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Aug 29

Cruise the Danube from Passau to Vienna and Budapest – Eight days from 12 April 2015

Discover the delights of the Danube on one of the most scenic journeys through the heart of

Europe, from the pretty city of Passau on the Austrian border to the Hungarian Capital, Budapest. We cruise in comfort

and style aboard 4* ms Serenity, a small, cosy 200 passenger vessel, through the beautiful scenery of the Wachau Valley and dip into the history and culture of amazing cities along the way. With a full day in the musical city of Vienna and Budapest, as well as a visit to the Slovakian Capital Bratislava, this is a wonderful opportunity to sail the waters that are beautifully immortalised by the composer Strauss, in the classical waltz ‘The Blue Danube’.

Day 1: We board our coach, as usual, at the various pick-up points to take us to Gatwick where we catch a plane to Germany and then board the ship at Passau, known as ‘The Three Rivers City’ due to its unique location where the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers meet.

We relax on board as we set sail and cruise towards the small town of Melk in the Wachau Valley where we arrive the next morning.

Day 2: In Melk we visit one of the most famous monastic houses in Austria: the Benedictine Abbey which has been occupied by monks for over 900 years. We then relax on board as we cruise towards Vienna for an overnight stop.

Day 3: The whole day is spent experiencing the delights of Vienna. Grand palaces, baroque castles, magnificent squares and monuments are just some of the key features of this beautiful city which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We enjoy a City Tour in the morning and in the afternoon an excursion to Schönbrunn Palace. In the early evening we cast off and cruise towards Budapest where we will spend the whole of day 4.

Day 4: In Budapest we explore both sides of Hungary’s Capital – the traditional ‘Buda’ and the more cosmopolitan ‘Pest’. We start the day with a city tour to help us get our bearings in this city known as ‘The Pearl of the Danube’. In the evening we experience Budapest by night with a traditional Folklore show.

Day 5: We begin the day with an excursion which takes us through the sweeping planes of Hungary to Lajosmizse where we visit a traditional stud farm and enjoy a tour of the grounds in a horse-drawn carriage before watching a spectacular live Puszta Horse Show. In the afternoon we cruise towards Bratislava where we will arrive in the early morning of day 6.

Day 6: Historic Bratislava is dominated by its castle and unique suspension bridge. The boat berths in the centre of the town, so we take a 2.5 hour walking tour to take in the sights and experience its rich culture. In mid-afternoon we set sail and cruise towards Dürnstein.

Day 7: Dürnstein is crowned by the ruins of the castle which once imprisoned Richard the Lionheart. We take a walking tour around the cobbled streets to admire the pretty courtyards and buildings before stopping at one of the Wachau Valley’s renowned wine cellars to enjoy some wine tasting. We then set sail for the final time and cruise towards Passau.

Day 8: We disembark this morning and travel by coach to the airport to catch our flight back to England.

4* ms Serenity offers accommodation on three decks. All cabins have air conditioning, en suite shower with wc,

radio, satellite TV, safe, hairdryer, desk and chair

Main Deck Cabins: located on the lower deck these cabins offer two small viewing windows and twin beds which are folded away during the day

Middle Deck Cabins: feature large sliding windows, two separate beds that fold into sofas during the day.

Panorama Deck Cabins: located on the upper deck, they offer a French balcony and twin beds that are folded away during the day.

There is a lift on board which services all decks except the Sun Deck.

Cost: £1,169.00 pp sharing a 2 berths Main Deck cabin (Single supplement £499.50)

£1,319.00 pp sharing a 2 berths Middle Deck cabin (Single Supplement £ 574.50)

£1,469.00 pp sharing a 2 berths Panorama Deck cabin (Single Supplement £649.50)

These prices include coach transfers to and from the airports, all meals on board ship, on-board entertainment and all excursions mentioned.

Deposit: £250.00 payable when booking

Insurance: £39.95

For a detailed booking form please complete the enclosed application form and send it, together with a stamped addressed envelope (not too small please) to:

Gisela Zürcher-Feiß, 37, The Byeways, Surbiton KT5 8HT Tel: 8399 4990