Munich, Bavaria & the Beautiful Danube

 The culture and sights of central Europe beckon as your holiday begins today at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group, ready to board your flight to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Located in southeastern Germany, the scenic city is surrounded by lush forests and the picturesque peaks of the Bavarian Alps. Tradition runs deep here, with well-preserved villages, medieval castles and beer-making heritage setting the stage for fascinating explorations.    

As the plane touches down, a coach transfer takes us to our centrally located hotel for check-in. Take some time to get settled in and acclimatise to your new surroundings, perhaps strolling around the city to get your first look at the historic buildings. Returning to the hotel early this evening, we have our first dinner in the hotel's restaurant following a quick introductory meeting.

• Dinner

 Today, we get to know Munich on a guided sightseeing tour. After meeting at the Fish fountain, we wander the historic streets, admiring the city's charming main square, Marienplatz, home to the neo-Gothic Town Hall and the famous glockenspiel. We also see the Church of St Peter, with its exterior boasting eight clocks. 

  Afterwards, we stop for food and drink in typical Munich style by sampling local food and beers. Munich is renowned for its beer and, after learning about the history of brewing in Bavaria and the influence of the 'Reinheitsgebot' purity law at the Oktoberfest Museum, we visit Munich's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus.   

The rest of the day is spent at leisure, enjoying the city. One option is to stroll through the city's many green spaces. The 17th-century Hofgarten's Renaissance gardens stand behind Munich Residence, the former home of Bavarian dukes and kings. Munich's culinary scene extends far beyond beer and includes many options for you to discover on your own this evening.

• Breakfast

 One of Bavaria's finest castles awaits us after breakfast today. Entrance to the castle is included, and during our time here, we can enjoy spectacular views overlooking the Schwangau valley. Commissioned by the reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle is an architectural masterpiece. It was the inspiration for the castle in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, showing testament to the king's romantic vision.   

Built in a striking Romanesque Revival style, it features soaring towers, turrets and battlements, all of which are set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and verdant forests. Its interior is just as impressive, with ornate carvings, lavish murals and an opulent throne room. Interestingly, the castle's construction was plagued by setbacks and financial difficulties and was never fully completed during King Ludwig's lifetime.      

During our free time here this afternoon, you can soak up all its grandeur and see why it inspires millions of people. We return to Munich later this afternoon and have dinner together at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 The morning is yours to have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and wrap up your sightseeing in Munich. You might like to revisit the Marienplatz, head to Odeonsplatz to see its Roman architecture or look for souvenirs in the local shops. You could also spend a morning relaxing at our hotel before we walk to Munich's railway station to join the train to Passau, Germany - a city located on the shores of the Blue Danube. 

  A motorcoach awaits our arrival in Passau this afternoon and takes us to the banks of the Danube, where our luxurious ship awaits. Stepping aboard, we are greeted with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge and shown to our onboard accommodations. Take some time to settle in and familiarise yourself with our ship's amenities, and this evening, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey that stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. Here, we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.   

After lunch, we cruise through the scenery of the Wachau Valley, truly a highlight of the river. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with picturesque riverside towns and commanding fortresses. Austria's Wachau Valley is also a famous wine-making region, which makes it the perfect stop on our cruise to sample the local wine. There's free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to do just that or simply wander the charming streets, soaking up the fairytale landscapes. This village is also home to the castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned, and we get a great view of it from the riverside. 

  After dinner back onboard, a treat awaits in the lounge tonight. As we sail into Vienna, four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra join us onboard to whisk us away with their performances of classical pieces.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 With its grandeur and elegance, Vienna beckons today, and we head into the city for a guided tour. This is a chance to relish Austria's imperial culture, which is full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic and musical heritage. With our expert guide, we visit the illustrious Ringstrasse boulevard. We see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings here, including the world-renowned Opera House and the imposing Parliament Building. 

  After our tour, there is time to explore the city at leisure. The city's vibrant energy is infectious, and it's easy to lose yourself in the atmosphere. Wander through the city centre and marvel at the striking St Stephen's Cathedral, or delve into one of the countless museums. You may decide to visit Schonbrunn Palace, once the former summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family, or alternatively indulge in the famous Sacher Torte, a Viennese delight, at one of the cosy coffee shops. During dinner this evening, we begin our overnight sail towards Budapest.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Enjoy breakfast onboard and a chance to relax amidst the changing scenery as we sail towards Budapest this morning. Arriving after lunch, we are introduced to this captivating city's beauty and history on a sightseeing tour. Known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', Budapest has plenty of impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the river. From the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, each sight is more remarkable than the last.  

  We return to our luxurious ship in time for dinner this evening, and after eating, we enjoy the ambience of a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe and a nighttime 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 are all sensationally lit up, as well as the stunning Chain Bridge.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After a calm night moored in Budapest, the morning is yours to continue exploring Budapest at leisure. You may wish to revisit sights from yesterday's tour for deeper exploration or unwind while soaking in one of the city's many thermal baths. We begin cruising to Bratislava after lunch.    

Relax onboard as we navigate the scenic Danube Bend, one of the most picturesque portions of the Danube River. Passing the village of Visegrad, famous for its dramatic hilltop castle, and the town of Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary, there is much to see from either the sun deck or the cosy lounge. We continue cruising past the delightful landscapes of the Danube for the rest of the day, bound for Slovakia's capital, Bratislava. End this relaxing day with a fantastic five-course meal on board.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Bratislava's castle, which overlooks the waters of the Danube River, welcomes us to the capital of Slovakia this morning. Following breakfast, we set out on a fascinating guided tour to get to know our new location. Bratislava is divided neatly into two parts by the river, and we have time to get to know both the Baroque Old Town and the castle district during our time here.  

As we explore the enchanting streets, we are surrounded by Bratislava's historic buildings, Baroque palaces and wealth of fantastic museums and galleries. Returning to the ship in time for lunch, we continue downstream towards Linz in Austria. Enjoy the changing scenery as we float down the river and a chance to enjoy the ship's amenities or relax in your cabin ahead of dinner tonight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 The final full day of our cruise begins with a calm morning on the Danube. Maybe start your day with a leisurely breakfast and then head up to the sun deck for another chance to see Austria's incredible scenery. We arrive in Linz after lunch this afternoon and disembark for a guided tour of the town.    

Linz is known for its gorgeous old town, as well as its mix of Baroque and modern architecture. We discover the charming Main Square, explore the quaint old town with its historic architecture and stroll through the serene City Park. The rest of our day is at leisure, and you can experience Linz's welcoming atmosphere at your own pace.      

This evening, we return to the ship to enjoy a gala dinner as we begin our final cruise towards Passau.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 An itinerary of intrigue and a journey of discovery, this river cruise holiday has shown us some of the best destinations in Western and Central Europe. From Germany's enchanting Bavaria, where beer culture mingles with romantic scenery, to imperial cities, grand castles and dramatic sections of the river that you must see to believe, there has been much to uncover.   

As the ship docks in Passau this morning, it is time to disembark for the final time and say goodbye to the wonderful crew of our Amadeus ship. A coach transfer takes us from the riverfront to Munich's airport, from which we board our return flight to London Heathrow, arriving back in the UK where your tour concludes this afternoon.

• Breakfast