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Vienna- Budapest a tale of two cities
- Prague, the city of spires
- Pretty Melk
- The Wachau Valley
River Cruise from
£2,049 per person
9 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £40 if not required
Prague and the Delights of the Danube: To Prague
The Danube
-
VIP on selected river cruises
Discover the delights of the Danube en route to Prague
Embark Spirit of the Danube in Budapest where the UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion are among the attractions that you will see during an included tour, or if you opt to join the included culinary walking tour you’ll sample the local flavours and culture up close. Pause in Bratislava to contrast the historic buildings of Bratislava old town, ‘Staré Mesto’, with the cutting edge 20th-century architecture of the former industrial zone before arriving in Vienna, the city of music. Enjoy an included tour of the city or an included culinary walking tour before sailing to the pretty village of Dürnstein and Melk, where you can venture inside the ornate Benedictine Abbey on an optional excursion.
Passau, the most easterly city in Bavaria, is home to an impressive baroque cathedral and your included walking tour is a great way to some of the main sights. See the medieval churches of Regensburg before disembarking your ship for the transfer to Prague. A two-night hotel stay provides the perfect opportunity to uncover the countless attractions of this UNESCO-listed city, from the astrological clock on the Old Town square to 14th-century Charles Bridge and St Vitus Cathedral.
Including...
7 nights Full Board aboard the ship, 1 night Half Board, 1 night Bed and Breakfast in a hotel
23 meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the ship
Cruise Host
Plus...
- Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursions
- Budapest city tour OR Budapest culinary walking tour
- Vienna city tour OR Vienna culinary walking tour
- Passau city walk
Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration
View Full Itinerary
Day 1 UK to Budapest
Fly to Budapest and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner on board as you remain moored here overnight.
Day 2 Budapest 🎧
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube.
East meets west in this fascinating city, as can be seen in the variety of shops and restaurants. An included city sightseeing tour will reveal the capital's highlights, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Alternatively, perhaps opt for an included culinary-themed walking tour of the city with strudel making and a visit to the Central Market Hall.
Depart during lunch and cruise overnight to Bratislava.
Day 3 Bratislava to Vienna 🎧
Enjoy the morning in Slovakia's capital.
Originally part of Czechoslovakia until 1993, Bratislava’s old town, ‘Staré Mesto’ ,with its historic buildings, provides a stark contrast to the 20th-century buildings, some of which serve as a reminder of its communist past. Perhaps join an optional city tour or beer tasting at the UFO observation tower this morning. Before Spirit of the Danube cruises to Vienna you may like to join an optional excursion into the Vienna Woods, which continues to Vienna for dinner and an evening concert.
Alternatively, stay on board your ship and sail to Vienna, arriving later today.
Day 4 Vienna to Dürnstein 🎧
This morning enjoy an included sightseeing tour of elegant Vienna, for 600 years the centre of the Habsburg Empire.
Your tour includes a drive around the Ringstrasse, a wide avenue encircling the old city, taking in famous sights such as the Imperial Hofburg complex built by Emperor Franz Josef, and the world-famous State Opera House. Alternatively, to experience the culture and taste the local specialities opt for an included culinary walking tour instead.
Afterwards you can relax on board as you cruise to Dürnstein, arriving this evening.
Day 5 Dürnstein to Melk 🎧
Enjoy the early morning in Dürnstein, a pretty village – perhaps the most picturesque on the river and steeped in history – in the heart of the Wachau Valley. The now ruined Kuenringer Castle is where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century. An optional walking tour takes you through the cobbled streets to visit the abbey for an organ concert.
Continue to Melk where you won’t want to miss an optional tour of the magnificent Benedictine Abbey before departing this evening.
Day 6 Passau 🎧
Your ship pauses briefly in Aschach this morning to give you the opportunity of joining an optional visit to Salzburg. Alternatively, stay on board and sail to Passau, the most easterly city in Bavaria, known as the ‘Venice of Bavaria’, being set at the confluence of three rivers. It is home to a baroque cathedral containing the largest church organ in the world.
A short included walking tour reveals the highlights this afternoon, most of which are close to the Danube, before you depart before dinner.
Day 7 Regensburg to Kelheim 🎧
Arrive midday in the city of Regensburg, which has been a religious centre since the 7th century and has numerous medieval churches. Explore further on an optional walking tour this morning.
This afternoon you may like to visit Weltenburg Abbey on an optional tour, rejoining the ship later in Kelheim.
Day 8 Regensburg to Prague
Disembark Spirit of the Danube in Regensburg after breakfast and travel by coach to Prague, a distance of around 270 kilometres, which should take approximately three hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Stay at the locally rated 5-star Corinthia Hotel Prague (4Q) for two nights, with dinner tonight and breakfasts included.
Day 9 Prague
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Perhaps discover it on an optional city tour.
This afternoon, you’re free to explore independently – stop by the fascinating astrological clock situated in the Old Town Square – one of the oldest working astrological clocks in the world, the elaborate striking of the hour tends to draw large crowds. Alternatively you might like to join a culinary-themed walking tour of the city.
This afternoon, you may like to explore independently while this evening you have the option to join a special folklore dinner.
Day 10 Prague to UK
Check out after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Beer tasting at the UFO
Beer was first brewed in Bratislava by the Celts 2,000 years ago and has long competed with wine for the most popular drink in the region. This excursion ventures up to the UFO observation tower where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the city and the opportunity to sample a selection of locally brewed beer.
Walking Grade 2
Two hours
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Bratislava city tour
Step aboard the miniature Bratislava City Train to explore the many highlights of this historic city. You’ll pass the 18th-century Slovak Philharmonic Hall and impressive National Theatre before your train slowly makes its way around the Old Town, arriving at Bratislava Castle, with its commanding hill-top setting, to admire magnificent views across the city. The train will then continue through Leopold Gate, back to the Old Town where you’ll disembark for a walking tour. A stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets will reveal sights such as the Archbishop’s Palace, St Martin’s Cathedral, the charming Main Square with its fountain and Old Town Hall, and a number of 18th-century palaces.
Walking Grade 2
Two hours
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Vienna Woods and evening concert, plus dinner
Designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005, the Vienna Woods are home to a huge variety of flora and fauna. Visit Klosterneuburg Abbey, an Augustinian monastery founded in the 12th century, then head to the Danube Tower, the tallest structure in Austria and 59th tallest tower in the word. Take the lift up 160 metres for refreshments in the rotation view cafe. This excursion also includes dinner and a concert.
Walking Grade 3
Full day
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Dürnstein walking tour and organ concert
Walk from the ship to the historic heart of Dürnstein, where the cobbled streets are home to traditional wineries and quirky little shops. Continue to Dürnstein Abbey with it’s blue and white steeple that can be seen from every angle of the town. After a tour of the historic abbey, owned by the Augustinian Canons of Herzogenburg Abbey, you will be treated to an organ concert featuring classical music composed by the likes of Mozart, Bach and Beethoven.
Walking Grade 3
Two hours
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Salzburg
Travel by coach through stunning alpine scenery to the romantic and beautifully preserved city of Salzburg. Enjoy a guided walk through the old town and see the house where Mozart was born in 1756 – now a museum dedicated to his life and work. You’ll have free time to explore independently – perhaps head to film locations for ‘The Sound of Music’, such as the Mirabell Gardens and Residenzplatz Square.
Walking Grade 4
Full day
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Melk Abbey
Set on a promontory overlooking the Danube, the wonderfully ornate Melk Abbey is a masterpiece of high baroque architecture. Work on the present monastery began in 1702. The imposing exterior features an octagonal dome and symmetrical towers, while the interior is lavishly decorated and contains many artistic treasures. After touring the abbey enjoy some free time in the lovely garden.
Walking Grade 3
Two and a-half hours
-
Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Regensburg city walk
Explore Regensburg’s old town, a charming labyrinth of medieval streets and alleys that was once the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Gothic St Peter’s cathedral, the eight-storey Old Town Hall and 12th-century Stone Bridge.
Walking Grade 3
Two hours
-
Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Weltenburg Abbey & the Danube Gorge
Built on a gorge beside the Danube in Eastern Bavaria, between 1715 and 1734, the Abbey is a masterpiece of German baroque architecture and it is exquisitely painted. The Benedictine monks here are renowned for the award-winning dark ale they have been brewing since the 11th century. Enjoy a short boat trip through the Danube Gorge en route to the Abbey where a guide will give a short introductory talk.
Walking Grade 3
Four hours
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Prague city tour
Virtually unscathed by the great wars of the 20th century, Prague is blessed with an illustrious past and an eclectic mix of architecture. Visit the Lesser Town – Malá Strana – which is dominated by the church of St Nicholas. Next, your local guide will lead you across the famous Charles Bridge to the Staré Meˇ sto, or Old Town. See the church of Our Lady of Tyn, the Royal Way, the famous Astronomical clock and the Jewish Quarter.
Walking Grade 4
Four hours
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Prague Culinary Walking Tour
Your tour begins after breakfast with a tram ride from the hotel to the city centre, where you can look forward to seeing some of the city’s stunning architecture, both ancient and modern. An hour’s walk should help work up an appetite which you can satisfy during a number of stops to sample traditional local fare, including Czech open sandwiches, ham, bread and pickles and soup with beer – remember to leave some room for dessert too though. After three hours your tour will finish in the old town square and Jewish Quarter. You’ll be left to explore independently, with recommendations from your guide to get you started.
Walking Grade 4
Four hours
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Optional on 9 nights itinerary
Prague Folklore Dinner
Look forward to an evening of good food and traditional Czech entertainment. You’ll travel by coach to Prague Castle where it’s a short walk to the restaurant. Here you’ll be served typical Czech cuisine and local wine and beer before hearing live folk music reflecting different parts of the country. There’ll be songs and dances and the chance to see the unusual instruments being played, such as hammer-dulcimer, shepherds-whistle and bag-pipe. The second half of the evening will have a more international flavour as the musicians play for the crowd and guests’ requests. The night ends with renditions of well-known classical works from the likes of Smetana, Dvorák, Brahms and Mozart which have been inspired by folk music.
Walking Grade 2
Four hours
-
Optional on 9 nights itinerary
£2,049 per person
2 passengers
9 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £40 if not required
The Danube
£2,049 per person
2 passengers
9 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £40 if not required