Enchanting Danube - Budapest to Passau

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Budapest

   Hungary

   

   Budapest, divided by the Danube into the hilly Buda of thermal baths and medieval castle lanes on one bank and the grand Pest of coffee-house culture and Art Nouveau splendor on the other, delivers the most theatrical first impression of any European capital — whether approached by river as the neo-Gothic Parliament materializes from the water or by night from the Citadella's sweep of illuminated panorama below. The city's celebrated thermal bath culture, rooted in Ottoman-era hammams and perfected in palatial Secession-era pools like the Széchenyi, is an experience entirely unlike anything else in Europe. Visit spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures; Vienna is two and a half hours west by train.

2. Day 2

   Budapest

   Hungary

   

   Budapest, divided by the Danube into the hilly Buda of thermal baths and medieval castle lanes on one bank and the grand Pest of coffee-house culture and Art Nouveau splendor on the other, delivers the most theatrical first impression of any European capital — whether approached by river as the neo-Gothic Parliament materializes from the water or by night from the Citadella's sweep of illuminated panorama below. The city's celebrated thermal bath culture, rooted in Ottoman-era hammams and perfected in palatial Secession-era pools like the Széchenyi, is an experience entirely unlike anything else in Europe. Visit spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures; Vienna is two and a half hours west by train.

3. Day 3

   Vienna

   Austria

   

   The port of Vienna is a cultural gem along the Danube River, famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include sampling authentic Wiener Schnitzel and visiting the picturesque village of Dürnstein. The best season to visit is spring or early fall, when the city's gardens bloom and outdoor activities abound.

4. Day 3

   Vienna

   Austria

   

   The port of Vienna is a cultural gem along the Danube River, famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include sampling authentic Wiener Schnitzel and visiting the picturesque village of Dürnstein. The best season to visit is spring or early fall, when the city's gardens bloom and outdoor activities abound.

5. Day 4

   Vienna

   Austria

   

   The port of Vienna is a cultural gem along the Danube River, famous for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include sampling authentic Wiener Schnitzel and visiting the picturesque village of Dürnstein. The best season to visit is spring or early fall, when the city's gardens bloom and outdoor activities abound.

6. Day 5

   Durnstein

   Austria

   

   Dürnstein is the jewel of the Wachau — that UNESCO-protected stretch of the Danube where medieval villages, baroque spires, and precipitous terraced vineyards create the most picturesque river landscape in Central Europe. The blue-and-white tower of the Augustinian monastery and the dramatic ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 define a skyline of romantic perfection. The surrounding vineyards produce some of Austria's greatest Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings; tasting rooms open directly onto the river path. May through October offers the finest conditions, with harvest season in September an especially memorable time to visit.

7. Day 5

   Durnstein

   Austria

   

   Dürnstein is the jewel of the Wachau — that UNESCO-protected stretch of the Danube where medieval villages, baroque spires, and precipitous terraced vineyards create the most picturesque river landscape in Central Europe. The blue-and-white tower of the Augustinian monastery and the dramatic ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 define a skyline of romantic perfection. The surrounding vineyards produce some of Austria's greatest Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings; tasting rooms open directly onto the river path. May through October offers the finest conditions, with harvest season in September an especially memorable time to visit.

8. Day 6

   Linz

   Austria

   

   Austria's third city has accomplished one of Europe's most convincing urban transformations — reinventing itself from industrial centre to cultural powerhouse, a journey recognised in 2009 when it was named European Capital of Culture. The Ars Electronica Center, a museum of digital art and technology that glows with LED light across the Danube each evening, epitomises Linz's forward-looking identity. Yet the city's Roman roots, its baroque Hauptplatz (one of Austria's finest main squares), and its proximity to the Wachau Valley anchor it firmly in history. The Upper Austrian cuisine — particularly Linzer Torte, the world's oldest-documented cake recipe — is exceptional. Linz is most agreeable May through September.

9. Day 7

   Passau

   Germany

   

   Passau occupies one of Central Europe's most dramatic natural stages — a narrow peninsula at the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, Inn, and Ilz, where the old town's baroque spires and shuttered merchants' houses crowd the very tip of the land between the waters. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ, a 17,974-pipe instrument whose daily concerts fill the nave with a sound that seems architectural in its density. The Veste Oberhaus fortress above the city commands panoramic views across three countries on clear days. Passau is a classic Danube river cruise departure point; spring and early autumn, when the river runs high and the light turns golden, are the finest seasons.

10. Day 8

    Passau

    Germany

    

    Passau occupies one of Central Europe's most dramatic natural stages — a narrow peninsula at the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, Inn, and Ilz, where the old town's baroque spires and shuttered merchants' houses crowd the very tip of the land between the waters. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ, a 17,974-pipe instrument whose daily concerts fill the nave with a sound that seems architectural in its density. The Veste Oberhaus fortress above the city commands panoramic views across three countries on clear days. Passau is a classic Danube river cruise departure point; spring and early autumn, when the river runs high and the light turns golden, are the finest seasons.

Cabin Categories

Deluxe Balcony

Balcony

194 sq ftMax 2DB

Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (194 sq ft - 18 sq m) with an open-air balcony Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment centre and satellite, and bottled water Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, cosy bathrobes and slippers.

DoubleShowerTVSafeHair DryerRoom Service Available+5

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French Balcony

Balcony

194 sq ftMax 2FB

Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (194 sq ft - 18 sq m) with a French balcony Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment centre and satellite, and bottled water Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, cosy bathrobes and slippers

DoubleBathToiletries ProvidedTVSafeHair Dryer+6

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Classic

Outside

162 sq ftMax 2C

Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (162 sq ft - 15 sq m) Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment centre and satellite, and bottled water Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, cosy bathrobes and slipper

DoubleShowerToiletries ProvidedTVSafeHair Dryer+6

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Grand Suite

Suite

410 sq ftMax 2GS

Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (410 sq ft - 38 sq m) with a French balcony Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment centre and satellite, and bottled water The Grand Suite offers extra benefits, including a separate spacious living room, bathroom with a separate rain shower and tub, and secluded toilet and bidet area.

DoubleShowerBathToiletries ProvidedTVSafe+12

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Suite

Suite

305 sq ftMax 2S

Lavishly appointed riverview stateroom (305 sq ft - 28.3 sq m) with an open-air balcony Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, flat-screen TV with infotainment center and satellite, and bottled water Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, cozy bathrobes and slippers

DoubleShowerToiletries ProvidedTVSafeHair Dryer+12

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