Scenery and Cities of the Danube

Depart Vienna, 2200.

Travel to Vienna and embark Spirit of the Danube.

Sail overnight.

Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.
Arrive Linz, 2000.

Cruise through the UNESCO-listed scenery of the Wachau Valley. Settle into your cabin, familiarise yourself with the ship’s facilities and enjoy the activities available on board.

Depart Linz, 2200.

Look forward to spending a full day in 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.

Arrive 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 overnight towards Melk.

Arrive Melk, 0900. Depart 1400.
Scenic Cruise, Wachau Valley.

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 has been the spiritual and cultural centre of Austria for more than 1,000 years.

Continue your cruise this afternoon back through the Wachau Valley. Sail overnight.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2200.

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.

This morning, enjoy an included trip on the land train from the ship to Bratislava Castle where you can admire a panoramic view over the city before setting off on a walking tour along the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Sail overnight.

Scenic Cruise, Danube Bend.
Arrive Budapest, 1400.

Sail through the attractive scenery of the Danube Bend this morning before arriving in Budapest, a city 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. Enjoy an included coach tour of the city, with the opportunity to alight at Heroes Square and St Stephen’s Basilica to explore briefly on foot.

Depart 1900.

Take the opportunity to walk back into Budapest to see some of the city’s sights independently before sailing this evening and overnight.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1400.

The small town of Esztergom enjoys a scenic riverside setting and is home to Hungary's largest basilica, the dome of which can be seen for miles. The first Hungarian king, St Stephen, was born and crowned in Esztergom.

Sail through the afternoon and overnight towards Vienna.

Arrive 0800.

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.

This morning, 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 complimentary return transfer service will be provided later in the afternoon.

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