Magical Danube Discoverer Cruise

Upon arrival at Munich airport, make your own way to Passau Pier. Check-in begins at 15:00hrs. The cruise departs at 1700 Hrs for Vienna. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception with the captain and crew.


Overnight on board

Enjoy morning breakfast onboard as the cruise sails to Vienna, often referred as “The City of Music”. Apart from Music, the city is known for its rich heritage, impressive imperial palaces, interesting museums and coffee house culture. Afternoon is at leisure to enjoy onboard services, perhaps you can choose to disembark and take one of the many optional tours available to explore Vienna. Perhaps you can take the Walking City tour of Vienna or you can experience one of the best chamber orchestras in the city. Enjoy your dinner as the ship sails towards your next destination.


Overnight on board



Optional: Walking city tour of Vienna: Price is Part of Excursion package    

Explore the traditional Danube metropolis of Vienna. From the pier, it goes past the \"New Vienna\" with the Uno-City and the Danube Island. See impressive, magnificent buildings such as the State Opera, the Burgtheater, the Hofburg, the Parliament, the Town Hall and the Votivkirche while driving along the well-known Ringstraße. Experience this charming city and its world-famous \"Viennese schmäh\" up close. Enjoy a short free time, before your drive past the Praterstern to return to your ship.

Cruise through the picturesque Wachau valley, past the Danube Knee to arrive for a brief stop at Solt, one of the newest and safest ports of Hungary. An equestrian facility near the port offers and interesting proposition of enjoying a horse carriage ride to the Ranch. You can choose to opt for one of the optional tours or remain onboard as your ship continues sailing eastwards to arrive late evening at Mohacs, believed to the staging place of two iconic battles of 1526 and 1687, which represented the rise and fall of the Ottoman empire.


Overnight on Board



Optional: Excursion Pecs: Only Bookable onboard

After a drive through the Hungarian lowlands, you will reach Pecs (Fünfkirchen), one of the most beautiful cities in Hungary. Located in southern Transdanubia, on the slopes of the Mecsek Mountains, Pecs welcomes its visitors with a mild climate, southern flair and numerous monuments and works of art. In 2010, Pecs was named the European Capital of Culture. In the center you will find one of the most beautiful squares in Hungary Szechenyi Square and the Plague Column. During a tour, you will see, among other things, the city's basilica, but also the Szsami Mosque, which was later converted into a church. The original elements of the mosque were masterfully incorporated into the reconstruction. You will further reach the Zsolnay Fountain with its enchanting ceramic decorations, which even defy the weather and decorate the fountain all year round. Strolling through the pedestrian zone, you will experience the special atmosphere of the city.



Optional: Puszta Excursion with Kalocsa : Only Bookable onboard

The first archbishopric in Hungary, Kalcosa houses a beautiful cathedral as well as the Archbishop's Palace, whose library contains a Bible with Martin Luther's writing. Kalocsa is also known for its folk art, especially the colorful embroidery and floral motifs on walls and furniture. From Kalcosa, the noble sweet paprika conquered the world and made the town known as a paprika stronghold. Passing paprika fields, you will go through the Hungarian lowlands, the Puszta, to the Csarda. Here you will visit the stud farm and afterward, you can take part in a short carriage ride over the wide plain of the Puszta. Afterward, the csikos (horse herders) invite you to a special kind of horse show. You will learn about the Hungarian horse traditions and get to know the habits of the former Csikos, because in former times the horse was the best friend of the man in the Puszta. After the performance, you will be served a snack and wine. In the boutique, you will have the opportunity to buy Hungarian handicrafts, paprika products, wine and liquor.

Sail into the Serbian Capital of Belgrade, the cultural and political capital of the country. Located on the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of Europe, dating back to the 06th Millennium BC. It is the birthplace of Vinca Culture, one of the most important pre-historic cultures of the world. Choose to explore the history and culture of Belgrade through the optional city tour or experience its nightlife with a short evening trip to Belgrade.


Overnight on Board



Optional: City Tour/Walking Tour Belgrade : Price is Part of Excursion package 

From the pier, a short ride takes you up to Kalemegdan Fortress, the most important building and famous landmark of Belgrade, which you can already see from the ship. You can admire some artifacts of the Army History Museum here in passing. In addition, from the fortress you will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, as well as of New Belgrade. During a subsequent walk through the city center and the pedestrian zone with Republic Square, you will experience the daily hustle and bustle of the Serbian capital. With a tour of the city, which also takes you past the Royal Palace, the City Hall and the Church of St. Savas - one of the largest Orthodox places of worship in the world - the excursion through the Balkan metropolis ends at your ship.



Optional: Evening Trip Belgrade : Only Bookable onboard

Let the evening in Belgrade end in an upbeat and colorful way! By bus, you will leave from the \"Sava pier\" for a typical Serbian evening. One of the best Serbian folklore groups will offer you a folklore performance of the highest class with heart and joy. Look forward to Serbian wine, music and dances with the appropriate costumes from all parts of Serbia, as well as the minorities living in Serbia. Various influences, such as from Russia or Türkiye, have shaped Serbian folklore and made it so varied, colorful and spirited. The end of this lively evening is a short light tour through the evening of Belgrade, before returning to the ship.

A day of leisurely sailing over the River Danube, passing through the Danube Cataracts and the famous Iron Gate, the last natural barrier on your journey, provides one of the most challenging and adventurous sailing conditions.


Overnight on Board

This afternoon sail into Rousse, often called Little Vienna, it is known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture and is the birthplace of Nobel laureate in Literature Elias Canetti and the writer Michael Arlen. Choose to enjoy a walking tour of the Historic city centre of Rousse or take an excursion through the picturesque Bulgarian countryside to visit Veliko Tarnovo.


Overnight on Board



Optional: Rousse City Tour/ Walking Tour : Only Bookable onboard

The fifth largest city in Bulgaria with the largest port on the Danube, once bore the Roman name Sexaginta Prista, the city of sixty ships. The house facades are a mix of Baroque, Renaissance and other eras. You will start your tour in the old city center. Passing the railroad station, you will go to the Pantheon, a Christian memorial to Bulgarian heroes. The tour will continue to the Alyosha Monument, the concert hall and then to the Central Square, where you will visit the Bulgarian Orthodox Trinity Church before a short walk through the city center where you will see the Freedom Monument, the Opera House and the Court.



Optional: Excursion Veliko Tarnovo : Only Bookable onboard

After a drive through the picturesque Bulgarian countryside, you will reach Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria. In the Middle Ages, the city had a lively political and cultural life. For over 200 years Veliko Tarnovo was considered the third Rome and the second Constantinople in the European courts. The city with its residential and artisan quarters as well as numerous churches, monasteries and terraces was built on the steep slopes of the Zarevets, Trapesitza and Momina Krepost hills. After a stroll through the craftsmen's alley, you will make a photo stop at the hill Zarewetz, on which the castle and thus the seat of the Bulgarian tsar was built. Afterward, you will continue to Arbanassi, a small village nestled in the beautiful hilly landscape around Veliko Tarnovo. During a walk through the picturesque alleys, you will enjoy the special charm of this place. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church of the Assumption of Christ is probably Arbanassi's greatest treasure. Wall paintings, wood carvings and numerous icons are worth a visit. Magnificent townhouses from the 17th-19th centuries invite you to linger.

Reach to the easternmost section of your journey as you sail into Cernavoda, literally meaning “Black Water” the city was founded in 04th Century BC as a trading post by the Greeks and had a direct rail line link to Constanta as early as 1860. Enjoy Mediterranean flair and fresh sea air on your inclusive excursion to Constanta on the Black Sea with lunch.


Overnight on Board

Embedded into the midst of mud-flats and marshes, facing the Bulgarian city of Ruse on the opposite bank, Giurgu lies in the historic region of Mutenia. A rich grain growing land to the north, it was on the first rail line which opened in 1869. Established in 14th Century, it is now a major exporter of timber, grain, Salt and petroleum. Choose to walk through the town of Giurgiu exploring the Comana Nature Park and Comana Monastery or book an optional city tour to Bucharest.


Overnight on Board



Optional: Bucharest City Tour/ Walking Tour : Price is part of the Excursion package

By bus, we travel through rural Romania to Bucharest. Generous avenues and imposing buildings, such as the Arc de Triomphe, give Bucharest a certain \"French flair\", which has earned the Romanian metropolis the nickname \"Little Paris of the East\". You will also experience the flair of the city while strolling through the old town, the so-called Lipskan. Here you will also visit one of the oldest Romanian Orthodox churches \"Stavropoleus\" and have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the religion. Afterward, in the Romanian capital, you will go to the Palace of the People, the second-largest administrative building in the world. Here you will make a short photo stop before the bus takes you back to the ship.

Enjoy a relaxing day on board the cruise, sailing through the picturesque surroundings of Danube. Enjoy the entertainment facilities available on board or just soak in the charming atmosphere doing nothing.


Overnight on Board

Arrive at Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia, was founded in 1694 by the Serb Merchants who formed a colony near the strategically important Petrovaradin Fortress. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it was nicknamed Serbian Athens, as it was the capital of Serbian Culture when almost every Serbian novelist, poet, jurist, and publisher had lived or worked in Novi Sad at some point in their career. It is still one of the most important cultural centres in Serbia, home to second largest library in the country and host of EXIT festival, one of the biggest music summer festivals in Europe. Choose to explore this historic city of Novi Sad or enjoy the facilities onboard.


Overnight on Board



Optional: City Tour of Novi Sad : Only Bookable onboard

In 1748, Novi Sad was declared a royal free city by Maria Theresa and given the name \"Neoplanta\". Since the official language in Hungary was Latin, \"Neusatz\" was translated by the Serbs as Novi Sad. The city developed into a flourishing cultural center, a metropolis for artists and writers. In the 19th century, the Serbian town was therefore also called \"Athens of the North\". From the pier you have a wonderful view of the Peterwardein Fortress, which towers on the opposite side of the Danube. Enjoy the youthful and cozy flair of this city during a walk through the pedestrian zone with its narrow streets and wide squares, the beautiful and colorfully restored houses.

Take a brief stopover at the Small yet significantly important village of Aljmas. It is believed to be the sight of Marian Apparition and since 1704, A significant number of believers make a pilgrimage annually. A short sail towards Passau leads you to Batina, the site of one of the bloodiest World War II battles on the soil of Yugoslavia, a monument now stands commemorating the battle. It is also a perfect base to take an optional excursion to Kopacki rit Nature Park. Continue your journey towards Budapest.


Overnight on Board



Optional: Kopacki Rit Nature Park : Price is Part of Excursion package 

About an hour's bus ride from our pier, between the Danube and Drava rivers, lies the Kopacki rit Nature Park, one of the largest and best-preserved marshlands in Europe. The canals and lakes overgrown with reeds are mostly surrounded by white willow trees and their surface is covered with white water lilies. These give a home to numerous freshwater fish (carp, pike, perch), reptiles (fire salamander, pond turtle) and bird species (cormorants, storks). The most famous inhabitant is probably Europe's largest eagle, the white sea eagle. Experience the untouched nature during a boat trip and with a little luck you will also see some of the wild animals that live there. Afterward, you will go to the nearby Rural Haus, where you will learn more about the area, its tradition and culture during an interesting and humorous presentation, among other things, you will learn what is behind the scary \"Busho\" mask. Tasting local products, such as ajvar and slivovitz are also part of the visit before heading back to the ship through the Slavonian Plain

This morning, upon arrival in Budapest, the Hungarian capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is not without reason nicknamed the “Queen of the Danube”. Commanding both sides of Danube, with the Chain Bridge connecting Hilly Buda with Flat Pest, this enchanting citys skyline is dominated by magnificent domes and spires, 18th-century homes, bridges and lampposts dominating its streets. The day is free to explore the charms of Budapest. Perhaps you can join for an optional walking tour of Budapest or can enjoy a typical evening, experiencing the impressive performance of a Hungarian folklore group with its spirited music and colorful costumes.


Overnight on board



Optional: Walking city tour of Budapest: Price is Part of Excursion package

Budapest is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is not without reason nicknamed the \"Queen of the Danube\". The Danube divides the Hungarian metropolis into the districts of Buda and Pest. You first drive through the city center and enjoy the flair of the city. The castle district, together with the Buda castle, the fisherman's bastion and the Matthias church, still testifies to the fame of bygone times. Afterward, you continue to the Gellertberg, where you have the opportunity to enjoy the impressive view of the Danube and the buildings on the banks of the Danube, as well as the numerous bridges of Budapest.



Optional: Budapest Impressions: Only Bookable onboard

Experience Budapest today from a different perspective and up close. The famous St. Istvan Basilica and the Opera House are just a few stops on your unique discovery tour on foot and by train through the Hungarian capital. Continue on a nostalgic journey through time on the oldest subway of the European continent. Walk on one of the most famous squares of Budapest and enjoy the special flair of the city.



Optional: Ebike Vienna: Only Bookable onboard   

Experience Vienna far away from the well-known tourist paths on an e-bike. Explore together with your bike guide one of the most popular recreational areas in Vienna: the Danube Island. Learn interesting facts about life in the Austrian Danube metropolis from your guide along the way. Of course, a small refreshment break is not to be missed.

Your return journey towards Passau continues with the sail to Bratislava, lying in the fertile Danube plains, south of the little Carpathians, this Slovak capital is a mosaic of illustrious history, a medieval and Gothic old town dominated by the crowning castle, rebuilt to renaissance finery interspersed with communist-era blocks and a futurist bridge. Enjoy the day at leisure, perhaps you can enjoy the city tour of Bratislava driving past the embassy district and visiting the impressive fort.


Overnight on board



Optional: City tour of Bratislava: Price is Part of Excursion package

In the immediate vicinity of the border with Austria and Hungary, Bratislava lies in the fertile Danube plain south of the Little Carpathians. As \"small, but fine\" one could aptly describe the Slovak capital. With great attention to detail, the old town has been magnificently renovated. When visiting Bratislava, you first drive through the embassy district to the castle (Hrad), which towers high above the city and is considered a landmark of the city. There you will make a photo stop and can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the city. Here you will also find more detailed information about the eventful history of the castle, which was the residence of numerous Hungarian kings for a long time before Maria Theresa settled there and the castle experienced its heyday. Then continue the drive to the old town and start the tour. On the common walk through the old town of Bratislava, you will see the Redoubt, the National Theatre, the Town Hall and some baroque palaces and the city gates that testify to the k.u.k. monarchy. Among other things, you will also get to know the most famous man of Bratislava, the Gullimann Cumil.

Wachau region is home to many charming historic towns, Weissenkirchen, is one of them, known for its mighty church in the town centre with its wood-carved stairway and the historical Renaissance complex Teisenhoferhof. A journey on the old rail line through the heart of the city treats you with amazing views of the terraced vineyards and its beautiful landscapes. It is also home to a Shipping Museum and Durnstein Abbey, known for its famous blue church tower which is visible from far and wide. Afternoon continue sail towards Passau.


Overnight on board



Optional: Tour Durnstein: Only Bookable onboard

An unmissable destination is the old Kuenringer town of Dürnstein, where tradition and beauty blend in a unique way. On a guided tour of the \"Pearl of the Wachau\", see, among other things, the baroque church of the Augustinian canons' monastery. A well-known landmark of the town is the blue and white baroque tower of the collegiate church, which is also popularly known as \"Fingerzeig Gottes\". Enjoy the special atmosphere of the town during the subsequent free time before returning to the ship

After you have enjoyed breakfast on board, you will have until 9:00 am to disembark the river cruise in Passau. Make your own way to the Munich airport for your flight back home