Great Rail Journeys
Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube
13 daysfrom $5,207
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise
Explore the beauty of Central Europe on this escorted train & cruise journey, featuring the world-famous Glacier Express and luxurious Danube river cruise.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Vevey
A stunning beginning in Lake Geneva
Begins at London St. Pancras aboard the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail via Lausanne to the Lake Geneva region; transfer to hotel in Vevey for two nights and a first dinner together.
- Day 2railovernight: Vevey
The Lavaux wine region
Free morning in Vevey; afternoon local train to Cully in the UNESCO-listed Lavaux wine region for a winery talk and tasting of Chasselas wine.
- Day 3railovernight: Chur
The iconic Glacier Express to Chur
Local train to Brig to board the Glacier Express, a two-course lunch at the seats through the Rhine Valley, arriving in Chur to explore the Altstadt.
- Day 4railovernight: Innsbruck
Crossing the Alps to Innsbruck
Morning in Chur, then rail crossing into Austria to Innsbruck; evening free. Note: route variations on August 8 and June 27 departures.
- Day 5railovernight: Innsbruck
The Zillertalbahn to Mayrhofen
Journey on the Zillertalbahn through the Tyrol region to the ski resort of Mayrhofen, with free time; return by coach to Innsbruck. Note: Achensee Railway substituted on September 3 & 26 departures.
- Day 6railovernight: Ship (Budapest)
To Budapest, where we board our luxurious ship
Rail to Budapest, coach transfer to the Danube waterfront to board the ship; welcome cocktail, first dinner with Hungarian folklore troupe performance, night-time cruise past illuminated Budapest.
- Day 7overnight: Ship
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
Sightseeing tour of Budapest (Heroes Square, State Opera House, St. Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion); sail upstream through the Danube Bend past Visegrad and Esztergom.
- Day 8overnight: Ship
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
Coach tour of Bratislava (Bratislava Castle, Old Town squares, quirky statues); free time before setting sail for Vienna.
- Day 9overnight: Ship
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
Guided tour of Vienna's Ringstrasse, Opera House, Parliament; free time to visit St. Stephen's Cathedral or Schönbrunn Palace; evening performance by former Vienna Philharmonic musicians.
- Day 10overnight: Ship
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
Free time in Dürnstein; sail through the Wachau Valley wine region; coach transfer from Emmersdorf to Melk Abbey for a guided tour; sail on to Linz.
- Day 11overnight: Ship
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
Choice of day trip to Salzburg (Getreidegasse, Old Town) via the Austrian Lake District, or an excursion into the Czech Republic to Český Krumlov (castle, UNESCO Old Town).
- Day 12overnight: Ship
Across the German border to Passau
Cruise into Germany; guided tour of Passau, the 'Three Rivers City', including St. Stephen's Cathedral; farewell Gala dinner onboard.
- Day 13railovernight: Cologne
From the Danube to the Rhine-side city of Cologne
Disembark, coach to Munich station, rail to Cologne beneath the Gothic cathedral; final dinner in the hotel restaurant. Note: overnight in Mainz instead on September 3 & 26 departures.
- Day 14rail
Tour conclusion
Rail via Brussels aboard the Eurostar to London, where the vacation concludes at London St. Pancras.
Included
- Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
- 6 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara, Five-Star service from English-speaking crew, complimentary Wi-Fi
- Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks; all rail and coach travel throughout; Eurostar Standard
- Breakfast each day, 3 dinners on the Glacier Express & Austrian Alps portion
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a gala dinner
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Swiss Travel Card (50% discounted fares on free days)
- A superb choice of excursions
- Hungarian traditional folklore troupe performance
- Onboard entertainment from former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
- Flights and Airport transfers
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