Hiking Cruises in the Former Austro-Hungarian Empire (port-to-port cruise)

# Description

Cruise

VIENNA - MELK - DÜRNSTEIN - BRATISLAVA - KALOCSA - BUDAPEST - ESZTERGOM - VIENNA

Relaxing hiking and stunning scenery: embark on an incredible cruise along the Danube. From Austria via Hungary to Slovakia, discover breathtaking views and stroll through places earmarked in history such as Aggstein Castle, Devinska Kobyma Nature Reserve or the Fortress of Visegrad.

Croisi +

All inclusive on board

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
Free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar
Headsets are included for excursions
Official welcome from the captain and crew
Onboard activities
Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
All port fees included

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Hiking trails with a qualified mountain guide
Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna
At the very heart of Austro-Hungarian traditions and folklore

Day 1

VIENNA

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Dinner on board. Departure of the boat to Melk.

Day 2

MELK - DÜRNSTEIN

We'll set out to visit Melk Abbey. We'll discover the abbey's baroque marble hall, library and church before returning on board and cruising towards Dürnstein through the Wachau Valley.

Hikers' Program: Hike through the heart of the Wachau region and visit the ruins of Aggstein Castle. Its exceptional location and its impressive dimensions make this castle one of the most well-known in Austria. Erected around 1100, it is thought to have been the haunt of pillaging knights during the Middle-Ages. After the visit, we'll hike through unspoilt scenery to Maria Longegg then transfer by coach to rejoin the boat in Dürnstein. (4 hours hiking, with a climb of around 400m)

Non-hikers' program: We'll discover Dürnstein with our hostess. The town is famous for King Richard the Lionhearted having been held prisoner in its castle. It also has an abbey, glittering in light blue and white, which has one of the most beautiful baroque bell towers in all of Austria.

We'll return on board and cruise towards Bratislava.

Day 3

BRATISLAVA

Hikers' Program: Hike in the Little Carpathian mountain range, through Sandberg and the Devínska Kobyla National Nature Reserve to the ruins of Devín Castle (outside).

Non-hikers' Program: Visit of the Slovak capital. The charm of Bratislava lies in its old city, with splendid baroque palaces, churches and pleasant squares.

We'll return on board and cruise towards Kalocsa, in Hungary. Enjoy an evening of entertainment on board.

Day 4

KALOCSA

We'll set off for the visit to the Puzsta, also known as the "Great Hungarian Plain”, this enormous flat prairie was the Hungarian Wild West during the 19th century. We'll return on board for lunch and start cruising towards Budapest, the "pearl of the Danube”.

Day 5

BUDAPEST

Hikers' Program: City walk tour to discover Buda. Walk along the paved streets by the castle, which is one of the few remaining examples of medieval Budapest. We'll return on board via public transport (not included) for lunch. (2½ hours hiking, with a climb of around 100m)

Non-hikers' Program: Guided visit of Budapest (panoramic tour by coach with stops) to discover Buda, the upper part of the city, with its narrow winding streets, baroque buildings and Royal Palace. Pest, is more bustling and busy, and proudly displays its rich mix of architectural styles.

Hikers' Program: Walk in Pest, to discover the Art Deco and Hungarian Art Nouveau buildings. We'll return on board via public transport (not included) or on foot.

Non-hikers can enjoy free time this afternoon.

Enjoy a free evening or a folklore evening in Budapest.

Day 6

BUDAPEST - ESZTERGOM

We'll arrive early in the morning and have some free time in Esztergom, birthplace and coronation site of the first Hungarian king. The Basilica of Esztergom is a masterpiece of classic architecture and its large dome towers over the town. It is the largest religious building in Hungary.

Hikers' Program: Hike to Visegrád Castle (exteriors only) from where you can see the Danube Bend. (2 hours hiking, with a climb of around 250m)

The afternoon will be spent sailing. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening of dancing on board.

Day 7

VIENNA

We'll set off for a guided tour of Vienna and the Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family, and one of the most beautiful European baroque palace.

Hikers' Program: Walking discovery tour of Vienna. The walk up Leopoldsberg will take you to one of the finest vantage points over the city. (Around 3 to 4 hours hiking, with a climb of around 340m)

Non-hikers' Program: Free time to discover Vienna on your own or guided visit of the Hofburg: the Palace of the Habsburgs containing magnificent imperial apartments.

Join us on an optional excursion: Viennese musical concert (subject to availability.)

Day 8

VIENNA

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00. End of our services.

Dates & Prices

Choose your departure date

Start Date

End Date

Ship

Anchors

From *

START IN 2018

Departure 09/21/2018

Arrival 09/28/2018

MS Beethoven

$ 2,630 per person per person

FROM $ 2,630 per person per person

Ship : MS Beethoven Anchors : 4

Book Book this date

* Price based on double occupancy

Sales

Child discount (2-9 years) : - 20%
3rd person discount in triple cabin : - 30%

Formalities

Valid passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.

Included :

Not included

Your cruise with all meals from dinner the D1 to breakfast on D8 - onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists) - double-occupancy cabin with shower in private bathroom - the excursions mentioned in the program except concert of Viennese music - transfers specified in the itinerary - visits and / or hikes as detailed in the program - the services of a qualified guide - onboard entertainment - assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - the gala dinner and evening - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - all port fees.

Drinks from our special lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - the optional viennese concert (to be reserved and paid for on board or at travel agency) - airport taxes - personal expenses.

Shore Excursions

No shore excursion on the non listed days

Packages
A la carte

8 Shore excursions

NON-HIKERS EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

Included in tour package Visit Melk Abbey Dürnstein Guided tour of Bratislava The Puszta Panoramic tour of Budapest Folklore Evening in Budapest Guided visit of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace Guided visit of the Hofburg

Classic

Discover

Morning in the Puszta (1/2 day)

Departure by coach in the company of your host/hostess in the direction of Kiskunsag Park, at the heart of the Puszta. The Puszta, also known as the Great Plain of Hungary, is a large, flat grassland that was regarded as the Wild West of Hungary in t...

Duration 4h00

Guided tour of Budapest

In the company of our guides, we will leave for a panoramic tour of Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube. First we will head for the hills of Buda by crossing the famous Chain Bridge and we will go up to the Castle quarter, from where we'll enjoy a fant...

Duration 4h00

Guided tour of the Hofburg, Residency of the Habsburgs and Sisi museum

Departure by coach with your local guide. You will discover the Hofburg, which is also known for having been during 600 years the "Winter Residency" of the Habsburgs. Over the course of their reign, they turned this small 13th century fortress into a...

Duration 3h00

Transfer to Dürnstein and tour of the village

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess for the village of Dürnstein. You will drive through the Austrian Wachau dotted with charming villages and ruins of medieval castles all the way to Dürnstein. This town is well-known for its castle wh...

Duration 3h00

Guided tour of the Melk Abbey

Departure by coach in company of your host/hostess towards Melk Abbey. We will meet up with our guides in the inner courtyard to start our visit. The Abbey overlooking the Danube was first built as the Babenberg's fortified castle. It was founded in...

Duration 1h45

Traditional evening in Budapest

Transfer by coach in the company of your guides to a theater downtown for a traditional Hungarian show. This one-and-a-half-hour show will take you across all the regions of Hungary through its folklore and Gypsy dance and music. After this show, the...

Duration 2h00

Guided tour of Vienna and Schoenbrunn Palace

You will begin the tour by taking the famous Ring to reach Schoenbrunn Palace. The "Ring" was one of the personal projects of Emperor Franz Joseph. In 1857, he decided to take down the ramparts that enclosed the city center and had this boulevard bui...

Duration 4h00

Guided tour of Bratislava

Bratislava, before becoming the capital of independent Slovakia in 1993 was first of all the capital of Hungary from 1536 to 1784 under the name of Presburg. It then belonged to Czechoslovakia before becoming the capital of the "Slovak Socialist Repu...

Duration 3h00

10 Shore excursions

HIKING EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

Included in tour package: Visit Melk Abbey Hiking at the heart of the Wachau Valley Hiking in the Little Carpathians Visit to the Puzsta Urban hike through Buda Urban hike through Pest Folklore evening in Budapest Hike to Visegrad Fortress...

Classic

Discover

Guided tour of Vienna and Schoenbrunn Palace

Duration 4h00

HIKING IN BRATISLAVA: THE LITTLE CARPATHIANS

We'll leave by coach from Devínska Nová Ves for a hike in the Little Carpathians Protected Landscape Area, including the geographically rich Sandberg expanse. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava. Aft...

Duration 3h00

Morning in the Puszta (1/2 day)

Duration 4h00

Duration 2h30

Duration 2h00

Traditional evening in Budapest

Duration 2h00

Duration 2h00

Duration 4h00

Duration 4h00

Guided tour of the Melk Abbey

Duration 1h45

Viennese Music Concert

Departure by coach in the company of our host/hostess towards Vienna's Kursalon where the concert will take place. Famous waltz melodies will take you back to the era of Franz Joseph and Sisi. The first half of the concert will be devoted to Mozart c...

Duration 2h30

Ships

Several ships available for this cruise

MS Beethoven

MS Beethoven

3 Decks

For the safety of our passengers, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the navigational itinerary.

(1) Optional excursion.

Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.