Drifting down the Danube on a luxury cruiser (From Dorset Society)

Drifting down the Danube on a luxury cruiser

6:00am Tuesday 1st December 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

FOUR countries, three capital cities, bustling markets, magnificent cathedrals, charming towns and villages, coach trips and walking tours… all in the space of eight days.

It might sound exhausting, but you’ll never tire of seeing the sights and hearing the sounds of a captivating tour of one of Europe’s most picturesque and fascinating waterways.

They call this eight-day tour ‘Enchanting Danube’ and it doesn’t take long to see why.

The river’s rich and intriguing history is visible every mile between the charming and historic Bavarian town of Passau and Hungary’s stunning capital Budapest a week later.

And an elegant floating hotel simply has to be the best way to see the often breathtaking scenery and captivating towns and cities that make this break so wonderful.

Uniworld’s River Beatrice came into service earlier this year and is already making waves in the river cruising world as she sails back and forth along Europe’s second longest river.

It’s an itinerary that misses no opportunity to thrill.

The embarkation at Passau – the schedule reverses each week to start from Budapest – offers plenty of time to enjoy a walking tour and some free wandering time in this former Roman colony that was spared the brunt of Allied bombing in World War Two.

Medieval alleyways eventually lead to the ornate baroque cathedral where visitors can enjoy a concert played on the world’s largest church organ.

Twenty-four hours after arriving, the River Beatrice starts its engines and heads east, crossing the border into Austria overnight for a first stop at Linz.

A scenic two-hour morning coach trip through ‘the smile on the face of Austria’ takes us into Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and a city immortalised by The Sound Of Music.

After a walking tour that takes in the 15th century Dom cathedral, the Old Market and all things Mozart, there’s time to explore the shops and enjoy lunch at the Stieglkeller, a restaurant seemingly carved into the city’s fortress with amazing panoramic views across Salzburg.

A wander round Linz Old Town in the evening and the ship sets sail the next morning through the stunning Wachau Valley, the heart of Austrian wine country.

First stop is the picturesque town of Melk, dominated by its 900-year-old abbey sitting high on the cliffs above the Danube, where a walking tour through the museum, church and library highlights its importance as a centre of learning in the Middle Ages.

A short sail down the river, through one of the most beautiful stretches of river valley in Europe, sees vineyards dotting the hills as the ship docks for an afternoon in the tiny baroque village of Durnstein, its high castle ruins still telling tales of Richard the Lionheart’s incarceration in the late 12th century.

Little makes way for large the next morning as modern office blocks dot the skyline outside Vienna, but a coach tour around the Ringstrasse and a walking tour centred around St Stephen’s Cathedral reveals a city of artistic and architectural splendours to match any capital in Europe.

As well as Mozart’s legacy – you’ll discover that the lad really did get about – the music of Strauss and Haydn fills the air and even a full day cannot hope to take in the many museums, art houses, impressive public buildings and palaces, as well as a visit to the Spanish Riding School to watch the famed Lippizaners in training.

A morning sail across the border into Slovakia reveals the melting pot of cultures that is the capital Bratislava, a city desperate to shed its Communist past, but one that is happy to celebrate a mix of styles that veers wildly from dull to downright majestic.

A walking tour round the main square and old town is a joy – with comparatively low prices as a bonus – and a wander around Bratislava Castle offers views down the Danube into two other countries.

Hungary is the final destination and few passengers miss the morning sail into Budapest, a city that looks as good from the inside as it does from the deck of a ship.

Split into two parts – the hills of Buda and the flatlands of Pest – the city is a stunner.

Morning is spent sampling the shopping, especially in the colourful and vibrant market hall, while afternoon offers the chance to see both sides of the city from coach and foot.

Even the imposing Heroes’ Square and Millennial Monument are outdone by the stunning Parliament Building and in the league table of great European city views, even the 360 degree landscape from the top of the London Eye can’t compete with Budapest from the ramparts of the Fishermen’s Bastion.

If it all sounds a bit breathless, worry not.

While the cruise is relatively active and there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs on walking tours, there’s also plenty of time to take it easy and enjoy the facilities on board, including the sun deck, the relaxing Captain’s Club and lounge.

And as a way to see utterly fascinating places you’ve never thought of visiting, it’s just perfect.

TRAVEL FILE Connections Elegant River Cruises (0800 988 5867 or visit elegantrivercruises.co.uk) offers an eight-day Enchanting Danube cruise from £1,595 per person in November 2010. Cost includes flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Budapest and back from Munich, transfers, seven nights’ full board on the River Beatrice plus all excursions and the VIP Home Departure Service.

• Print
• Email
• Share