Along the Danube to Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest

Day 1: Arnhem - Wirges - Southern Germany (coach transfer)

We leave Arnhem at 09:00 by coach to take you to Passau (Lindau). To avoid arriving in Passau (Lindau) too late we have decided to spend the first night in a good hotel in Southern Germany. We expect to arrive here early evening. We will of course offer you a cup of coffee during the journey by coach and we will stop in Wirges for lunch. We will have dinner in the hotel. Your luggage will stay on the coach so make sure you pack your toiletries in your hand luggage for the overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 2: Southern Germany – Passau (Lindau) – Dürnstein

After a delicious breakfast we continue our drive towards Passau (Lindau) where the ship awaits you. After a cheerful ‘welcome on board’ we sit down to lunch and set sail for Dürnstein. Your voyage along the ‘Blue Danube’ is about to begin.

Day 3: Dürnstein – Bratislava

The village of Dürnstein, located in the heart of the Wachau valley, will be your introduction to Austria. You can have a look around the centre which is dominated by the 12th century Künringerburcht castle. Around midday we will continue our journey to Bratislava where we will arrive in the evening.

Day 4: Bratislava – Budapest

After breakfast you can join us for a city tour of Bratislava. During a guided tour towards the castle combined with a walk around the city(*) you will really get to know Bratislava. You can also choose to walk from the boat to the baroque centre. The climb up to the castle high above the city will be rewarded by breathtaking views across Slovakia, Hungary and Austria. At the end of the afternoon we bid Slovakia farewell and we continue our journey to the fourth country we will be visiting during our cruise.

Day 5: Budapest

Hungary is the country of gypsy music and paprika. The Danube divides the city into two parts: the higher part of Buda and the slightly lower part of Pest. It will mean getting up early but make sure you are on deck as we pass the Parliament building and the Fisherman’s Bastion, after which we sail under the impressive Chain Bridge into the city. In addition to medieval buildings in the Castle Quarter and palaces in baroque style, Budapest has more than 100 bath houses, making it the largest spa town in Europe. The lively shopping centre in Pest is just a stone’s throw from the boat. We will also organise a city tour(*) of Budapest to introduce you to everything the city has to offer in a comfortable way. After lunch you’ll have the chance to visit a Hungarian Puszta(*). You will be talking about this experience for a long time.

Day 6: Budapest – Esztergom

We bid farewell to Budapest and set course for Esztergom. Today we’ll organise a wonderful day trip through Hungary(*) for those interested. To start with we’ll take you on a visit to the picturesque town of Szentendre. Our next visit will be to Visegrad where you can enjoy a local lunch. Before going back on board in Esztergom we will first take you to visit the Basilica, high above the town. This impressive building is a real treasure chamber of religious art. At the end of the afternoon we weigh anchor and set sail for Austria.

Day 7: Esztergom – Vienna

Around midday we will moor in the Austrian capital, Vienna. You can sign up for a city tour(*) past beautiful facades, palaces and royal residences You will recognise many modern building styles as well as Art Nouveau. In the evening you have the opportunity to attend a unique concert in Schönbrunn Palace(*). As you listen to the classical sounds you will realise at once why Vienna is known as the home of classical music.

Day 8: Vienna – Krems

We will spend the whole of today in Vienna. You can choose whether to explore the city by yourself or join us on an interesting excursion to Schönbrunn Palace(*). We will leave Vienna early in the evening and sail to the wine town of Krems, located in the beautiful Wachau valley.

Day 9: Krems – Melk

Before departing for our next destination, there is enough time to take a walk through Krems. During our journey to Melk the hillsides of the Wachau valley, lined with vineyards, provide a wonderful panorama. On arriving in Melk you have the opportunity to visit the famous baroque abbey(*). You will learn about Austria’s history during a walk around the centre of this picturesque place of pilgrimage.

Day 10: Melk – Linz

Following the Danube upstream we arrive at the former trading town of Linz. The impressive buildings alongside the Danube are an indication of this highly cultural and interesting city.

Day 11: Linz – Passau

The Danube is still flanked by steep hillsides and romance still flourishes here. The “Schlögener Donaubocht” bend in the river is just one of the many highlights in this part of today’s sailing. We arrive in Passau after lunch. This is one of the loveliest and one of the oldest towns in Germany. The Altstadt (Old Town) is beautifully positioned on three different rivers, the Inn, the Ilz and of course the Danube. A visit to the old centre is well worth the effort.

Day 12: Passau – Passau (Lindau) - Weibersbrunn - Arnhem (coach transfer)

We leave early and sail the short distance to Passau (Lindau). After breakfast the coaches will be waiting to take you home. The journey home will take you through lovely surroundings and you can chat about the many impressions you have experienced. We will stop for lunch on the way and coffee will also be served on the journey. You will arrive in Arnhem in the early evening.

During this cruise we will sometimes sail during the night. Both Day 1 and Day 12 are travel days by coach.

To/From Passau by train or car? For more information about booking a cruise-only please contact us.

Please bear in mind that during this cruise we arrive in countries where the infrastructure is not as good as in the Netherlands and that the accessibility is sometimes poor. If you are unsure whether this trip is suitable for you, please contact us so that we can check to what extent this trip / accommodation meets your physical condition.