Norway’s Northern Lights & the Enchanting Danube River

Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.

Touching down in Hungary’s capital, check into your hotel for an overnight stay. Budapest straddles the Danube in dramatic style, its grand boulevards and thermal baths setting the tone for the journey ahead.

Transfer to the river and embark Emerald Star, your floating base for the coming days. Settle in as the ship prepares to trace the Danube north through the heart of central Europe.

Spend a further day exploring Budapest, where imposing parliament buildings and the hilltop Buda Castle rise above the riverbanks. Cross between the Buda and Pest sides before returning on board this evening.

Slovakia’s compact capital reveals a charming old town of pastel facades and cobbled lanes, watched over by the hilltop silhouette of Bratislava Castle above the Danube.

Once the seat of the Habsburg empire, Vienna greets you with grand imperial architecture, elegant coffee houses, and a musical heritage that still fills its concert halls today.

Perched above the river, Melk is dominated by its baroque abbey, a striking landmark that has watched over the Danube valley for centuries. Wander the quiet streets below at your leisure.

Austria’s third-largest city blends a handsomely preserved old town with a forward-looking arts scene, offering a different rhythm to the grander stops earlier in the cruise.

Arriving at the meeting point of three rivers, Passau charms with its Italian-influenced old town and pastel-hued waterfront, a fitting final flourish before the Danube leg draws to a close.

Disembark and transfer to Munich for your flight to London, continuing on to Southampton, where you’ll check into your hotel for an overnight stay ahead of the second leg of your journey.

Today, you’ll embark Cunard’s magnificent Queen Mary 2. Savour impeccable service, world-class amenities, exquisite dining options, and a plethora of activities as Queen Mary 2 showcases unparalleled extravagance.

Norway’s third city sits at the mouth of the Nidelva River, its skyline anchored by the striking Gothic spires of Nidaros Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s most significant medieval buildings.

Known as the Gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø sits within the aurora zone, its harbourside setting and distinctive Arctic Cathedral making it one of the most atmospheric stops of the voyage.

A second day in Tromsø offers further opportunity to explore this Arctic outpost, from its waterfront promenade to the surrounding fjords, before continuing your search for the Northern Lights.

Nestled beneath towering peaks, Åndalsnes serves as the gateway to the dramatic Romsdal valley, where sheer mountainsides and cascading waterfalls create some of Norway’s most striking scenery. It’s a fitting introduction to the country’s rugged, untamed beauty.

Bergen’s colourful wharf, Bryggen, forms one of Norway’s most recognisable views, its wooden buildings and narrow lanes tracing centuries of maritime trading history.

Your holiday complete, today you’ll bid farewell to your ship and head to the airport for your flight home.

Land back in Australia