Danube Discovery – Munich to Budapest

On arrival in Munich, transfer to Nuremberg.
Stay: Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg

Discover Nuremberg on a city tour, then board your ship. Nuremberg is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 inhabitants make it the 14th-largest city in Germany.

Regensburg, a Bavarian city on the Danube River in southeast Germany, is known for its well-preserved medieval core. The 12th-century Stone Bridge, a 310m-long icon with 16 arches, crosses the river to the old town. The 13th-century Regensburg Cathedral, a twin-spired Gothic landmark, is home to the Regensburger Domspatzen choir. Walhalla, a Parthenon replica just east of the city, honours illustrious Germans.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE: In Regensburg, set out on a guided tour to explore its atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria. Your tour will finish with a tasting at Regensburg’s historic sausage kitchen, thought to be one of the oldest working restaurants in the world. Or you might prefer to get active and take a guided bike ride to the Walhalla memorial. This neo-classical building sits above the Danube River and houses a hall of fame that honours notable politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists from Germany’s past. Choose how you’d like to spend your time in Regensburg today.

Passau, a German city on the Austrian border, lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Known as the Three Rivers City, it’s overlooked by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress housing a city museum and observation tower. The old town below is known for its baroque architecture, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral, featuring distinctive onion-domed towers and an organ with 17,974 pipes.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: Be welcomed by a Jagdhornblaser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain near Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film ‘The Sound of Music’. Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience.

Melk is an Austrian town on the River Danube, west of Vienna. It’s known for the 11th-century Melk Abbey, a vast monastery built high above the town. Gold statuary adorns its domed Abbey Church, and the huge library houses medieval manuscripts. The Marmorsaal is a baroque hall with a ceiling fresco and red marble walls. South of Melk, gardens surround Renaissance Schallaburg Castle, which hosts cultural exhibitions. Dürnstein is a small town on the Danube river in the Krems-Land district, in the Austrian state of Lower Austria. It is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and also a well-known wine growing area.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Cruise to Dürnstein to enjoy free time on board or perhaps take a guided bike ride. Visit Melk Abbey then decide how you’d like to make your way to the next port of call. In Durnstein, perhaps join a hike to the medieval castle ruins.

Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. In the MuseumsQuartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE: After dinner, head to the princely family of Liechtenstein’s City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. A full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss, and you will be enchanted by an operatic recital.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Perhaps visit the 1,441-room Schonbrunn Palace and its gardens. Otherwise, tick another country off your list and journey to Slovakia’s Bratislava. Head out on your choice of tours, then set sail for Hungary. This evening, enjoy a Captain’s farewell dinner.

Budapest, Hungary’s capital, is bisected by the River Danube. Its 19th-century Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda district with flat Pest. A funicular runs up Castle Hill to Buda’s Old Town, where the Budapest History Museum traces city life from Roman times onward. Trinity Square is home to 13th-century Matthias Church and the turrets of the Fishermen’s Bastion, which offer sweeping views.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE: Enjoy a city tour of Budapest taking in its historic monuments, including St Stephen’s Cathedral and Heroes’ Square before a visit to the Great Market Hall for some tastings of local produce. Or board a funicular to Castle Hill and walk to Fisherman’s Bastion. Alternatively, you may wish to relax in the thermal water pools at one of Budapest’s famous baths.

Disembark and transfer to the airport. Interested in extending your European holiday? Ask our Travel Advisors about our incredible range of accommodation, touring and cruise packages.