Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna: A Danube Discovery River Cruise - MS Riviera Radiance
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.
From the split-level lounge and dining in the main restaurant to the floor-to-ceiling French balconies available in over 80% of cabins and suites, life on board the 135-metre MS Riviera Radiance feels airy and light. The Grand Suites, located on our Diamond Deck, are an impressive 32 square metres and feature separate living and sleeping space as well as a full balcony - making them our biggest suites yet - and at 24 square metres, our Superior Suites feel luxuriously spacious.
Our brand-new ship features all the facilities you'd expect to find in a boutique hotel. The main restaurant rivals the finest onshore establishments, taking fine dining to another level, complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel. On board are two additional, speciality restaurants, which offer a more intimate dining experience and showcase a delicious array of local flavours. You'll never go hungry on board!
Designed with the very latest technology and our strong environmental values in mind, MS Riviera Radiance is on track to qualify for the Gold Standard as part of the Green Award programme. So, you can lay back, relax and enjoy that cocktail on the Sun Deck guilt-free knowing your holiday will have a minimised impact on the peaceful natural landscapes we cruise through, protecting the world we love exploring for future generations to enjoy.
A small number of bicycles are available on board for our guests. Please enquire at the reception desk for information.