Art and Music of the Blue Danube
Soak up the sights that have inspired countless classical composers, and see masterpieces created by the world’s most famous artists on a European river cruise along the Danube.
Follow in the footsteps of some of history's greatest composers - Strauss, Mozart, Beethoven, Hayden and more - on a musical journey along the Danube. The beautiful landscapes and cities along the shores of this legendary river have inspired many famous melodies. And speaking of beauty, you’ll also have the chance to feast your eyes on the artistic treasures of Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, with visits to world-renowned museums and galleries. Our cruise will take you to the fascinating cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Salzburg, where you can learn more about these incredible cities in the company of our knowledgeable guides. Experience the joy of live music in atmospheric locations and see masterworks of Raphael, Titian, Velázquez, Hans Holbein and more.
This holiday is based on our popular Blue Danube river cruise, featuring onshore experiences that are sure to excite all art and music lovers.
At a glance
*(except 1 lunch)
- Enjoy magnificent performances on board - a string quartet and a traditional Hungarian folklore show as well as classical music performances in Bratislava and Salzburg.
- Follow in the footsteps of famous composers and listen to their music come to life with expert guided tours of the most historic towns and cities along the Danube, including Vienna, Dürnstein, Bratislava and Salzburg - the birthplace of Mozart.
- Cruise through the pretty Nibelungengau, a beautiful stretch of the Danube immortalised in the music of Wagner.
- Take a behind the scenes tour with the renowned Vienna Boys Choir.
- Visit Esztergom Basilica and Melk Abbey, and choose between a visit to the House of Music or the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest.
Offers
There’s even more to enjoy on a group holiday with family or friends - now 1 in every 8 guests goes free when you book a river cruise as a group of 8 or more.
Experience the delights of Southern France on the Rhône, marvel at the vineyard slopes of the Douro valley or absorb the breathtaking views of the baroque cities on the Danube. You could use the saving to upgrade to a more luxurious cabin, to add on the drinks package, or to simply have more money in your pocket when you explore the local areas. Whether you’re travelling as a group of friends, a society or organised club, you can relax knowing you’ve got unbeatable value for money.
With our dedicated Groups Booking Team, you’ll be looked after every step of the way - call them on 01283 901216 to find out more.
Your itinerary
Arrival in Budapest
Arrive in Budapest and transfer to our luxury river cruise ship.
Arriving in Budapest, we’ll transfer by coach to our cruise ship. Our dedicated crew will be there waiting to welcome you on board, and ensure you settle in. There’ll be time to familiarise yourself with this first-class floating hotel before dinner in our stylish restaurant. On the first night, there’s always an exciting sense of expectancy and conversation with your fellow adventurers is sure to revolve around the delights ahead.
Esztergom
Explore Esztergom and its famous basilica on a guided tour of the city.
We’ll wake up in Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns. The city was a royal capital during medieval times and today the seat of the country’s archbishop. We’ll take a guided tour of the famous neoclassical basilica, standing sentinel over the Danube on the border with Slovakia, and boasting one of the world’s largest altarpieces and a wealth of priceless religious artefacts.
The castle is also worth exploring; it was the seat of government until the Ottomans invaded in the 16th century.
Nestling below are myriad atmospheric churches resonating with the enchanting sounds of choir; this is the best of provincial Hungary and has changed little since Habsburg times. As you enjoy your first lunch on board, we gently leave Esztergom in our wake, affording a fascinating opportunity to compare the different landscapes, towns and villages of Hungary on one riverbank and of Slovakia on the other.
Bratislava
Explore Slovakia’s capital city, Bratislava, and enjoy a classical music concert.
Until recently Bratislava was swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town. Here, you can follow in the footsteps of famous composers - Hummel, Bartók, Rubinstein, Liszt, Hayden, Beethoven and Mozart who all performed at concerts here. Mozart was said to be just six at the time. Our expert local guide will regale you with stories of their lives and achievements as we meander our way through the town. We’ll end our tour with a visit to one of the most beautiful classicist buildings in Slovakia – The Primate’s Palace – where we’ll enjoy an enchanting classical music performance in a majestic setting, the Mirror Hall.
This afternoon, we'll cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now the stresses of everyday life will (hopefully) seem like a distant memory as you absorb the ever-changing scenes. You can watch as we pass children playing on the riverbanks, young couples strolling arm in arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, and cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings glide by.
You’ll marvel as the captain skilfully navigates the ship along the serene river and through locks whose mechanisms never cease to fascinate as we continue to cruise towards Dürnstein during dinner.
Please note: The Primate’s Palace is still an official building. While we plan to visit the Primate’s Palace, our musical concert won’t take precedence over important matters of state. In the event of an emergency meeting, our concert will be held in the beautifully Art Nouveau Moyzes Hall – trust us, it’s equally impressive!
Dürnstein & Melk
Explore Dürnstein on a guided walking tour and visit Melk Abbey.
Dürnstein
Dürnstein is known principally for the ice-blue tower of its abbey, which dominates the view, and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after being shipwrecked on his return from the crusades.
This morning we’ll take a guided walking tour to explore this memorable city further. Set on a rocky outcrop high above the river, the castle is now ruined, but it’s easy to imagine England’s legendary monarch seething with frustration far from home, while waiting for his family to raise funds to pay his ransom.
Melk
After lunch, we’ll visit the remarkable Melk Abbey. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this enormous honey-coloured building, standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since.
The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms and an ornate library.
Back on board, you can enjoy views of Nibelungengau as we pass the Maria Taferl Basilica, a pilgrimage site in lower Austria. We wouldn't blame you for being struck by the region's beauty, even Wagner drew inspiration from the region, including the epic operatic series Der Ring des Nibelungen which was inspired from the 12th century German poem, the Nibelungenlied, and used this region as its backdrop.
Salzburg
Walk in the footsteps of Mozart on a tour of Salzburg and enjoy a classical piano concert.
Today we'll moor in Linz and drive through the Austrian countryside to Salzburg, the birthplace of Austria's most famous son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Its picturesque Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a distinctly Baroque feel.
This morning, discover some of the city’s main sights in the company of an expert local guide before time to explore at leisure. It's the perfect opportunity to go in search of more information on the city's favourite residence, Mozart. How do we know he's their favourite? You cannot turn a corner without seeing something paying homage to him. From statues and plaques to the more 'out there' tributes including ice cream, chocolate and even rubber ducks!
But don't get distracted by the souvenirs - to find out more about his life and music, we recommend Mozart's Birthplace. The house where he was born is now one of the most visited museums in the world. In the three-story exhibition, you can learn more about his life, and many achievements - he played the harpsichord at age three and composed rudimentary music while most of his peers were learning to tie their shoes! From there, you could head to the Mozart Residence, where you can see the pianoforte he learned to play on and original documents and portraits.
Towards the end of our visit, we'll reconvene for a classical piano concert. You’ll hear the typical music of the Baroque times - focussing on Mozart's most famous works - in the grand setting of the Fischbrunnensaal of the Alte Residenz - the Salzburg Palace court of the prince-archbishops.
We return to the ship for another splendid dinner as we sail overnight to Vienna.
Vienna
Today’s guided tour of Vienna and visit to the Vienna Boys Choir will be a real highlight.
The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of people who were drawn here from all corners of Europe.
We'll begin our day with a tour of the city. Our local guide will offer insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – the seat of the Habsburg emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses. We’ll also see the city’s most iconic monuments, including the breathtaking Saint Stephen’s Cathedral - whose striking multi-coloured roof and huge Gothic South Tower dominate the skyline - and the Hofburg - the former royal court that is now home to a collection of museums, the Crown Jewels and the Spanish Riding School.
Later, we’ll visit to the world-famous Vienna Boys Choir to see the next generation of young artists in action. As they open their home to you, you'll get behind-the-scenes access to the official and unofficial premises and look in on their rehearsal.
This afternoon, you can enjoy time at leisure to explore as you wish. Art lovers may choose to explore the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which contains the world’s fourth-largest collection of paintings or visit one of the city's many galleries. Or music lovers could opt to join us on a tour of the Staatsoper, Vienna's State Opera House, for a peek behind the curtain of the world's largest repertory operation, uncovering the secrets hidden from the evening operagoers.
Those interested in history (or spy-thrillers) may want to see the Prater, whose huge Ferris wheel features in several Cold War spy thrillers. Why not explore Vienna's atmospheric side streets or savour a coffee in one of the lovely coffee houses? We hear a delicious slice of Sachertorte (a rich chocolate cake of Austrian origin) goes perfectly with an afternoon cuppa!
This evening, with the skyline of Vienna in the distance, we’ve arranged what is truly the ‘icing on the cake’. After our Chef’s Dinner on board, we’ll enjoy a classical recital in the comfort of our luxury ship. No visit to Vienna - City of Music - is complete without a live performance, and to hear this exquisite set list played on a quartet of string instruments by local professionals in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.
Personalise your holiday
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Delve into the art world on a visit to the Art History Museum, home to Raphael's Madonna in the Meadow, Vermeer's The Allegory of Painting, and the world's largest collection of Bruegel's art. As you wander through the museum, encounter masterpieces such as The Infanta paintings by Velazquez and stop to study masterworks by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto.
Staatsoper (The Vienna State Opera)
Peek behind the curtain of one of the leading opera houses in the world during a guided tour of the Staatsoper. Discover the Renaissance Revival architecture of the Vienna State Opera and uncover some of its cultural highlights, including the grand staircase, captivating oil paintings and tapestries inspired by Mozart's The Magic Flute.
Please note: These experiences' will be bookable soon, we will contact you once this is available.
Budapest
Choose to visit Budapest’s House of Music or the Museum of Fine Arts on panoramic guided tours.
You can enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise through Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape towards Budapest. After lunch, we'll explore this captivating city, which truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’.
The twin cities of Buda - built around the hilltop fortress - and Pest were fought over through the centuries. The Ottomans ruled here for 150 years before being ousted in the late 17th century, but their legacy lives on in the many thermal baths fed by hot springs, giving rise to Budapest’s other sobriquet – the ‘City of Spas’.
Here we'll enjoy a panoramic tour and have a chance to visit the House of Music, the country’s first comprehensive exhibition exploring the history of music - they are famous for it, after all. The building, although new, is already an icon of Budapest heralded by CNN and the architecture community as one of the ten most anticipated buildings of 2021 - and it didn't disappoint - its undulating canopy punctured with holes can be seen peeking out from behind the surrounding trees (it's like a spaceship straight out of sci-fi). Inside is a palace of musical miracles with special musical installations and exhibits on everything from the development of the human voice to modern trends - with a special emphasis on Hungarian music and its diverse history.
Alternatively, you could include a visit to Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts in your tour of the city – it's the perfect sanctuary for any art-lover. With an extensive European Art collection, you can get lost amongst treasures, spanning from ancient times to the end of the 18th century. The Egyptian collection is one of the richest of its kind - thanks to 19th-century globe trotters, art collectors and dealers who visited the Nile Valley during their pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. There's also a comprehensive collection of antiquities - especially rich in Greek and Etruscan antiquities - almost 3000 artworks by the old masters - Raphael, Titian, Velázquez, Hans Holbein, Poussins and John Constables (to name just a few of our favourites) - create a unique mix. You don't have to be an art enthusiast to appreciate the art, history and culture housed here.
This evening’s dinner closes with a lively Hungarian folklore show. Witness a rich repertoire of authentic Hungarian folk dances in colourful, traditional costumes, accompanied by a local musicians playing the traditional instruments - like the unusually named Hurdy-Gurdy or Cimbalom - that have been passed down through the generations. Tonight is the last night on board, so now is the time to say farewell to your travel companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.
Return home
We’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight to home.
Available ships
MS William Wordsworth
- Built
- 2018
- Crew
- 44
- Passengers
- 167
Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS William Wordsworth.
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
- Built
- 2019
- Crew
- 44
- Passengers
- 167
Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer.
Extras & upgrades
Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.
From hotel upgrades to holiday extensions, you can benefit from our Travel Concierge service:
- Add up to two nights before you sail in the destination your river cruises starts from
- Add up to two nights after your cruise in the destination your river cruises ends in
- Change your departure airport (depending on flight availability)
- Book a door-to-door transfer service from your home to your departure airport or airport hotel
If you would like to add Travel Concierge to your European river cruise, please call our reservations team.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Airport location | Ship location | Transfer time |
---|---|---|
Budapest Airport | Budapest | 45 mins |
FAQs
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of sole occupancy cabins available on all decks, at the relevant supplement.
The price includes:
- 7 nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite
- All meals on board (except one lunch), including welcome cocktails and the Chef’s Dinner
- Return scheduled flights from a selection of regional airports
- All transfers, visits and excursions as mentioned
- Five-star service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
- The Services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge
- Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
- Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
*supplements apply
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Hungary, Austria or Slovakia however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit:
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hungary/entry-requirements
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/austria/entry-requirements
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovakia/entry-requirements
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found here.
- Currencies: Euro, Forint
- Flight Time: Approx. 2 hrs 25 mins to 3 hrs
- Languages: Hungarian, German, Slovak
- Time Zone: GMT+1
- Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia
The deposit for this holiday is £500pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 101 days before you depart.
Availability
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13 04 2026 | 17:00 | Budapest - Cruise Only | MS William Wordsworth | £1,699 pp | Book now |
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25 05 2026 | TBC |
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MS William Wordsworth | £2,349 pp | Book now |
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