Danube River Cruise & Venice Simplon-Orient Express – 10 days

This is a fantastic classical itinerary of baroque architecture, history and culture. It will also include 3 of the most magnificent cities found in Central Europe, Budapest, Vienna and Prague. You will sail through the Wachau wine valley with the opportunity to visit some of wineries in the region and visit the historical towns of Linz, Durnstein and Passau. All this before boarding returning to London from Prague on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and British Pullman.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Your adventure begins

Fly to Budapest and transfer the port to join Amadeus Silver III, your floating home for the next seven nights. (If you would like to extend your stay in Budapest with hotel accommodation, this can be arranged at a supplement). Once on board your 7-night full-board cruise there is a wide selection of optional excursions to choose from, including discovery tours, concerts, wine-tastings and much more! Add to that free-flowing wine with your meals on board and jaw-dropping scenery as you cruise along one of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of river..

Day 2 – BUDAPEST – ESZTERGOM

Discover the beautiful sights and attractions of the Hungarian capital. This morning, explore the city which straddles the beautiful Danube, with its Fisherman‘s Bastion on the Buda side, overlooking the river, and the Pest side with its grand, Neo Gothic style Parliament House.

Day 3 – BRATISLAVA

In the morning, we call at our next capital city ̶ Bratislava. Explore the city during a walking tour, or on your own. See the home of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, the old city walls, the summer residence of the archbishop and the current residence of the president of Slovakia.

Day 4 – VIENNA

There is much to see in Imperial Vienna: Palaces, a Museum Quarter displaying works by artists Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, the historic buildings along the Ringstrasse, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the famous Vienna State Opera among others.

Day 5 – DUNSTEIN & MELK

The romantic Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful landscapes of Austria. In the morning your AMADEUS ship docks in Dürnstein, with its picturesque blue medieval abbey on the edge of the Danube river. Wander through this quaint village or join a walking tour featuring a visit to the Dürnstein Abbey.

Day 6 – LINZ & PASSAU

Arrive in the erstwhile cultural capital of Linz, where your vessel makes a short stop for the departure of today‘s excursions ̶ the walking tour of Linz with a scenic drive to Aschach to rejoin the vessel for lunch, or a full day tour to the Mozart town of Salzburg with lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 7 - REGENSBURG

After a leisurely breakfast, arrive in the Bavarian city of Regensburg, which is one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts architecture from many centuries, reflective of its varied history. The stone bridge, built in 1135—1146 and the Cathedral of St. Peter are a few of the highlights seen on the guided walking tour.

Day 8 – P ASSAU TO PRAGUE

Wave goodbye to your shipmates and transfer to the train station for a rail journey to Prague, where you will have an evening at leisure and an overnight stay.

Day 9 – VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS

Today, it’s time to board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for your sensational overnight journey. As soon as you step on board, the sense of a time gone by is unmistakable; from the painstakingly-restored marquetry that lines the hallways and bijou cabins to the beautiful René Lalique glass panelling. Dinner is served in one of the three gorgeous restaurant carriages while your steward transforms your cabin in to cosy sleeping quarters with crisp linen sheets for your overnight journey. You can retire after dinner or join your fellow travellers in the Bar Car until the small hours.

Day 10 - VENICE SIMPLON -ORIENT-EXPRESS & BRITISH PULLMAN

Following a continental breakfast served in your cabin and an exquisite brunch you’ll journey through the Eurotunnel by luxury motorcoach with a complimentary glass of fizz, before joining the Belmond British Pullman to complete the last leg of the journey to London Victoria. Once settled on board - after some live 1920s-era music at Folkestone station - you'll sample a traditional afternoon tea with a glass of English sparkling wine as you head homeward to London Victoria, where your journey ends.