Classical Music on the Danube

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 a short coach transfer you’ll arrive at the Festetics-Palota – an elegant Baroque palace in the heart of Budapest, and the perfect venue for an afternoon of classical music performed by a symphonic orchestra. Your exclusive concert will take place in the palace’s Mirror Hall, described as the ‘gem of the building’, with walls adorned with decorative mouldings, ornate gold mirrors and high ceilings featuring stunning glass chandeliers.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: On this tour you should expect to walk approximately 500 yards, including a number of steps. A lift is available if required. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately 30 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

Experience the music of Mozart and Strauss in the opulent setting of a Viennese Palace - just like in the early 19th century. This exclusive concert at the Börse Palais invites you into the world of classical music with well-known pieces performed in this authentic setting. The first part of the concert will be dedicated to the works of Mozart, while the second part dedicated to the ‘King of Waltzes’, Strauss. The music will be complemented by dancing and vocal performances, and a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice will be served during the interval.

Please note: Dependent on coach parking availability there may be a walk of up to approximately 500 yards from the coach drop-off point. The venue is accessible for those with walking aids. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately 25 minutes.

3 hours

Your first stop will be Ansfelden to see a very simple little house that was the birthplace of composer Anton Bruckner. After his father’s death, Bruckner was busy with the ‘Florianer Sängerknaben’, St Florian’s boys choir which still exists to this day. From here you’ll enjoy a short scenic bus ride through the upper Austrian landscape to the monumental Baroque Augustinian Monastery St Florian.

A guided tour of the monastery will reveal its history as you walk in the footsteps of Anton Bruckner, leading to the crypt where his sarcophagus was laid to rest directly underneath the church and the ‘Bruckner Organ’ where Bruckner became famous as an organist. The organ was built by Franz Xavier Krismann in 1771-1774 and today comprises of 7,386 organ pipes, 103 stops and four manuals. During your visit you will also see the church with stunning ceiling fresco covering 16 square feet, and enjoy an included performance featuring the Bruckner Organ. After some free time, you will travel by bus back to Linz.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: On this tour you should expect to walk approximately 1640 yards, some of which is over uneven terrain. There are a large number of steps inside the St Florian Monastery, with no lift available. Guests who are unable to manage the steps will not be able to join the guided tour inside the monastery, but instead may have one additional hour of free time before the organ performance instead. There is a total walking and/or standing time of 90 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

Surrounded by beautiful scenery and steeped in history, the medieval town of Dürnstein is set right on the riverbank. On this walking tour you’ll see the ruined Kuenringer Castle, which is situated on a rock overlooking the town and is where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century.

You’ll learn more about him and his time in the castle, before continuing along the town’s medieval lanes towards the city gate and baroque abbey, which is recognisable from its beautiful blue spire. Inside the abbey you can enjoy a short organ concert and admire the historic surroundings as you listen. Afterwards, you can enjoy some time to explore the old town at your leisure, or walk back to the ship.

Please note: You should expect to walk approximately 1¼ miles in total, over cobblestones. There is a moderate include as you walk towards the church. There is a total walking and standing time of approximately 1¼ hours.

1½ hours