The Blue Danube River Cruise with Budapest Extension - MS Emily Brontë

Bratislava This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town. Equally impressive is the imposing 17th-century castle commanding expansive views across the Danube. Cruise towards Dürnstein This afternoon we cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now the stresses of everyday life seem distant as you absorb the ever-changing scenes, we pass children playing on the riverbanks, young couples strolling arm in arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, and cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings. You’ll marvel as the Captain skilfully navigates the ship along the serene river and through locks whose mechanisms never cease to fascinate, as we cruise towards Dürnstein. Included experience: Guided tour of Bratislava.

Dürnstein Dürnstein is known principally for the ice-blue tower of its abbey, which dominates the view, and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after being shipwrecked on his return from the crusades. This morning we take a guided walking tour to explore this memorable city further. Set on a rocky outcrop high above the river, the castle is now ruined, but it’s easy to imagine England’s legendary monarch seething with frustration far from home, while waiting for his family to raise funds to pay his ransom. Melk After lunch you visit the remarkable Melk Abbey. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this enormous honey-coloured building, standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since. The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms and an ornate library. After we re-join the ship, dinner is served during the final part of our cruise upstream through the pretty Nibelungengau, immortalised in the music of Wagner. Included experiences: Guided tours of Dürnstein & Melk Abbey.

Salzburg or Linz Reaching Linz, you will have the choice to stay in the city and take a guided walking tour, exploring its charming baroque old town. At its heart you’ll see one of the finest squares in Austria, lined by grand pastel-coloured facades with an impressive central Trinity Column of white marble, crowned by a gilded sunburst. There’s also the fortress-like castle, built high above the city by Emperor Friedrich III, now a museum housing a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century artworks. Alternatively, we drive to Salzburg, once an independent state whose archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. Dominating the skyline is one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, while beneath its walls church domes and spires rise from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. Then there’s the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace and the splendid formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace – a must for horticulture fans. This morning, discover some of the city’s main sights in the company of an expert local guide, then you’re free to explore as you wish. Everywhere there are sights associated with the city’s most famous resident, Mozart, who played the harpsichord aged three, composed rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera when he was 11! We return to the ship for another splendid dinner. Included experience: Guided tour of Linz or Salzburg.

Vienna For many, today’s visit to Vienna will be one of the highlights of the cruise. The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of peoples who were drawn here from all corners of Europe. For 200 years until the First World War, Vienna was the cultural centre of Europe and many of the showpiece buildings, galleries, aristocratic palaces and magnificent churches you see today were built to reflect its imperial status. The city’s most iconic monument is the breathtaking Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, whose striking multi-coloured roof and huge Gothic South Tower dominate the skyline. There’s also the colossal Hofburg, the former royal court that is now home to a collection of museums, the Crown Jewels and the Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs. Then there are the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the sabre of Charlemagne himself. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, which contains the world’s fourth largest collection of paintings, is just across the road. This morning we have a tour with a local guide offering insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – the seat of the Habsburg emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses. During the afternoon you’re free to explore as you wish. Take a stroll in the Prater, notable for the huge Ferris wheel that features in several Cold War spy thrillers. Or, for something quite different, visit the Schönbrunn Palace, a former royal residence now housing a range of world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps, though, just take a stroll through Vienna’s atmospheric side streets, or enjoy a coffee and a slice of delicious Sachertorte in one of the lovely coffee houses. This evening we have something special in store. Not only do we have our indulgent Chef's Dinner, but we've also organised for a live musical experience on board. So after this special dinner, sit back and enjoy an intimate classical recital. To hear this exquisite music in Vienna - where it was created - is truly the icing on the cake. Included experiences: Guided tour of Vienna & live classical recital.

Cruise towards Budapest Enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise majestically through Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape towards Budapest. After breakfast head up onto the magnificent sun deck to enjoy some fabulous river views as we cruise along the 'Daunbe Bend', surrounded by historic and picturesque cities like Visegrad and Szentendre. Castle ruins, churches, pretty houses perching on the hills, and thick forests are reflected in the waters of the river. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the sun deck or simply recline, letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze. Budapest After lunch we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, which truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. The twin cities of Buda, built around the hilltop fortress, and Pest, with its wide boulevards, were fought over through the centuries. The Ottomans ruled here for 150 years before being ousted in the late 17th century, but their legacy lives on in the many thermal baths fed by hot springs, giving rise to Budapest’s other sobriquet – the ‘City of Spas’. After the end of Ottoman rule, Budapest became an imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth. Castle Hill is Budapest in microcosm: two churches, seven museums and a theatre among streets and squares with their own special atmosphere and a dramatic view across the river to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building. Budapest’s endless galleries, museums, outstanding Art Nouveau architecture and excellent shopping offer a fittingly elegant end to your Danube cruise. This evening’s dinner closes with a Hungarian folklore show, giving you time to bid farewell to your travelling companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise. Included experiences: Guided tour of Budapest & Hungarian folklore show.

Return home After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight home.

Budapest Budapest is truly a magnificent city – an alluring collage of palatial buildings and grand churches with dramatic spires and magnificent domes straddling the vast waters of the Danube. Numerous foreign powers have ruled here, reflected in the city’s eclectic architectural mix. However, the greatest influence on its architecture was Hungary’s union with Austria in 1867, which initiated growth up to the First World War. This resulted in some sensational buildings in a range of styles, including the elegant Art Nouveau Gellert Hotel and its thermal baths, resplendent with majolica tiles and colourful mosaics. Budapest's Parliament Building The iconic Parliament Building – the world’s third largest – was also built during this period. Constructed in neo-Gothic style and arguably grander than our own Houses of Parliament, it dominates the riverbank with its striking central dome and spires soaring into the sky above. Its cathedral-like interior is breathtakingly ornate, with fabulous frescoes, stained glass and mosaics. During an included tour, we’ll see the Domed Hall, home to the Hungarian Crown Jewels, the 16-sided Central Hall with its stunning gilded ceiling and intricate carvings, and the astonishing Golden Staircase. Afterwards, why not enjoy lunch at our next stop, the Great Market Hall, a vibrant hub of Hungarian culture, history, and cuisine. Built in 1897, the neoclassical facade and brightly coloured roof hall are a must-see for travellers visiting Budapest - you can spot its roof tiles from across the city skyline. Inside the market, you’ll find a vast array of dining options and local products, from fresh produce and meats to traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. Palinka Museum We'll then visit the Palinka Museum to learn about the production and consumption of this traditional fruit brandy and its special role in Hungarian culture. We'll also enjoy a tasting experience in which a team of experts and pálinka sommeliers will introduce you to the distillates they hold in the highest regard. Enjoy some of their finest choices and gain insight into the consumption of palinka and the secrets of its distillation. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, you can explore the area or take a walk back to our hotel and take advantage of the hotel facilities. Included experiences: Guided tour of Budapest's Parliament Building & visit to the Palinka Museum.

The National Gallery Today, we'll visit the impressive National Gallery, which is located in Buda Castle and includes a phenomenal collection of Hungarian masterpieces spanning the centuries as well as a crypt containing tombs of several members of the Habsburg dynasty. We enjoy a visit to this world-famous collection and then a short orientation walk of the surrounding area. Free time in Budapest The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this fantastic city and its multitude of cultural attractions. Perhaps, spend more time here in the Castle District admiring its panoramic views of the city and exploring its tiny winding passages, Gothic arches and colourful houses, mostly dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Don’t miss the wonderful Matthias Church, where shafts of light from the intricate rose windows pierce the darkness, illuminating the splendid altar and statues to great effect. Included experience: Visit to the National Gallery.