Autumn Colours of the Danube: Budapest to Linz
The Danube
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Admire the autumn colours of the Danube
Contrast the blue Danube with the autumn colours of the surrounding landscapes during this cruise aboard Spirit of the Danube.
Explore the historic cities of Budapest and Vienna during included excursion, and perhaps treat yourself to an optional sightseeing tour of Bratislava.
Enjoy an included tour of the Wachau Valley, which is particularly attractive at this time of year, and visit Dürnstein, which is overlooked by the ruins of Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the 12th century.
Perhaps visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey on an optional excursion and explore Linz on an included tour.
Itinerary
Spirit of the Danube

Travel to Hungary's capital Budapest and embark Spirit of the Danube.

Depart 1700.
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character.
Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.
An included excursion this morning will reveal some of the city’s highlights.

Arrive 1300.
The old town of Slovakia’s capital is easily explored on foot. The ancient cobbled streets lead to Bratislava Castle, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. The Gothic-style Cathedral is where eleven Kings of Hungary were crowned while Turks occupied their own capital.

Depart Bratislava, 1300.
Arrive Vienna, 2000.
Spend the morning at leisure in Bratislava, before departing for Vienna. Spend the rest of the day cruising the Danube and enjoying Spirit of the Danube’s facilities.

Vienna is the capital of Austria: home to the waltz, coffee houses and one of the world's finest opera houses. It is the city where Marie Antoinette grew up and where Mozart died, and for 600 years was the centre of the Hapsburg Empire.
An included excursion this morning will reveal the highlights of the city, including the Ringstrasse and Opera House. You can return to Vienna using our complimentary shuttle service this afternoon to explore further independently.

Depart Vienna, 0800.
Arrive Tulln, 1300.
Tulln is known for its numerous parks, gardens and attractive riverside promenades. Moored beside the Donaulände promenade is the MS Stadt Wien, a historic paddle steamer turned restaurant, and the Regentag ship, once home to 20th-century Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
One of the city’s main cultural attractions, the Nibelung Fountain and the bronze sculptures by Michail Nogin, are dedicated to a scene from medieval German epic poem – the meeting of the Queen of Burgundy and King of the Huns in Tulln.

Depart Tulln, Depart 0900.
Arrive Krems, 1200.
The historic town of Krems offers a gateway to the scenic Wachau Valley, which you can see for yourself during an included excursion this afternoon.
Travel by coach through the wine-growing landscape to visit Göttweig Abbey, a huge Benedictine monastery founded in 1083. It has a highly decorated baroque interior and features a monumental imperial staircase, overlooked by a ceiling fresco by Paul Troger from 1739.

Depart Krems, 0800.
Arrive Dürnstein, Arrive 0900. Depart 1300.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Melk, Arrive 1700.
Set beneath the ruined Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century, Dürnstein is surrounded by beautiful scenery and steeped in history.
Highlights of the town include the medieval lanes, the city gate and inner yard of the town hall.

Depart Melk, 1300.
Arrive Linz, 2200.
The historic town of Melk features architectural styles from across the centuries. Its jewel is the abbey which sits on a bluff above the town.
This masterpiece of baroque architecture, the spiritual and cultural centre of Austria for more than 1,000 years, can be visited on an optional excursion.

Linz is a diverse city where the modern architecture and creative arts scene blends seamlessly with the quaint Old Town of baroque-style buildings.
The city is known for its Linzer torte, said to be the world’s oldest cake recipe. This morning you can see some of the city’s attractions during an included excursion.
Disembark Spirit of the Danube and begin your return journey.
Including...
All inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus...
- Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- Entertainment and activities on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursions
- Budapest city tour
- Vienna city tour
- Göttweig Abbey and the Wachau Valley
- Highlights of Linz
Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration available in selected ports.
†The included drinks are available from 9am to midnight and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Excludes branded spirits.