The Grand Danube Explorer
12 days
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River Cruise
Explore extraordinary cities, admire incredible changing landscapes, and relax on-board the MS Serenade 2. This splendid ship is the perfect home-from-home as we sail along the grand Danube River, discovering a whole host of amazing destinations. Visit beautiful Budapest, famous for its history, and travel through the Wachau Valley with us.
From$2,941
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Overview
Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
Highlights
- Discover breath-taking Budapest, the Hungarian capital
- Admire the wonderful Wachau Valley with a scenic tour
- Explore Austria, Slovakia and Hungary with a relaxing river cruise
What's this trip about?
Explore extraordinary cities, admire incredible changing landscapes, and relax on-board the MS Serenade 2. This splendid ship is the perfect home-from-home as we sail along the grand Danube River, discovering a whole host of amazing destinations. Visit beautiful Budapest, famous for its history, and travel through the Wachau Valley with us.
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Details
Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityCalais
End CityCalais
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- Return coach travel
- Eight nights full-board cruise
- Overnight stays on outbound and return journeys
- Services of a Shearings Cruise Manager
- Fantastic river views from every cabin
- Enjoy a Captain’s dinner
- Porterage
- Two included excursions
- Nine optional excursions
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Itinerary
Day One - UK to Liege
We begin our river cruise by travelling from the UK, via Calais, to Liege, where we enjoy stay at an overnight hotel.
Day Two - Liege to Regensburg Area
Following breakfast, we continue to the Regensburg area, arriving at our comfortable hotel in time for an evening meal. (B,D)
Day Three - Regensburg Area to Budapest
From the Regensburg area, we travel to Budapest, where we embark the MS Serenade 2. We can spend time settling in to the ship, getting to know our fellow passengers and enjoying our first night on-board. (B)
Day Four - Budapest to Esztergom
In the morning, join our included Budapest city tour to discover this splendid city. We make our way around the city to admire the fantastic architecture Budapest is famous for, including the Hungarian Parliament on the banks of the Danube, as well as St Stephen’s Basilica, Vajdahunyad Castle and Heroes’ Square. In the evening, we continue our cruise with an overnight sailing to Esztergom. (B,L,D)
Day Five - Esztergom to Bratislava
We have the morning to discover the city of Esztergom, once the capital of Hungary. With its former status, Esztergom is understandably filled with amazing cultural sights, which we can discover with our optional excursion. Admire Castle Hill, with the amazing St Adalber...
Day Six - Bratislava to Vienna
Awake in the Slovakian capital, with free time to explore Bratislava - or why not join our optional tour? This city is home to a number of famous museums, art galleries, and other fascinating cultural attractions, such as St Martin's Cathedral, Bratislava Castle and the Rusovce Mansion. By mid-afternoon, it will be time to return to the MS Serenade 2, as we begin our cruise to Vienna. (B,L,D)
Day Seven - Vienna
Splendid Vienna, known for its musical legacy and amazing architecture, will be our port of call today. With the entire day to explore, there will be plenty to see and do! Why not join our included excursion to discover Vienna’s amazing sights such as the City Hall, St S...
Day Eight - Vienna to Durnstein
This morning, wake to the changing scenery of the Danube as we journey onwards from Vienna to Durnstein. This beautiful town is found in the Wachau Valley, which you can explore with our excellent optional excursion. We will take a scenic drive to admire the valley’s amazing landscape, as well as visiting Durnstein, Krems and Spitz. We moor in Durnstein overnight. (B,L,D)
Day Nine - Durnstein - Melk - Linz
Continuing our river cruise, we depart Durnstein while enjoying breakfast this morning and arrive in Melk before midday. Melk is famous for the astounding Melk Abbey, which overlooks the town, and we will have an optional excursion to explore Melk Valley this afternoon. By evening, it will be time to say goodbye to Melk as we make our way to Linz, cruising overnight. (B,L,D)
Day Ten - Linz to Passau
Austria’s third-largest city, Linz is a delightful place to visit, with beautiful architecture. This includes the Hauptplatz (Main Square), the New Cathedral, and the city’s medieval buildings. Enjoy an optional excursion to explore the city this morning, or join us on a...
Day Eleven - Passau to Liege
We disembark the MS Serenade 2 this morning after breakfast, travelling to our overnight hotel in Liege for an evening meal. (B,D)
Day Twelve - Liege to UK
It will be time to return to the UK today, as we travel via Calais and then make our way home. (B)
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Dates & Availability
Price From $2,941
Price per day$245
Last Updated: 7/6/2020
Pricing is for 2 people.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Shearings Holidays.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Logistics
Accommodation
Ship & cabin information
MS Serenade 2
The stunning MS Serenade 2 offers a truly unique cruising experience. This beautiful and sleek ship has been designed to create a luxurious, modern and spacious atmosphere on board. A real highlight of the Serenade 2 is the superbly designed Forward Observation Lounge where you can sit back and relax enjoying stunning views along the river. We’re sure that once you have experienced the magic of the Serenade 2 you will be back next year! Allow us to welcome you on board our newest addition to the Shearings river cruise family, the MS Serenade 2. Inaugurated in 2007, this beautiful ship really is at the cutting edge of design, guaranteeing the most comfortable possible surroundings for her passengers. The cabins on board the Serenade 2 are amongst the very best and the largest of any river cruise vessel. They feature hotel style beds (not berths or bunks) and a well-appointed bathroom, with WC, bath and separate shower. All cabins feature a flat screen TV, phone, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, safe and hairdryer, plus floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows on the upper two decks.
MS SERENADE 2 BEETHOVEN SINGLE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Hotel-style single bed MS SERENADE 2 BEETHOVEN TWIN Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 CHOPIN MINI-SUITE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Seating area Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 CHOPIN TWIN Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 MOZART MINI-SUITE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 MOZART SINGLE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style single bed MS SERENADE 2 MOZART TWIN Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style twin beds
The stunning MS Serenade 2 offers a truly unique cruising experience. This beautiful and sleek ship has been designed to create a luxurious, modern and spacious atmosphere on board. A real highlight of the Serenade 2 is the superbly designed Forward Observation Lounge where you can sit back and relax enjoying stunning views along the river. We’re sure that once you have experienced the magic of the Serenade 2 you will be back next year! Allow us to welcome you on board our newest addition to the Shearings river cruise family, the MS Serenade 2. Inaugurated in 2007, this beautiful ship really is at the cutting edge of design, guaranteeing the most comfortable possible surroundings for her passengers. The cabins on board the Serenade 2 are amongst the very best and the largest of any river cruise vessel. They feature hotel style beds (not berths or bunks) and a well-appointed bathroom, with WC, bath and separate shower. All cabins feature a flat screen TV, phone, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, safe and hairdryer, plus floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows on the upper two decks.
MS SERENADE 2 BEETHOVEN SINGLE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Hotel-style single bed MS SERENADE 2 BEETHOVEN TWIN Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 CHOPIN MINI-SUITE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Seating area Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 CHOPIN TWIN Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 MOZART MINI-SUITE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style twin beds MS SERENADE 2 MOZART SINGLE Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style single bed MS SERENADE 2 MOZART TWIN Private bathroom facilities including a separate shower, bath and toilet Flat screen TV Telephone Mini-fridge Safe Hairdryer Tea/coffee making facilities Floor-to-ceiling sliding French windows Hotel-style twin beds
Cancellation policy
You may cancel your hotel break at any time, but if you do so you will have to pay us cancellation charges based on a scale. These charges are to compensate us for the risk of not being able to re-sell your accommodation. When you cancel you must inform us or your travel agent in writing and your cancellation only takes effect from the date we or your travel agent receive your notice in writing, signed by the person who made the booking, together with any travel tickets or vouchers we may already have sent you. Please note that if only part of a booking is cancelled this may mean that the accommodation booked will be under occupied and may result in the remaining guests having to pay any applicable supplements, e.g. changing a twin room to a single.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
sheari-TheGraDanExp
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