Four Grand Capitals Danube Cruise to Prague
Visit four of the most beautiful capital cities in Central Europe during this fabulously-priced and inclusive river cruise holiday for 0ver-50s travellers. Embark Spirit of the Danube in Budapest where the UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion are among the attractions that you will see during an included tour, or if you opt to join the included culinary walking tour you’ll sample the local flavours and culture up close. Pause in Bratislava to contrast the historic buildings of Bratislava old town, ‘Staré Mesto’, with the cutting edge 20th-century architecture of the former industrial zone before arriving in Vienna, the city of music. Enjoy an included tour of the city or an included culinary walking tour before sailing to the pretty village of Dürnstein and Melk, where you can venture inside the ornate Benedictine Abbey on an optional excursion.
Passau, the most easterly city in Bavaria, is home to an impressive baroque cathedral and your included walking tour is a great way to some of the main sights. See the medieval churches of Regensburg before disembarking your ship for the transfer to Prague. A two-night hotel stay provides the perfect opportunity to uncover the countless attractions of this UNESCO-listed city, from the astrological clock on the Old Town square to 14th-century Charles Bridge and St Vitus Cathedral.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return flights and transfers
ACCOMMODATION
7 nights Full Board aboard the ship, 1 night Half Board, 1 night Bed and Breakfast in a hotel
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
All gratuities on board
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Host
Budapest city tour OR Budapest culinary walking tour
Vienna city tour OR Vienna culinary walking tour
Passau city walk
FOOD & DRINK
23 meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the ship
Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
Day 1 UK to Budapest
Fly to Budapest and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner on board as you remain moored here overnight.
Day 2 Budapest
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube.
East meets west in this fascinating city, as can be seen in the variety of shops and restaurants. An included city sightseeing tour will reveal the capital's highlights, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buda Castle, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Alternatively, perhaps opt for an included culinary-themed walking tour of the city with strudel making and a visit to the Central Market Hall.
Depart during lunch and cruise overnight to Bratislava.
Day 3 Bratislava - Vienna
Enjoy the morning in Slovakia's capital.
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. Perhaps join an optional city tour or beer tasting at the UFO observation tower this morning. Before Spirit of the Danube cruises to Vienna you may like to join an optional excursion into the Vienna Woods, which continues to Vienna for dinner and an evening concert.
Alternatively, stay on board your ship and sail to Vienna, arriving later today.
Day 4 Vienna - Dürnstein
This morning enjoy an included sightseeing tour of elegant Vienna, for 600 years the centre of the Habsburg Empire.
Your tour includes a drive around the Ringstrasse, a wide avenue encircling the old city, taking in famous sights such as the Imperial Hofburg complex built by Emperor Franz Josef, and the world-famous State Opera House. Alternatively, to experience the culture and taste the local specialities opt for an included culinary walking tour instead.
Afterwards you can relax on board as you cruise to Dürnstein, arriving this evening.
Day 5 Dürnstein to Melk
Enjoy the early morning in Dürnstein, a pretty village – perhaps the most picturesque on the river and steeped in history – in the heart of the Wachau Valley. The now ruined Kuenringer Castle is 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 where you won’t want to miss an optional tour of the magnificent Benedictine Abbey before departing this evening.
Day 6 Passau
Your ship pauses briefly in Aschach this morning to give you the opportunity of joining an optional visit to Salzburg. Alternatively, stay on board and sail to Passau, the most easterly city in Bavaria, known as the ‘Venice of Bavaria’, being set at the confluence of three rivers. It is home to a baroque cathedral containing the largest church organ in the world.
A short included walking tour reveals the highlights this afternoon, most of which are close to the Danube, before you depart before dinner.
Day 7 Regensburg - Kelheim
Arrive midday in the city of Regensburg, which has been a religious centre since the 7th century and has numerous medieval churches. Explore further on an optional walking tour this morning.
This afternoon you may like to visit Weltenburg Abbey on an optional tour, rejoining the ship later in Kelheim.
Day 8 Regensburg to Prague
Disembark Spirit of the Danube in Regensburg after breakfast and travel by coach to Prague, a distance of around 270 kilometres, which should take approximately three hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Stay at the locally rated 5-star Corinthia Hotel Prague (4Q) for two nights, with dinner tonight and breakfasts included.
Day 9 Prague
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Perhaps discover it on an optional city tour.
This afternoon, you’re free to explore independently – stop by the fascinating astrological clock situated in the Old Town Square – one of the oldest working astrological clocks in the world, the elaborate striking of the hour tends to draw large crowds. Alternatively you might like to join a culinary-themed walking tour of the city.
This afternoon, you may like to explore independently while this evening you have the option to join a special folklore dinner.
Day 10 Prague - UK
Check out after breakfast and travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
