The Blue Danube with Tauck

Make the most of complimentary UK airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Budapest. On arrival, a private transfer will collect you from the airport and bring you to your river boat, where you’ll be warmly greeted by Tauck Directors and have time to settle into your stylish and spacious stateroom. Dinner will be served on board this evening. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

Hungary’s capital is split into two distinct parts, Buda and Pest, on either side of the Danube River. Once separate cities, they are now jointly part of Budapest, connected by the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Today, your explorations will be focused on Pest, which is distinctly flat and has a more bustling, urbanised feel than Buda. A guided walking tour will include visits to the beautiful City Park and Heroes’ Square, as well as the majestic State Opera House, renowned for its gilded vaulted ceiling, intricate murals and enormous chandelier. There’s also the chance to explore the city by bike, if you prefer. After the tour, the remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

Later on, you’ll be treated to a special welcome cocktail reception and dinner at the Academy Club in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences – a grand, members only venue on the banks of the Danube, with superb views across towards Castle Hill on the opposite side of the river.

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

Today is dedicated to exploring Buda, home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion. This historic area, which sits atop a hill overlooking the Danube, forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Alternatively, you may opt to visit the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, a Neo-Baroque spa complex that hosts the largest medicinal bath in Europe. In the afternoon, return to the riverboat in time to begin your cruise along the Danube in the direction of Bratislava. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

Your next port of call is Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, home to an imposing, ninth-century hilltop castle and an impressive array of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. After lunch on board and an expert talk introducing you to the city’s cultural, political and economic history, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Bratislava’s car-free Old Town on a walking tour, or embark on a cycling tour of the city’s Iron Curtain area for a fascinating glimpse of communist-era Czechoslovakia. Tonight’s dinner is a celebration of authentic Slovakian cuisine accompanied by a traditional dance performance. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

Continuing west, it’s a relatively short journey along the Danube from Bratislava to Vienna this morning. On arrival in the Austrian capital, you’ll be joined by local guides for either a walking tour or a cycling tour taking in the city’s famous sights and offering the chance to sample local cuisine. The afternoon is yours to spend exploring independently, with ample time to explore the city’s elegant palaces, world-class museums and gorgeous parks.

Please note that your activities on days five and six may be rotated in order to make the most of your time in Vienna. Your Tauck Director will advise accordingly closer to the time. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

You’ll have a choice between two of Vienna’s most treasured cultural landmarks this morning: either the UNESCO-listed Schönbrunn Palace (once the main summer residence of the Habsburg monarchy) or the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest art museums, featuring works from the likes of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Vermeer, Rembrandt and Caravaggio – just to name a few. Spend the afternoon at leisure before attending a private Imperial Evening at the opulent Palais Pallavicini. Welcome cocktails and dinner are followed by an unforgettable evening filled with music inspired by the great composers who established Vienna’s reputation as an epicentre of European music during the Habsburg era. Tonight, your river cruise continues towards Dürnstein. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

The next stop of your Danube river cruise is the charming town of Dürnstein, known for the 13th-century Romanesque church and 16th-century Baroque houses that line its cobbled streets. Enjoy some free time exploring the town, perhaps making the short hike up to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, or take a tour to a local monastery. You may also be tempted to sample the fruits of the Wachau Valley’s vineyards with a wine tasting session at an authentic Austrian tavern, or explore the region by bike, before rejoining the ship for a delicious Chef’s Signature dinner and a show put on by members of the crew. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

Your boat will remain docked in Linz today, giving you a couple of options for day trips. One of these is Salzburg, in the foothills of the Alps, where you can visit famous filming locations from The Sound of Music, learn about the legacy of Mozart and amble through the beautifully preserved, UNESCO-listed historic centre. Alternatively, you could hop across the border to visit Český Krumlov, one of the most picturesque towns in the Czech Republic, sometimes described as ‘Prague in miniature’ due to its charming, medieval Old Town (also holding UNESCO World Heritage status) and 13th-century castle. Or, you could opt to stay in Linz and get a feel for life in Austria’s third-largest city.

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

This morning, you’ll wake up in Engelhartszell, an attractive little town in Upper Austria, close to the German border. After visiting a local home for some coffee and cake, enjoy a guided walking tour of the town, including the 18th-century Engelhartszell Abbey. Then, after lunch aboard the boat, you may fancy venturing out on a rigorous but rewarding bike ride along the banks of the Danube. Finally, you’ll sail across the border into Germany and enjoy a farewell toast and dinner en route towards Vilshofen. 

Stay: MS Joy or MS Savor

Disembark in Vilshofen this morning for a choice of excursions. You could visit the delightful Bavarian town of Regensburg, home to a beautifully preserved medieval core, or you could head straight to Prague for a tour of Strahov Monastery and Hradcany Castle. Either way, you’ll head to Prague today and check into your luxurious city centre hotel, where you’ll be based for the final two nights of your trip.

Stay: Andaz Prague (Deluxe)

The final full day of your trip is an ideal opportunity to explore the myriad delights of Prague, the picturesque capital of the Czech Republic. Pick between a guided walking tour of the Old Town (with two versions of varying lengths available) or a poignant tour of the city’s historic Jewish Quarter. Come nightfall, cap off your trip in style with a farewell reception, tour and dinner at the 16th-century Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle – an evening filled with classical cultural treasures. 

Stay: Andaz Prague (Deluxe)

After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the airport to catch your flight home.