Day 1
Embarkation on the vessel in Passau, the city where three rivers meet. The ship leaves port in the evening and takes you through a lovely stretch of the Danube known as the Schloegener Schlinge. After these first scenic impressions of the Danube, our courier on board will welcome you with a cocktail before the official welcome dinner.

---

---

Day 2
At noon the vessel puts into port at Vienna. The entire day is at your disposal to discover the metropolis on the Danube. The city of music and joie de vivre where Sachertorte and Heuriger are just as famous as St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Palace. See all the important sights on our Vienna sightseeing tour (€ 20) or explore this city full of tradition on your own. After dinner on board, the Evening Excursion Vienna (€ 40) takes you to the Prater and a typical "Heurigen" wine tavern, where you can enjoy a glass of wine. Alternatively you can book the “Sound of Vienna” (€ 40) where the Salonorchester „Alt Wien“, one of the famous interpreters of classical music, sparks off a unique firework of the most beautiful on its highest level. The ship leaves the port of Vienna at night and heads downstream for Bratislava.

---

---

Day 3
In the early morning the vessel reaches the port of Bratislava.At forenoon, you have the opportunity to get to know the city during the Bratislava sightseeing tour (€ 20). The afternoon you have for your own disposal – drink a coffee in one of the numerous cafés the great old town or use the time for buying some souvenirs. The ship departs in the evening downstream to Budapest.

---

---

Day 4
Arrival at Budapest, the capital of Hungary in the early morning. The magnificent buildings lining the right and left banks of the Danube are an unforgettable sight. Our Budapest sightseeing tour (€ 20) encompasses all the major sights of the city.
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. Buda is the older and more graceful part, with its cobbled streets and medieval architecture, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and impressive 19th-century public buildings. East meets West in this fascinating city, and this can be seen in the variety of shops and restaurants. In the afternoon you can join the excursion to Castle Gödöllö (€ 24). In the era of the imperial monarchy it became a symbol of Empress Elisabeth, who was nick-named ‘Sissi’ and much loved by the Hungarians. Nestling in an enormous park this is the largest complex of Baroque buildings in Hungary and attractive to everyone – not just lovers of Baroque. After dinner enjoy an unforgettable evening cruise (incl.) on the vessel with a glorious view of the beautifully floodlit buildings on both banks of the river. A Gypsy band, specially engaged for this cruise, entertains you on board with lively music and you also see a performance by a Hungarian folklore group.

---

---

Day 5
The morning you have for your free disposal in Budapest. After lunch, you have the option of leaving the ship and joining a coach excursion via Szentendre to Esztergom (€ 31). The ship sails from Budapest at midday. Those of you choosing to remain on board can enjoy a relaxing cruise around the “Danube Bend”, passing the shipyards of Obuda and the abutments of a Roman bridge, which once formed part of a military road from Gaul to Asia Minor. You continue past the busy town of Vác, after which the course of the river turns north as you follow it past Visegrad castle to Esztergom. Your ship moors at Esztergom in the afternoon and sails with all passengers after dinner.

---

---

Day 6
At noon you arrive in the Austrian capital Vienna again. In the afternoon there will be the possibility to visit the famous Castle Schoenbrunn (€ 32). The coach will drive you to one of Vienna’s most beautiful buildings, the Schoenbrunn complex, which was modelled on the palace of Versailles, the residence of Louis XIV (Le Roi Soleil). Here you can view the state apartments of the Habsburgs’ summer residence for many years, and then take a stroll through the beautifully laid out gardens in the grounds of the palace. On the last evening of your journey on the Danube, the captain of the vessel will be delighted to welcome you to the Captain Gala Dinner. The excellent orchestra which has been entertaining you in the Panorama Bar throughout the cruise will get you swinging and dancing the night away.

---

---

Day 7
In the morning, the boat berths at the idyllic wine-growing town of Melk/Emmersdorf. From here, you can take part in the excursion to Melk Abbey (€ 27), the Baroque jewel of the Wachau region. A guided tour of about one hour takes you through the abbot’s chambers, along the imperator’s walk, and through the marble hall, the balconies and the library. Then, depending on the time of day, there may be an opportunity to hear an organ recital in the abbey church. Alternatively you can join the excursion Wachau & Wine (€ 27). the Wachau region. A guided tour on foot shows you round this gloriously located little town before you drive on through the lovely Wachau scenery to the wine growers of Krems. Winzer Krems, Sandgrube 13, is one of Austria’s best-known “wine addresses”. At the heart of Sandgrube is Wein.sinn, a new wine appreciation centre, which we visit. Stopping at eight viewing points our guests can absorb (using all five senses) the fascinating world of wine and learn everything about how it is made in this region. After this experience the coach continues to Krems. After a short walk you will return to the vessel.

---

---

Day 8
The ship arrives at Passau, the town where the rivers meet. Disembarkation after breakfast. End of the program.