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The Blue Danube River Cruise with Budapest Extension

FREE Superior drinks package on all European river cruises

 

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Experience more with so much included

  • Seven nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite, with river views 
  • Three nights in an excellent, centrally located hotel in Budapest
  • Seven visits and tours during the cruise including guided tours in Vienna, Salzburg or Linz, Dürnstein, Budapest and Bratislava; and visits to Esztergom Basilica, and Melk Abbey
  • During the extension visit the medieval town of Visegrád and enjoy a Hungarian lunch; visit picturesque Szentendre; enjoy a guided visit to Budapest’s iconic Parliament Building; visit the famous National Gallery; tour of the Royal Palace and stunning gardens at Gödöllő, former summer residence of the Habsburgs; experience the dramatic ‘Puszta’ on our scenic tour into Hungary’s Great Plain and watch a performance by some of the region’s most famous horsemen
  • All meals on board (except one lunch if choosing the Salzburg excursion) - from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day - including welcome drinks and the Captain's dinner.
  • Breakfast at the hotel in Budapest
  • Five-star service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides 
  • Complimentary on-board tea and coffee 
  • Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
 
At a Glance
Superior drinks package included
7 nights on board a 5-star ship
3 nights in hotel accommodation
Return flights & transfers
14 visits & tours
Full board cruise, B&B hotels
Complimentary on-board tea & coffee
Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
Expert Cruise Director
All port charges & airport taxes
 

Overview

Explore this magnificent imperial city, its iconic Gothic Parliament Building and the superb National Gallery with its impressive collection of Hungarian masterpieces plus medieval Visegrad and the delightful Royal Palace at Godollo, before venturing out into the desolate beauty of Hungary’s Great Plain. Stepping aboard you will appreciate the superb surroundings of your floating luxury hotel for the next seven nights with spacious and well-appointed cabins or suites, private bathrooms and meticulously prepared fine cuisine.

From Budapest, we slip our moorings and head on our journey north to Esztergom spending the morning exploring its historic centre, which once was Hungary’s capital, before continuing westwards to the beautiful old town of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Navigating through Lower Austria we then reach the romantic town of Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, having been shipwrecked on his return from the crusades. After we visit the remarkable monastery in Melk, with its 200m long Emperor’s Gallery, lined with portraits of Austrian emperors.

Soon we arrive in Linz where we take the short drive to Salzburg. During the guided tour of the old town we will see the imposing fortress Hohensalzburg towering over the city and of course the birthplace and residence of Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous citizen.  On our way back eastwards we will reach classical Vienna, home of Strauss and many great composers. This city offers up so much wonderful architecture as well as a host of other things to see including the Spanish riding school.

Finally, river cruising into Hungary, we arrive back in imperial Budapest, straddling the picturesque Danube. After a guided tour of this palatial city we spend the evening on board, where the Captain hosts another spectacular dinner, an excellent finale to this most exceptional and relaxing cruise.

Discover more of majestic Budapest’s imperial past and the 19th-century grandeur of the Habsburg Empire. Delve into the charming, old-world atmosphere of medieval Buda, stroll along the broad boulevards of elegant Pest and venture into the scenic Puszta, Hungary’s Great Plain, on this superb three night extension.

Your Itinerary

Price Includes

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a cabin and hotel room. Sole Occupancy cabins/rooms are available at the relevant supplement. The price includes: 

  • All meals on board (except one lunch if choosing the Salzburg excursion) - from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day - including welcome drinks and the Captain's dinner.
  • Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
  • All visits and excursions as mentioned
  • Airport transfers
  • Coach travel as mentioned
  • Travel to and from port of embarkation
  • The services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge

Extension

The price of this extension is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:

  • Three nights in a hotel in Budapest
  • Daily breakfast
  • An expert tour manager

Personalise Your Holiday

Visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna - from €16 per person

Enjoy a visit to the Spanish Riding School, the only institution in the world that has practised classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école for over 440 years and continues to do so. Please note: a variety of events and tours are available depending on the day of the week and season. For more information please go to www.srs.at/en/tickets-events 

Please contact us for more information.

Travel Concierge


 

Travel Concierge

Looking to add on a couple of nights pre- or post-trip? Feel like flying a day earlier or from a different airport? Or want door-to-door private transfers? Personalise your holiday with Travel Concierge.

Here's how our Travel Concierge service can help:

  • Add up to two nights before you sail in the destination your river cruises starts from
  • Add up to two nights after your cruise in the destination your river cruises ends in
  • Change your departure airport (depending on flight availability) 
  • Add a stay in an airport hotel

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Useful Information

Fact File

  • Currencies: Euro, Forint
  • Flight time: Approx. 2 hrs 25 mins to 3 hrs
  • Languages: Hungarian, German
  • Time zone: GMT+1
  • Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship for the duration of your cruise. Please note that speeds may vary.

Visa Information

UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Hungary, Austria or Slovakia however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hungary/entry-requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/austria/entry-requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovakia/entry-requirements

We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.

Mobility

We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found here.

Transfer Times

All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependant on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us

Airport or train station Ship or hotel location Transfer time
Budapest Airport Budapest (ship) 45 mins
Budapest (hotel)

Ships Available

MS Thomas Hardy
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Close up of the front of the MS Emily Brontë ship
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MS Oscar Wilde sailing on the river through mountainous areas
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