New Years Eve River Cruise on the Danube Germany Austria Hungary Slovakia

Upon arrival, make your own way to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this historic city of culture.

The morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, make your own way to the train station to catch your train to Passau. Upon arrival in Passau, board your ship (check-in starts at 4 pm) and enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner (included). (B,D)

At midday, the ship moors in the Austrian capital, Vienna. A sightseeing tour of Vienna (optional) provides you with an overall impression of the city's most important sights, taking you along the Ringstrasse, into the Schwarzenbergplatz, passing by the Karlskirche, and Vienna's stunning opera house. The vessel leaves in the evening and heads downstream towards Budapest. (B,L,D)

The ship reaches Budapest at midday. A sightseeing tour (optional) will cover the city's major sights, including the historic Buda Castle, from where you will be able to enjoy splendid views over the twin cities of Buda and Pest astride the Danube. The tour also features the 500-year-old Matthias Church, St. Stephens Basilica, the distinctive Fishermen's Bastion, the marvellous Royal Palace, and much more. This evening, enjoy a cruise passing by magnificent floodlit buildings on both sides of the river. Travel under the illuminated chain bridge to the sounds of a lively gypsy band as you celebrate New Year's Eve on board and dance into the New Year. (B,L,D)

This morning's breakfast offers some anti-hangover remedies for anyone who may have seen the New Year in with a little too much enthusiasm. The ship casts off from Budapest at midday. Spend the whole day aboard relaxing as the pretty winter landscapes float by. (B,L,D)

The ship docks in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava while you have breakfast in the panorama restaurant. A sightseeing tour (optional) will cover the city's major sights, including breathtaking views from Bratislava's 13th-century castle. In the afternoon, you can explore Bratislava further on your own before rejoining the ship, which casts off again during dinner. This evening there will be a special Captain's Gala Dinner, during which the ship's orchestra will again be providing entertainment (included). (B,L,D)

The ship docks during lunch at the wine growing town of Melk-Emmersdorf, at the western end of the Wachau district. An optional coach excursion then takes you on a drive through the beautiful Wachau area, ending with a guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey at Melk. This optional excursion also includes a wine tasting session. The cruise continues upstream towards Passau in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)

This morning, disembark from your cruise ship. Make your own way to the train station to catch your train to Munich. Make your own way to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B)

Make your own way to the Munich airport for your return flight home. (B)