17 July

Slovakia: Bratislava

Bratislava, Slovakia’s quaint little capital, straddles the Danube close to the border with Austria and Hungary. The compact old town is the best place to begin your exploration, before heading up to the hilltop castle for commanding views of the city and surrounding countryside.

18 July

Austria: Tulin

19 July to 20 July

Austria: Vienna

Formerly the centre of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is as grand a European capital as you can imagine, jam packed full of thrusting, bombastic buildings that stand as a reminder of Austria’s glorious imperial heyday.

21 July

Austria: Dürnstein

One of the prettiest towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley, little Dürnstein charms visitors with its handsome 16th century architecture. Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned in the castle that sits on the hillside above the town, and the region is also famous for its wine.

21 July

Austria: Weissenkirchen

The cute little of village of Weissenkirchen is situated on the Danube in the picturesque Wachau Valley, and takes its name from a fortified 14th century Gothic church. It won’t take long to explore the village itself, but nearby attractions include the beautiful abbey at Melk.

22 July

Austria: Linz (Salzburg)

The city of Linz is included on river cruise itineraries due to its proximity to Salzburg, which is where you’ll most likely be headed. Salzburg’s Altstadt attracts millions of visitors every year with its fairytale skyline of domes and spires, and the city is renowned as both the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for ‘The Sound of Music’.

23 July

Germany: Passau

The pretty Bavarian town of Passau, situated close to Germany’s border with Austria, enjoys a unique setting at the confluence of three rivers: the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube. The narrow cobbled streets of the handsome old town, the Altstadt, are quite delightful.

24 July

Austria: Grein

Despite its small size, Grein is rich in history, culture, and scenic beauty, set on a bend of the Danube. This intimate postcard-pretty city is wonderfully easy to explore on foot with its pastel-colored buildings that frame the main square, cosy cafés and a hilltop castle, the perfect setting for strolls or bike rides along the river.

24 July

Austria: Melk

The riverside village of Melk is best known for its spectacular abbey, a Baroque masterpiece that dominates the landscape. A Benedictine abbey was first established here in 1089, and the 18th century reconstruction that you can see today is still a working monastery.

25 July to 27 July

Austria: Vienna

Formerly the centre of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is as grand a European capital as you can imagine, jam packed full of thrusting, bombastic buildings that stand as a reminder of Austria’s glorious imperial heyday.

28 July

Hungary: Esztergom

Esztergom was the birthplace of St Stephen, the first king of Hungary, who was crowned here in 1000 AD and converted the kingdom to Catholicism. The picturesque town is dominated by the magnificent Basilica, which towers high above the Danube.

28 July

Hungary: Visegrad

28 July to 29 July

Arriving in Budapest

Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most appealing cities, a vibrant and welcoming capital that straddles the Danube. The history of Budapest has been somewhat turbulent, but plenty of beautiful buildings survive, including the imposing Parliament and iconic St Stephen’s Basilica.