Great Rail Journeys
Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau
11 daysfrom $3,605
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail
Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube
Begin your Imperial adventure early and explore the multi-faceted histories of two European giants before experiencing the magic of the blue Danube.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Cologne
From London to Cologne by rail
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels. Continue by rail to Cologne, dominated by its Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest church in northern Europe. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the first group dinner.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Berlin
Arrival in Berlin, a city of contrasts
Travel by train from Cologne to Berlin. After checking in, the afternoon is free to explore at leisure, options include the Reichstag glass dome, East Side Gallery, Museum Island (including the Pergamon Museum), Tiergarten, Berlin Zoo or the Bauhaus Archive. Three-course dinner at a nearby hotel in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Prague
Discovering Berlin and by rail to Prague
Sightseeing tour of Berlin with a local guide, covering Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. After lunch, travel by rail to Prague, passing the sandstone cliffs of Bohemian Switzerland en route.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Prague
Uncovering the historic charm of Prague
Guided walking tour of Prague beginning at Prague Castle, the largest medieval complex in Europe, including St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square with its famous astronomical clock (installed 1410). Afternoon at leisure to explore the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Budapest)
To Budapest where we board our luxurious ship
Travel by rail from Prague to Budapest. Board MS Amadeus Imperial, welcomed with cocktails and a Hungarian folklore performance at dinner. Evening illuminations cruise along the Danube, taking in the neo-Gothic Parliament building, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Danube Bend)
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
Sightseeing tour of Budapest covering Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Free time after lunch. Evening cruise through the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrad and Esztergom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (en route to Vienna)
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
Arrive in Bratislava with views of the gleaming white castle. Guided tour of the 'Little Big City' covering attractive squares, palaces, historic churches and quirky statues. Views from the hilltop castle over the Old Town and the SNP (UFO) Bridge. Free time to explore after lunch onboard. Depart after dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Vienna)
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
Guided tour of Vienna along the Ringstrasse, including the Opera House and Parliament. Free time to explore, options include St Stephen's Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace and Viennese coffeehouses. Evening performance onboard by four former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Wachau Valley)
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
Free time in Dürnstein to explore the charming streets and view the hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, Austria's famous wine region. Dock at Emmersdorf and visit the 11th-century Benedictine Melk Abbey with its stunning Baroque church.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (en route to Passau)
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
Wake in Linz. Choose between two excursions: (1) Day trip to Salzburg with a stop in the Austrian Lake District, guided tour of Getreidegasse (Mozart's birthplace) and the UNESCO-listed Baroque Old Town; or (2) Excursion to Český Krumlov in Czechia, a UNESCO-listed fairytale Bohemian town with a palatial castle above the Vltava River. Return to ship for dinner; overnight cruise into Germany.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: MS Amadeus Imperial (Passau)
Crossing the German border to Passau
Final day of the Danube cruise, drifting through beautiful scenery into Germany past vineyards, orchards, villages, medieval castles and monasteries. Arrive in Passau, the 'Three Rivers City' at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Guided tour of the Baroque Old Town including St Stephen's Cathedral and Veste Oberhaus fortress. Farewell gala dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 12railovernight: Frankfurt
From the Danube to Frankfurt am Main
Disembark after breakfast and travel by rail through Germany to Frankfurt. The city's medieval Old Town features the historic Römer building. Check in to the hotel; free time to explore before the final group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 13rail
Homeward bound
Depart Frankfurt by rail after breakfast, travel to Brussels and board the Eurostar to London St Pancras, marking the end of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 5 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Imperial
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- First Class rail travel (standard class option also available on some departures)
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- 4 breakfasts, 4 dinners on the Imperial Cities tour
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
- Superb excursions included
- Guided walking tour of Prague
- Sightseeing tour of Berlin with local guide
- Sightseeing tour of Budapest
- Guided tour of Bratislava
- Guided tour of Vienna
- Visit to Melk Abbey with guided tour
- Choice of excursion: Salzburg & Austrian Lake District OR Český Krumlov
- Guided tour of Passau
- Evening Budapest illuminations cruise
- Hungarian folklore performance onboard in Budapest
- Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra members' performance onboard
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)
