Art and History on the Danube

We’ll transfer to our luxury cruise ship where our friendly crew will be waiting to welcome you on board and help you settle into your beautifully crafted floating hotel. 

There’s always a sense of expectancy and excitement on the first night and, after an excellent dinner in the stylish restaurant, conversation is sure to revolve around the adventures ahead. 

We'll wake up having journeyed upstream to Esztergom - nicknamed 'The Rome of Hungary’ (and with countless monuments, palaces and temples, it's definitely earned its nickname). As one of the country's oldest towns - and a royal capital during medieval times - there's plenty of history to explore here and nowhere in the city is richer with history than the basilica.  

Standing sentinel over the Danube on the border with Slovakia, Esztergom Basilica is the seat of the country's archbishop and home to one of the world's largest altarpieces. The painting - which depicts the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Girolamo Michelangelo Grigoletti - is the largest painting in the world painted on a single piece of canvas – and it’s not just its size that makes it spectacular (but you’ll have to see it for yourself to truly comprehend its beauty). We'll enjoy a guided tour of the basilica, seeing the magnificent painting - and other priceless religious artefacts.  

The first floor is home to the treasury, lined with hand-crafted masterpieces, important relics and ornate instruments once used in the cathedral - their shine is almost blinding. Here, you'll see one of the most elaborately decorated Gothic chalices in the world, made in the 15th century using a special goldsmith technique. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is amazing.  

Nestling below are a myriad of churches resonating with the atmospheric sounds of choir; this is the best of provincial Hungary, and little has changed since Habsburg times.

As you enjoy your first lunch on board, we'll leave Esztergom in our wake. Top tip: Stay on the sun deck (or look out of the panoramic windows on board) to spot the different landscapes, towns and villages of Hungary on one riverbank and Slovakia on the other.

This morning, we'll explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour exploring the city’s long history. 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. The imposing 17th-century castle commanding expansive views across the Danube and the gleaming white turret of St. Martin's Cathedral - the largest (and oldest) church in the city - are hard to miss. The cathedral is a landmark of the Habsburg dynasty, it saw the ascension of many Hungarian monarchs between the mid-1500s and 1830, including 10 kings, 1 queen and 7 royal wives (there's even a large replica of the Hungarian crown on the spire to remind you of its imperial past). Inside, you can roam through the spacious courtyard - following in the footsteps of royalty and venture up the cathedral's staircase for panoramic views of the Old Town.

This afternoon, we'll cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines.  

Our captain’s not one to boast, but he’ll show off his skills as we navigate along the serene river and through the locks. The mechanisms here never cease to fascinate guests as we continue to cruise towards Dürnstein during dinner. 

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 captured on his return from the crusades. 

This morning, we’ll take a guided walking tour to explore this memorable town. 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. 

After lunch on board, we’ll head to 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 rejoining the ship, dinner will be served during the final part of our cruise upstream through the pretty Nibelungengau, immortalised in the music of Wagner. 

After reaching our mooring in Linz, we'll take a drive to Salzburg to discover some of the city's main sites in the company of an expert local guide including a visit to Collegiate Church – the church of the University of Salzburg. It’s one of the most important Baroque Churches in Austria, built by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. While the outside is striking with intricate detailing, the inside seems bare by comparison. Every wall and all decorative elements are white and there are no paintings as not to distract from the overall architecture. It makes for an excellent venue for concerts, theatre performances and art exhibitions. It’s also steeped in history – look closely and you’ll see scorch marks on the marble floor from when the building was used as a warehouse for hay during Salzburg’s Napoleonic occupation.

Later, you can enjoy time at leisure to explore Salzburg as you wish. It was once an independent state whose archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps - and it still is today. You'll probably have heard of its most famous resident - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was born and spent the first 25 years of his short life living in Salzburg. Understandably, they're very proud of him. You can't walk through the city without spotting something that pays homage to him: statues, ice cream, chocolate - even rubber ducks! You can feel his influence throughout, especially in the beautiful music that drifts through the streets from violinists and harpists who practise in the square.  It's a must-see destination for any music lover.

Dominating the skyline is Salzburg Cathedral - a stunning feat of baroque architecture with a mighty dome and two towers - which rises from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. This UNESCO-protected area is sure to enchant you with its unique mixture of medieval and baroque buildings - it's well worth a wander during time at leisure this afternoon.

Alternatively, after our guided tour of Salzburg, you may choose to join us for a visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial. Places like this need no introduction. As a company, our philosophy is to inform our clients about all aspects of the countries we visit, which includes the dark side of history as well as ‘tourist musts.'

When the memorial was established in 1949, only remnants of the original camp remained. In place of the wooden barracks, nations have erected their own memorials to the victims. The guided tour will be extremely moving as you walk through the cemetery, memorials and exhibitions. If you wish to stay in Salzburg for the full day instead, you are free to do so.

We return to the ship for another splendid dinner as we sail overnight to Vienna. 

The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of people 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’ll tour the city with a local guide who’ll offer insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – it was the seat of the Habsburg emperors and played host to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses.

Later, after lunch on board, we'll take the short drive to explore Schönbrunn Palace - one of the most popular sights in Vienna. We'll experience the opulence of the Habsburg dynasty and explore the stunning architecture, richly furnished rooms and expansive garden of this UNESCO World Heritage site.  

While the palace was commissioned in the 17th century by Emperor Leopold I, it was Empress Marie Theresa who transformed it into the Palace we see today. On the imperial tour, we'll see the grandeur of Austria's imperial history, walking in the footsteps of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Joseph. Adorned with exquisite furniture, elaborate chandeliers, and intricate wall hangings, these rooms offer a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the Habsburg dynasty. Don't miss the portraits in the Great Gallery, the exotic influences of the 'Chinese Cabinets', and the impressive Hall of Ceremonies.  

This evening we’ve arranged what is truly the ‘icing on the cake’: After a spectacular Chef's dinner, featuring some of their signature dishes, we’ll enjoy a classical recital. No visit to Vienna is complete without a live musical experience, to hear this exquisite music played in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day. Later this evening, we’ll begin the final journey to 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 'Danube 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.

After lunch we'll start our 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 have been 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 - so there's plenty of art and history to uncover here. Today, you can choose your city tour experience with adventures that cater to a more historical focus or an art-focus. 

A history-filled adventure in Budapest begins at Castle Hill where you could choose to explore the beautiful castle district. There are two churches, seven museums and a theatre among streets and squares that beg to be explored - each with its own special atmosphere. Here, you can look out at a dramatic view across the river to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building and beyond. Budapest’s endless museums and outstanding Art Nouveau architecture are fittingly elegant end to your Danube cruise - and if you're looking for souvenirs the city has excellent shopping opportunities. 

Alternatively, you could choose to include a visit to Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts within your tour of the city – it's the perfect sanctuary for any art-lover. With an extensive European Art collection, you can get lost amongst treasures spanning from ancient times to the end of the 18th century. The Egyptian collection is one of the richest of its kind - thanks to 19th-century globe trotters, art collectors and dealers who visited the Nile Valley during their pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. There's also a comprehensive collection of antiquities, especially rich in works from Ancient Greece and Rome, and almost 3000 artworks by the old masters - Raphael, Titian, Velázquez, Hans Holbein, Poussins and John Constables (to name just a few of our favourites) - create a unique mix. You don't have to be an art enthusiast to appreciate the art, history and culture housed here. 

This evening’s dinner closes with a lively folklore show, giving you your last taste of Hungarian art and culture. Then it’s time to enjoy one last evening with your brilliant travel companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.