Relax on a picturesque cruise along one of Europe’s most diverse rivers, admiring the Danube’s natural beauty and exploring elegant cities along its banks

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras where we meet the Tour Manager this morning. Joining the Eurostar service to Brussels, we then continue by rail to Frankfurt, via Cologne, for an overnight stay.

This bustling city on the Main River is one of the most important in Germany. Perhaps surprisingly for a global financial and business hub, its medieval Old Town retains a quaint atmosphere that harks back to yesteryear. The centrepiece is the historic Römer, a triple-fronted building with distinctive crow-stepped gables that has acted as the city hall for more than 600 years.

On arrival, we check in to our hotel for the night and settle in with our first dinner together as a group this evening.

*If you would like to travel by air, view our Fly & Cruise option here.

Breakfast is served in our hotel this morning, before we continue our journey. Heading to Frankfurt's train station, we travel by rail through southwestern Germany to the Bavarian border town of Passau on the banks of the Danube.

One of the lesser-known gems of Bavaria, Passau is known as the 'Three Rivers City' because it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. It's also the location of our luxurious ship, and we're greeted onboard with a welcome cocktail in the lounge where we can take in waterside views.

After settling into your cabin and familiarising yourself with our ship's facilities, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

Awaking on board our ship this morning, we set out on a guided tour of Passau after breakfast. 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.

This afternoon, we begin our relaxing cruise along the Danube. Drifting through beautiful scenery into Austria, we can admire our first sight of rising hills covered with vineyards and orchards. Ever-changing landscapes create a picturesque moving backdrop which occasionally reveals charming villages, medieval castles and centuries-old monasteries that cling to the hilltops.

Reaching our destination of the Austrian city of Linz this evening, on arrival we moor for the night.

Waking in Linz, there are two excursions to choose from after breakfast. The first option is a day trip to Salzburg, a striking city overlooked by Hohensalzburg Fortress set high on a hill. On this excursion, we stop in the beautiful Austrian Lake District for a photo opportunity before arriving in Salzburg. On a guided sightseeing tour, we explore Getreidegasse, the street on which Mozart was born. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful churches, quaint squares and hidden alleyways.

Alternatively, join an excursion into Czechia to visit Český Krumlov, a small Bohemian town which appears like something from the pages of a fairytale. On a tour, we explore the palatial castle, which stands high above a bend on the Vltava River. We then enjoy a guided walk around the UNESCO-listed Old Town - where idyllic streets and picture-perfect squares are surrounded by gabled Baroque houses - before time at leisure to explore at your own pace.

Returning to our ship before dinner on board, we set sail on an overnight cruise into Germany.

Docking in the market town of Emmersdorf this morning, we set out for a visit to magnificent Melk Abbey after breakfast. This 11th-century Benedictine Abbey stands atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube. On our guided tour, we see the abbey's church, one of the most beautiful Baroque churches north of the Alps.

Back on the ship, lunch is served as we sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley - one of the scenic highlights of the Danube. This delightful region of green valleys and endless vineyards is dotted with attractive riverside towns and commanding fortresses. It is also one of Austria's most famous wine-making regions, specialising in Grüner Veltliner.

Arriving in the riverside village of Dürnstein, there's free time to sample the local produce or simply wander the charming streets and admire the powder-blue Baroque church tower. Dürnstein is also home to the hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned during the 12th century, and we get a great view of it from the riverside. After dinner, we continue sailing towards the Austrian capital, Vienna.

The noble city of Vienna beckons today as we embark on a guided tour to uncover Austria's imperial heritage. With our expert guide, we make our way to the illustrious Ringstrasse. This grand circular boulevard once formed the walls of the city - today we can see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings including the world-renowned Opera House and the imposing Parliament.

Following our tour, there's time to explore the city independently at leisure. It's a delight to stroll amongst the scenic streets, viewing the striking St Stephen's Cathedral or entering one of the museums and galleries which bring the city's history to life. You could visit Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family, or indulge in a slice of famous Sachertorte - a delicious Viennese cake - at one of the grand coffeehouses.

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

After a relaxed overnight sailing, we make our way to Slovakia's capital and are welcomed by views of Bratislava Castle's gleaming white walls. Arriving this morning, we set out on a guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and castle district.

Despite being a national capital, Bratislava is nicknamed the 'Little Big City' due to its compact size. Wandering the utterly charming streets, where each corner reveals delightful views, we admire attractive squares, grand palaces and historic churches. Keep an eye out for some of Bratislava's quirky statues, including a sculpture commemorating Schöne Náci, an eccentric local character, and Čumil, a subterranean worker peeking out of a manhole. From the city's hilltop castle, you can soak up views across the terracotta roofs of the Old Town and the SNP Bridge - also known as the UFO bridge because of its futuristic design.

Later this afternoon, we continue downstream to Esztergom, the former capital of Hungary, where we berth for the night.

As we sail onwards this morning, we navigate the scenic Danube Bend, passing the village of Visegrad and its striking hilltop castle.

Arriving in Budapest, we get an overview of the 'Pearl of the Danube' during a visit to Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion, enjoying incredible views of the river and Pest. After lunch onboard, we continue our explorations, admiring impressive landmarks including the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica. A performance by a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe accompanies dinner.

After our evening meal, we embark on a magical night-time cruise along the Danube, taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest. From the piercing spires of the iconic neo-Gothic Parliament building to Buda's huge Baroque castle, the state buildings which line both banks of the river are lit up, as is the Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy lounge or take in panoramic views from the sun deck, this is a wonderful way to see the sights of beautiful Budapest as the flickering lights cast a magical glow across the Danube - the perfect ending to our cruise.

Today marks the end of our cruise as we disembark MS Amadeus Cara this morning after breakfast. After making our way to the rail station, we board a train to the city of Linz, the Rhine-side capital of Upper Austria. On our journey, we glimpse sections of the Danube River which we sailed along a few days before.

Known as the 'colourful town on the Rhine', Linz combines typical Austrian elegance with a vibrant and progressive cultural scene. On arrival, there is free time to explore, and you may like to wander around the Baroque Old Town with its characterful half-timbered houses, visit a traditional craft shop or venture into a modern art gallery.

This evening, we gather back at our hotel for a three-course dinner.

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, we set out on a guided sightseeing tour of Linz. The third largest city in Austria blends an intriguing mix of historic and modern architectural styles. The focal point of life in Linz is the Hauptmarkt, one of the largest main squares in Austria. Wandering the charming lanes of the Old Town reveals timeless scenes and impressive churches, while its 14th-century castle now houses a museum.

This afternoon, we travel by rail through the scenic Bavarian countryside. Our destination is the city of Frankfurt, Germany's most important financial hub. Bisected by the Main River, Frankfurt is a city that still retains historic charm with its picturesque centre. On arrival, we check in to our hotel for an overnight stay, before a final dinner in the restaurant.

This 11-day rail-and-cruise holiday has showcased the timeless beauty of the Danube River, from the cities of Passau to Budapest. Besides soaking up natural wonders including the Wachau Valley and the idyllic Danube Bend, we have visited Bohemian towns and explored the elegant cities of Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Linz. Along the way, this spectacular river has revealed the unique treasures of central Europe.

Leaving Frankfurt this morning, we begin our journey by rail back to London. Travelling via Brussels, we join the Eurostar for the final leg of our tour. On arrival at London St Pancras, your Danube holiday draws to a close and you are free to make your own way home.

We offer a Standard Class and First Class rail options for departures on this tour. You can find out which class each departure is by clicking on the information button in the pricing grid. (Look for S - Standard Class and F - First Class)

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

The MS Amadeus Riva is a 'masterpiece of design' and offers impeccable cabin spaces with 67 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features several facilities including the panorama bar, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a wellness centre where you can book a relaxing massage, or arrange one of many beauty treatments. Each bedroom onboard comes with a spacious ensuite bathroom, a mini bar, a flatscreen television, walk-in wardrobe, and either a double or twin bed. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows or a balcony.

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.

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.

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.

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.