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Delights of the Danube (Passau-Budapest) Rail & Cruise

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Experience the magic of the blue Danube

10 days From £1,195 per person
Operated by our sister company Great Rail Journeys

2023 Tour code: DDR23

About the tour

Aboard the state of the art Amadeus Queen, which comes replete with its own swimming pool, experience the magic of the blue Danube from the elegance of Imperial Vienna, to the twin-cities of Buda and Pest. This tour is operated by our sister company Great Rail Journeys.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Wurzburg

Begin today at London St Pancras, where you'll meet your Tour Manager as well of the rest of your group, to start your journey to Europe. Board the Eurostar travelling to Brussels, then change for the service to Wurzburg, via Cologne. 

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Passau

This morning, we make the short walk back to Nuremberg station for the train to Paasau. On arriving in Passau, we meet our Amadeus ship where we are welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Regensburg

Regensberg is our port of call this morning, which we explore on foot. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the whole region from the 9th century onwards. We enjoy dinner back on board tonight.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Salzburg or the Austrian Lake District

We arrive into Passau this morning where you have a choice of excursions. You could head further into the countryside for a day spent amidst the spectacular scenery of the Austrian lakes. Make stops in UNESCO listed Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages thanks to its traditional pastel-coloured houses perched on the tiny plain between the mountains and Hallstättersee Lake, as well as Mondsee.This pretty town is set on the lake of the same name, and its most famous sight is the 15th-century parish church, which featured in the wedding scenes of 'The Sound of Music'.

Otherwise, travel by coach to Salzburg, via Mondsee, one of Austria's most famous cities and known as the birth place of Mozart. A guided sightseeing tour reveals the city's internationally renowned Baroque architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Melk Abbey

Today, we journey by coach to Melk Abbey, enjoying entrance to this 11th century Benedictine Abbey which stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and is home to the Abbey Church, considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps. We then make our way to Austria's Wachau Valley, a famous wine-making region. We arrive in the idyllic village of Dürnstein where you have time at leisure. As we sit down to lunch on board we begin cruising along the picturesque Wachau Valley, an extremely scenic area with green valleys and vineyards rising up from the river, picturesque riverside towns, and commanding fortresses with sweeping views.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - The history and music of Vienna

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive into glorious Vienna for a comprehensive sightseeing tour. After dinner we are entertained by a private classical music recital.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Discovering Bratislava

Your morning is at leisure aboard before we moor up early this afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach tour of Slovakian capital. Located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava straddles the Danube which neatly divides the city into two parts; the Baroque Old Town (Stare Mesto) and the new city. This picture-postcard city destination historic Gothic buildings, several universities, a wealth of museums and galleries, and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic centre features delightful cobbled stoned roads, pedestrianised plazas, pastel 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore. Following our excursion, we return to the ship for another delicious, 5-course dinner.

Includes
  • Day 7 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Budapest

Today, we arrive at the scenic Danube Bend. This section of the river has a long and fascinating history and from the sun deck or panoramic windows in the bar, you'll be able to see castle ruins, churches, pretty houses hidden in the hills and dense forests.

After lunch on board, we enjoy a guided coach tour of Budapest, introducing us to Budapest's main sights. We pass impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the neo-Gothic Parliament building, the magnificent State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. Later take in the illuminated sights as we sail around the city. We are also treated to a performance from a local Hungarian folk band in the lounge.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Stuttgart

We disembark after breakfast to start the journey back home via Stuttgart, where we spend the night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - London

Today we complete our journey back to London.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Trains

Eurostar
Thalys

Ships

MS Amadeus Silver III
MS Amadeus Riva

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections
London hotels