Danube The River of Kings

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards in First Class to Frankfurt for our overnight stay where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for Passau, the enchanting 'City of Three Rivers' that shimmers in colour from the deep blue of the Danube, the glacial green of the river Inn, and the dark rushes of the Ilz. We enjoy time to stroll through the Old Town, explore the winding lanes, or visit the grand St Stephen's Cathedral before boarding The Gentleman, our luxurious cruise ship and home for seven nights where we enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and our evening meal on board.

DAY 3

This morning, we wake in Melk where the magnificent Benedictine Abbey rises above the Danube, and we enjoy a guided tour of the Abbey's ornate halls learning of the 900-year history of this Baroque masterpiece. After lunch, we return to The Gentleman and set sail to Vienna, the 'City of Music' and home to more classical composers than any other city including Mozart and Beethoven. This evening, we experience a spectacular performance at the iconic Golden Hall, and we'll be transported back to the 18th-century as thirty world-class musicians, dressed in authentic Rococo costumes, perform a selection of timeless classical masterpieces.

DAY 4

Today, we enjoy a relaxing day at leisure in Vienna. Step into the legendary coffeehouse culture, a UNESCO-recognised heritage, explore the vast vineyards within the limits of the city, or perhaps ride the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel (the Wiener Riesenrad), the world's oldest operating Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views of Vienna since 1897. This evening, we rejoin The Gentleman and enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 5

After breakfast this morning, we enjoy a free day in Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube', and can explore history, culture, and architecture at our own pace. As the sun sets, Budapest's most iconic landmarks, the Parliament, Chain Bridge, and Royal Palace glow in a glittering line of light along the curve of the Danube creating one of Europe's most unforgettable scenes.

DAY 6

Today, we enjoy all that river cruising has to offer aboard The Gentleman as the Danube slips by and we sail to Esztergom, the first capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. Here, we explore this hilltop city which once was the seat of kings, and we can visit the stunning Esztergom Basilica which dominates the skyline as the largest church and tallest building in Hungary.

DAY 7

This morning, we arrive in Bratislava, the only capital in the world that directly borders two other sovereign states: Austria and Hungary. To navigate this city's storied past, we will board the Presporacik, a charming open-air minibus designed to thread through the Old Town's narrow lanes and lively squares. Keep an eye on the ancient stone walls in the Old Town where Napoleonic cannonballs remain embedded and once served as 'certificates of damage', exempting homeowners from taxes during the city's reconstruction.

DAY 8

This morning, we enjoy time in the medieval town of Durnstein where legend and natural beauty intertwine. Perched high above the river, the crumbling ruins of the hilltop castle still guard the tale of King Richard the Lionheart and the Wachau Valley unfolds in sweeping views of vineyards and the winding Danube. Below, the town of Durnstein is the apricot heart of Austria where the famed Wachauer Marille, a fruit protected by European law, ripens into golden jams and smooth apricot schnapps. This afternoon, we rejoin The Gentleman for a farewell cocktail reception enjoying our evening meal together on board as we return to Passau.

DAY 9

After breakfast, we disembark in Passau and begin our scenic overland journey back to Frankfurt with the landscapes of Bavaria and Hesse unfolding at our windows. On arrival in Frankfurt, we return to our hotel for our overnight stay and enjoy our final evening meal together.

DAY 10

We bid farewell to Frankfurt and to Germany, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar Plus service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described excursions are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions/changes should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner