We travel by coach or rail to our overnight hotel in the Munich area.
After breakfast, we’ll travel by coach and board our ship in Passau, where we’ll be joined by those who have travelled by air. Known as the ‘three rivers city’, Passau is situated where the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz all meet, so there’s no better place to begin our cruise. This evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner onboard as we set sail towards Vienna.
Arriving in the early afternoon, you have plenty of time to explore Vienna and the option to join a guided tour of the Austrian capital too. The birthplace of classical music boasts a UNESCO World Heritage historical centre, more than 150 grand palaces and no fewer than 27 baroque castles. Home to spectacular squares and magnificent monuments, it really is a magical city. After an afternoon of sightseeing, we return to the ship and begin our onward journey towards Budapest.
This morning, en route to Budapest, we’ll continue our relaxing cruise along the mighty Danube as we pass by the impressive Esztergom Basilica. Sitting atop Castle Hill, it’s the largest church in Hungary and has a 72-metre-high central dome that can be seen for miles around. Our captain will slow the ship right down as we drift by, so there’s plenty of opportunity to capture a stunning photograph of the sights from our vantage point on the water. Then its full speed ahead as we continue our journey to Budapest, where we arrive at around lunchtime. Here you can spend the afternoon exploring what many refer to as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There’s an optional city tour available where you’ll get to take in all the key sights, such as the Royal Palace, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Parliament building and more. Divided into two by the flowing Danube, you’ll experience Castle Hill and the traditional Buda side of the city, as well as the cosmopolitan side of Pest too. We set sail for Bratislava in the evening.
At around lunchtime today we arrive into the ancient city of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The skyline is dominated by the striking Bratislava Castle and the city’s unique suspension bridge; demonstrating the blend of the traditional with the modern. Join our optional guided walking tour, where you’ll experience the city’s highlights , as well as sampling the sweet delicacy ‘Makovka’ too. Relax onboard this evening, as we cruise towards Weissenkirchen.
This morning, we arrive in the picturesque village of Weissenkirchen in the heart of Austria’s Wachau Valley. You’ll enjoy some free time here, where you can explore the village and wander along the banks of the river, before we continue to Passau.
After breakfast, we bid farewell to our captain and crew and travel by coach or rail to our overnight accommodation in the Cologne area. Those travelling by air will be transferred to the airport for the return flight.
After breakfast, we continue our return journey home to the UK.
Our guided tour of this magnificent city allows you to explore the charming squares, courtyards and narrow lanes of the Slovakian capital. The old town is filled with all the must-see sites and is a pedestrian zone which makes exploring on foot a safe and relaxing activity. You’ll also get to sample the sweet delicacy ‘Makova’ as well!
2022:
Price: £29 per person
2023:
Price: £32 per person
Budapest is an architectural gem filled with baroque, neoclassical and eclectic buildings. Accompanied by a local guide, our coach tour takes in some of the most beautiful areas including Gellert Hill, Heroes Square and Castle Hill and the splendid terrace of Fisherman’s Bastion which offers a grand panorama of almost the entire city.
2022:
Price: £28 per person
2023:
Price: £30 per person
This is the perfect introduction to Vienna; the city of music. Our tour focuses on the historic centre and its rich architecture, where we learn about the baroque castles and gardens and the 19th-century Ringstrasse, is lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. This tour is part coach and part walking.
2022:
Price: £36 per person
2023:
Price: £38 per person
Listed below are our flexible travel options that give you the choice of different ways to travel to your cruise.
Step aboard Eurostar at London St Pancras for a fast and comfortable journey to mainland Europe. You can even upgrade your reserved seat to Standard Premier – speak to our Holiday Advisors for more information. On arrival in Paris, Lille or Brussels, you will then join connecting services for your onward journey.
For those travelling from further afield, you can also book overnight accommodation in London, before and after your holiday. Speak to our Holiday Advisors for more information.
If our included flights are not suitable, alternative flights may also be available from other airports on our arrival and departure dates. These may have an additional supplement and are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Where possible, transfers will also be included, although if you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.
Please call one of our friendly Holiday Advisors to check flight options and availability for this holiday.
Travel independently to Central London the day before your cruise and take advantage of our complimentary shuttle to Ashford for an overnight stay. Our coach will then collect you after breakfast the following morning.
Pick ups are available from London Euston, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Paddington Station, Waterloo, St Pancras and Victoria Coach Station.
Call our friendly Holiday Advisors for me information.
You can choose from a wider choice of departure points if you join at the departure port. Leave your car in a secure car park, close to the port of departure and be collected/returned by our coach.
Car parking at Dover Eastern Docks is £9 per day, we can pre-book parking for you at Dover.
Newcastle £12 per day, Hull £8 per day, payable upon departure from the car park.
Please speak to our Holiday Advisors for more information.
Dates: 2022
11, 12, 16, 17 October 2022
Our new 4-star ship has all the ingredients of an unforgettable river cruise; comfort, style and the crew’s unfaltering attention to detail is everything.
MS Arena is completely deserving of its place in our premier cruise collection! Whether you’re cruising the Dutch Waterways, the rivers Rhine, Moselle or Danube, all the way to the Black Sea, this elegant, 4-star ship promises everything you’d wish for – and more – making for an unforgettable river cruising experience.