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Grand Capitals of the Danube

Grand Capitals of the Danube


Route:
  • UK
  • Vienna
  • Melk
  • Durnstein
  • Bratislava
  • Kalocsa
  • Puzsta
  • Budapest
  • Esztergom
  • Vienna
  • UK

8 DAYS from £1749pp

Tour Highlights
  • All-inclusive Cruising - all meals and drinks included in the price
  • Explore the capital cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
  • Sail the Danube to admire stunning rural scenery and charming townscapes
  • A number of optional excursions are available including guided city tours

or call us on 0330 818 8907

Grand Capitals of the Danube

This eight day voyage takes you along the dramatic Danube river, renowned for stunning sceneries of sweeping hillsides and a route which crosses into three capital cities: Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia and Hungary's Budapest.
Please note that the vessel used will vary depending on your departure date. The departure dates for each vessel can be found on the tour dossier.

River Cruise Itinerary

1
UK to Vienna

Depart London on your scheduled flight to Vienna. You will be boarding your cruise ship at 6 pm, if you arrive earlier than this, you will be free to explore the surrounding areas. Your luggage can be left in the docking area. This evening, cruise through the night to Melk, enjoying the moonlit scenery as you sail.

  • Dinner
2
Melk & Durnstein

Arrive early this morning for a tour of Melk, a small riverside town that lies an hour away from Vienna. While the town offers a small but picturesque historic centre, its main draw in 11th-century monastery of Melk Abbey, perched on the hillside overlooking the town. Visit the abbey and explore its marble halls and intricate frescos. In the afternoon, sail through the picturesque Wachau valley to the wine region of Durnstein where you'll disembark for a tour of this charming medieval town before returning to your ship and cruising onward to Bratislava.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3
Bratislava

Arrive in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava and take a guided tour around this city on the banks of the Danube. Admire the contrast between the beautiful medieval structures and Communist-era buildings which line its streets. Cruise through the afternoon as you make your way to Kalocsa.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4
Kalocsa

Trace the river's path into Hungary and visit the prairie town of Puszta for a guided tour through its town and its sweeping grassland plains, where horse, sheep and buffalo often roam, and an impressive horse show. Return to your ship where you'll sail through the night toward Budapest.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5
Budapest

Take a guided tour of Hungary's sophisticated capital, with its intoxicating blend of beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, rickety trolley buses, traditional bathhouses and excellent, locally-produced wines.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6
Esztergom

The domed Basilica of Esztergom, which can be seen from miles away, announces your arrival in the city of Esztergom. Explore this picturesque city at your leisure, perhaps exploring the basilica and its surrounds, then enjoy an afternoon of cruising as you sail towards Vienna. Enjoy tonight's gala dinner on board.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7
Vienna

Today, experience a full day in Vienna with a guided city tour which includes a visit to the magnificent Schoenbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence that boasts 1,441 rooms. In the evening, an optional Viennese music concert is available (at a fee of 79 pounds per person, to be pre-booked via our Reservations Department).

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
8
Vienna to UK

After breakfast, disembark at 9am for your transfer to the airport and your return flight to the UK. If you have a late return flight, you may leave your luggage onboard the ship (until 14:00pm) and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer. Please note: from 9:00 am on day of disembarkation, drinks will not be available in the lounge bar and there will be no other cruise services on board

  • Breakfast

Important Information

Visas

A visa is not required for your entry into Austria, Slovakia or Hungary. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.

Health and Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

Physical Accessibility

This cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness. It involves some climbing of steep steps, and getting on and off boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Tour Guide

An English speaking Cruise Director will be on board your cruise to help with any queries that you may have. They will not accompany you on land, this will be your free time to explore each city at your leisure. Airport transfers will be with an English speaking driver.

Currency Information

The currency in Austria and Slovakia is the Euro. In Hungary it is the Hungarian Forint, We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UKArrive UKPriceBook Now
2024 Dates
23 May 202430 May 2024£2199Please call to book
0330 818 8907
06 Jun 202413 Jun 2024£1999Book Now
10 Jun 202417 Jun 2024£2299Book Now
20 Jun 202427 Jun 2024£1999Book Now
01 Jul 202408 Jul 2024£2199Book Now
11 Jul 202418 Jul 2024£1749Book Now
25 Jul 202401 Aug 2024£1999Book Now
15 Aug 202422 Aug 2024£1799Book Now
19 Aug 202426 Aug 2024£2199Book Now
29 Aug 202405 Sep 2024£1899Book Now
02 Sep 202409 Sep 2024£2199Book Now
05 Sep 202414 Sep 2024£1999Book Now
12 Sep 202419 Sep 2024£1999Book Now
26 Sep 202403 Oct 2024£1999Book Now
13 Oct 202420 Oct 2024£2199Book Now

Cabin Upgrades

Treat yourself to a better vista! Cabin and Deck upgrades are available for an additional supplement. For prices and availability please call our Reservations Consultants or Book Online.

Single Cabins

If you're travelling alone single cabins are available for a small supplement. For prices and availability please call our Reservations Consultants or Book Online.

Included in the Price

  • Air-conditioned, en suite cabins on board our hand-picked vessels
  • Return flights from London. Regional flights and Eurostar are available on selected cruises.
  • All-Inclusive - Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily are taken onboard the ship. Tables seat 6 people, so you'll be able to converse and socialise with new friends, whilst never feeling crowded together. Tea and coffee are available on board ship as well as unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including a variety of wines and beer, both during meals and at the bar. (Premium brands are available at an extra cost).
  • Entertainment on board your ship
  • Return transfers to/from airport/station to ship
  • Complete Financial Protection: Fully ABTA & ATOL protected

Additional Expenses

  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Any meals not specified in your itinerary
  • Optional Excursions
Please Note:

The Captain and Croisieurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary. Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.

What to expect

Fact File
Currency

Euro

Average Flying time

2 hours

Min/Max temperature

3 °C / 28 °C

Spoken languages

German

When to go

Please familiarise yourself with the below weather charts.

Vienna

Bratislava

Budapest

What to pack
  • Warm Clothes in case of cold weather (Jumper and Jacket)
  • Insect Repellant
  • Suncream and a hat with a big brim for sunny days
  • Comfortable shoes such as trainers
  • Sunglasses and plastic bags
  • Towel and Swimsuit
  • Rucksack or light bag per person
  • Personal toiletries and first aid kit
  • Travel Plug Adapter
MS Beethoven

The ship has 90 well appointed cabins with a spacious sun deck. The attractive restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine. Other amenities include lounge bar and dance floor.

Onboard facilities include...
Cabins

All cabins are equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe. Spaced across the Upper and Main Decks, all cabins are outside facing and located above the water affording outstanding views from the large picture window.

All-inclusive Dining

Your day will always begin with an impressive buffet breakfast. Chefs prepare succulent 3-course meals for lunch and dinner which are served in the onboard restaurant. Midday and evening meals are paired with excellent and carefully chosen beers and wines, included in the price. An open bar is available throughout the voyage (not including Champagne, special wines, premium spirits or fine brandies).

Life Onboard

All cruises start with a welcoming cocktail reception where you'll meet the captain, crew and staff of your ship. Facilities onboard include a comfortable lounge for your enjoyment and relaxation as well as a souvenir shop. FREE Wifi is available in lounge bar and reception. The sun deck offers a panoramic view of the landscape's beauty as you cruise.

Tour Map
Grand Capitals of the Danube Route Map
Tour Dossiers
Extensions
  • Austria
    Vienna City Stay

    2 nights from £189pp

    View
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