Day 1: Following your home taxi collection you will board our platinum tour coach and we will head to Kent for our short sea crossing to France. Upon our arrival we cross the border into Belgium and make our way to our overnight hotel in the Aachen area, on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2: This morning after breakfast we continue our journey into Germany, passing through Hesse & Bavaria as we head to Nuremburg and our second overnight hotel on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 3: After a relaxed breakfast we head to Passau. On our arrival you will have free time to explore this beautiful town before boarding The MS A-ROSA Donna for our 7 night cruise on a Premium all inclusive basis. We set sail at 4pm as we head to our first port of call.
Day 4: You are about to enjoy a real treat for the senses as you experience the Wachau up close. You will be mesmerised by the famous Danube valley between Melk and Krems. Taking in this fascinating river landscape as you stand on the sun deck is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is no wonder that the Wachau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This really is an absolute must-see. We later continue to Vienna, a real highlight of your Danube cruise. Vienna, the capital of Austria. With its wealth of museums, galleries, palaces and castles, plus the state opera and many theatres, the city enjoys a lively cultural scene all year-round. The Viennese are proud of their city – and rightly so!
Day 5: Today we awaken in Vienna with the day at leisure to explore. As the former capital of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is a great city to wander round, with stately Baroque buildings appearing around almost every corner. Elegant streets and pedestrian precincts, dotted with inviting coffee shops, fan out from the main square, where St Stephen’s Cathedral forms a soaring backdrop. Remember to be back on board for our 18.30 departure.
Day 6: Our first port of call today is Esztergom. Once the capital of Hungary, Esztergom sits right on the bank of the Danube and can be admired directly from the river. The castle tower and mighty basilica form an amazing sight, rising up from the steep bank of the Danube. This is a view you’ll definitely want to photograph during your Danube cruise. So, it’s a good thing that A-ROSA ships have such pleasant sun decks! After a short stop here we continue our voyage to Budapest.
Do you know how many bridges Budapest has? There are seven in total – and they span the river between the neighbourhoods Buda and Pest. The most well known is probably the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Take a look at Budapest’s imposing structures for yourself as you cruise down the Danube. And if you go out onto the sun deck, you’ll also have an unobstructed view of Budapest’s famous parliament building. The perfect way to experience a stunning city.
Day 7: Today you have chance to discover even more of the Hungarian capital on your second day in Budapest. Discover the historic Fisherman's Bastion and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. The second largest city on the Danube is also home to the famous Gellért Baths. Here you can really unwind in a truly cosy atmosphere. This afternoon we sail at 15.00
Day 8: Today we awaken in Bratislava which is located on the left bank of the Danube. During your time here, why not delve into centuries of history at the formidable Bratislava Castle, offering sweeping views of the cityscape. Meander through the labyrinthine lanes of the Gothic Old Town, where age-old landmarks like St. Martin's Cathedral and the Primate's Baroque Palace stand testament to its storied past and embrace the lively ambiance at Hlavné námestie – the main square – where cafés and markets beckon for indulgent local delicacies and authentic experiences.
Day 9: This morning we awaken in Krems and continue our cruise along the Wachau, a stretch of the Danube valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our destination today is Melk, the ‘Gateway to the Wachau’where you can marvel at glorious landscapes. And no trip to the Wachau would be complete without a trip to Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. This is a region where towns and landscapes appear to exist in perfect harmony.
Day 10: Sadly this morning we find ourselves back in Passau for our disembarkation. We re-join our platinum tour coach as we begin our drive back across Germany to our overnight hotel in the Aachen area on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 11: This morning we leave Germany behind us as we retrace our steps through Belgium and into France for our short sea crossing back to Kent. Arriving late afternoon, we head back to Norfolk where we are met by our door-to-door taxi service who will return you home.
Holiday Information:
10 Nights
Tour Reference: ARO001
Deposit Required: £530pp
Balance Due: 13 weeks prior to departure
Please note: Deposit is non refundable/transferable unless cancelled by Eastons
Prices:
Outer Cabin - £2283pp (based on two people sharing a double cabin)
Outer Cabin - £2930pp (based on single occupancy of a double cabin)
Balcony Cabin - £2532pp (based on two people sharing a double cabin)
Balcony Cabin - £3328pp (based on single occupancy of a double cabin)
Please note: These cruise holidays cannot be booked through a travel agent.