Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube

Our vacation begins in the eclectic city of Berlin. We check into our hotel for the night and before dinner you can explore this fascinating city and its unique combination of style and history. Known for its avant-garde art scene and green spaces, Berlin is alive with creativity, diversity, and resilience.

• Dinner

Setting out on a guided tour, we discover more of Berlin today. With our knowledgeable guide, we explore Germany's vibrant capital visiting iconic landmarks, including the remains of the historic Berlin Wall outside the Topography of Terror museum, located in the former headquarters of the SS and Gestapo. The route of the Berlin Wall is still marked today by a double row of cobblestones laid into the streets. Our powerful tour concludes at the Brandenburg Gate - a spectacular 18th-century Neoclassical monument that is the city's oldest surviving gate and now a symbol of unity. After lunch, we continue by rail to Prague for the night.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we have the whole day ahead to explore Prague starting with a guided tour. The narrow streets of the Old Town reveal some of the city's most famous sights and we begin at Hradčany Castle before strolling across the 14th-century Charles Bridge where we can admire lovely views of the city. We also visit the city's renowned astronomical clock aside the Old Town square - the perfect photo opportunity.

After our tour, there's plenty of time to explore at leisure and you could enjoy a boat cruise down the beautiful Vltava river with your lunch.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we travel by rail to the mesmerizing city of Budapest. Our luxurious ship awaits us here, where we're greeted with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge. After settling into your wonderful cabin and familiarizing ourselves with our magnificent ship, we indulge in our first dinner on board before enjoying the enchanting ambience of a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe.

Once the sun sets, we begin a magical night-time cruise along the Danube River, taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest. From the Gothic-style Parliament building to Buda castle, the state buildings that line the banks on both sides are all sensationally lit up, as well as the stunning Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the cozy lounge or take in the panoramic views from the sun deck, Budapest's elegant scenery is a spectacular start to our cruise.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we delve deeper into Budapest's beauty and history that we saw last night. On a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', we explore its impressive buildings and monuments. From St Stephen's Basilica to Heroes Square and Fisherman's Bastion, each sight is more remarkable than the last. After lunch on board, you can explore the city further at your leisure before we set sail to Bratislava.

As we sail upstream through the evening we navigate the scenic Danube bend, passing the village of Visegrad famous for its hilltop castle and Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxing sailing, we arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, welcomed by its castle overlooking the river. We set out on a fascinating guided tour after lunch, getting to know both the Baroque Old Town and the castle district. As we explore the enchanting streets, we're immersed in the vibrancy of the city, which has dramatic historic buildings, Baroque palaces and a wealth of fantastic museums and galleries.

Following our tour, you have free time to explore the tangle of cobblestoned roads, pedestrianized plazas, 18th-century Rococo buildings, and street cafés.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive in glorious Vienna for a sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's Imperial culture, one full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic and musical heritage. Making our way to Ringstrasse boulevard, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings including the impressive Opera House (one of the leading opera venues in the world), and the grand Parliament Building.

After our tour, there's time to wander around at leisure and soak up the magnificent atmosphere of Vienna. You could indulge in the famous Sacher Torte, a Viennese delight, at one of the cozy coffee shops. Alternatively, you could explore the city center and marvel at St. Stephen's Cathedral, or delve into one of the numerous museums the city has to offer.

Tonight, a real treat awaits us in the lounge as we're joined by four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra who whisk us away with their performances of well-known classical pieces.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Austria's Wachau Valley is a famous wine-making region and there's free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to wander the charming streets, soaking up the vineyard landscapes. From the riverside, we can see the renowned castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned for a time.

This afternoon, we cruise through the scenery of the Wachau Valley during lunch, truly a highlight of the river. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with picturesque riverside towns and commanding fortresses.

Later, we disembark in Emmersdorf to visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey that stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It's here we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we wake up in beautiful Linz where you can choose between a day in the Austrian Lake District, the Salzkammergut, or a visit to Salzburg.

The first option sees us heading into the country for a day in the lakes where we stop at UNESCO-listed Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages thanks to its pastel-colored houses. We also visit Hallstätter See Lake and Mondsee, a pretty town set on the lake of the same name and famous for its 15th-century parish church which featured in 'The Sound of Music'.

Alternatively, travel via Mondsee to Salzburg, a beautiful Baroque city on the banks of the Salzach river. During a guided sightseeing tour, we explore Getreidegasse street, famed for its traditional shops with metal signboards and the place where Mozart was born. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is filled with stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, quaint squares, and charming alleyways that we admire as we meander through.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we enjoy a last cruise through vineyard-covered hills, charming villages, and medieval castles. Arriving in the German city of Passau, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head to Munich airport. After we bid farewell to new friends and fellow travelers, make your way home, taking with you all the memories we've made on our vacation, from seeing the remains of the historic Berlin Wall and Prague's renowned astronomical clock to wandering the fascinating buildings of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. We also explored charming Dürnstein before sailing the stunning Wachau Valley and admired the Baroque architecture of Melk Abbey with our journey ending in the beautiful streets of Salzburg and Passau.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner