The Blue Danube River Cruise with Vienna Extension - MS Thomas Hardy

You fly to Budapest, where a coach takes you to your cruise ship. The dedicated crew are there to welcome you on board, ensuring you settle in and familiarise yourself with this first-class floating hotel. There’s always a sense of expectancy and excitement on the eve of a cruise and, after an excellent dinner in the stylish restaurant, conversation is sure to revolve around the delights ahead.

Overnight we have cruised upstream to Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns, a royal capital during medieval times and today the seat of the country’s archbishop. We have a guided tour of the famous neoclassical basilica, standing sentinel over the Danube on the border with Slovakia, and boasting one of the world’s largest altarpieces and a wealth of priceless religious artefacts. The castle is also worth exploring; it was the seat of government until the Ottomans invaded in the 16th century.



Nestling below are myriad atmospheric churches resonating with the enchanting sounds of choir; this is the best of provincial Hungary and is little changed since Habsburg times. As you enjoy your first lunch on board we gently leave Esztergom in our wake, affording a fascinating opportunity to compare the different landscapes, towns and villages of Hungary on one river bank and of Slovakia on the other.

This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town. Equally impressive is the imposing 17th-century castle commanding expansive views across the Danube.



This afternoon we cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now the stresses of everyday life seem distant as you absorb the ever-changing scenes we pass: children playing on the river banks, young couples strolling arm in arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, and cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings.



You’ll marvel as the Captain skilfully navigates the ship along the serene river and through locks whose mechanisms never cease to fascinate, as we cruise towards Dürnstein during dinner.

Durnstein is known principally for the ice-blue tower of its abbey, which dominates the view, and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after being shipwrecked on his return from the crusades. This morning we take a guided walking tour to explore this memorable city further. Set on a rocky outcrop high above the river, the castle is now ruined, but it’s easy to imagine England’s legendary monarch seething with frustration far from home, while waiting for his family to raise funds to pay his ransom.



After lunch you visit the remarkable Melk Abbey. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this enormous honey-coloured building, standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since. The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms and an ornate library. After we re-join the ship, dinner is served during the final part of our cruise upstream through the pretty Nibelungengau, immortalised in the music of Wagner. 

Reaching Linz, you will have the choice to stay in the city and take a guided walking tour, exploring its charming baroque old town. At its heart you’ll see one of the finest squares in Austria, lined by grand pastel-coloured facades with an impressive central Trinity Column of white marble, crowned by a gilded sunburst. There’s also the fortress-like castle, built high above the city by Emperor Friedrich III, now a museum housing a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century artworks.



Alternatively, we drive to Salzburg, once an independent state whose archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. Dominating the skyline is one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, while beneath its walls church domes and spires rise from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. Then there’s the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace and the splendid formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace – a must for horticulture fans.



This morning, discover some of the city’s main sights in the company of an expert local guide, then you’re free to explore as you wish. Everywhere there are sights associated with the city’s most famous resident, Mozart, who played the harpsichord aged three, composed rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera when he was 11!



Please note lunch is not included on this full day excursion to Salzburg; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch. We return to the ship for another splendid dinner.

For many, today’s visit to Vienna will be one of the highlights of the cruise. The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of peoples who were drawn here from all corners of Europe. For 200 years until the First World War, Vienna was the cultural centre of Europe and many of the showpiece buildings, galleries, aristocratic palaces and magnificent churches you see today were built to reflect its imperial status. The city’s most iconic monument is the breathtaking Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, whose striking multi-coloured roof and huge Gothic South Tower dominate the skyline. There’s also the colossal Hofburg, the former royal court that is now home to a collection of museums, the Crown Jewels and the Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs. Then there are the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the sabre of Charlemagne himself. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, which contains the world’s fourth largest collection of paintings, is just across the road. This morning we have a tour with a local guide offering insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – the seat of the Habsburg emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses.



During the afternoon you’re free to explore as you wish. Take a stroll in the Prater, notable for the huge Ferris wheel that features in several Cold War spy thrillers. Or, for something quite different, visit the Schönbrunn Palace, a former royal residence now housing a range of world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps, though, just take a stroll through Vienna’s atmospheric side streets, or enjoy a coffee and a slice of delicious Sachertorte in one of the lovely coffee houses.



This evening we’ve arranged truly the ‘icing on the cake’: You have the wonderful Captains Dinner and no visit to Vienna is complete without a live musical experience, so after dinner we have a classical recital on board. To hear this exquisite music played in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.

Enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise majestically through Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape towards Budapest. After lunch we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, which truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. The twin cities of Buda, built around the hilltop fortress, and Pest, with its wide boulevards, were fought over through the centuries. The Ottomans ruled here for 150 years before being ousted in the late 17th century, but their legacy lives on in the many thermal baths fed by hot springs, giving rise to Budapest’s other sobriquet – the ‘City of Spas’. After the end of Ottoman rule, Budapest became an imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth. Castle Hill is Budapest in microcosm: two churches, seven museums and a theatre among streets and squares with their own special atmosphere and a dramatic view across the river to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building. Budapest’s endless galleries, museums, outstanding Art Nouveau architecture and excellent shopping offer a fittingly elegant end to your Danube cruise.



This evening’s Gala Dinner closes with a Hungarian folklore show, giving you time to bid farewell to your travelling companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.

This morning, we'll disembark in Budapest and journey to Neusiedlersee. The region of Neusiedlersee, located on the border between Austria and Hungary, is home to a picturesque lake - the second-largest steppe lake in Europe. The lake is a haven for nature enthusiasts due to its reed beds and wetlands, which provide a habitat for a variety of wildlife. It is also a popular destination for those seeking adventure, as it offers activities like bird watching, sailing, and cycling. And wine enthusiasts will already know that the region is famous for its fruity red wines which you’re invited to sample today with a lunch and wine tasting at a local winery.



First, we visit the wine cellars and learn about wine production here. Then we enjoy authentic Austrian cuisine with specialities from the region to accompany the samples of a sophisticated range of fruity whites, strong reds and mouth-watering sweet wines.



After our wine tasting, we'll take off on a horse-drawn carriage ride in the Neusiedlersee region with a local guide. Feel the wind in your hair as we ride through the meadows and vineyards along its shore and experience the stunning natural beauty of the lake. The rhythmic clip-clop of the horses' hooves lull you into a serene sense of zen that’s unreachable at home, allowing you to simply relax and appreciate the enchanting surroundings. This traditional mode of transportation offers a unique and nostalgic experience and creates lasting memories of this enchanting region.



We'll arrive in Vienna this afternoon and settle into our centrally located hotel, where we stay for three nights.

We'll explore Schönbrunn Palace - the most popular sight in Vienna. Experience the opulence of the Habsburg dynasty and explore the stunning architecture, richly furnished rooms and expansive garden of this UNESCO World Heritage site. While the palace was commissioned in the 17th century by Emperor Leopold I, it was Empress Marie Theresa who transformed it into the Palace we see today. 

On the imperial tour, we'll see the grandeur of Austria's imperial history, walking in the footsteps of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Joseph. Adorned with exquisite furniture, elaborate chandeliers, and intricate wall hangings, these rooms offer a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the Habsburg dynasty. Discover the extravagant grandeur of the Great Gallery, the exotic influences of the 'Chinese Cabinets', and the impressive Hall of Ceremonies. 

After our tour, explore the palace and grounds at your leisure. Animal lovers should head to the Tiergarten Schönbrunn - the oldest zoo in the world - located within the palace grounds. Here you'll get to see a diverse range of animal species and learn about the conservation efforts being made. Or take a stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens adorned with fountains, statues and flower beds. Climb the hill to the Gloriette, a striking structure perched at the top of the palace gardens with panoramic views of Vienna and the palace ground. Or head to the nearby Schönbrunn Palace Children's Museum to learn about the everyday lives of the imperial children through interactive exhibits.  

The rest of the afternoon and evening will be at leisure in Vienna. 

We know that for Riviera Travel guests it’s not enough to see the city, you want to experience it – and what better way to experience Vienna than through the music it’s famous for. Tonight, you can choose to spend the evening in one of the most opulent buildings in the city with an additional optional excursion to Kursalon Music Hall. Enjoy the essence of Vienna through the works by the city's most famous Classical composers - Mozart and Strauss.

This morning, we'll peek behind the scenes of the world's largest repertory operation and uncover the secrets hidden from the evening operagoers during a guided tour of the Staatsoper. Our tour of the architectural and cultural highlights of The Vienna State Opera includes its grand staircase, captivating oil paintings and tapestries inspired by Mozart's The Magic Flute.  

After our tour, there's free time at leisure to explore the city. Perhaps take a tour of the Hofburg - once the imperial family's residence. Marvel at the impressive collection of drawings and master prints at the Albertina, one of the largest and most significant print collections in the world. Or visit the Burggarten, this leafy oasis is the perfect place to relax with lovely views of its palatial surroundings.  

Alternatively, you could choose to join an optional visit to the Kunsthistroisches Museum. This fascinating Art History Museum is home to famous works such as Raphael's "Madonna in the Meadow," Vermeer's "The Allegory of Painting," and the world's largest collection of Bruegel's art. As you explore, you're likely to stumble on some of history's most famous works, like The Infanta paintings by Velazquez, and masterworks by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto. 

Not sure where to go? Your tour manager is on hand to weigh in with even more local knowledge to help you find the most amazing places most tourists miss.  

Tonight, we'll enjoy a traditional Heurigen evening at a nearby restaurant, where we will be celebrating the latest wine production. You can experience the taste of this year's vintage with a wine tasting while relishing in the exquisite Viennese cuisine.

Today we’ll transfer to the airport for your flight home to the UK. The flight may only take around 2.5 hours but memories of your time spent in Vienna will last a lifetime.