The Beautiful Blue Danube (port-to-port cruise)

Bratislava, before becoming the capital of independent Slovakia in 1993 was first of all the capital of Hungary from 1536 to 1784 under the name of Presburg. It then belonged to Czechoslovakia before becoming the capital of the "Slovak Socialist Republic" as part of Czechoslovakia between 1969 and 1992.
Along with your guides, you will begin the visit with a panoramic tour of the city which will take you to Bratislava Castle (outsides), which dates from 1811, after the previous castle burned down, and from where you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the Danube and the city. The main historical monuments are located in the Old Town and the coach will drop you off at its entrance to continue the visit on foot. You will enter through Michael's Gate, which is the only gate still surviving from the Middle-Ages. Then you will head for the central square surrounded by elegant buildings, some in Art Nouveau style, and dominated by the old Bratislava Town Hall. The tour continues with the Primate's Palace (outsides) completed in 1781 for Archbishop Jozef Bathyány.
As you stroll through the streets, you may come across some of the amusing statues that are dotted around the capital. After the guided tour, you will have some free time and will return to the boat on foot or by coach depending on sailing times.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess for the village of Dürnstein. You will drive through the Austrian Wachau dotted with charming villages and ruins of medieval castles all the way to Dürnstein. This town is well-known for its castle where legend has it that Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner by Duke Leopold IV after their falling out during the third crusade and later rescued by his faithful confident, Blondel.
You will have some free time in the village to taste the Austrian wine or the local specialty, apricot liqueur. You will be able to stroll through the streets of this medieval town and visit the Baroque abbey.

PLEASE NOTE

• Free visit of Dürnstein.
• Good walking shoes are recommended: the streets are cobbled and steep.
• Extra fee for the visit of the Abbey.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll leave by coach from Devínska Nová Ves for a hike in the Little Carpathians Protected Landscape Area, including the geographically rich Sandberg expanse. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava. After our hike, we'll return to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach. Accompanied by your guides, you will leave the quay for a panoramic tour of Budapest, often called the Pearl of the Danube.

Your discovery will begin on the Buda side, the hilly part of the city, which you will reach by crossing one of the city's famous bridges spanning the Danube.
You will then ascend Castle Hill to reach the Royal Palace (outside visit), where you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the city. In the distance, you will catch sight of the Fisherman's Bastion, a monument paying tribute to the origins of the Hungarian people, with its seven towers symbolising the seven tents of the seven Magyar tribes.

Your tour will continue towards Pest, the flatter and more modern part of the city. There, you will discover the majestic Heroes’ Square, dominated by its impressive central monument, erected to commemorate Hungary’s millennial anniversary. It features the chieftain Árpád and the seven leaders of the founding tribes.

You will pass near the famous Széchenyi Baths, the architecturally remarkable zoo, and Vajdahunyad Castle, which reflects Hungarian architecture through the centuries.
Driving along the prestigious Andrássy Avenue, you will glimpse St. Stephen’s Basilica, whose construction began in 1851 and was completed in 1905.
Finally, following the Danube embankment, you will admire the Hungarian Parliament, a majestic building blending Byzantine and Neo-Gothic styles, whose radiant silhouette towers over the river.

Return to the boat at the end of the tour.

PLEASE NOTE

• Panoramic tour with stops to take pictures.
• Entrance tickets for these monuments are not included.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Transfer by coach in the company of your guides to a theater downtown for a traditional Hungarian show. This one-and-a-half-hour show will take you across all the regions of Hungary through its folklore and Gypsy dance and music. After this show, the traditions and folklore of this beautiful country will no longer hold any secrets! Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Depending on the number of participants the show can take place at another location.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach to the magnificent historic Eschenbach Palace to attend a Viennese concert. This exceptional venue, filled with refinement, provides the perfect setting to experience an authentically Viennese cultural evening.
Let yourself be transported back to the imperial era of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi, while the concert enchants you with the timeless melodies of Johann Strauss, father and son, as well as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The program, carefully staged, offers an elegant dramaturgy that enhances the performances of renowned dancers and vocal soloists. At the end of the show, you will have the privilege of meeting the musicians during an exclusive moment, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine* or orange juice—a perfect final touch to conclude this unforgettable evening. Return by coach to the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• Please dress appropriately.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

Departure by coach with your local guide. You will discover the Hofburg, which is also known for having been during 600 years the "Winter Residency" of the Habsburgs. Over the course of their reign, they turned this small 13th century fortress into a colossal and beautiful palace. The different buildings today mostly house museums and the gardens, dotted with monuments, have become the Volksgarten and the Burggarten.
We will climb up the Emperor's Staircase to reach the Sisi Museum which extends over six rooms that have been equipped to solely center on Elisabeth's private life. Here numerous personal items that once belonged to Elisabeth are used to help illustrate the true personality of the frequently misunderstood Empress. The sensitively designed exhibits are inspired by the monarch's poetry and illustrate how the once light-hearted young girl, Sisi, became a restless, unapproachable and melancholic woman. The more than 300 items on display in the museum include parasols, boxes and gloves which once belonged to Elisabeth, along with a reconstruction of the evening dress worn by 16 year old Sisi in 1854 before she left her home in Munich, and a replica of a section of her imperial railway carriage.
We'll then move on to Imperial Apartments and access the 19 official and private rooms that once belonged to Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. The Imperial Apartments are a reflection of the monarchic splendor. You will get to see the Emperor's Audience Chamber, his Conference Room, and his bedroom before peering through Elizabeth's apartments with her salons, lavatory and bathroom and her dressing and exercise room where Elizabeth spent most of her time.
Return to the boat.

PLEASE NOTE

• Before arriving to the Hofburg, a 5 minute walk is necessary.
• There are stairs to access the Hofburg.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach in company of your host/hostess towards Melk Abbey. We will meet up with our guides in the inner courtyard to start our visit. The Abbey overlooking the Danube was first built as the Babenberg's fortified castle. It was founded in the 11th century and the current buildings of the Benedictine abbey date from the Baroque era and were designed by architect Jakob Prandtauer.
Melk Abbey now houses a museum in which you'll discover several rooms that have been enhanced thanks to architecture, sound and light as well as the use of various types of media. Computer animations will tell you a story about the construction of the edifices. You will also visit the marble hall, the world famous library and the bedchambers where a number of illustrious visitors have slept. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended: from the parking lot to the entrance of the Abbey there are stairs and a 500m cobblestone path.
• Depending on the cruise the visit can be in the morning or in the afternoon.
• Please dress appropriately.
• Depending on navigation schedules passengers could have free time.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Languages: FR-EN-DE.

You will begin the tour by taking the famous Ring to reach Schoenbrunn Palace. The "Ring" was one of the personal projects of Emperor Franz Joseph. In 1857, he decided to take down the ramparts that enclosed the city center and had this boulevard built lined with fine buildings. Along the Ring you will admire this architectural showcase of the old Austro-Hungarian monarchy, including: the State Opera; the Hofburg Palace; the Natural History Museum; the City Hall; the Burgtheater and more.
When you arrive at Schoenbrunn Palace, you will be guided through the numerous rooms of the Hapsburgs' summer residence, which bear witness to the splendor of the Court at the time of Maria Theresa. You will also have some time to wander through the Palace gardens.
You will then return to the coach, which will take you to the city center to enjoy some free time in the area around St Stephen's Cathedral. You will then return to the coach, which will take you back to the boat, via the Ring.

PLEASE NOTE

• Comfortable shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.