12 days - from only £1,449pp
ABOUT THE TOUR
Set sail from the ‘three rivers city’ of Passau and embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Europe. Discover the delights of Strauss’ famous Danube from the comfort of MS Arena, taking time to explore scenic and historical stops along the way. Take in the beauty of the Wachau Valley as you visit the Austrian town of Melk; a cluster of terracotta rooftops among a forest of green. You can take advantage of a full day in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Vienna, plus another full day in the breathtakingly beautiful city of Budapest. Spend time in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava and wander the cobbled streets of Dürnstein on this enthralling river adventure.
TOUR INCLUDES
Day 1:
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2:
Continue through Germany to Bavaria, where we stay overnight.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Passau
We head to Passau, where we board our ship, the MS Arena.
Passau is known as the ‘three rivers city’ due to its unique location where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. You can then enjoy a relaxing evening on board as we set sail and cruise towards Melk.Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Melk to Vienna
This morning we arrive in the small town of Melk, which lies in the beautiful Wachau valley.
Here you can join our optional excursion visiting the Benedictine Abbey. This is one of the most famous monastic houses in Austria and has been occupied by monks for over 900 years.
You can relax onboard for the remainder of the day as we cruise to Vienna for an overnight stop.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Vienna to Budapest
We spend a full day experiencing the delights of Vienna. Grand palaces, baroque castles, magnificent squares and striking monuments are just some of the key features of this beautiful city, which is a world heritage site.
In the morning you can join our optional city tour followed by lunch on board.
This afternoon you can take advantage of our optional excursion to Belvedere Palace, a stunning Baroque building made up of two palaces, an orangery and the palace stables. The palace is also home to an incredible collection of art, including the world’s largest collection of work by Gustav Klimt.
In the early evening we cast off and cruise towards Budapest.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Belvedere Palace
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
2022 | |
---|---|
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in cash in Euros (for tours to Europe) or Sterling (for UK tours).
Day 6: Budapest
Today we arrive into Budapest. Enjoy lunch onboard the ship before joining our optional tour of this fascinating city.
Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an extensive area recognised as a world heritage site.We can explore both sides of Hungary’s capital which is divided by the meandering Danube – traditional Buda and the more cosmopolitan Pest.
Most of the famous sites are concentrated around Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown Pest and along the riverside walkways. Look out for the Royal Palace, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Parliament building, St Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and the Chain Bridge.
We return to the ship for a relaxing dinner onboard then there’s the chance to join our optional excursion to experience Budapest by night with a traditional folklore show.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
2022 | |
---|---|
|
TBC |
|
TBC |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in cash in Euros (for tours to Europe) or Sterling (for UK tours).
Day 7: Budapest to Bratislava
Enjoy a morning in Budapest or join our optional excursion which takes you through the sweeping plains of Hungary to Lajosmizse.Here we visit a traditional stud farm and enjoy a tour of the grounds in a horse-drawn carriage, before watching a spectacular live Puszta horse show.
We set sail in the afternoon and cruise towards Bratislava.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
2022 | |
---|---|
|
TBC |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in cash in Euros (for tours to Europe) or Sterling (for UK tours).
Day 8: Bratislava to Dürnstein
We reach Bratislava this morning where there’s the opportunity to join our optional excursion taking in this historic capital city, which is dominated by its castle and unique suspension bridge.
We’ll enjoy a walking tour with a local guide and sample ‘Makovka’, a sweet white chocolate with poppy seed filling.
Lunch is served on board and the afternoon is free to explore Bratislava at your leisure before we enjoy dinner onboard and cruise towards Dürnstein.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
2022 | |
---|---|
|
TBC |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in cash in Euros (for tours to Europe) or Sterling (for UK tours).
Day 9: Dürnstein to Passau
The town of Dürnstein nestles among Austria’s most famous vineyards and is crowned by the ruins of the castle that once imprisoned Richard the Lionheart. It’s a beautiful place filled with cobbled streets, pretty courtyards and 16th-century houses.
After some free time, we set sail for the final time and cruise towards Passau for our last night on board ship.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10:
We disembark this morning and travel by coach to our overnight hotel in the Frankfurt area.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Rhine and Moselle Valley
After breakfast we drive through the picturesque Rhine Valley where you can join our optional wine tasting excursion.
Continue to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Included meals: Breakfast
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.
2022 | |
---|---|
|
TBC |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in cash in Euros (for tours to Europe) or Sterling (for UK tours).
Day 12:
Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
You’ll spend seven nights cruising on the 4-star MS Arena.
Overnight stays will be in city-style hotels.
Climb aboard and feel right at home from the minute you set sail on the stylish and spacious MS Arena. Let the captain and crew take care of your every need while you prioritise relaxing and unwinding in comfort. Take advantage of the wellness and fitness centre, treat yourself to a drink or two with new friends in the lounge or soak up the ambience and spectacular sights from the comfort of the elevated sun deck. Each cabin on board the MS Arena features panoramic windows with a French balcony, allowing you to take in the wonderful views of the river. The spacious cabins also feature twin or hotel-style double beds, en suite bathrooms and plenty of storage space; all with contemporary furnishings, providing the ideal home from home on your cruise.
Travel from most joining points is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement of £20pp. To find your nearest joining point, search using your postcode below.
See our full list of our joining points.