Great Rail Journeys
Munich, Bavaria & the Beautiful Danube
11 daysfrom $3,471
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise Tour
Munich, Bavaria & the Classic Danube
Delve into Europe's diverse cultures and breathtaking sights, experiencing heritage-filled Bavaria before joining a luxury cruise along the Blue Danube to Bratislava and Budapest.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Munich
Arriving in Bavaria
Holiday begins at London Heathrow; meet Tour Manager and travel group, board flight to Munich. Coach transfer to centrally located hotel. Introductory meeting followed by first dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Munich
The sights and flavours of Munich
Guided sightseeing tour of Munich: Marienplatz, neo-Gothic Town Hall, glockenspiel, Church of St Peter. Beer tasting at Oktoberfest Museum and visit to Höfbrauhaus, Munich's oldest beer house. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Munich
The fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle with included entrance; guided tour of the Romanesque Revival castle commissioned by King Ludwig II, with spectacular views over the Schwangau valley. Free time in the afternoon. Return to Munich for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Passau/en route)
To Passau, where we board our magnificent ship
Leisurely morning in Munich; optional revisit to Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz or local shops. Walk to Munich railway station and take the train to Passau. Coach transfer to the Danube riverbank to board MS Amadeus Cara. Welcome cocktail, settle in, first five-course dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Linz)
Sailing through enchanting landscapes to Linz
First relaxing cruise downstream into Austria through scenic river landscapes of hills, vineyards, orchards, villages, castles and monasteries. Arrive in Linz; evening in the city with its Baroque and modern architecture. Multi-course dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route)
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
Choice of two excursions from Linz: (1) Day trip to Salzburg with photo stop at the Austrian Lake District; guided tour of Getreidegasse and UNESCO-listed Baroque Old Town. (2) Excursion to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic; guided tour of the palatial castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town. Return to ship for dinner; overnight cruise further into Austria.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Vienna)
The Melk Abbey, Wachau Valley and charming Dürnstein
Morning visit to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey overlooking the Danube. After lunch, cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley wine region. Free time in Dürnstein village for wine tasting or exploring; view of the castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned. Continue sailing towards Vienna over dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Vienna)
Discovering the magic of Vienna
Arrive in Vienna for a guided tour: Ringstrasse boulevard, Opera House, Parliament Building. Free time to visit Schönbrunn Palace, try Sacher Torte, explore St Stephen's Cathedral or museums. Evening: private performance by four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Esztergom)
Docking in Bratislava
Relaxing morning sailing; arrive in Bratislava. Guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district. Return to ship for lunch; continue downstream to Esztergom, former capital of Hungary, where the ship berths for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Budapest)
The fascinating city of Budapest
Sail towards Budapest navigating the scenic Danube Bend, passing Visegrád. Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest: State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion. Free time to explore. Dinner onboard followed by a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe performance and a nighttime illuminated cruise along the Danube.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11
Homeward bound
Breakfast onboard; disembark MS Amadeus Cara and say farewell to the crew. Coach transfer to Budapest Airport for flight to London Heathrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation in Munich
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Standard Class rail travel (Munich to Passau)
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flights from London Heathrow to Munich and Budapest to London Heathrow
- Breakfast each day
- 6 lunches
- 9 dinners
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Guided sightseeing tour of Munich
- Entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle with guided tour
- Beer tasting at Höfbrauhaus and Oktoberfest Museum visit
- Choice of excursion from Linz: Salzburg & Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
- Visit to Melk Abbey
- Guided sightseeing tour of Vienna
- Performance by past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra onboard
- Guided tour of Bratislava
- Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe performance onboard
- Nighttime illuminated cruise along the Danube in Budapest
- Coach transfers throughout
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Optional flight upgrades
- Optional pre/post London hotel stays
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities (unless specified)
- Items not mentioned in the inclusions
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