Hiking cruises in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (port-to-port cruise)

Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Located on the Danube River in the East of the country, the city is renowned for its strong music heritage and rich culture, and is the largest German speaking city in the world, outside of Berlin. In 2001, Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts magnificent architecture. The city is home to over 27 castles and 150 palaces including the symbolic Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. Art and music are in abundance and all tastes are catered for. Live music venues offer everything from Rock to Opera. Enjoy world class performances at Vienna State Opera and experience the epicentre of international concert life at Musikverein. Modern and historical art can be found in indoor and outdoor spaces around the city, and a visit to the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is highly recommended. Enjoy views of the city from the Danube Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel, then relax in the ample cosy coffee houses, cafes, bars and restaurants where traditional and international cuisines are served, as well as the locally produced wines.

Board at around 6.00pm in Vienna. Welcome cocktail, presentation of the crew. Dinner on board. Our ship will depart at 8:00 p.m. towards Melk and sail through the night.

Melk is an Austrian town situated on the River Danube. Located west of Vienna, the town is mostly famous for its 11th Century Melk Abbey, a magnificent monastery built high above the town. Melk Abbey is the largest example of Baroque architecture in the Wachau Valley, with the valley itself awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2000. Its steep terraced vineyards mean vinters cultivate with traditional manual practices and the springtime sees this unique landscape covered in apricot tree blossoms. Strolling around the streets of Melk Old Town, visitors will find the Town Hall Square, the Main Square, the old Post Office, now a local museum, Old Abbey Tavern, and Kremser Strasse. River cruises, self-guided walking tours and cycle tours are also extremely popular around Melk, as the Wachau Valley offers unique landscape to be explored and enjoyed. Art festivals and Baroque music is celebrated each year with the Melk Baroque Days, an international festival.

Buffet breakfast on board. Arrive at daybreak and set off on the visit to Melk Abbey. Here you can admire the baroque-style marble hall, library and church. Return on board for lunch and set sail for Drnstein, cruising through the beautiful Wachau Valley.Hiking programme: set off by coach for the village of Aggstein. Hike through the heart of the Wachau region, visit the ruins of Aggstein Castle. Its exceptional location and its impressive dimensions make this castle one of the most well-known in Austria. Erected around 1100, it is thought to have been the haunt of pillaging knights during the Middle Ages. There are superb views over the Wachau. After the visit, hike through unspoilt scenery to Maria Longegg then transfer by coach to rejoin the boat in Drnstein. (4 hours hiking, with a climb of around 400m)Programme for the non-hikers: arrive in the early afternoon in Drnstein and have a discovery tour in the company of your on board hostess. The village, known for the legend of Richard the Lionheart, has a remarkable abbey, radiant in pale blue and white, with one of the finest baroque bell towers in Austria.Return on board and continue the cruise to Bratislava. Dinner on board.

Dürnstein is a town located in the Northeast of Austria, situated on the Danube river. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and wine region of Wachauer. It is a popular destination for wine lovers as many wineries offer accommodation. In addition to wine tasting and vineyard tours, visitors will find exploring the area on foot is easy and enjoyable. Take one of the many beautiful hiking trails across ancient rocks and admire the impressive views across the Danube valley. Children will enjoy exploring the outdoors of Dürnstein too, with outdoor playgrounds and theme trails available to keep them entertained. In addition, children and adults will enjoy Austria’s only outdoor biological swimming pool, Kuenringerbad, with an average temperature of 23 degrees celsius. Enjoy views of the town from overhead helicopter tours, leisurely river excursions, or hike up into the mountains and explore some of Dürnstein’s ruins. The mountains offer the ruins of Dürnstein castle and city wall as well as beautiful flora and fauna to spot.

Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia and is located along the Danube a river on the borders of Austria and Hungary. The city is surrounded by the Little Carpathians Mountains and vineyards as well as its iconic reconstructed Bratislava Castle overlooking Old Town. The castle offers a picturesque view of the city, the neighbouring countries and is home to the Museum of History. Bratislava offers a blend of historic and modern attractions including the Old Town Hall, now home to the Bratislava City Museum, the UFO Bridge, Martin’s Cathedral, Michael’s Gate and Blue Church St Elizabeth’s. Bratislava is home to one of the oldest city parks in Central Europe and is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists as is the city forest park and foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The city is popular for its locally brewed beers and has many micro-breweries and underground beer cellars. The local cuisine of Bratislava is an eclectic influence of European cultures including Slovak, Hungarian, Austrian and German and serves as a reminder of the history of this cosmopolitan city. However, visitors will find an array of offerings to suit all tastes with lunch being the main meal of the day and roast goose with lokse considered a signature dish of the area.

Arrival of the boat during the night. Buffet breakfast on board.Hiking programme: set off by coach for Devinska Nova Ves, hike in the Little Carpathian mountain range, through Sandberg and the Devinska Kobyla National Nature Reserve to the ruins of Devin Castle (outside), from where there are beautiful views of Bratislava. Transfer by coach back to the ship. (1 hours hiking, with a climb of around 250m)Programme for the non-hikers: set off on a visit of the Slovak capital. The baroque palace and pleasant shady squares are part of the charm of the town that was held so dear by Princess Maria Theresa of Austria.Return on board for lunch and set sail for Kalocsa, in Hungary. The afternoon is spent entirely afloat, with dinner and an evening of entertainment on board.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find.

Buffet breakfast on board.Hiking programme: from the mooring point, a city walk to discover Buda. You will pass the famous Gellert Baths and walk along the paved streets by the castle, which is one of the few remaining examples of medieval Budapest. Return on board via public transport (not included) for lunch. (2 hours hiking, with a climb of around 100m)Programme for the non-hikers: Guided visit of Budapest (panoramic tour by coach with stops) to discover Buda, the upper part of the city, with its narrow winding streets, baroque buildings and Royal Palace. Pest, is more bustling and busy, and proudly displays its rich mix of architectural styles.Lunch on board, afternoon at leisure for the non-hikers.Hiking programme: a walk in Pest, to discover the Art Deco and Hungarian Art Nouveau buildings. Set off from the mooring point to the covered market place. Pass Budapest synagogue - evidence of the importance of the Jewish community long ago. Walk along the pedestrianized street Vaci Utca and look up. You are sure to be surprised to see the great diversity of ornamentation on the buildings' facades. Visit St Stephen's Basilica and continue to Freedom Square lined with Hungarian Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings. Return on board by public transport (not included) or on foot. (2 hours level walking, no climbing involved).Dinner on board then a free evening, or a Folklore Evening in Budapest. Departure of the boat around midnight.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located over the River Danube. It is one of the largest cities in the European Union and much of its historical sites have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Originally formed in 1873 by the joining of Buda, Pest and Old Buda, the city suffered heavy destruction during World War II and was rebuilt into the country's political, cultural and commercial hub it is now. Bridges and railways connect the city over the Danube, including the six small islands situated on the river themselves. Some of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include Chain Bridge, Budapest Parliament, the striking Matthias church and the iconic Royal Palace visible from every location within Budapest City. The Castle Hills district architecture represents over a thousand years of the city's history with examples of Roman, Turkish, Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Budapest also has a rich Jewish heritage and is home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The city has an abundance of restaurants offering international cuisines, as well as traditional Hungarian dishes ,including goulash soup, a very popular lunchtime dish. Hungarians enjoy their coffee so a traditional cafe is never hard to find.

Arrival early on the morning in Esztergom. Buffet breakfast on board. Free time in Esztergom, birth and coronation place of the first Hungarian king, St Stephen. The Basilica of Esztergom is a masterpiece of classicism and with its large dome, it owers over the town. It is the largest religious building in Hungary.Hiking programme: set off by coach for Visegrad then walk to Visegrad Fortress (exteriors only) from where you can see the Danube Bend. Return to the coach on foot and then transfer to the ship. (2 hours hiking, with a climb of around 250m)Lunch on board and an afternoon of cruising. Gala dinner and evening.

Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Located on the Danube River in the East of the country, the city is renowned for its strong music heritage and rich culture, and is the largest German speaking city in the world, outside of Berlin. In 2001, Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts magnificent architecture. The city is home to over 27 castles and 150 palaces including the symbolic Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. Art and music are in abundance and all tastes are catered for. Live music venues offer everything from Rock to Opera. Enjoy world class performances at Vienna State Opera and experience the epicentre of international concert life at Musikverein. Modern and historical art can be found in indoor and outdoor spaces around the city, and a visit to the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is highly recommended. Enjoy views of the city from the Danube Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel, then relax in the ample cosy coffee houses, cafes, bars and restaurants where traditional and international cuisines are served, as well as the locally produced wines.

Arrival of the ship at daybreak. After buffet breakfast on board, there is a guided visit of Vienna and Schnbrunn Castle. Return on board for lunch.Hiking programme: the afternoon is spent on a walking discovery tour of Vienna. After lunch on board, transfer by coach to Nussdorfer Platz. The walk up Leopoldsberg will take you to one of the finest vantage points over the city. From here you can admire the Danube and the Vienna Woods as you walk between the vines and forest. The distinctive feature of this circuit is the Nasenweg path, with its unique flora and fauna. (Around 3 to 4 hours hiking, with a climb of around 340m).Programme for the non-hikers: free time to visit Vienna at your own pace, or a guided visit of the Hofburg Palace, the Hapsburg's winter residence and its Sisi Museum.Return on board for dinner. In the evening, you will have the option to attend a concert of Viennese music(1).We moor for the night.

Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Located on the Danube River in the East of the country, the city is renowned for its strong music heritage and rich culture, and is the largest German speaking city in the world, outside of Berlin. In 2001, Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts magnificent architecture. The city is home to over 27 castles and 150 palaces including the symbolic Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the iconic Schönbrunn Palace. Art and music are in abundance and all tastes are catered for. Live music venues offer everything from Rock to Opera. Enjoy world class performances at Vienna State Opera and experience the epicentre of international concert life at Musikverein. Modern and historical art can be found in indoor and outdoor spaces around the city, and a visit to the famous Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) is highly recommended. Enjoy views of the city from the Danube Tower and the Giant Ferris Wheel, then relax in the ample cosy coffee houses, cafes, bars and restaurants where traditional and international cuisines are served, as well as the locally produced wines.

We have buffet breakfast on board and disembark. End of our journey.