Delights of the Danube (Fly and Cruise)

Fly* from your choice of airport to Budapest, on arrival
you'll be met at the airport for the transfer to your ship, the
Amadeus Queen. We meet the Amadeus Queen or Silver II
and are welcomed with a cocktail in the lounge before dinner. Later
take in the illuminated sights as we sail around the city. We are
also treated to a performance from a local Hungarian folk band in
the lounge.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail &
Cruise option title="Delights of the Danube (Rail & Cruise)">here.

This morning we enjoy a guided coach and walking tour,
introducing us to Budapest's main sights. We pass impressive
buildings and monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the
neo- Gothic Parliament building, the magnificent State Opera House
and St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church and
Fishermen's Bastion. We return to the ship for lunch, after which
you have some free time before we begin cruising to Bratislava,
passing through the splendid Danube Bend along the way. This
section of the river has a long and fascinating history and from
the sun deck or panoramic windows in the bar, you'll be able to see
castle ruins, churches, pretty houses hidden in the hills and dense
forests, all soaked in the golden glow of twilight.

Your morning is at leisure aboard before we moor up early this
afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach and walking
tour of the Slovakian capital. Located in the foothills of the
Carpathian Mountains, Bratislava straddles the Danube which neatly
divides the city into two parts; the Baroque Old Town (Stare Mesto)
and the new city. This picture-postcard destination boasts historic
Gothic buildings, several universities, a wealth of museums and
galleries, and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic
centre features delightful cobblestoned roads, pedestrianised
plazas, 18th-century rococo buildings and street cafés galore.
Following our excursion, you have plenty of free time to
explore.

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive into glorious Vienna
for a sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's
Imperial heritage, one full of tradition and rich in architectural,
artistic and musical heritage. You'll see many of Vienna's most
ornate buildings, including the impressive Opera House - one of the
leading opera venues in the world, as well as the grand Parliament
Building. Tonight a real treat awaits us. After dinner we are
joined by musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for a
private recital. Be whisked away by the music and immerse yourself
in this singularly exceptional experience.

Today we reach Austria's Wachau Valley, a famous wine-making
region. We arrive in the idyllic village of Dürnstein where you
have time at leisure. As we sit down to lunch on board, we begin
cruising along the picturesque Wachau Valley, an extremely scenic
area with green valleys and vineyards rising up from the river,
picturesque riverside towns, and commanding fortresses with
sweeping views. We then journey by coach to Melk Abbey, enjoying
entrance to this 11th-century Benedictine Abbey which stands on a
rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It is also home to the Abbey
Church, considered one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north
of the Alps.

On Day 6 we disembark in Linz this
morning, where you have a choice of excursions. You could head
further into the countryside for a day spent amidst the spectacular
scenery of the Austrian lakes. Make stops at UNESCO listed
Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages thanks to
its traditional pastel-coloured houses, Hallstättersee Lake, and
Mondsee. This pretty town is set on the lake of the same name and
its most famous sight is the 15th-century parish church, which
featured in the wedding scenes of 'The Sound of Music'. Otherwise,
travel by coach to Salzburg, via Mondsee, one of Austria's most
famous cities and known as the birthplace of Mozart. A guided
sightseeing tour reveals the city's internationally renowned
Baroque architecture, a well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage site.
We rejoin the ship in Passau.

Regensburg is our port of call this morning, which we explore on
foot. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to
its history as a trading centre which had a huge infl uence on the
whole region from the 9th century onwards. Back on board tonight,
we attend the captain's gala dinner, a chance to don our evening
wear and celebrate our cruise experience.

On Day 8 after breakfast, we
disembark in Passau and transfer to the airport for your flight
back to the UK.

Fly* from your choice of airport to Paasau. On arriving in
Passau, we meet the Amadeus Queen or Silver II and are welcomed
with a cocktail in the lounge before dinner.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail &
Cruise option title="Delights of the Danube (Rail & Cruise)">here.

Regensberg is our port of call this morning, which we explore on
foot. This medieval town contains many buildings that testify to
its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the whole
region from the 9th century onwards. We enjoy dinner back on board
tonight.

We arrive into Passau this morning where you have a choice
of excursions. You could head further into the countryside for a
day spent amidst the spectacular scenery of the Austrian lakes.
Make stops in UNESCO listed Hallstatt, one of Austria's most
photographed villages thanks to its traditional pastel-coloured
houses perched on the tiny plain between the mountains and
Hallstättersee Lake, as well as Mondsee.This pretty town is set on
the lake of the same name, and its most famous sight is the
15th-century parish church, which featured in the wedding scenes of
'The Sound of Music'.

Otherwise, travel by coach to Salzburg, via Mondsee, one of
Austria's most famous cities and known as the birth place of
Mozart. A guided sightseeing tour reveals the city's
internationally renowned Baroque architecture, a UNESCO World
Heritage site. 

On Day 4 we journey by coach to
Melk Abbey, enjoying entrance to this 11th century Benedictine
Abbey which stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube and is
home to the Abbey Church, considered one of the most beautiful
Baroque churches north of the Alps. We then make our way
to Austria's Wachau Valley, a famous wine-making region. We arrive
in the idyllic village of Dürnstein where you have time at leisure.
As we sit down to lunch on board we begin cruising along the
picturesque Wachau Valley, an extremely scenic area with green
valleys and vineyards rising up from the river, picturesque
riverside towns, and commanding fortresses with sweeping views.

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive into glorious Vienna,
for a comprehensive sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in
Austria's Imperial heritage, one full of tradition and rich in
architectural, artistic and musical heritage. You'll see many of
Vienna's finest ornate buildings, including the impressive Hofburg
Palace. This vast complex of buildings demonstrates the awesome
power and wealth commanded by the Habsburgs. You'll also take in
the impressive Opera House, one of the leading opera venues in the
world, as well as the grand Parliament Building.

Tonight a real treat awaits us on board, where after dinner we
are joined by musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for
an exclusive, private recital. Be whisked away by the music as you
immerse yourself in this singularly exceptional experience, as the
Vienna Philharmonic is one of the most popular and skilled
orchestras in the world.

Your morning is at leisure aboard before we moor up early this
afternoon. After lunch, we set out on a guided coach tour of
Slovakian capital. Located in the foothills of the Carpathian
Mountains, Bratislava straddles the Danube which neatly divides the
city into two parts; the Baroque Old Town (Stare Mesto) and the new
city. This picture-postcard city destination historic Gothic
buildings, several universities, a wealth of museums and galleries,
and a refreshing cosmopolitan atmosphere. The historic centre
features delightful cobbled stoned roads, pedestrianised plazas,
pastel 18th century rococo buildings and street cafés galore.
Following our excursion, we return to the ship for another
delicious, 5-course dinner.

This morning we arrive at the scenic Danube Bend. This section
of the river has a long and fascinating history and from the sun
deck or panoramic windows in the bar, you'll be able to see castle
ruins, churches, pretty houses hidden in the hills and dense
forests.

After lunch on board, we enjoy a guided coach tour of Budapest,
introducing us to Budapest's main sights. We pass impressive
buildings and monuments on both sides of the Danube, including the
neo-Gothic Parliament building, the magnificent State Opera House
and St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Castle, Matthias Church and
Fishermen's Bastion. Later take in the illuminated sights as
we sail around the city. We are also treated to a performance from
a local Hungarian folk band in the lounge.

We disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our
flight back to the UK.