The Danube River

Magnificent capital cities, medieval winemaking villages and idyllic landscapes: it’s no wonder our blue Danube river cruises are among our most popular holidays. Rising in Germany’s mountainous Black Forest, this famous river winds through nine more countries – Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Moldavia and the Ukraine – before meeting the Black Sea. A cruise along the River Danube is the perfect way to experience four fascinating capital cities – Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade – home to beautiful architecture, extraordinary history and inspiration for a series of musical impresarios. 

Highlights of our Danube river cruises

• Passau
  • Nestled among charming cobbled streets is St. Stephen's Cathedral, which houses the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.
• Dürnstein
  • An enchanting town with a blue-painted Stiftskirche and ruined castle, prison to Richard the Lionheart in 1192.
• Vienna
  • Austria’s ‘City of Music’ inspired Strauss to pen the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz in 1866. This once Imperial city overflows with iconic sights, including the ornate Hofsburg Palace and Opera House.
• Budapest
  • Seven bridges connect the ancient towns of Buda and Pest either side of the River Danube. An imposing Parliament building, historic Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church are on the must-see list.
• Iron Gates Gorge
  • This narrow and dramatic gorge divides the Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast and forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania.