Trip Reports
Duration
6 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
8 Ports
5 November
Setting sail from 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. Vienna is also a city rich in cultural capital, and still reverberates to the sound of the great composers who lived and worked here, including Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and Liszt.
Don't miss
Schloss Schonbrunn, the Habsburgs' summer palace, with great gardens too. Just a few of the huge number of rooms are open – the Imperial Tour takes you into 26.
6 November
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.
6 November
Austria: Dürnstein
One of the prettiest towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley, little Dürnstein charms visitors with its handsome 16th century architecture. Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned in the castle that sits on the hillside above the town, and the region is also famous for its wine.
6 November
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.
7 November
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.
8-9 November
Hungary: Esztergom
Esztergom was the birthplace of St Stephen, the first king of Hungary, who was crowned here in 1000 AD and converted the kingdom to Catholicism. The picturesque town is dominated by the magnificent Basilica, which towers high above the Danube.
9 November
Hungary: Visegrad
9-10 November
Arriving in 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.
Our tip
Hungarian cuisine is vastly underrated; don’t visit Budapest without trying goulash, the paprika-infused national dish.
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.
