Best of the Danube
Tour Description
Sail along the legendary Danube and dive into a rich blend of history, culture, and local flavor. Explore Budapest’s grand Heroes’ Square, wander Bratislava’s medieval Old Town, and savor Vienna’s iconic Sachertorte.
Description
Sail along the legendary Danube and dive into a rich blend of history, culture, and local flavor. Explore Budapest’s grand Heroes’ Square, wander Bratislava’s medieval Old Town, and savor Vienna’s iconic Sachertorte.
On board the Trafalgar Reverie, enjoy vibrant evenings, regional wines, and ever-changing river views. Whether you’re up for discovery or ready to relax, this cruise strikes the perfect balance of adventure and indulgence.
Highlights
- Dine with the Saahs Family at Weingut Nikolaihof – Be My Guest
Join the Saahs family at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery. Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring fresh organic produce from their gardens, while soaking up the warm hospitality and history of this family-run estate.
- Explore Budapest on a Foodie Tour
Join a Local Specialist for a guided foodie tour through Budapest, sampling a mix of sweet and savoury local favourites. Discover the city’s vibrant culinary scene as you explore markets, street food stalls and cafes, tasting authentic flavours unique to Hungarian cuisine. - Local Specialist – Life Beyond the Iron Curtain
Discover Bratislava’s Cold War history as you discover key Communist-era sites with a Local Specialist, hearing stories of life under Soviet rule. You’ll meet a representative of Post Bellum, a non-profit preserving first-hand accounts of life under totalitarian regimes, ensuring these stories continue to inspire conversations about democracy and freedom today.
What's Included
- 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
- All port charges
- On embarkation day, enjoy a welcome reception dinner with sparkling wine and a personal welcome from your Captain, Experience Director and Hotel Manager
- Dinners on your first and last day on board feature a special menu
- Tea time during one special afternoon sailing
- Lunches and dinners include wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, coffee and water
- Farewell reception with sparkling wine
- Land experiences are guided by English-speaking Local Specialists and hosts
travel experience - Audio headset systems are provided on land guided tours
- Bicycles are available for on-land use at your leisure
Itinerary
Day 1: Embark in Budapest
Step aboard the Trafalgar Reverie, your floating home for your Danube cruise, and settle in for the night. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over dinner hosted by your Experience Director.
Day 2: Cruise the Danube Bend
Today, explore both sides of the city—historic Buda and lively Pest—with your Local Specialist. Visit Heroes’ Square before heading up Castle Hill past Matthias Church to step inside Fisherman’s Bastion for views over the Danube and Parliament. Or, opt to take a foodie tour, diving into Budapest’s vibrant culinary scene and tasting local favourites. This afternoon, choose an Optional Experience to explore the Jewish district, including a visit to the Dohány Street Synagogue. In the early evening you’ll set sail, cruising through the Danube bend past the town of Szentendre and the former Royal centre of Visegrad.
Day 3: Through Transdanubia to Bratislava
Enjoy the early morning experience of cruising along a stretch of the Danube that defines the border between Hungary to the south and Slovakia to the north. Step ashore in Bratislava and explore its old town on a walking tour with your Local Specialist. See the historic town hall, pass through Michael’s Gate and admire St. Martin’s Cathedral. Alternatively, step back in time on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, uncovering life under Communism with stories of escapes, Soviet rule and the Velvet Revolution. Looking to stretch your legs? Join an Optional Experience hike up to Bratislava Castle for sweeping Danube views. As you cruise through the evening, you’ll pass by the southern foothills of the Little Carpathian Mountains, and cross the border to enjoy views of the plains of Lower Austria.
Day 4: Culture and Architecture in Vienna
Welcome to Vienna, the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Get to know this buzzing city with a drive along the Ringstraße and a guided walk through the old town, where Vienna’s grand architecture and imperial history come to life. Then, explore further with a choice between two experiences, enjoying sweet delights or diving into the life of Mozart. Settle into a traditional coffee house and indulge in a slice of Sachertorte, experiencing Vienna’s famous cafe culture. Or, step into the world of Mozart with an immersive journey back to the 18th century, discovering the places that shaped his life and music. This afternoon, choose between two Optional Experiences. You could visit Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent summer home of the Habsburgs, or take a foodie walking tour, tasting strudels, schnitzels, and other Viennese favourites.
Day 5: Cruise the Wachau Valley
Cruise through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed gem known for its vineyards and medieval castles. In Spitz, join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, exploring the charm of this historic riverside town, famous for their apricots. For lunch, join the Saahs family for a Be My Guest experience at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery, where you’ll enjoy homemade specialities made with organic produce straight from their gardens. Continue your cruise through the Wachau Valley, passing by the historic Melk Abbey as your ship navigates overnight into Upper Austria.
Day 6: See Historic Linz
Explore Linz with your Local Specialist, strolling through its historic centre and discovering the city’s rich past. Alternatively, join an optional tour to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music. Or, if you love medieval charm, opt for an optional visit to Český Krumlov, a fairytale town with winding streets and a stunning castle. Overnight you’ll cruise through the hills of Upper Austria.
Day 7: Cross the Upper Austrian Hills into Passau
Cross into Bavaria and arrive in Passau, the ‘City of Three Rivers’, where the Inn, Danube and Ilz meet. Join your Local Specialist for a morning walking tour through the old town’s cobbled streets or choose a hike along the scenic Ilz River. In the afternoon, why not join an optional Bavarian beer, pretzel and music experience? Enjoying local brews, freshly baked pretzels and traditional folk music.
Day 8: Farewell Passau
This morning, disembark the Trafalgar Reverie and bid farewell to the captain and crew, taking with you unforgettable memories of your journey along the Danube.
Your ship
Step into elegant design and effortless comfort aboard the Trafalgar Reverie, your stylish home on the water. With just 128 guests, enjoy a relaxed, personalized experience guided by your dedicated onboard team.
From curated playlists and live entertainment to yoga, Nordic walks, and in-house baking demos, every moment is crafted for connection and discovery. Stay active, unwind with a massage, or sip cocktails as Europe drifts by.
Tour Details
Travel Dates
Duration
Price From
Sale Ends
*Save NZ$2,500 per couple on select 2026 Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam and Best of the Danube departures as featured on trafalgar.com. New bookings only made with deposit between 17 July 2025 and 30 September, 2025. Prices are in NZD, are per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. If guests change to another cruise or date not on sale, they are responsible to pay the difference and adhere to different payment conditions. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn or modified at any time without notice. May be combined with 5% Global Tour Rewards savings only, not combinable with group discounts or any other discount or promotion. Other conditions may apply.