Best of the Danube with Budapest Extension

Begin your journey with a stay in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube." Enjoy the city's rich history and cafe culture at your own pace, before joining a Local Specialist for guided sightseeing. You'll visit the Hungarian Parliament and see the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial before setting sail.

• Sightseeing tour of Budapest with a Local Specialist, bringing the city's history to life
• Optional Experience add-ons to personalise your stay

Accommodation: 2 nights at a centrally located hotel, plus all hotel taxes and porterage and transfer to your ship

Included Meals: 2 breakfasts

Step aboard the Trafalgar Reverie, your floating home for your Danube cruise, and settle in for the night. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over dinner hosted by your Experience Director.

Today, explore both sides of the city - historic Buda and lively Pest - with your Local Specialist. Visit Heroes' Square before heading up Castle Hill past Matthias Church to step inside Fisherman's Bastion for views over the Danube and Parliament. Or, opt to take a foodie tour, diving into Budapest's vibrant culinary scene and tasting local favourites. This afternoon, choose an Optional Experience to explore the Jewish district, including a visit to the Dohány Street Synagogue. In the early evening you'll set sail, cruising through the Danube bend past the town of Szentendre and the former Royal centre of Visegrad.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Budapest Orientation OR Discover Budapest's Jewish History OR Explore Budapest on a Foodie Tour

Enjoy the early morning experience of cruising along a stretch of the Danube that defines the border between Hungary to the south and Slovakia to the north. Step ashore in Bratislava and explore its old town on a walking tour with your Local Specialist. See the historic town hall, pass through Michael's Gate and admire St. Martin's Cathedral.

Alternatively, step back in time on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, uncovering life under Communism with stories of escapes, Soviet rule and the Velvet Revolution. Looking to stretch your legs? Join an Optional Experience hike up to Bratislava Castle for sweeping Danube views. As you cruise through the evening, you'll pass by the southern foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains, and cross the border to enjoy views of the plains of Lower Austria.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Explore the Old Town of Bratislava OR Life Beyond the Iron Curtain OR Hike to Bratislava Castle

Welcome to Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Get to know this buzzing city with a drive along the Ringstraße and a guided walk through the old town, where Vienna's grand architecture and imperial history come to life. Then, explore further with a choice between two experiences, enjoying sweet delights or diving into the life of Mozart. Settle into a traditional coffee house and indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, experiencing Vienna's famous cafe culture.

Or, step into the world of Mozart with an immersive journey back to the 18th century, discovering the places that shaped his life and music. This afternoon, choose between two Optional Experiences. You could visit Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent summer home of the Habsburgs, or take a foodie walking tour, tasting strudels, schnitzels, and other Viennese favourites. After a day of discovery, why not end the evening with an optional classical concert featuring the music of Mozart and Strauss?

Featured Excursions: Choice of Vienna Orientation Tour OR Sample Sachertorte and Viennese Coffee OR Immersive Mozart Experience at Mythos Mozart OR Stroll Around Schönbrunn Palace OR Discover Foodie Vienna OR Experience the Music of Mozart and Strauss

Cruise through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed gem known for its vineyards and medieval castles. In Spitz, join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, exploring the charm of this historic riverside town, famous for their apricots. For lunch, join the Saahs family for a Be My Guest experience at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria's oldest winery, where you'll enjoy homemade specialities made with organic produce straight from their gardens. Continue your cruise through the Wachau Valley, passing by the historic Melk Abbey as your ship navigates overnight into Upper Austria.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Wander Around the Sights of Spitz OR Dine with the Saahs Family at Weingut Nikolaihof

Explore Linz with your Local Specialist, strolling through its historic centre and discovering the city's rich past. Alternatively, join an optional tour to Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music. Or, if you love medieval charm, opt for an optional visit to Český Krumlov, a fairytale town with winding streets and a stunning castle. Overnight you'll cruise through the hills of Upper Austria.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Visit Historic Linz OR Into Bohemia in Český Krumlov OR The Sound of Music in Salzburg

Cross into Bavaria and arrive in Passau, the ‘City of Three Rivers', where the Inn, Danube and Ilz meet. Join your Local Specialist for a morning walking tour through the old town's cobbled streets or choose a hike along the scenic Ilz River. In the afternoon, why not join an optional Bavarian beer, pretzel and music experience? Enjoying local brews, freshly baked pretzels and traditional folk music.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Passau Orientation Tour OR Hike Along the Ilz River OR Get a Taste of Bavaria

This morning, disembark the Trafalgar Reverie and bid farewell to the captain and crew, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey along the Danube.