Europe
(166)
Italy
(58)
Germany
(23)
France
(20)
Spain
(15)
United Kingdom
(15)
Austria
(8)
Czech Republic
(6)
Greece
(6)
Switzerland
(6)
Netherlands
(4)
Finland
(3)
Portugal
(3)
Slovakia
(3)
Malta
(2)
Albania
(1)
Armenia
(1)
Belgium
(1)
Bulgaria
(1)
Croatia
(1)
Cyprus
(1)
Denmark
(1)
Georgia
(1)
Ireland
(1)
Romania
(1)
Slovenia
(1)
Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Germany
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Country
)
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Southern Germany
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Location
)
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Germany
)
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Austria
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Country
)
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Czech Republic
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Country
)
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
[4] => Array
(
[name] => Slovakia
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Country
)
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
[5] => Array
(
[name] => Hungary
[category] => Array
(
[name] => Country
)
[parent] => Array
(
[name] => Europe
)
)
)
History & Art on the Danube - Highlights of the Habsburg Empire by river cruise
Cruise highlights
- Exclusive charter of a modern, comfortable ship on the Danube, Europe’s most captivating river.
- Central Europe’s most glorious capitals: Vienna, Budapest & Bratislava plus riverine scenery and historic towns.
- Three expert speakers, specialists in Central Europe and the Habsburg Empire, give talks on board.
- Special arrangements are a feature, including a private after-hours visit to the Upper Belvedere.
To travel the course of the Danube is to experience Europe in microcosm. Unlike any other great river between the Urals and the Bay of Biscay, this majestic stream has never belonged to a single state or empire. A wonderful diversity of landscapes mirrors the ethnic, linguistic and national variety that has always defined this region. Nowhere is this more vivid than between Budapest and Passau, where our Danube river cruise threads together some of the most beautiful riparian scenery in the world with historic towns and cities that once formed the spine of the Habsburg Empire – a vast, polyglot mosaic of peoples and cultures.
We begin in Budapest; on the western bank Buda’s ancient citadel rises dramatically on a rocky outcrop; to the east, Pest’s grand boulevards unfold across the flatlands. A powerful kingdom in the Middle Ages, Hungary embraced the Renaissance early, but centuries of Ottoman occupation left few visible traces. Much of what defines the city today dates from the 18th and 19th centuries – built to rival Vienna and to express growing Magyar demands for national self-determination.
Our cruise then follows the river northward, through the Pannonian Basin, as we trace the Hungary–Slovakia border to Bratislava. From 1536 to 1784, Bratislava was the capital of the Habsburg rump of Hungary while Ottomans occupied most of the country. Now Slovakia’s capital, recent restoration has charmingly transformed its compact historic centre.
Overnight we reach Vienna – the principal Habsburg seat and centre of the Holy Roman Empire. Its grandeur is unmistakable: palaces, churches and museums reflect centuries of dynastic ambition. Yet beneath the veil of imperial order, Vienna was also a ferment of radical thought and artistic revolution. There emerged a brilliant array of artists and intellectuals who were determined to break with the past. Today, Vienna’s collections – ranging from Old Masters to modernist masterpieces – rank among the world’s finest.
As the Danube winds west into the Wachau Valley, the landscape shifts to rolling vineyards, wooded hills, and picturesque riverside towns. Among the loveliest is Dürnstein, nestled amid Austria’s finest wine-producing region. Further upstream, as we approach the final stop in our Danube river cruise – the handsome city of Linz – the hills rise to reveal splendid monasteries of the Baroque era. Chief among them is Melk Abbey, its domes and spires soar from a rocky outcrop to crown the mighty river below.
Brochure
Practicalities
Haydn deck – lowest
Single occupancy: US$5,180
Not available for double occupancy
Strauss deck (back) – middle
Two sharing: US$4,910 per person
Single occupancy: US$7,070
Strauss deck (front) – middle
Two sharing: US$5,280 per person
Single occupancy: US$7,590
Mozart deck – top
Two sharing: US$5,760 per person
Single occupancy: US$8,270
Suites – Mozart deck
Two sharing: US$6,680 per person
Not available for single occupancy
Flights: if you choose to take one of the offered flight options, there is an additional cost of US$500 per person.
– Accommodation on a first-class river cruiser, MS Amadeus Nova, for 7 nights.
– All meals, from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last with wine, beer and soft drinks.
– Coach travel between airport and ship, and to sites when not reached on foot.
– Lectures by Gavin Plumley, Veronica Buckley and Philipp Blom on the ship, plus services of local guides ashore.
– Excursions, visits and admission costs. Additional, optional excursions will be available to book nearer the time, at a supplementary cost.
– All tips for waiters, ship crew, guides, drivers; all city and port taxes.
– The assistance of an experienced team of Martin Randall Travel staff.
– A printed booklet including practical details, maps and background information.
Option 1
Monday 6 July: London Heathrow to Budapest (BA 868) departing at 09.50 and arriving at 13.20.
Monday 13 July: Munich to London Heathrow (LH 2480) departing 18.35 and arriving at 19.40. Coaches take you first to the centre of Munich, where you have approximately four hours of free time.
Option 2:
Monday 6 July: London Heathrow to Budapest (BA 874) departing at 13.20 and arriving at 16.50.
Monday 13 July: Munich to London Heathrow (LH 2476) departing 14.35 and arriving at 15.40.
MS Amadeus Nova: Launched in 2024, the MS Amadeus Nova is one of the most comfortable river cruisers in Europe. The multinational crew is dedicated to the highest standards of service.
With a floor area of 16m2 (Haydn deck) or 17.5m2 (Strauss and Mozart decks) the cabins are reasonably spacious by the standards of river cruisers. All have windows to the outside and are equipped with the facilities one would expect of a first-class hotel such as adjustable air-conditioning, telephone, TV and safe. Bathrooms have showers only. Special attention has been paid to noise insulation.
In layout and furnishings the cabins are identical, the significant differences being the size of windows and height above water level (higher cabins enjoy better views and fewer stairs).
Cabins on the top decks (Mozart and Strauss) are the most desirable, with floor-to-ceiling windows which slide open, and minibars. There are 12 suites (Mozart) measuring 26.4m2 with a corner sofa and small balcony. Cabins on the lowest deck (Haydn) have smaller windows which do not open. There are no single cabins as such but we are allocating some twin-bed cabins for single occupancy.
The public areas include the lounge and bar, a library area and a restaurant which can seat everyone at a single sitting. The sun deck has a tented area for shade.
Quite a lot of walking is involved, some of it uphill and over roughly paved paths. A good level of fitness is necessary. The cruise should not be attempted by anyone who has difficulty with everyday walking and stair-climbing. We ask that you take these simple fitness tests before booking.
If you have a medical condition or a disability which may affect your holiday or necessitate special arrangements being made for you, please discuss these with us before booking - or, if the condition develops or changes subsequently, as soon as possible before departure.
Maximum of 123 participants.
Before booking, please refer to Travel.State.Gov to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting. As a British company we follow the advice of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Testimonials
“Always quality accommodation, care and content. The speakers are great and the staff attentive and competent. Not cheap but great value for money.
”
“The food onboard was excellent and the crew were all very friendly and helpful. We had 3 expert lecturers who were clearly passionate about their respective areas of expertise and were keen to share their knowledge. The itinerary was well paced and there was no pressure to join any of the visits and one could just chill out on board. I particularly enjoyed the included visit to the Hungarian Parliament and the optional day visit to Cesky Krumlov (Czech Republic).
”
Related tours and events
Sign up to our e-newsletter
e-newsletter recipients are the first to hear about our future plans and our tours as they come on sale. By signing up you agree to our Privacy policy.
Or request your free brochure here
My Wishlist
Please note that all saved tours will be removed if you clear your cookies.
Sign up to our e-newsletter
E-newsletter recipients are the first to hear about our future plans and our tours as they come on sale.