Danube Waltz, MS SE-MANON

Individual arrival in Passau. Our on-board tour guide will welcome you on board with a glass of sparkling wine. Then enjoy the first stage of your journey through the idyllic Wachau region.

Wine terraces and dry stone walls characterize the shallow and hilly landscape in the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Cultural Landscape. The famous Wachau apricot is also at home here. See the variety of this fruit for yourself on a guided tour of the farm with tasting (optional). On this excursion, you will also stroll through the tranquil alleyways of Krems and get to know the charming town better. Afterwards, there is time to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape from on board while your ship sets course for the provincial capital.

Today, a city of music and joie de vivre awaits you, where Sachertorte and Heuriger are just as famous as St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Spanish Riding School. Vienna is old and new at the same time - and so diverse. It attracts numerous tourists year after year. You can discover the most important sights such as the magnificent Ringstrasse and the State Opera House on an optional city tour followed by a walking tour.

Alternatively, take the optional city tour “Vienna for connoisseurs” to discover the hidden, beautiful and often unknown corners of the old town.

Entering Budapest is an unforgettable experience. The “Queen of the Danube” lies majestically on both sides of the river: the hilly Buda district with the imposing castle palace, the Fishermen's Bastion and Gellért Hill with the Zitaelle in the west, and the flat and vibrant Pest with the impressive parliament building in the east. You will get a comprehensive impression of this metropolis with its numerous bridges during a city tour (optional). In the evening, we recommend the excursion “Budapest by night” (optional) - experience Hungarian temperament with music, dance and culinary delights.

After a hearty breakfast on board, we will be happy to take you to a “Csárda” (optional), a typical Hungarian inn. On the adjoining farmstead you will experience typical Hungarian horsemanship and traditional Hungarian specialties before you are expected back on board around noon. In the meantime, you will cruise through the picturesque landscape of the Danube bend, also known as the “Hungarian Wachau”. The forces of water have created an impressive breakthrough valley here, characterized by limestone cliffs, lush forests and small towns along the banks. Enjoy the romantic landscape and reflect on the experiences of the day.

In the morning you reach Bratislava, the small but beautiful Slovakian capital. During a tour (optional), you will learn interesting facts about the history of the imposing castle, residence of numerous Hungarian kings, and experience the beautiful old town. Celts, Romans, Hungarians, Jews and Slovaks have visibly left their mark on the city, which is reflected in a remarkable variety of architecture. The pretty houses of the former Austro-Hungarian aristocratic families look like small palaces.

Overnight, your ship has once again reached the Wachau. The baroque Melk Abbey towers impressively above the town and is considered one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers in Austria. You have the opportunity to explore the impressive baroque building during a tour (optional).

Then enjoy the passing scenery on the last leg of your journey. In the evening, a 5-course captain's dinner awaits you on board to round off an eventful week.

After arrival in Passau, disembarkation and individual return journey.