The Blue Danube River Cruise with Prague Extension

ESZTERGOM

Overnight we have cruised upstream to Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns, a royal capital during medieval times and today the seat of the country’s archbishop. We have a guided tour of the famous neoclassical basilica, standing sentinel over the Danube on the border with Slovakia, and boasting one of the world’s largest altarpieces and a wealth of priceless religious artefacts. The castle is also worth exploring; it was the seat of government until the Ottomans invaded in the 16th century.

Nestling below are myriad atmospheric churches resonating with the enchanting sounds of choir; this is the best of provincial Hungary and is little changed since Habsburg times. As you enjoy your first lunch on board we gently leave Esztergom in our wake, affording a fascinating opportunity to compare the different landscapes, towns and villages of Hungary on one river bank and of Slovakia on the other.

BRATISLAVA

This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendor of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town. Equally impressive is the imposing 17th-century castle commanding expansive views across the Danube.

This afternoon we cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now the stresses of everyday life seem distant as you absorb the ever-changing scenes we pass: children playing on the river banks, young couples strolling arm in arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, and cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings.

You’ll marvel as the Captain skilfully navigates the ship along the serene river and through locks whose mechanisms never cease to fascinate, as we cruise towards Dürnstein during dinner.

DÜRNSTEIN & MELK

Durnstein is known principally for the ice-blue tower of its abbey, which dominates the view, and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after being shipwrecked on his return from the crusades. This morning we take a guided walking tour to explore this memorable city further. Set on a rocky outcrop high above the river, the castle is now ruined, but it’s easy to imagine England’s legendary monarch seething with frustration far from home, while waiting for his family to raise funds to pay his ransom.

After lunch you visit the remarkable Melk Abbey. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this enormous honey-colored building, standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since. The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms and an ornate library. After we re-join the ship, dinner is served during the final part of our cruise upstream through the pretty Nibelungengau, immortalized in the music of Wagner. 

SALZBURG OR LINZ

Reaching Linz, you will have the choice to stay in the city and take a guided walking tour, exploring its charming baroque old town. At its heart you’ll see one of the finest squares in Austria, lined by grand pastel-colored facades with an impressive central Trinity Column of white marble, crowned by a gilded sunburst. There’s also the fortress-like castle, built high above the city by Emperor Friedrich III, now a museum housing a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century artworks.

Alternatively, we drive to Salzburg, once an independent state whose archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. Dominating the skyline is one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, while beneath its walls church domes and spires rise from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. Then there’s the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace and the splendid formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace – a must for horticulture fans.

This morning, discover some of the city’s main sights in the company of an expert local guide, then you’re free to explore as you wish. Everywhere there are sights associated with the city’s most famous resident, Mozart, who played the harpsichord aged three, composed rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera when he was 11!

Please note lunch is not included on this full day excursion to Salzburg; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch. We return to the ship for another splendid dinner.

VIENNA

For many, today’s visit to Vienna will be one of the highlights of the cruise. The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of peoples who were drawn here from all corners of Europe. For 200 years until the First World War, Vienna was the cultural center of Europe and many of the showpiece buildings, galleries, aristocratic palaces and magnificent churches you see today were built to reflect its imperial status. The city’s most iconic monument is the breathtaking Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, whose striking multi-colored roof and huge Gothic South Tower dominate the skyline. There’s also the colossal Hofburg, the former royal court that is now home to a collection of museums, the Crown Jewels and the Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs. Then there are the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the saber of Charlemagne himself. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, which contains the world’s fourth largest collection of paintings, is just across the road. This morning we have a tour with a local guide offering insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – the seat of the Habsburg emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses.

During the afternoon you’re free to explore as you wish. Take a stroll in the Prater, notable for the huge Ferris wheel that features in several Cold War spy thrillers. Or, for something quite different, visit the Schönbrunn Palace, a former royal residence now housing a range of world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps, though, just take a stroll through Vienna’s atmospheric side streets, or enjoy a coffee and a slice of delicious Sachertorte in one of the lovely coffee houses.

This evening we’ve arranged truly the ‘icing on the cake’: no visit to Vienna is complete without a live musical experience, so after dinner we have a classical recital on board. To hear this exquisite music played in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.

BUDAPEST

Enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise majestically through Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape towards Budapest. After lunch we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, which truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. The twin cities of Buda, built around the hilltop fortress, and Pest, with its wide boulevards, were fought over through the centuries. The Ottomans ruled here for 150 years before being ousted in the late 17th century, but their legacy lives on in the many thermal baths fed by hot springs, giving rise to Budapest’s other sobriquet – the ‘City of Spas’. After the end of Ottoman rule, Budapest became an imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth. Castle Hill is Budapest in microcosm: two churches, seven museums and a theater among streets and squares with their own special atmosphere and a dramatic view across the river to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building. Budapest’s endless galleries, museums, outstanding Art Nouveau architecture and excellent shopping offer a fittingly elegant end to your Danube cruise.

This evening’s Gala Dinner closes with a Hungarian folklore show, giving you time to bid farewell to your travelling companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.

BRNO & PRAGUE

For those continuing with our Prague three-night extension, we leave the ship and the magnificent Budapest skyline behind as we head north-west on a scenic drive along the Danube basin, towards the Slovakian border. Enjoy the stunning countryside views – vast swathes of thick forests, interspersed with verdant pastureland strewn with wildflowers and a scattering of vineyards, the occasional sleepy hamlet and isolated farm dotted here and there.

Heading north we cross the border into the Czech Republic and the eastern region of Moravia, one of three historic lands together with Bohemia and Czech Silesia that formed this picturesque European nation. An imperial state of the Holy Roman Empire and then forming part of Austria-Hungary, the land takes its name from the Morava river which runs north to south. The rolling landscape is gently undulating, lush and green, as we enjoy a drive through the region known as Czech Tuscany, before arriving in historic Brno, once the region’s capital, and enjoy some time at leisure to explore this attractive city. Perhaps visit the impressive Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul set high on a hill in the center with its lofty Gothic spires. Admire its beautiful baroque altars and 14^th-century statue of the Madonna and Child, and you’ll enjoy amazing views from its steeple. Or head to the medieval Špilberk Castle, its bright red roofs and freshly painted stonework, belie its sinister history.

Dating from the first half of the 13th century it became a major royal castle but its impregnable walls ensured its gradual metamorphosis into a huge baroque citadel, at one time considered the harshest prison in the Austrian Empire, and later it was used by occupying Nazis to hold political prisoners during World War II. Visit the Old Town Hall, now the tourist information center; dating from 1240, it’s the oldest secular building in Brno, with elegant twin spires and a fine baroque façade. Admire its delicate sculptures and impressive Gothic portal, then perhaps climb the sixty-three meter tower for wonderful views over the square to the cathedral and castle beyond.

There’s time to seek out a local restaurant for a spot of lunch before we continue our drive north, arriving in Prague and our hotel, early evening. Enjoy free time to settle in and dine at leisure. (B)

PRAGUE

As you wake this morning in the ‘city of a hundred spires’, set yourself up for the day with some delicious options from the hotel’s breakfast buffet, before it’s time to set off on our guided tour. Prague’s unique atmosphere is a consequence of its remarkable history and there really are few more enchanting European cities to spend a couple of days absorbing the sights and sounds of a bygone age. Centuries of royal patronage have created this masterpiece - in particular Prague’s wonderful medieval old town with its winding cobbled alleys, fine stone buildings and elegant squares, and there’s a captivating view around every corner. Our expert local guide will provide an in-depth guided tour, with a fascinating insight into the city’s past and present, as well as revealing its abundance of architectural splendors. Hear the echoes of history as you stroll over the classic Charles Bridge, soaking up the exquisite view, with its fascinating turrets and perfectly-preserved 14^th-century stone arches, and gaze in wonder at the lofty spires of the Gothic Tyn Church and the immense Powder Tower – one of thirteen of the city’s original gates.

After free time over lunch, this afternoon we enjoy a guided tour to Hradčany, Prague’s spectacular Castle and Cathedral complex and the center of political power for a thousand years. Perched on a cliff towering over the city, Prague Castle, dating from 880, is said to be the largest ancient castle in the world – a staggering 753,000 feet metres in fact! Our guide will relay tales of the great history of royal rulers, medieval warfare and the differing religions and politics that have been responsible for such an intriguing mix of palaces, churches and fortifications contained within this UNESCO-listed site. These include such remarkable buildings as the 16^th-century Spanish Hall, with its amazing art, including works by Brueghel, Durer, Holbein, Da Vinci and Titian and Golden Lane, a delightful row of quaint timber-framed cottages, once inhabited by goldsmiths during the 17^th century. Admire the striking façade of St George’s Basilica and the majestic spires of the cathedral with its brilliant stained glass. The view from here is simply breathtaking – a panorama of soaring spires and historic rooftops, laid out before you in a dazzling array. This evening is at leisure.(B)

PRAGUE & LODI BREWERY

There’s the opportunity for a relaxed breakfast this morning with free time for you to return to the old town and explore under your own steam; perhaps amble back to your favourite spot from the tours or take a scenic cruise along the Vltava river to take in the cityscape from a very different perspective. Linger a while on the Charles Bridge and admire skilful pavement artists at work, capturing a scene unchanged for centuries. Perhaps you’ll head for the authentic ambience of the old Jewish Quarter, or bustling Wenceslas Square and the 11^th-century Staromestske Namesti – without doubt one of the world’s most beautiful squares, trimmed with fine public buildings and the legendary 15^th-century astronomical clock taking center-stage. Perhaps after lunch and a spot of people watching, browse the characterful shops for some last-minute souvenirs.

Later there’s the opportunity to visit the local Lodi Brewery – the only boat brewery in Europe! Czech beer is famed the world over but there are plenty of local brewers in the capital too. Moored in the heart of the city, enjoy learning more about how this historic beverage is produced as we tour the on-board brewery , enjoying a tasting directly from the tanks and sampling some of their different beers. Enjoy some delicious local Czech fare and you’ll receive a souvenir from your visit to take home too. Your evening is at leisure, so perhaps you’ll opt to dine in the hotel’s restaurant or stay in the old town to savor the magical ambience of this exquisite city for the final time. (B) 

EXTENSION CHECK-OUT PRAGUE

Today we check out of the hotel at the appropriate time after a truly fascinating and memorable tour into one the most unspoilt corners of Europe (B)