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Cruise the Danube to Vienna and Budapest
Cruise the Danube to Vienna and Budapest
Munich, Germany
Passau, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Melk, Austria
Passau, Germany
Innsbruck, Austria
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Cruise the Danube to Vienna and Budapest
14 Days Starting in Belgium and ending in Austria
Visiting: Belgium, Germany, Passau, Dürnstein, Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace, Budapest, Royal Palace, Budapest, Fishermen's Bastion, Budapest, Parliament Building, Budapest, St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Heroes' Square, Budapest, Chain Bridge, Budapest, Lajosmizse, Bratislava, Melk, Austrian Tyrol, Krimml Falls, Kitzbühel, Innsbruck, Hungerburg, Seegrube, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey along the Danube River with our "Cruise the Danube to Vienna and Budapest" tour. This 14-day adventure begins with a scenic coach ride to Belgium, followed by overnight stays in Germany and Austria. Board the MS Serenade 1 for a seven-night full-board cruise, exploring the enchanting cities of Durnstein, Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava. Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of these iconic destinations, with optional excursions to Schobrunn Palace, Budapest's Castle Hill, and the Benedictine Abbey in Melk. After disembarking in Passau, continue your exploration of Austria with visits to the Tyrol region, including the breathtaking Krimml Falls and the vibrant city of Innsbruck. Conclude your journey with a return to Belgium before heading home, enriched by the cultural and scenic wonders of Eastern Europe.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Belgium
Accommodation: Hotel
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 2
Location: Germany
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We continue to Germany for an overnight stay.
Day 3 Passau to Dürnstein
Location: Passau, Dürnstein
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we will transfer you to Passau – known as the ‘three rivers city’ due to its unique location where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. Here, we board our ship and then enjoy a relaxing evening on board as we set sail towards Dürnstein.
Day 4 Dürnstein to Vienna
Location: Dürnstein, Vienna
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We arrive in Dürnstein this morning. Dürnstein nestles among Austria’s most famous vineyards and is crowned by the ruins of the castle that once imprisoned Richard the Lionheart. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this beautiful town, with its cobbled streets, pretty courtyards and 16th-century houses.
We return to the ship for lunch and then you can relax on board for the remainder of the day as we cruise to Vienna, arriving early evening.
Day 5 Vienna to Budapest
Location: Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace, Budapest
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you can experience the delights of Vienna. Grand palaces, Baroque castles, magnificent squares, and striking monuments are just some of the key features of the Historic Centre, which is a World Heritage Site. We moor just a short distance from the city centre, and you will have free time to venture into the centre at your own pace.
Alternatively, you can join our optional city tour this morning which will show you the highlights of the capital. This afternoon, why not take advantage of our optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace? Taking you on a journey through time, soak up the rich history and opulent interiors as we explore some of the 1,441 rooms.
In the early evening, we cast off and cruise towards Budapest.
Day 6 Budapest
Location: Budapest, Royal Palace, Budapest, Fishermen's Bastion, Budapest, Parliament Building, Budapest, St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Heroes' Square, Budapest, Chain Bridge, Budapest
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We arrive in Budapest this morning and moor just a short distance from the city centre. Lunch is served on board the ship. Why not then make the most of your visit by joining our optional guided tour? Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an extensive area recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore both sides of Hungary’s capital, which is divided by the meandering Danube, traditional Buda, and the more cosmopolitan Pest. Most of the famous sites are concentrated around Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown Pest and along the riverside walkways. Look out for the Royal Palace, Fishermen’s Bastion, Parliament Building, St Stephen’s Basilica, Heroes’ Square, and the Chain Bridge.
Alternatively, enjoy free time to venture into the centre at your own pace. Return to the ship and enjoy a relaxing dinner on board. This evening, you will have the chance to join our optional excursion to experience Budapest by night with a traditional folklore show.
Day 7 Budapest to Bratislava
Location: Budapest, Lajosmizse, Bratislava
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Budapest – you will have free time to venture into the centre at your own pace. Alternatively, you can join our optional excursion through the sweeping plains of Hungary to Lajosmizse. Here, we visit a traditional stud farm and enjoy a tour of the grounds in a horse-drawn carriage, before watching a spectacular live Puszta horse show.
We enjoy lunch on board the ship and cruise towards Bratislava this afternoon.
Day 8 Bratislava to Melk
Location: Bratislava, Melk
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We reach Bratislava this morning.
Our optional walking tour with a local guide is the perfect way to take in the best of this historic capital. Dominated by its castle and unique suspension bridge, we’ll explore the sights before sampling ‘Makovka’ – a sweet white chocolate with a poppy seed filling.
Lunch is served on board our ship and the afternoon is free to explore Bratislava at your leisure, before we enjoy dinner on board and cruise towards Melk.
Day 9 Melk to Passau
Location: Melk, Passau
Accommodation Name: MS Serenade 1
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we arrive in the small town of Melk, which lies in the beautiful Wachau Valley. Here, you can join our optional excursion visiting the Benedictine Abbey. This is one of the most famous monastic houses in Austria and has been occupied by monks for over 900 years.
Relax aboard our ship for the remainder of the day as we cruise to Passau.
Day 10 Passau to Austria
Location: Passau, Austrian Tyrol
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we arrive in Passau, where we will disembark our cruise ship. We will continue by coach into the Austrian Tyrol for a three-night stay.
Day 11 Krimml Falls and Kitzbühel
Location: Krimml Falls, Kitzbühel
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join our optional excursion to the spectacular Krimml Falls. We continue to the internationally-renowned resort of Kitzbühel.
Day 12 Innsbruck
Location: Innsbruck, Hungerburg, Seegrube
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join us as we discover stunning Innsbruck on our optional excursion. The capital of the Tyrol, Innsbruck is the fifth largest city in Austria.
Alternatively, if you choose the optional excursion to Innsbruck combined with a trip on board the Nordkettenbahnen, you will be transported from the bustle of the city centre high into the mountain terrain. We travel up to the Hungerburg mountain station, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. We then take the cable car further up the mountain to the Seegrube restaurant.
Day 13
Location: Belgium
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Belgium for an overnight stay.
Day 14
Location: United Kingdom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Cruise on the Danube
Enjoy a cruise on the Danube River aboard the MS Serenade 1.
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Transportation
Local departure by coach and transfers to various locations during the tour.
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Visit to Passau
Transfer to Passau, known as the 'three rivers city', where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as city tours, visits to Schobrunn Palace, guided tours in Budapest, and excursions to Krimml Falls and Kitzbuhel are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses incurred during the trip are not included.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes local departure by coach or Home Connect service, with travel to Belgium, Germany, and Austria by coach, and a cruise along the Danube River aboard the MS Serenade 1.Accommodation
You will stay for seven nights on a full-board basis aboard the MS Serenade 1. You will stay for six nights in various overnight hotels.Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the cruise?
You will stay for seven nights on a full-board basis aboard the MS Serenade 1 and for six nights in various overnight hotels.
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What can I expect to see in Dürnstein?
In Dürnstein, you can explore the beautiful town with its cobbled streets, pretty courtyards, and 16th-century houses. The town is nestled among Austria's most famous vineyards and is crowned by the ruins of the castle that once imprisoned Richard the Lionheart.
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Are there any optional excursions available in Vienna?
Yes, in Vienna, you can join an optional city tour to see the highlights of the capital. Additionally, there is an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, where you can explore some of its 1,441 rooms and soak up the rich history and opulent interiors.
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What activities are available in Budapest?
In Budapest, you can join an optional guided tour to explore both sides of the city, Buda and Pest, and see famous sites like the Royal Palace, Fishermen’s Bastion, and the Parliament Building. Alternatively, you can enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace. There is also an optional excursion to experience Budapest by night with a traditional folklore show.
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What can I do in Bratislava?
In Bratislava, you can join an optional walking tour with a local guide to explore the historic capital, including its castle and unique suspension bridge. You will also have the opportunity to sample 'Makovka', a sweet white chocolate with a poppy seed filling.
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Is there an excursion available in Melk?
Yes, in Melk, you can join an optional excursion to visit the Benedictine Abbey, one of the most famous monastic houses in Austria, which has been occupied by monks for over 900 years.
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What optional excursions are available in Innsbruck?
In Innsbruck, you can join an optional excursion to discover the city, which is the capital of the Tyrol. Alternatively, you can choose an excursion that includes a trip on the Nordkettenbahnen, taking you from the city center into the mountain terrain, with stops at the Hungerburg mountain station and the Seegrube restaurant.
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Do I have to do the excursions?
Certain excursions are included in the price of your holiday. If you choose not to go on an included excursion, for whatever reason, no refunds will be made.
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How much are the optional excursions?
This depends on which tour you book. Prices are given with the itinerary for the tour and sent out with Travel Documents 5 days before departure.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
If you are a British citizen and are going on a UK holiday, you are not required to have insurance. If you are a non-British citizen and are going on a UK holiday, you are required to have an insurance policy in place or return a signed indemnity form to us prior to travel. For all travellers on European tours, you must either have a travel insurance policy in place or return a signed insurance indemnity form to us prior to travel.
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Will there be a toilet on-board the coach?
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the interchange may not have on-board toilets.
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Can I pay for the optional excursions when I make my booking?
Optional excursions can be booked with your coach driver or Tour Manager and operate strictly subject to availability and demand. Some optional excursions are pre-bookable due to demand when making your reservation. The running order of included and optional excursions may be altered without prior notice.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not. However, we only ever charge a supplement if a hotelier imposes this charge to us as a company. Single room supplements are a bone of contention within the travel industry and we would like to assure you that we proactively seek accommodation with low or no single room supplements for our guests.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive a detailed itinerary alongside travel documents, and these will be sent 5 days prior to travel.
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Low Deposit
Shearings requires a minimum deposit of 75 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of shearings charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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