The Beautiful Blue Danube

Your vacation begins as you arrive in Munich and then head to Passau with your included open rail ticket. 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 yourself with our magnificent ship, we indulge in our first delicious five-course dinner on board as we begin our sail downstream.

• Dinner

This morning we 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.

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

Austria's Wachau Valley is a famous wine-making region, which makes it the perfect stop on our cruise to sample the renowned local wine. There's free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to do just that, or simply wander the charming streets, soaking up the fairytale landscapes. This village is also home to the renowned castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned for a time, and we get a great view of it from the riverside.

After dinner back onboard, a real treat awaits us in the lounge tonight. As we sail into the magnificent city of Vienna, 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

Vienna beckons today with its grandeur and elegance, and we head into the city for a guided tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's Imperial culture, one full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic, and musical heritage. With our expert guide, we visit the illustrious Ringstrasse boulevard. Here, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings, including the world-renowned Opera House, where the greatest singers of our time have graced the stage, and the imposing Parliament Building.

After our inspiring tour, there's time to explore the city at leisure. The city's vibrant energy is infectious, and it's easy to lose yourself in the magnificent atmosphere. Wander through the city center and marvel at the striking St. Stephen's Cathedral, or delve into one of the countless museums that bring the city's history to life. You may decide to visit Schonbrunn Palace, once the former summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family, or alternatively indulge in the famous Sacher Torte, a Viennese delight, at one of the cozy coffee shops. During dinner this evening, we begin our overnight sail toward Budapest.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive in glorious Budapest after breakfast, and this afternoon, we're introduced to the beauty and history on a sightseeing tour of this captivating city. Known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', Budapest has plenty of impressive buildings and monuments on both sides of the river. From the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, each sight is more remarkable than the last. After dinner back on board this evening, we enjoy the enchanting ambiance of a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning at leisure in Budapest with time to wander and explore, we begin cruising to Bratislava after lunch. Relax onboard as we navigate the scenic Danube bend, passing the village of Visegrad famous for its dramatic hilltop castle and the town of Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary. We continue cruising by the delightful landscapes of the Danube for the rest of the day.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we arrive in the enchanting and historic Slovakian capital of Bratislava, welcomed by its castle overlooking the river. We set out on a fascinating guided tour after lunch. Bratislava is divided neatly into two parts by the waters of the Danube, and we have time to get 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 lunch, we set sail back to Austria, enjoying spectacular new riverside views extending all the way to the Vienna Woods and beyond.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed morning of cruising, we arrive in Linz this afternoon for a guided tour of the town, known for its gorgeous old town as well as its mix of baroque and modern architecture. We discover the charming Main Square, explore the quaint old town with its historic architecture, and stroll through the serene City Park.

The rest of our day is at leisure, and you can experience Linz's welcoming atmosphere at your own pace. This evening we enjoy a Gala dinner on board as we begin our final cruise towards Passau.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew, new friends, and fellow travelers this morning. We transfer as a group to Munich airport for flights departing after 4pm or make your own to Munich airport for earlier flights.

• Breakfast