Magnificent Europe

Includes return flights from the UK. Discover the many wonders the Danube has to offer. From quaint German and Austrian villages to grand cities teeming with history and classical music including Vienna and Budapest, explore. Europe's finest riverside delights.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Munich, Nuremberg

Fly from the UK and on arrival in Munich, transfer to Nuremberg.

Day 2: Nuremberg, Embark Ship

Discover Nuremberg on a city tour, then board your ship.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Discovery of Regensburg
In Regensburg, set out on a guided tour to explore its atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria. Your tour will finish with a tasting at Regensburg’s historic sausage kitchen, thought to be one of the oldest working restaurants in the world.

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride
You might prefer to get active and take a guided bike ride to the Walhalla memorial. This neo-classical building sits above the Danube River and houses a hall of fame that honours notable politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists from Germany’s past.

Day 3: Regensburg

Discover Regensburg on your choice of activities today.  

Freedom of Choice – Explore Regensburg’s World Heritage-listed City Centre

In Regensburg, set out on a guided tour to explore its atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria. Your tour will finish with a tasting at Regensburg’s historic sausage kitchen, thought to be one of the oldest working restaurants in the world. 

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride to the Walhalla Memorial 

Get active and take a guided bike ride to the Walhalla memorial. This neo-classical building sits above the Danube River and houses a hall of fame that honours notable politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists from Germany’s past.

Day 4: Passau, Salzburg, Linz

Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience.

Signature Experience – Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘Sound of Music’ Show 

Be welcomed by a Jagdhornbläser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film, ‘The Sound of Music’. 

Day 5: Melk, Dürnstein

Visit the statuary-adorned Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Then, it’s up to you how you get to the next port of call. In Dürnstein, perhaps view the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192.  

Freedom of Choice – Cruise Through the Wachau Valley 

Cruise through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, where you’ll roam its cobblestoned lanes at your leisure.   

Freedom of Choice – Guided Bike Ride from Melk to Dürnstein 

Take a guided bike ride along the Danube Rriver from Melk to Dürnstein and take in the beautiful scenery of Wachau Valley along the way. 

Day 6: Vienna

Arrive in Vienna and set out on a city tour. Take in the city’s many landmarks along the Ringstrasse, as well as St Stephen’s Cathedral. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore. This evening is set aside for your magical Signature Experience.

Signature Experience – Cocktail Party and Private Performance at Vienna’s City Palace

After dinner, head to the princely family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. A full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss. You will also be enchanted by an operatic recital. 

Day 7: Vienna

Head out on your choice of tours, then set sail for Hungary.  This evening, enjoy a Captain’s farewell dinner. 

Freedom of Choice – Schönbrunn Palace Visit 

Delve into royal history as you wander the lavishly furnished rooms and beautiful gardens of the famous Schönbrunn Palace.  

Freedom of Choice – Visit Bratislava in Slovakia 

Tick another country off your list and journey to Slovakia’s Bratislava, where a mixture of 18th-century rococo design and communist era architecture make this a city of alluring contrasts. See some of the architectural landmarks that were built during the city’s time under Communist rule. These include the UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev. 

Day 8: Budapest

Choose your sightseeing option in Budapest today. The afternoon is yours at leisure to further explore.  

Freedom of Choice – City Tour 

Enjoy a city tour of Budapest taking in its historic monuments, including Heroes’ Square and St Stephen’s Cathedral before a visit to the Great Market Hall for some tastings of local produce.  

Freedom of Choice – Fisherman’s Bastion 

Enjoy a funicular ride up to Castle Hill and take in the sweeping views over the river, then walk to Fisherman’s Bastion, a beautiful historical monument.  

Freedom of Choice – Thermal Baths Visit 

You may wish to relax in the thermal water pools at the historic Gellért Thermal Baths, which first opened its gates over 100 years ago. 

Day 9: Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest

The time has come to say goodbye and be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK.