Autumn Danube Cruise and Novemberfest
Admire the rich Autumn colours of the Danube valley on this great value over-50s river cruise, and enjoy a beer and food at a Novemberfest. Contrast the deep blue Danube with the Autumn colours of the surrounding landscapes during this cruise aboard Spirit of the Danube.
Explore the historic cities of Budapest and Vienna during included sightseeing tours, and perhaps treat yourself to a glass of beer at Bratislava’s iconic UFO observation tower on an optional excursion. Head into the Wachau Valley, which is particularly attractive at this time of year, to visit Dürnstein, which is overlooked by the ruins of Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the 12th century. Perhaps explore Melk Abbey and join a tour of Linz during optional excursion before stopping in Engelhartszell. Embark on an included tour of Schärding and spend an enjoyable afternoon at an exclusive riverside festival with a glass of beer, German festival food and live music from a brass Oom-pah band.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return flights and transfers
ACCOMMODATION
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
All gratuities on board
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Host
Budapest: A tale of two cities OR Budapest culinary walking tour
Vienna city tour OR Vienna culinary walking tour
Highlights of Linz
Scharding scenic drive and walking tour
Exclusive Novemberfest on the banks of Engelhartszell
Passau city walk
FOOD & DRINK
32 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
Day 1 UK - Budapest
Fly to Hungary's capital and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and dinner on board as your ship remains moored here this overnight.
Day 2 Budapest
This cosmopolitan city is divided by the Danube into Buda and Pest.
An included city tour this morning reveals some of the city's highlights, from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buda Castle that sits above the river on the west bank, to the Hungarian Parliament buildings in Pest on the east bank. Alternatively, perhaps join an included culinary walking tour, which features a tram ride to the First Strudel House for a live demonstration, followed by a walk through the city to sample authentic chimney cake and to visit Central Market Hall where you can try authentic Hungarian salami.
This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity visit Gödöllo Palace or the Lazar Equestrian park horse farm during optional excursions. This evening Spirit of the Danube will begin the overnight cruise towards Bratislava.
Day 3 Bratislava
This afternoon you’ll arrive in Slovakia’s capital city, where you may choose to explore on an optional tour or instead sample the local beer while enjoying panoramic city views from the vantage point of the UFO observation tower. Originally part of Czechoslovakia until 1993, Bratislava’s old town, ‘Staré Mesto’, with its historic buildings, provides a stark contrast to the 20th-century buildings, some of which serve as a reminder of its communist past.
Late this evening you’ll cruise towards Vienna.
Day 4 Vienna
You’ll arrive in Vienna before breakfast, giving you the whole day to explore.
This morning you can enjoy an included city tour with a drive around the Ringstrasse, encircling the old city, or instead opt for an included culinary walking tour with the opportunity to sample local delicacies such as the Mozart Thaler chocolate biscuits. This afternoon an optional excursion visits the Schönbrunn Palace and after dinner on board your ship you can treat yourself to an optional performance of music by Mozart and Strauss in one of the formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna.
Day 5 Vienna - Dürnstein - Melk
After an early departure from Vienna you’ll spend a relaxing morning cruising to Dürnstein, arriving shortly after lunch.
This pretty village in the heart of the Wachau Valley is overlooked by the now ruined Kuenringer Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the late 12th century. An optional walking tour takes you through the cobbled streets to visit the abbey for an organ concert.
Continue to Melk late this afternoon, arriving in the evening.
Day 6 Melk
This morning you may like to visit Melk Abbey on an optional excursion.
Spirit of the Danube begins the cruise towards Linz this afternoon.
Day 7 Linz
This morning, perhaps join an optional tour of Linz, where the buildings on the old town’s main square feature historic Baroque architecture. The city is known for its Linzer torte, said to be the world’s oldest cake recipe.
Later this afternoon you’ll cruise to Engelhartszell, arriving this evening.
Day 8 Engelhartszell
Set off this morning on an included scenic drive to Schärding, where you’ll see the Baroque centre and merchants’ houses during a walking tour. This afternoon look forward to a riverside performance from a brass band, accompanied by a glass of beer and local snacks during our exclusive Novemberfest event.
Day 9 Engelhartszell - Passau
Following an early departure from Engelhartszell you’ll arrive in Passau this morning. Known as the 'Venice of Bavaria', Passau is set at the meeting point of three rivers – the Danube, Inn and Ilz, and is surrounded by wooded hills. Enjoy an included walking tour of the city this morning, followed by an afternoon at leisure.
This evening Spirit of the Danube will moor overnight.
Day 10 Weissenkirchen - Tulln
This morning you’ll arrive in the village of Weissenkirchen, located in the picturesque Wachau Valley. The 14th-century church here served both as a place pf worship and a fortification to protect the villagers from plundering Turks.
Spend the day here at leisure before cruising to Tulln this evening for an overnight mooring.
Day 11 Tulln
Spend the morning at leisure in Tulln, perhaps take a stroll along the town’s riverside promenade. At lunchtime Spirit of the Danube will begin the overnight cruise to Budapest.
Spend a relaxing afternoon on board, enjoying the scenery and making use of Spirit of the Danube’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Day 12 Budapest - UK
Arrive in Budapest during breakfast, then disembark for your return flight to the UK.
