Classic Danube Itinerary – Seafarer Cruises

Seafarer Cruises

Day 1	Embarkation in Passau The border city of Passau, one of the most popular places in Bavaria, is also known as the Dreifl üssestadt (City of Three Rivers). Here the River Danube is joined by the Inn and Ilz rivers and grows to become one of Europe’s major waterways. Passau has a well preserved medieval centre, complete with Sankt Stephan Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ.
Day 2	Melk / Vienna This morning the MS Select Explorer is moored in Melk, a small town best known as the site of the massive baroque Benedictine monastery of Stift Melk, impressively located atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the river below. In the afternoon the ship sets sail for a cruise downstream through the most picturesque reaches of the river towards Vienna where we arrive in the early evening. The next stop will be Vienna, capital of Austria.
Day 3	Vienna Today we are in Vienna. The very name carries so much history and culture. Take the chance to join a sightseeing tour of the most important sights and monuments including the Opera, the Rathaus, the Parliament, the Burgtheater and the splendor of the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The historic old centre and the St. Stephansdom cathedral are also featured. In the afternoon there’s time to explore at your own pace or you can join another wonderful excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence of the Hapsburgs; a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. Around dinnertime the ship will leave the Austrian capital and set sail for Budapest.
Day 4	Budapest The MS Select Explorer arrives this morning in Budapest, a city divided by the mighty Danube into two parts: traditional “Buda” and cosmopolitan “Pest”. This afternoon you can join our guided sightseeing tour, taking in the broad boulevards, the famous Parliament, the Opera, Heroes Square and the Fisherman’s Bastion with its spectacular views over the city. Other noted sights include the Market and the Chain Bridge. But what would Budapest be without a night time view of the beautifully illuminated city? This evening’s optional excursion around Budapest by night commences at a traditional Hungarian restaurant for an evening of typical Hungarian food, wine and music, followed by a tour of the city culminating at Mount Gellert for an exquisite view of the city by night.
Day 5	Budapest This morning is at leisure with time to discover more of this bustling city at your own pace. You can also choose to join a truly remarkable excursion to the wide grassy Hungarian plain, the Puszta, to learn about its history and traditions. In the afternoon the ship will sail to Esztergom, one of the oldest cities in the country and famous for its Basilica, the largest church in Hungary. During the short stop here passengers on the Puszta excursion will rejoin the ship.
Day 6	Bratisava The MS Select Explorer moors this morning in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Our optional guided city tour by coach and on foot will give you a great insight into this historic imperial city of 450.000 inhabitants. You will see, amongst other fascinating sights, the National Theatre, St.Martin’s Cathedral, Michael’s Gate, the Old Town Hall and the impressive fortress perched high above the river.
Day 7	Dürnstein Today you will awake in Dürnstein, a charming old village in the heart of the steep sided winding Wachau valley with a fi ne medieval castle. From the pier you will go directly to the historic city centre on foot, strolling past the city wall and through the medieval city gate to Pranger Square. From here you have a lovely view of the castle ruins, famous as the location where Richard the Lionheart was reputedly incarcerated . After the city tour your guided visit ends with a wine tasting, where you will sample three delicious wines typical of the Wachau region. In the afternoon the ship will continue for an overnight cruise to Passau..
Day 8	Disembarkation in Passau Passau After breakfast it is time to disembark in Passau and bid farewell to your friendly crew and the MS Select Explorer.