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

Your holiday begins as we meet at London Heathrow for our flight to Munich. From the Bavarian capital, we are transferred by coach to the pretty border town of Passau, where our luxurious cruise ship awaits.

We're greeted onboard by our friendly crew and sip on a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views from the lounge. After settling into your cabin and familiarising yourself with our ship's facilities, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

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

After breakfast this morning, we set out on a guided tour of Passau - a lesser-known gem of Bavaria. Dubbed the 'Three Rivers City', it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. 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 get our first sight of rising hills covered with vineyards and orchards. The ever-changing landscapes create a picturesque backdrop, occasionally revealing charming villages, medieval castles and centuries-old monasteries that cling to the hilltops.

Our destination today is the Austrian city of Linz, where we arrive this evening and 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. Enroute, we stop in the Austrian Lake District for a photo opportunity before arriving in Salzburg. During a guided 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 charming alleyways that we can admire on our explorations.

Alternatively, join an excursion to Český Krumlov, a small Czech town that looks like something straight out of a fairytale. On a tour, we explore the palatial castle, perched high above a bend on the Vltava River, and soak up the views from the Cloak Bridge. A guided walk around the UNESCO-listed Old Town - followed by time at leisure - reveals picture-perfect squares and idyllic cobbled streets, many hiding a surprising history.

We return to our ship for dinner and set sail for an overnight cruise further into Austria.

Docking in Emmersdorf this morning, we set out for a visit to 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, we enjoy lunch as we sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley - truly a highlight of the Danube. This scenic area of green valleys and 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 its 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 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 boulevard. Here, we see many of Vienna's most ornate buildings, including the world-renowned Opera House and the imposing Parliament.

After the tour, there's time to explore the city at leisure. It's a delight to stroll amongst its scenic streets, marvelling at the striking St Stephen's Cathedral or entering one of the countless museums and galleries that bring the city's history to life. You may choose to visit Schönbrunn Palace, once the summer residence of the ruling Habsburg family, or visit a grand coffeehouse to indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, a famous and delicious Viennese cake.

Tonight, a real treat awaits us in the lounge as we're joined by four previous members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra who whisk us away with their performances of well-known 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, beautiful Bratislava is nicknamed the 'Little Big City' due to its compact size. Wandering the utterly charming streets, where each corner reveals delightful new views, we admire attractive squares, idyllic streets, 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 hilltop castle, 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 until the mid-13th century, 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 on the Buda side of the city, enjoying incredible views. After lunch onboard, we continue our explorations in Pest, admiring impressive landmarks including the State Opera House and St Stephen's Basilica. A performance by a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe accompanies dinner.

Afterwards, 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 lining both banks are lit up, as well as the Chain Bridge. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy lounge or take in the panoramic views from the sun deck, this is the best way to see this beautiful city as the flickering lights cast a magical glow across the Danube - the perfect ending to our cruise.

This Fly & Cruise holiday has showcased the beauty of the Danube from Passau to Budapest. As we have sailed in five-star luxury, we have enjoyed views of natural wonders such as the Wachau Valley and Danube Bend, with pretty villages lining the river's banks. In its iconic cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, we have uncovered imperial history and grand landmarks. Throughout this cruise from Bavaria to Hungary, the spectacular Danube has revealed the treasures of central Europe.

After breakfast this morning, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. Transferring by coach to Budapest airport, you catch your flight back to London where your Danube holiday comes to an end.

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.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to and from the starting/finishing destination of your tour, such as York, London, Edinburgh, and Harrogate. Please call one of our Tour Advisors to discuss your requirements.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

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.