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River CruiseRiver Cruise

Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube

 
4.1 stars(26 reviews)
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Duration
13 days
From per person
£3,899 £3,599
Tour code
BYR25
Mobility Rating 2
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Tour & Cruise

Explore the majestic mountains and castles of Bavaria and cruise leisurely along the delightful Danube, one of Europe's most iconic rivers

Bavaria's enchanting landscapes of wonderful castles, mysterious forests and magical mountains create a stunning backdrop to this majestic holiday. With three nights in Füssen, we uncover hidden gems and soak up the natural beauty of the region, including a visit to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and a journey on the Zugspitze Railway, ascending the highest mountain in Germany.

Then experience the region's wonders with our curated cruise itinerary. Beginning in Budapest, we sail through the illuminated sights of this mesmerising city in the evening. We then explore the city's rich history and culture before setting sail along the beautiful Danube passing by the famous hilltop castle of Visegrad on the Danube Bend. Magnificent architecture awaits us in Vienna and Bratislava as we glide through these historic cities, before we drift through the picturesque Wachau Valley and discover Salzburg on our way to Passau where our cruise ends. Explore, discover, and create cherished memories against the breathtaking backdrop of Bavaria's natural beauty and cultural treasures.

Unforgettable Experiences

The scenic Zugspitze Railway
The scenic Zugspitze Railway
Enjoy a remarkable journey aboard this extraordinary railway as we ascend the majestic Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.
See the renowned Neuschwanstein Castle
See the renowned Neuschwanstein Castle
Feel the enchantment of a visit to this fairytale fortress that captures the romantic essence of the medieval period with its majestic beauty, serving as the inspiration for the iconic castle in Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Experience the beauty of Budapest
Experience the beauty of Budapest
Admire the sparkling Danube from a new perspective as you enjoy an evening cruise by Budapest’s illuminated buildings and wander among the grand architecture that covers both sides of the Danube in the city.
Enjoy a tour of elegant Vienna
Enjoy a tour of elegant Vienna
Uncover the grandeur of this noble imperial city on a tour of the majestic Ringstrasse’s architecture and enjoy time at leisure where you can discover Viennese coffeehouse culture.
Cruise the sensational Wachau Valley
Cruise the sensational Wachau Valley
Sail through the verdant valleys and vineyards of this beautiful stretch of the river before visiting the 11th-century Melk Abbey with beautiful views across the Danube.
Captivating Salzburg or the breathtaking Austrian Lake District
Captivating Salzburg or the breathtaking Austrian Lake District
Walk in the footsteps of Mozart and discover this enchanting city on a guided tour or spend your day in the Austrian Lake District amongst fairytale settings.

Discover more amazing experiences

Explore a world of incredible destinations and travel moments, from hidden gems to iconic sights.

Prague

Imperial Cities & Delights of the Danube

13-day holiday

Explore the historic sites of Berlin and Prague by rail before embarking on a luxury Danube river cruise through Vienna and the Wachau Valley.

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Bratislava

Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise

14-day holiday

Experience the legendary Glacier Express before embarking on a cruise, discovering the cultures and beauty along the Danube river.

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Budapest

Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau

11-day holiday

Sail from Hungary to Germany on one of Europe's most diverse rivers, exploring imperial culture, grand architecture and picturesque towns.

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Itinerary

DAY1To vibrant Stuttgart

Meeting at London St Pancras, our holiday begins as we board the Eurostar to Paris. We continue to Stuttgart and spend our first night in this popular city. Famous as the birthplace of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, the city is a blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty. From its lush vineyards to world-class architecture, there's a mixture of wonders to discover here.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Exploring picturesque Füssen

This morning we journey to Füssen, on the banks of the glistening Lech River. We spend our next three nights here amongst the River's stunning beauty. After checking into our hotel, there's time to explore our new enchanting alpine surroundings before dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY3The fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle

One of Bavaria's finest castles awaits us after breakfast today. Entrance to the castle is included where we can enjoy spectacular views overlooking the Schwangau Valley. Commissioned by the reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle is an architectural masterpiece. It was the inspiration for the castle in Disney's Sleeping Beauty showing testament to the king's romantic vision.

Built in a striking Romanesque Revival style, it features soaring towers, turrets, and battlements, all of which are set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and verdant forests. Its interior is just as impressive, with ornate carvings, lavish murals, and an opulent throne room that showcases the king's fascination with medieval lore and chivalry.

Interestingly, the castle's construction was plagued by setbacks and financial difficulties, and so was never fully completed during King Ludwig's lifetime. However, the castle remains a symbol of the king's visionary spirit and a source of inspiration for millions of people around the world.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY4Beautiful views on The Zugspitze Railway

Today we ascend the highest mountain in Germany, the noble Zugspitze. To reach its peak, we first board the scenic Zugspitze Railway, and journey through lush green meadows, rocky terrain, and, eventually, snow-covered mountains.

+ The final leg of our journey is taken by cable car and, as we step out at the summit, the panoramic views of the incredible German and Austrian Alps surround us. On our descent, we stop at beautiful Lake Eibsee - a picturesque area of turquoise waters, surrounded by stunning scenery - before returning to Füssen.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY5To Budapest where we board our luxurious ship

Today we travel by rail to the mesmerising city of Budapest. Our luxurious ship awaits us here, where we're greeted with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge. After settling into your wonderful cabin and familiarising ourselves with our magnificent ship, we indulge in our first dinner on board before enjoying the enchanting ambience of a traditional Hungarian Folklore troupe.

Once the sun sets, we begin a magical night-time cruise along the Danube River, taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest. From the Gothic-style Parliament building to Buda castle, the state buildings that line the banks on both sides are all sensationally lit up, as well as the stunning Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy lounge or take in the panoramic views from the sun deck, Budapest's elegant scenery is a spectacular start to our cruise.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY6Discovering striking Budapest

This morning, we delve deeper into Budapest's beauty and history that we saw last night. On a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', we explore its impressive buildings and monuments. From St Stephen's Basilica to Heroes Square and Fisherman's Bastion, each sight is more remarkable than the last. After lunch on board, you can explore the city further at your leisure before we set sail to Bratislava.

As we sail upstream through the evening we navigate the scenic Danube bend. This section of the river has a long and fascinating history and from the sun deck or panoramic windows in the bar, you'll have the best view as we pass the village of Visegrad famous for its hilltop castle and Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7Glorious Bratislava

After a morning of relaxing sailing through scenic landscapes of rolling hills and endless fields, we arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, welcomed by its castle overlooking the river. We set out on a fascinating guided tour after lunch, getting to know the Baroque Old Town and the castle district. As we explore the enchanting streets, we're immersed in the vibrancy of the city, which has dramatic historic buildings, Baroque palaces and a wealth of fantastic museums and galleries.

Following our tour, you have free time to explore the tangle of cobblestoned roads, pedestrianised plazas, 18th-century Rococo buildings, and street cafés.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8Imperial Vienna

After a calm night of cruising, we arrive in glorious Vienna for a sightseeing tour. This is a chance to relish in Austria's Imperial culture, one full of tradition and rich in architectural, artistic and musical heritage. Making our way to Ringstrasse boulevard, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings including the impressive Opera House (one of the leading opera venues in the world), and the grand Parliament Building.

After our tour, there's time to wander around at leisure and soak up the magnificent atmosphere of Vienna. You could indulge in the famous Sacher Torte, a Viennese delight, at one of the cosy coffee shops. Alternatively, you could explore the city centre and marvel at St. Stephen's Cathedral, or delve into one of the numerous museums the city has to offer.

Tonight, a real treat awaits us in the lounge as we're joined by four past members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra who whisk us away with their performances of well-known classical pieces.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY9Charming Dürnstein, beautiful Wachau Valley, and picturesque Melk Abbey

Austria's Wachau Valley is a famous wine-making region, which makes it the perfect stop on our cruise to sample the renowned local wine. There's free time in the quaint village of Dürnstein to do just that, or simply wander the charming streets, soaking up the fairytale landscapes. From the riverside, we can see the renowned castle where Richard I of England was imprisoned.

This afternoon, we cruise through the scenery of the Wachau Valley during lunch, truly a highlight of the river. This scenic area of green valleys and vineyards is dotted with picturesque riverside towns and commanding fortresses. Later, we disembark in Emmersdorf to visit Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey that stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. It's here we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY10The enchanting Austrian Lake District or stunning Salzburg

This morning we wake up in beautiful Linz where you can choose between a day in the Austrian Lake District, Salzkammergut, or a visit to Salzburg.

The first option sees us heading into the country for a day in the lakes where we stop at UNESCO-listed Hallstatt, one of Austria's most photographed villages thanks to its pastel-coloured houses. We also visit Hallstätter See Lake and Mondsee, a pretty town set on the lake of the same name and famous for its 15th-century parish church which featured in 'The Sound of Music'.

Alternatively, travel via Mondsee to Salzburg, a beautiful Baroque city on the banks of the Salzach river. During a guided sightseeing tour, we explore Getriedegasse Street, famed for its traditional shops with metal signboards and for being where Mozart was born. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is filled with stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, quaint squares, and charming alleyways that we admire as we meander through.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY11Beautiful Passau

Today, we conclude our relaxing cruise along the Danube. Drifting through beautiful scenery into Germany, we admire rising hills covered with vineyards and orchards. The ever-changing landscapes create a picturesque backdrop, occasionally revealing charming villages, medieval castles and centuries-old monasteries that cling to the hilltops.

After lunch, we arrive in our final port of call, the Bavarian town of Passau. We get to know the town as we embark on a guided tour of Passau, which is known as the 'Three Rivers City' because it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. The delightful Old Town is filled with Baroque architecture, including St Stephen's Cathedral, and lies in the shadow of the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress. 

Tonight, we enjoy our farewell gala dinner on our ship..

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY12To vibrant Cologne

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head to vibrant Cologne, known for its impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest in Northern Europe. After settling into our hotel there's time to explore this striking city before dinner. Explore the historic Old Town (Altstadt) with its charming narrow streets, traditional breweries, and quaint shops. Or, you could discover cultural gems at museums like the Museum Ludwig or the Lindt Chocolate Museum. For panoramic views of the city, you could climb the KölnTriangle Tower.

Please note: For departure 10th August, we will stay at Maritim Wurzburg in Wurzburg.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY13Discovering Cologne and homeward bound

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cologne, getting a glimpse of the city's landmarks, including the impressive Gothic cathedral with its intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows. After our tour, we bid farewell to Cologne and head to the train station. From here, we journey by rail to Brussels where we then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras where we bid farewell to new friends and fellow travellers.

You can then make your way home, taking with you all the memories we've made on our holiday, from staying in captivating Stuttgart and Füssen to experiencing amazing views on the Zugspitze Railway. We then wandered the fascinating buildings of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna and explored charming Dürnstein before sailing the stunning Wachau Valley. We also admired the Baroque architecture of Melk Abbey with our journey ending in the beautiful streets of Salzburg, Passau and Cologne.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

What’s included on the tour?

Trains & Ships

More information on the different trains and ships that are used on this tour.

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MS Amadeus Imperial Cabin DS | Great Rail Journeys
Deluxe Suites - Upper Deck

Travel in luxury and style when you choose one of our Deluxe Suites. Our largest en-suite cabins, at 26.4 square metres, a walk-out balcony, walk-in wardrobe an river-view lounge area.

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Amadeus Imperial Cabin A1 | Great Rail Journeys
Deluxe Stateroom - Upper Deck

These en-suite cabins are stylish and impressively spacious at 17.5 squre metres, with a panoramic window balcony, walk-in wardrobe and seating area.

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MS Amadeus Imperial Cabin B1| Great Rail Journeys
Deluxe Stateroom - Middle Deck

Deluxe Staterooms

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MS Amadeus Imperial Cabin C1 | Great Rail Journeys
Classic Stateroom - Lower Deck

Our Classic Staterooms offer quality, and elegance with space to relax in comfort at the end of the day. And we recognise the importance of having somewhere inviting to retire to after an engaging day of cruising or excursions. These 16 square metre en-suite cabins offer a wide picture window and large walk-in wardrobe.

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Enhance your holiday

London Hotels

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

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We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

London hotels
UK rail connections

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

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We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

UK train tickets

Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 26 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (14)
  2. 4 stars
    (5)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (2)

Dennis Frandsen

5 stars

Submitted 31 Aug 2024

A great mix of train rides, coach tours, and river cruise! We kept busy. Well organized. It would be tough to have done the train scheduling, planning, paying, routing, close connecting times, moving to departure platforms, and trying to understand all of it in the several different languages. It was a great job done by the experienced VBR and our guide Sue. Also the hotels, food, and cruise were wonderful too.

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Dennis Frandsen
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Angela Lewis

5 stars

Submitted 26 Aug 2024

Having done the Rhine Cruise with Amadeus in 2019 we were eagerly looking forward to this trip and we were not disappointed. From meeting our Tour Guide, Corina, at St Pancras to her seeing us off with a hug when we arrived back in the UK we felt truly cared for. The GRJ staff along with the crew on board the Amadeus Imperial were always friendly and caring. I am constantly impressed by GRJs attention to detail and their communication with guests. So, many happy memories.

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ILMAHEAVEN

5 stars

Submitted 19 Jul 2024

We had fun and enjoyed the trip

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J Jones

5 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2023

We had a great holiday and the scenery was fantastic. The first 4 days were done with trains, 1st day stop Stuttgart with castles to see, next 3 at Fussen and mountain's to see all great. The rest of the holiday was on ship on the Danube, terrific service and views.

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Terry Sykes

5 stars

Submitted 01 Jul 2023

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Bridget Westwood

5 stars

Submitted 26 Jun 2023

It was well run, comfortable at a high standard of cuisine/service, accommodation and overall ambience. The programme was well arranged and the low river water level issue was well handled, keeping us fully informed and had minimal impact on enjoyment of the cruise package. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.

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River Cruise Holidays 2026

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Experience the magic of cruising along some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways. Glide serenely along the romantic Rhine, explore the blue Danube or meander through the enchanting Douro Valley. With our river cruises, you’ll drift through beautiful landscapes and historic towns.

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