Grand Capitals of the Danube

Ferry to Calais and onwards to our hotel, where we stay overnight in France on a bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast, we continue to our second overnight hotel, where we stay on a half-board basis.

We continue our journey to Passau (stopping en-route for lunch) where we board the A-ROSA BELLA for our six-night Danube cruise.

We arrive in Vienna in the afternoon and then have free time to start exploring this magnificent city. A true highlight of our Danube journey, Vienna dazzles with its grand Baroque palaces and a vibrant cultural scene featuring the renowned State Opera and lively cafés. Be sure to join the included guided walking tour, an insider’s journey through Vienna’s historic streets, iconic landmarks and charming squares, revealing the stories and spirit that make this city so beloved by the Viennese.

We head off on a scenic tour of Vienna Woods, a pretty forested area outside Vienna. in the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure or take part on our optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace.

Take today to explore or relax at your leisure.

We spend the day in Budapest, starting with a guided walking tour of the city to soak up the sights and then time at leisure. ‘Take the waters’ at one of the many popular bathhouses or discover the stunning Castle Hill – with its striking architecture and many turrets, it looks like something straight out of a fairytale.

Located on the left bank of the Danube, Bratislava is the youngest capital city in Europe yet throughout the Old Town, traces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire can be seen. On our included panoramic tour with our cruise escort, we discover this leisurely city of baroque and rococo, palaces and palisades, art and coffee houses and more.

We depart Bratislava mid-afternoon and sail on the delightful Danube through the evening and overnight towards the riverside town of Melk.

We enjoy a real treat for the senses as we experience the famous Wachau Valley between historic Krems and Melk from the deck of our ship. This fascinating river landscape of rolling hills, vineyards and fortresses is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is even the chance to enjoy an optional excursion to Dürnstein and Melk Abbey; one of Europe’s most magnificent baroque buildings that offers a fantastic view over the Danube and the dreamlike landscape of the Wachau. We disembark in Melk and head to our overnight hotel in the Frankfurt area, where a light evening meal is included.

We check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our return ferry home.