Add to FavouritesJewels along the Danube and Bucharest
September 2023
15 days from £1,895pp
- Visit the Benedectine Abbey in Melk
- Enjoy the Austrian capital of Vienna, full of historical sightseeing opportunities
- There’s the chance to join our optional tour of the fascinating Budapest in the company of a local guide
- Belgrade lays at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers
- Enjoy a full day cruising through the breath-taking scenery of Eisernes Tor, the Iron Gate
- We spend a relaxing day and evening cruising towards Bratislava
- Description
- Itinerary
- What's Included
- Excursions
- Travel Options
- Dates & Prices
- Reviews
Set sail from the ‘three rivers city’ of Passau and embark on an unforgettable journey through Eastern Europe.
Discover the delights of Strauss’ famous Danube from the comfort of MS Arena, taking time to explore scenic and historical stops along the way. Take in the beauty of the Wachau Valley as you visit the Austrian town of Melk, a cluster of terracotta rooftops among a forest of green. You can take advantage of a full day in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Vienna, plus time in the breathtakingly beautiful city of Budapest. We also visit Belgrade and spend a full day in Bucharest as well as Bratislava and Linz on this captivating river adventure.
Day 1: UK - Germany (Coach & Rail)
We travel by coach or rail to our hotel in Germany for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Hotel - Passau - Vienna (Coach & Rail) - UK - Passau - Melk (Air)
After breakfast, we journey by coach or rail to Passau, a beautiful city in Lower Bavaria. It is here where we will board our ship – the MS Arena - Passau is known as the ‘three rivers city’ due to its unique location where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. Those travelling by air will join us today. Dinner will be served onboard this evening as we relax and set sail towards the historic Austrian town of Melk.
Day 3: Melk - Vienna
We arrive in Melk this morning, which is filled with quaint cobbled streets and striking buildings. It is also overlooked by one of the most splendid monastic houses in Austria – the Benedictine Abbey, which you can visit on our optional excursion this morning. Melk Abbey is a place where Monks live in accordance with the rules of Saint Benedict. The Baroque abbey was built be-tween 1702 and 1736 and is visited by 550,000 people every year. It’s known for its tranquillity and stunning views overlooking the Danube River and the town of Melk. We enjoy lunch on board the ship before sailing onwards to Vienna, arriving later this evening.Day 4: Vienna
We spend a full day experiencing the delights of Vienna, a cosmopolitan city full of character and charm. As well as being a World Heritage Site the ‘City of Music’ was also the once the home of Beethoven and Mozart. There is plenty to see and experience in this wonderful city.There’s the chance to join our optional city tour to visit the Hofburg led by a local guide who’ll highlight grand palaces, baroque castles, magnificent squares and striking monuments. The Hofburg was not only the centre of the vast Hofburg Empire for more than 600 years, but also the main residence of the imperial family.We return to the ship for lunch, the afternoon is free to explore at leisure. Alternatively, you can join our optional excursion to the Spanish Riding School. Admire the amazing feats of the famous white horses of Vienna in the superb arena. We set sail this evening towards Budapest.Day 5: Budapest
We arrive in Budapest around lunchtime where we enjoy lunch onboard the ship. This afternoon there’s the chance to join our optional tour of this fascinating city in the company of a local guide. Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an extensive area recognised as a World Heritage Site. Look out for the Royal Palace, Fisherman's Bastion, the Parliament building, St Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square and the Chain Bridge. We also include a wine tasting at a Hungarian wine producer before we transfer back to the ship for dinner on board.Day 6: Budapest - Mohacs - Belgrade
This morning is free for you to explore Budapest at your leisure. There is plenty to see, including lots of stunning architecture such as St Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian parliament building & Matthias Church just to name a few. We set sail at lunchtime towards Mohacs and onwards to Belgrade.Day 7: Belgrade - Giurgiu
We arrive in the Serbian capital of Belgrade, which lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. There’s the opportunity to join our optional panoramic city tour in the company of a local guide this afternoon. We drive out to the hill above the confluence of the Sava and the Danube and take in the Belgrade Fortress. We continue, passing some of the key highlights including the Cathedral Church of St. Michael, the Archangel which is a Serbian Orthodox cathedral church decorated with 18th-20th century gold works. We continue by the Town Hall which was built with elements of the Renaissance period and represents one of the most significant buildings of Serbian modern architecture. We also drive by one of the greatest orthodox cathedrals in the world – St Sava Cathedral. We include a light refreshment plus there’s some free time to explore at leisure on the famous Knez Mihailos street. We enjoy dinner onboard this evening and sail overnight towards GiurgiuDay 8: Iron Gate Gorge
Enjoy a full day cruising through the breath-taking scenery of Eisernes Tor, the Iron Gate, which is the largest river gorge in Europe and carves a channel through the Carpathian Mountains. The views are spectacular, with the Dierdap National Park on the southern side of the Danube in Serbia, and the Portile de Fier Nature Park on the northern side in Romania. It’s a fantastic day to spend relaxing on the sun deck.Day 9: Giurgiu - Bucharest - Iron Gate
We arrive in Giurgiu this morning.
From here, we include a full day excursion by coach to the Romanian capital city of Bucharest - on our sight-seeing tour with a local guide. We will explore the wide tree-lined boulevards and admire the many landmarks the city has to offer including the Arch of Triumph, Kisseleff Boulevard and Parliament Place which is the seat of the Romanian Parliament and is also the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. We also include lunch in a local restaurant too, giving you a flavour of Romanian food and culture. We return to ship in Giurgiu for dinner onboard and overnight sailing.
Day 10: Iron Gate Cruise
Today we have a full day cruising back through the magnificent Iron Gates which are the longest string of gorges in Europe, covering 84 miles and date back to the Roman Empire. Passing through Serbia and Romania, you’ll see the tallest rock sculpture in Europe of Decebalus, the Dacian King, the most famous and narrow section of the Iron gates known as The Great Kazan, ancient carvings and a National Park as you relax onboard and watch the scenery drift by as we head towards Belgrade.Day 11: Belgrade - Mohacs
We arrive back in Belgrade at around lunchtime today where there’s the opportunity to join an optional tour visiting the Royal Palace, which was built between 1924 and 1929, where the Crown prince Alexander and his family sometimes occupy. We also see Tito`s Memorial where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the museum and visit Tito's Tomb. We set sail this evening for Mohacs.
Day 12: Mohacs - Bratislava
We spend a relaxing day and evening cruising towards Bratislava - the Slovakian capital that lies in the southwestern part of the country.
Day 13: Bratislava
We arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava this evening, where we are berthed overnight. The city is dominated by Bratislava Castle, which stands on a plateau 85 metres (279 feet) above the Danube. It was built in the 9th century, converted into a Gothic anti-Hussite fortress under Sigismund of Luxemburg in 1430, became a Renaissance castle in 1562, and was rebuilt in 1649 in the baroque style.
Day 14: Bratislava - Linz
This morning you’re free to explore Bratislava at leisure, or you can join our optional excursion taking in this historic capital and the Primate's Palace by train and foot.Primate's Palace is not only a beautiful building, but also the place of important historical events. In the gallery you will be able to admire a unique collection of six English tapestries depicting the ancient legend "Hero and Leandro’s”. Our local guide will tell you the love story as well as the entire history of these tapestries. This afternoon we continue cruising along the Danube towards Linz.Day 15: Linz - Passau
We arrive in Linz this afternoon where there is the chance to join our optional excursion, visiting the charming baroque old town and Linz Castle, in the company of a local guide. In the centre of the old town, you’ll find one of the largest squares in Austria, lined by pastel-coloured facades. There’s also the fortress-like castle, built high above the city by Emperor Friedrich III. We include entrance to the castle which is now a museum housing a wonderful collection of nineteenth and twentieth century artworks. We set sail this evening for an overnight sailing to Passau.Day 16: Passau - Hotel (Coach & Rail) / UK (Air)
After a truly memorable cruise we bid farewell to our captain and crew and travel by coach or rail to our overnight hotel in Germany. Those travelling by air will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to the UK.Day 17: Cologne - UK (Coach & Rail)
After breakfast we continue our return journey home to the UK.
- Fourteen nights’ cruise on a full board basis
- Excursion: Bucharest sight-seeing tour with lunch in a local restaurant
- 9 visits included to Passau, Melk, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Iron Gate, Giurgiu, Bratislava and Linz
- Welcome drink & Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Afternoon tea/coffee and cake and late evening snack
- Complimentary tea, coffee and Wi-Fi
- Services of a Cruise Manager & Cruise Director
Belgrade City Tour
Explore the Serbian capital on our optional city tour, which is a great way to see the main sights including the beautiful Church of St Sava and the huge Belgrade Fortress, which stands on top of a ridge overlooking the Sava and Danube rivers.
2022:
Price: £23 per person
2023:
Price: £26 per person
Budapest City Tour
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
Melk Abbey
Discover one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Today, Melk Abbey is a prestigious school with more than 800 students, yet black-robed Benedictine monks still stroll among the marble structures and frescoed walls. Our guided tour shows you the magnificent Marble Hall, Emperor’s Gallery, Abbey Church and the terrace where you can enjoy fine views of the Danube river and the town. There is also free time to explore the grounds and the gardens.
2022:
Price: £45 per person
2023:
Price: £46 per person
Vienna City Tour
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
South East - coach via Dover
Travel by Eurostar
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.
Fly from London Heathrow
Fly from other airports
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.
Meet us at the ship
Central London FREE Shuttle Service
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.
Join at Port
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.
Overnight hotel in Dover or Ashford
Your Accommodation
MS Arena
★★★★Overview
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.