Trip Reports
Duration
11 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
9 Ports
3 December
Setting sail from Budapest
Budapest is one of Eastern Europe's most appealing cities, a vibrant and welcoming capital that straddles the Danube. The history of Budapest has been somewhat turbulent - ransacked by the Mongols in 1241, occupied by the Ottoman Turks for over a century, and almost flattened by the Soviets in 1945 - but plenty of older buildings survive, including the imposing Parliament and iconic St Stephen's Basilica. Although a pedant might point out that Budapest has only really existed since 1873; up until then the city's two distinct halves, Buda and Pest, were separate towns.
Don't miss
If you are a music lover, you can’t miss a performance at the Opera House – affordable, and great music in a wonderful building.
4 December
Slovakia: Bratislava
Bratislava, Slovakia’s quaint little capital, straddles the Danube close to the border with Austria and Hungary. The compact old town is the best place to begin your exploration, before heading up to the hilltop castle for commanding views of the city and surrounding countryside.
5-7 December
Austria: Vienna
Vienna is jam packed full of thrusting, bombastic buildings that stand as a reminder of Austria’s glorious imperial heyday. From mid-November the city's squares are transformed into magical Christmas markets, where fairy lights twinkle and the air is heady with aromas of sizzling sausage, gingerbread and Glühwein.
7 December
Austria: Krems
Krems sits on the river Danube at the eastern end of the beautiful Wachau Valley, surrounded by vineyards. It’s an attractive old town, with pretty cobbled streets and a good selection of galleries and museums, as well as some excellent restaurants.
8-9 December
Austria: Linz (Salzburg)
The city of Linz is included on river cruise itineraries due to its proximity to Salzburg, which is where you’ll most likely be headed. Salzburg’s Altstadt attracts millions of visitors every year with its fairytale skyline of domes and spires, and the city is renowned as both the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for ‘The Sound of Music’.
9-10 December
Germany: Passau
The pretty Bavarian town of Passau, situated close to Germany’s border with Austria, enjoys a unique setting at the confluence of three rivers: the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube. The narrow cobbled streets of the handsome old town, the Altstadt, are quite delightful.
11-12 December
Austria: Linz (Salzburg)
The city of Linz is included on river cruise itineraries due to its proximity to Salzburg, which is where you’ll most likely be headed. Salzburg’s Altstadt attracts millions of visitors every year with its fairytale skyline of domes and spires, and the city is renowned as both the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for ‘The Sound of Music’.
12 December
Austria: Melk
The riverside village of Melk is best known for its spectacular abbey, a Baroque masterpiece that dominates the landscape. A Benedictine abbey was first established here in 1089, and the 18th century reconstruction that you can see today is still a working monastery.
13 December
Arriving in Vienna
Formerly the centre of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is as grand a European capital as you can imagine, jam packed full of thrusting, bombastic buildings that stand as a reminder of Austria's glorious imperial heyday. Architectural highlights include the Spanish Riding School, the Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofburg, the sprawling former residence of the Habsburg royals. From mid-November the city's squares are transformed into magical Christmas markets, where fairy lights twinkle and the air is heady with aromas of sizzling sausage, gingerbread and Glühwein.
Our tip
Opera in Vienna is a must – speak to us about what’s on so we can book your tickets in advance.
Your home from home
The Riverside Mozart sets the standard for luxury on the Danube with spacious suites and attentive personalised service.
What we love
Riverside Mozart brings a wealth of space along with outstanding service, excellent dining with genuine open seating and many tables for two, a fantastic spa area with pool, and a fresh contemporary style.
| Capacity | 162 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 82 staff |
| Style | Glamorous and stylish, Riverside Mozart brings together the best in contemporary design with an abundance of space and four fabulous dining options. |
| Inclusions |
Upgrade to Premium All-Inclusive Including Excursions for an additional cost. |
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Our favourite hotel in Budapest
We like the Hotel Palazzo Zichy on the Pest side of the river, which used to be the residence of Count Nándor Zichy.
See more of Austria
If you’ve got time, go to magical Salzburg too, you will love it.
