Riviera Travel The Music of the Blue Danube

• Enjoy magnificent on-board performances including a string quartet and a Hungarian folklore show
• Follow in the footsteps of famous composers as you explore Vienna, Bratislava and Salzburg on guided tours
• Cruise through the Nibelungengau, which inspired Wagner
• Go behind the scenes on a visit to the Vienna Boys Choir
• Visit the House of Music at Esztergom Basilica

• Return flights and transfers
• 7nts onboard a 5* ship
• Full board dining (excluding one lunch), inc. complimentary tea and coffee
• 2 live music concerts
• Services of an expert riviera cruise director and concierge

Day 1 – Arrival in Budapest

Arrive in Budapest and transfer to the ship, with plenty of time to settle in before dinner

Day 2 – Esztergom

Awake to the sight of Esztergom, a former royal capital which is now the seat of Hungary’s archbishop. Take a tour of the famed basilica, seeing one of the world’s largest altarpieces and a variety of priceless artifacts. While in the town, it is worth exploring the castle, which was the seat of government until the 16^th Century. At lunchtime, enjoy views of both Hungary and Slovakia as the ship leaves towards Bratislava

Day 3 – Bratislava

Follow in the footsteps of renowned composers such as Hummel, Bartók, Rubinstein, Liszt, Hayden, Beethoven, and the young Mozart, as you wander through the Bratislava’s Old Town, concluding with a visit to The Primate’s Palace, one of Slovakia’s most beautiful classicist buildings. Here, in the majestic Mirror Hall, you’ll enjoy an enchanting classical music performance.

Later, as you cruise into Lower Austria, a serene and bucolic region known for its excellent wines, you’ll witness

Please note that while the Primate’s Palace is an official building, if there’s an emergency meeting, our concert will be held in the equally impressive Art Nouveau Moyzes Hall.

Day 4 – Dürnstein & Melk

Dürnstein is famed for its iconic ice-blue abbey tower and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after a crusade mishap. A guided walking tour this morning will delve into the city’s history. After lunch, your journey takes you to the awe-inspiring Melk Abbey, a honey-coloured marvel gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th century. The reconstructed Baroque masterpiece features the renowned 214-yard Emperor’s Gallery, ornate library, and many fine rooms. Back on board, enjoy views of Nibelungengau and the Maria Taferl Basilica, a pilgrimage site in Lower Austria. The region’s beauty, a muse even for Wagner, inspired the epic operatic series “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” drawing from the 12th-century German poem, the Nibelungenlied.

Day 5 – Salzburg

Today, the ship docks in Linz and you’ll journey through the Austrian countryside to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace. Explore key sights with a local guide in the morning, and take time to discover more about Mozart, the city’s beloved figure, amid various tributes, from statues to quirky items like rubber ducks. Visit Mozart’s Birthplace, now a top museum, to delve into his extraordinary life and achievements. Head to the Mozart Residence to see his original pianoforte and authentic documents. Conclude the visit with a classical piano concert at the Fischbrunnensaal of the Alte Residenz, featuring Mozart’s iconic works from the Baroque era. You then return to the ship for a delightful dinner as we cruise overnight to Vienna

Day 6 – Vienna

Your day in Vienna begins with a city tour led by a local guide, exploring its status as one of Europe’s great capitals, home to Habsburg emperors and legendary composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and the Strauss family. Highlights include the iconic Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg. Later, visit the renowned Vienna Boys Choir for behind-the-scenes access and a rehearsal glimpse.

In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Prater, or Schönbrunn Palace, or simply stroll through Vienna’s atmospheric streets. The evening features a Captain’s dinner on board, followed by a classical recital by local professionals, providing the perfect finale to your day in the City of Music.

Day 7 – Budapest

Enjoy a relaxed morning cruising through Hungary’s pastoral landscape en route to Budapest. After lunch, delve into the captivating city on a sightseeing tour, exploring the historic twin cities of Buda and Pest. Visit the innovative House of Music, and explore its musical exhibits, installations, and Hungarian music history. Stroll around Városliget Lake and the park near Vajdahunyad Castle before returning to the ship.

The evening concludes with a lively Hungarian folklore show during dinner, featuring authentic folk dances and traditional instruments like the Hurdy-Gurdy and Cimbalom. As this marks the last night on board, bid farewell to travel companions and reflect on the inspiring places and experiences of this imperial cruise

Day 8 – Return Home

Transfer back to the airport for your return flight

MS William Wordsworth

MS Emily Brontë

Fact File

• Currencies: Euro, Forint
• Flight Time: Approx. 2 hrs 25 mins to 3 hrs
• Languages: Hungarian, German
• Time Zone: GMT+1
• Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.