Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Danube 2023

During this sightseeing tour by coach, take in the sights of the most famous highlights of Budapest and look forward to a short stop at the local Basilica.

Your day starts on the bustling Pest side of Budapest where you’ll pass by the UNESCO-listed Andrássy Boulevard, lined by Neo-renaissance townhouses and the Hungarian State Opera House. Also pass by Heroes’ Square, the gateway to the greenery of City Park and hosting unique stone statues which make up the Millennium Monument.

Still in the comfort of sightseeing by coach, it’s time to cross over the Danube River along Elisabeth Bridge, entering the Buda side as you pass by Castle Hill. Upon arrival at St Stephen’s Basilica, you’ll have time to disembark the coach and explore the surrounding grounds with a local guide. With an intricate façade and as the tallest building in Budapest at 314 feet, this is a site to remember before boarding your coach for the journey back to your awaiting ship.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately 250 yards over level terrain which may be cobbled. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately 30 minutes.

3 hours

After disembarking the ship, board the Bratislava Land Train with a local guide, taking you on a sightseeing adventure around the Slovakian capital. The journey will take you past the Slovak Philharmonic Hall, through to one of the oldest local theatres (Slovak National Theatre) and around the historic Old Town to Bratislava Castle.

Today, this four-tower symbol of Bratislava is a significant archaeological site to the Slovak National Museum and proudly represents the history of the city. When you arrive, you can enjoy a short, guided walk around the castle grounds, visiting the terrace with its panoramic views and the Baroque gardens. Then, re-board the train and journey to the Old Town where a walking tour starts at Michael’s Gate or at the Opera House.

With a leisurely walk to the historic centre, you will discover sites such as the Archbishop’s Place and St Martin’s Cathedral – the previous coronation church of the Hungarian kings. Enjoy views of the 15th century Academia Istropolitana – the oldest University established in Slovakia, along with many palaces from the 18th century and the Main Square with its Old Town Hall.

Afterwards, you’ll head into a local pastry shop named after the famous sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt. Here, you can admire some of the statue character heads of this artist whilst you sit down with a coffee or tea and a traditional cake, perhaps a strudel.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately one mile over level terrain which will be cobbled at times. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately 60 minutes.

2½ hours

This excursion begins with a panoramic coach tour past some of Vienna’s most famous sights, such as the 212-feet tall Riesenrad Ferris wheel and the Ringstrasse where you can see the State Opera House.

Continue to the gardens of Schönbrunn where Marie Antoinette grew up and met Mozart in the palace grounds. Here, there’s time to listen to a talk from your guide about this former summer residence of the Habsburg Empire before taking some time to explore the gardens or treat yourself to a cup of Viennese coffee.

Then it’s time to head back by bus, stopping on your way to the ship in the oldest part of Vienna; where you will have the opportunity to leave the group and explore the centre independently if you wish.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 550 yards over flat terrain. Inside Schonbrunn Palace Gardens, walking is at your discretion but, to make the most of your time, we suggest you can expect to walk an additional mile. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours.

2½ hours

After a short guided walk from your ship through the charming cobbled lanes of Vilshofen’s Old Town, you will arrive at the historic hall for a Bavarian brunch. Relax and enjoy a taste of the local cuisine, including weisswurst (white sausages), pretzels, schnapps and wheat beer. To accompany your refreshments, a group of local performers will treat you to a soundtrack of traditional Bavarian music.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: On this tour you should expect to walk approximately one mile over level, but cobbled, terrain with the possibility of steps. Total standing and/or walking time of approximately 90 minutes.

3 hours

Once an ancient Roman colony, Passau is one of the oldest cities in Germany, sitting at the confluence of the Inn and Ilz rivers. In 739AC, Passau became governed by bishops and priests which brought fame and prosperity to the city and surrounding region. On your walking tour through this city, you’ll be able to explore some key highlights such as the late Gothic town hall and the city’s landmark, St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Accompanied by your guide, you can head inside for a short tour and hear about its importance to the residents of Passau and how it was built on the ruins of two earlier churches. With 17,774 pipes and 233 registers, this holy monument also houses the largest church organ in the world which you’ll be able to see for yourself. Afterwards, a stroll through the narrow alleys and cobbled streets of the Old Town will lead you back to the ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over mostly level terrain which will often be cobbled. Approximately 50 steps are required. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately two hours.

2 hours

This guided tour takes you to Melk Abbey, one of the most famous Baroque buildings near the Danube sitting on a rocky outcrop. The abbey was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks. Following this, a monastic school, the Stiftsgymnasium Melk, was founded in the 12th century – boasting the monastic library which soon became known for its extensive manuscript collection.

After a short bus journey from your ship, you’ll reach the Benedictine monastery. Accompanied by your guide, learn more about why this site was rebuilt in the 18th century and what remains in the tombs of the abbey below. See the church frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, the marble hall and of course, the world-famous library. Housing more than 80,000 books and adorned with a detailed ceiling mural by Paul Troger, you’ll find out more about the members of the House of Babenberg and their tribute to this library. After your tour, there’s some free time to explore independently. Perhaps walk through the abbey gardens or enjoy a refreshment in the restaurant nearby before re-joining your coach back to the ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles over flat terrain inside the abbey with some uneven terrain in the gardens, should you choose to explore them during your free time. Walking is at your discretion during free time, although we suggest you should expect to walk an additional half a mile. There are steps inside the abbey for the Imperial Staircase but a lift is also available if required. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately one-and-a-half to two hours.

2½ hours

Your tour starts when you depart the ship and set off on foot to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Regensburg Old Town. Dating back to the 14th century, this medieval area survived heavy bombing during World War Two, resulting in many of its archaeological monuments remaining untouched and well-preserved.

Accompanied by a local guide, stroll through narrow streets and into wide squares, learning about the history and stories of this two-thousand-year-old city along the way. See some of the city’s key historical and religious sites such as the Gothic St Peter’s Cathedral.

After admiring the exterior of this sixth-century attraction with its skyline spires, continue to the Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke). Here, you can take in the view of the river and hear about its debut as the first stone bridge across the Danube, along with listening to the different theories and tales of how the bridge was created over 11 years.

Then, the tour will take you to the Old Town Hall, to the patrician houses and the family towers before you walk back to the ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over varied terrain which will often be cobbled. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately two hours.

2 hours

Known as the Culture and Art Capital of Upper Austria, Linz is a diverse and fascinating city where the modern architecture and vibrant creative arts scene blends seamlessly with the quaint and historic Old Town. Find out more as you embark on a mini train tour. Sit back and relax as your expert local guide shows you the highlights of Linz's unique fusion of old and new. Afterwards enjoy a guided walk before returning to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately 1650 yards in total over level terrain with the possibility of cobblestones. There is a total compulsory walking and/or standing time of approximately 60 minutes.

2 hours

During this tour, you’ll head into Salzburg’s conserved historic centre and take in the surrounding Alpine scenery from a distance Disembark the coach and get ready for your guided walk into the historic hub where you’ll see the fortification of Hohensalzburg, one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe and dating back to the 11th century as the seat of the Archbishopric of Salzburg.

You will also pass by Mozart’s birthplace on Getreidegasse and his residence, baroque towers and churches, the grounds of Mirabell Palace and Gardens, and many other sights around nearly every corner of this well-preserved city. As the Trapp Family lived in Salzburg, the city also became famous for the shooting of ‘The Sound of Music’ during the 1960s, which you will hear more about from your guide just before lunch.

In the afternoon, there’s some free Bavariatime for another stroll, or perhaps seek out the famous “Mozart balls” – made of pistachio, marzipan and nougat, covered in chocolate. At the end of your tour, board the coach for your journey back to your ship.

Walking Grade 5

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately three miles over mostly level terrain with some cobbles and steps. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately two hours and 15 minutes. You will be provided with a packed lunch from your ship to eat during your free time in Salzburg if you wish. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase your lunch independently. Walking is at your discretion during your free time. The journey to/from your ship to Salzburg is approximately 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic, plus time for a comfort stop.

7 hours