Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna: A Danube Discovery River Cruise - MS Riviera Reflection
Holiday Highlights
- Discover the Slovakian capital, Bratislava with its 17th-century castle and charming old town on a guided tour.
- See Vienna's iconic cultural sites, including St Stephen's Cathedral and the colossal Hofburg, in the company of a local guide on our sightseeing tour of Vienna.
- Spend time in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, seeing its iconic Parliament Building and ancient Castle Hill.
- Experience an onboard classical performance by a professional string quartet.
What's Included
- Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of sole occupancy cabins available, at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day
- All-inclusive drinks package
- 4 nights on board a Five-star ship
- Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
- All visits and excursions as mentioned
- Return flights
- Coach travel as mentioned
- Transfers from the airport to and from the port of embarkation
- English-speaking expert guides
- The services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Host
- All port charges & airport taxes
- Checked luggage
Itinerary
Day 1
Budapest - On arrival in Budapest, you’ll be met by a member of the Rivera team and transferred to your ship. Our welcoming, English-speaking crew will be ready to assist you in finding your cabin. After settling in, take some time to explore the many first-class amenities before sitting down to your first delicious dinner in our stylish onboard restaurant. We’ll remain moored in Budapest overnight.
Day 2
Budapest - Although divided by the Danube River, the twin cities of Buda and Pest have been unified since 1873. Buda, sitting on the western side, offers fairytale architecture, pretty promenades and wooded hills whilst Pest, to the east, is known for its lively and more modern atmosphere with plenty of trendy bars, cafés and restaurants. Through the centuries, this land has been shaped by struggle and resilience. The Ottomans ruled for 150 years before their departure in the late 17th century. Their enduring legacy continues to thrive in the form of thermal baths nourished by healing hot springs, earning Budapest its inspiring title – the ‘City of Spas’. At the end of the Ottoman rule, it became the imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth, before contending with the atrocities of fascism and communism. Yet despite its dark past, Hungary’s gorgeous capital emerged as one of the most vibrant, fascinating cities in Europe - and one of the most beautiful. Here contemporary cool and old-school grandeur mix effortlessly, and all with a distinctly Hungarian flavour. This morning you have a couple of choices: If you choose the panoramic coach tour, you’ll drive past some of Budapest’s famous sites, including the Opera House, Gellert Baths, chain bridge, Parliament building, and more, and stop for photos and some time to explore at Hero’s Square and Buda castle. Alternatively, you can choose our active tour, where you’ll take a coach to the castle district. From here, you’ll take lifts up to the castle terraces to begin a guided walking tour around the castle area and Fisherman’s bastion. You’ll then have free time to explore before heading back to the coach for the transfer to the ship. This tour involves uneven grounds and a lot of walking so we only recommend it for customers who are comfortable with a moderate activity level. During lunch, we'll begin our journey upstream towards Bratislava. Head up onto the magnificent Sun Deck to enjoy some fabulous river views as we cruise along the 'Danube Bend', surrounded by historic and picturesque cities like Visegrad and Szentendre. Castle ruins, churches, pretty houses perching on the hills, and thick forests are reflected in the waters of the river. Later today, we’ll pause for a planned stop along the Danube – a lovely opportunity to stretch your legs or simply enjoy the changing scenery.
Named for the memories that stay with you long after your holiday ends, Riviera Reflection features our largest suites and has been beautifully designed with our Swiss partners.
From the split-level lounge and main restaurant, to the natural light flooding in through floor-to-ceiling French balconies in over 80% of cabins and suites, life on board feels bright and airy. Located on the Diamond Deck, the Grand Suites are a generous 32 square metres and feature separate living and sleeping areas alongside a private balcony, making them our most spacious suites yet. At 24 square metres, our Superior Suites also offer a luxurious sense of space.
The ship’s main restaurant is comparable to the finest onshore dining, elevating every meal with exquisite European porcelain, sparkling glassware and the intuitive service for which the Swiss are renowned. Two additional speciality restaurants provide a more intimate setting, each showcasing a tempting selection of local flavours.
Designed with the latest technology and strong environmental values at its heart, Riviera Reflection has been designed to meet Gold Standard accreditation through the Green Award programme. Relax with a cocktail on the Sun Deck, knowing your holiday has been thoughtfully designed to minimise its impact on the landscapes we journey through.
A small number of bicycles are available on board for guests. Please enquire at reception for details.
Please note: As Riviera Reflection has yet to launch, images shown of the ship are currently of its sister ship, Riviera Radiance or Riviera Resplendence.