvel at St. Stephen's Cathedral, or delve into one of the numerous museums the city has to offer.

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

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Charming Dürnstein, beautiful Wachau Valley, and picturesque Melk Abbey

Austria's Wachau Valley is a famous wine-making region and there's free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to wander the charming streets, soaking up the vineyard landscapes. From the riverside, we can see the renowned castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned for a time.

This afternoon, we cruise through the scenery of the Wachau Valley during lunch, truly a highlight of the river. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with picturesque riverside towns and commanding fortresses.

Later, we disembark in Emmersdorf to visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey that stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It's here we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - The enchanting Austrian Lake District or stunning Salzburg

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Beautiful Passau

Today we enjoy a last cruise through vineyard-covered hills, charming villages, and medieval castles. After lunch, we arrive in the German city of Passau. Sitting at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is known as the 'Three Rivers City'. 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. Tonight, we enjoy our farewell Gala dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - To vibrant Cologne

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head to vibrant Cologne, known for its impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest in Northern Europe. After settling into our hotel there's time to explore this striking city before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Discovering Cologne and homeward bound

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cologne, getting a glimpse of the city's landmarks, including the impressive Gothic cathedral with its intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows. After our tour, we bid farewell to Cologne and head to the train station. From here, we journey by rail to Brussels where we then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras where we bid farewell to new friends and fellow travellers.

You can then make your way home, taking with you all the memories we've made on our holiday, from seeing the remains of the historic Berlin Wall and Prague's renowned astronomical clock to wandering the fascinating buildings of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. We also explored charming Dürnstein before sailing the stunning Wachau Valley and admired the Baroque architecture of Melk Abbey with our journey ending in the beautiful streets of Salzburg, Passau and Cologne

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.

Train

Eurostar

Ship

MS Amadeus Imperial

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 40 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (25)
  2. 4 stars
    (8)
  3. 3 stars
    (6)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Mr Joy

3 stars

Submitted 9/Sep

Too little free time at each city. Very much full on with no time to relax. Train journeys often running late especially DB. Although a reasonable taster of each city it was not good value for money, the balance between train journeys and sightseeing needs addressing. Overall disappointed with the holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

Patricia Maddison

3 stars

Submitted 9/Sep

I have already completed your survey, was it binned?

Collected by Trustpilot

Sue, Surrey

5 stars

Submitted 24/Jul

Excellent trip as described. Kate Leigh our Tour Manager was so well organised that everything went smoothly. Such an enjoyable time and our group got on so well. Many locations visited in a short period of time. Would thoroughly recommend this trip, although some train journeys were long.

Collected by Trustpilot

new mattress

5 stars

Submitted 24/Jul

An enjoyable and well organised holiday seeing a lot of European cities and the River Danube.

Collected by Trustpilot

L Ogilvie

5 stars

Submitted 15/Jul

Great way to get a taster of a lot of European cities. Train travel makes you feel like you are travelling rather than just going on holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

A Chapman

5 stars

Submitted 10/Jul

An excellent holiday. ?????? We couldn’t fault it, the tour guides and crew of the Amadeus Imperial couldn’t do enough for us. We can thoroughly recommend Great Rail Journeys and can’t wait for our next holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
River Cruise Holidays 2025

River Cruise Holidays 2025

Experience the magic of cruising along some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways. Glide serenely along the romantic Rhine, explore the blue Danube or meander through the enchanting Douro Valley. With our river cruises, you’ll drift through beautiful landscapes and historic towns.

Download brochure
Related inspiration from our journey blog