Wachau Valley to Vienna 2027

Travel to Vilshofen and embark Spirit of the Danube. Your all-inclusive cruise begins with dinner tonight.

Please note: July 30, 2027 departures embark in Regensburg. October 18, 2027 departures embark in Passau.

The attractive old area of this small Bavarian town is perched on a promontory between the Danube and Vils rivers. Highlights include the Benedictine Abbey and church of St John. Join a brief orientation walk of Vilshofen, then head to a historic hall nearby where you can enjoy a performance of authentic Bavarian music accompanied by beer, pretzels and other traditional Bavarian food.

Included excursion

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the Bavarian Forest, with commentary about the history and culture of the region along the way. Pass traditional Bavarian villages and stop for a refreshment at a local restaurant.

July 30, 2027 departures

Spend the day in Regensburg, with an included walking tour here.

Depart 1900.

The city of Regensburg has been a religious centre since the 7th century and has numerous medieval churches. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries the city enjoyed great wealth thanks to its trade links in Europe and there are many examples of fine Romanesque and Gothic architecture still to be seen in the UNESCO-listed old part. The Stone Bridge, completed in 1146, influenced bridge-building elsewhere, including the Charles Bridge in Prague.

Included excursion

Look forward to an included walking tour from the ship into the city.

October 18, 2027 departures spend the day in Passau, with an included walking tour here. Ship will remain here overnight. Passau is located at the confluence of the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn rivers. The surrounding wooded hills create a scenic backdrop to the city’s towers, spires and red-roofed houses. The wealthy past of this cultured 
city is reflected in its many fine buildings, including the baroque St Stephen’s Cathedral, and the old and new Bishop’s Palaces. Spend a full day exploring the city independently before sailing to Linz. 

Included excursion

Join a walking tour of Passau.

Depart Vilshofen, 0500.
Arrive Passau, 0800. Depart 1800.

Passau is located at the confluence of the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn rivers. The surrounding wooded hills create a scenic backdrop to the city’s towers, spires and red-roofed houses. The wealthy past of this cultured city is reflected in its many fine buildings, including the baroque St Stephen’s Cathedral, and the old and new Bishop’s Palaces. Spend a full day exploring the city independently before sailing to Linz.

Included excursion

Join a walking tour of Passau.

October 18, 2027 departures depart Passau at 0900 and sail to Engelhartzell arriving at 1200. Enjoy an included walking tour, then depart at 2000.

Arrive 0100. Depart 2200.

Look forward to spending a full day in the city of Linz, 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. Sail overnight.

Included excursion

This included tour begins with a short walk from your ship towards the city centre. In the company of a local guide, you will visit the Old Town Hall, which features an enormous aerial floor map of the city. Next, board the land train for a trip through the streets of Linz with commentary en route.

Arrive Melk, 0800. Depart 1400.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Krems, 1900.

Historic 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 has been the spiritual and cultural centre of Austria for more than 1,000 years. Continue your cruise this afternoon and enjoy the UNESCO-listed scenery of the Wachau Valley en route to Krems.

Included excursion

Join an included guided tour of Melk Abbey, a famous Baroque building sitting on a rocky outcrop above the Danube. The abbey was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks.

Depart Krems, 1300.
Arrive Vienna, 2200.

The landmark sight of Krems is the 15th-century Steiner Tor, a square gate tower refashioned in Baroque style. This afternoon an included excursion explores Krems on foot and visits Göttweig Abbey, founded in 1083 by the Bishop of Passau, for a walking tour. The abbey underwent extensive construction during the Middle Ages and the baroque period of the 18th century. Continue cruising the Danube this afternoon and evening.

Included excursion

Join an included excursion to see some of Krems attractions on foot or opt for an included visit to Göttweig Abbey, a huge Benedictine monastery founded in 1083. Discover its highly decorated baroque interior and monumental imperial staircase, overlooked by a ceiling fresco by Paul Troger from 1739.

Vienna is the capital of Austria: home to the waltz, coffee houses, the Prater wheel 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 will reveal the highlights of the city, including the Ringstrasse where you can see the ornate Austrian Parliament Building and St Stephen’s Cathedral with its Gothic architecture. Following your included tour you may choose to stay in Vienna and explore further independently. Perhaps head to the Museum Quarter, home to over 50 cultural institutions, such as the Leopold Museum. A return transfer service will be provided later in the afternoon.

Included excursion

Explore the city of Vienna on either a panoramic coach tour or a combined coach and walking tour to see some of the highlights, including the Ringstrasse and Opera House.

Disembark Spirit of the Danube after breakfast and begin your return journey.