Cruise the Heart of Europe

15 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
26 reviews  
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River Cruise
Crossing half way across Europe, absorb amazing changes, incredible variety of medieval towns, UNESCO heritage sites, Gutenberg bibles, Marc Chagall’s stained glass and sights too numerous to mention. This fourteen-day tour takes you on an amazing journey from Cologne in the heart of the Rhine valley to Vienna and finally Budapest on the banks of the Danube...
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Standard class one way reserved seat on Eurostar from London St. Pancras with return flight or return flights from selected airports (at a supplement)
    • Admire the stunning scenery of the Rhine Gorge, Main and Danube
    • Guided tour of 2,000 year-old Koblenz
    • Stop in picturesque Boppard
    • Rüdesheim - a true Rhineland wine town
    • Visit to Mainz - once home to Gutenberg father of modern printing
    • See Miltenberg - one of Germany's best preserved medieval towns
    • Experience Wertheim - one of the most attractive medieval towns in Germany
    • Guided tour of baroque Würzburg
    • Walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg

What's this trip about?

    Crossing half way across Europe, absorb amazing changes, incredible variety of medieval towns, UNESCO heritage sites, Gutenberg bibles, Marc Chagall’s stained glass and sights too numerous to mention. This fourteen-day tour takes you on an amazing journey from Cologne in the heart of the Rhine valley to Vienna and finally Budapest on the banks of the Danube. Your floating accommodation will be one of the most luxurious vessels cruising the inland waterways of Europe. You will be suitably impressed with the high quality, sumptuous accommodation and simply delicious cuisine in such stylish and relaxing surroundings.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityCologne
End CityBudapest

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • Slovakia

Attractions

  • Bamberg
  • Bratislava
  • Budapest
  • Koblenz
  • Nuremberg
  • Vienna

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • River cruise
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Wine Tasting

Trip includes

    • The price includes full board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day
    • if you choose to travel with us on any of the full day excursions by coach, a packed lunch will be provided.
    • Anyone choosing to stay on the ship may of course have lunch in the restaurant
    • Morning/afternoon tea and coffee
    • All visits and excursions as mentioned in the brochure
    • Airport transfers
    • Coach travel as mentioned
    • Travel to and from port of embarkation and the services of a Riviera Travel Tour Manager

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrival In Cologne

You fly to Düsseldorf or Cologne from where a coach will take you to the ship. Or you can take a late morning Eurostar from London St. Pancras International arriving in Brussels approximately two hours later, where a coach will take you over the German border to your ...

Day 2: Koblenz & Boppard

The first morning on a river cruise is always a thrill. Awakening to the gentle lapping of the water and the colourful valley sides slipping effortlessly past your cabin window, there really is no other holiday experience quite like it.

We call at historical Ko...

Day 3: Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim

Today, you experience one of the real highlights of your cruise, the passage through the Rhine Gorge. Here the valley narrows, the current is swifter and the towering valley sides soar to more than 200 metres, crowned at every turn of the tortuous river by the precari...

Day 4: Mainz

This morning, we take the short cruise to the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Main at the fascinating town of Mainz. An important Roman city for 500 years, with the largest amphitheatre north of the Alps, it is home to the fine St Stephen’s church where light flick...

Day 5: Miltenberg & Wertheim

This morning, we cruise between dense forests to the beautiful small town of Miltenberg. Developing through the Middle Ages under the powerful protection of the nearby castle, surrounded by walls, it is one of Germany’s best preserved medieval villages.

During ...

Day 6: Würzburg

Breakfast is taken whilst cruising towards Würzburg, situated at the head of Germany’s ’Romantic Road’ and we have a walking tour of this lovely city. A former seat of the Prince Bishops, their truly magnificent Residenz is one of Europe’s finest Baroque palaces, cons...

Day 7: Bamberg

Today we visit Bamberg, quite simply one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe, easily on a par with Prague. The masterpiece you see today began its artistic journey during the 11th century, when the Emperor Heinrich II planned a capital as grand as Rome and sel...

Day 8: Nuremberg

We call at Nuremberg, which sadly will always be associated with the Nazi period, where the Third Reich held court against a grandiose background of marching grounds and later with the international war crimes tribunal which brought down the final curtain on that noto...

Day 9: Regensburg

This morning, we cruise along the Main- Danube canal to Kelheim and the Danube, one of the most famous and beautiful rivers in the world. We visit Regensburg, originally a Roman garrison guarding the most north-westerly point of their empire, dominated by its cathedra...

Day 10: Passau

Passau is our last town in Germany, nestling as it does where the Danube gorge widens. Our fascinating journey continues into Austria, synonymous of course, with superb scenery but this beautiful section of the valley is something of a secret. Relax aboard the ship today, as we cruise through the narrowing valley.

Day 11: Melk

On a striking and resplendent rocky bluff above the town of Melk is an enormous Benedictine Abbey which we visit this morning. This extraordinary building was originally a Hapsburg palace, and subsequently bequeathed to the Benedictine order during the 11th century. I...

Day 12: Vienna

Vienna, a truly elegant city, is one of the real gems of Central Europe, conjuring up an image in the mind of culture, ornate architecture, elegant cafés, aristocratic palaces, imposing cathedrals and everywhere the romantic music of the great composers. To be fair th...

Day 13: Bratislava

This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast emerging capital city, Bratislava. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of communism, the city has shrugged off its greyness, rekindling the splendour of its imperial past, so evident in its beautifully restored baroque...

Day 14: Budapest

We arrive in imperial Budapest, straddling the beautiful river. Dominated by the castle, the city, often called ‘Little Paris of Middle Europe’, is famous for the monuments that reflect both local culture and that of numerous foreign powers, which ruled here for most ...

Day 15: Return Home

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and transfer to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight to the UK.

PLEASE NOTE: on dates marked with an asterisk on the separate Departure Details, this tour operates in reverse. You will experience the same tours and visits. 2016 cruises are 14 days without the Bratislava stop.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,129
Price per day$142
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Riviera Travel.

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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Riviera Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Riviera Travel

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In 2015, Riviera Travel celebrated an astounding 31 years of providing high quality escorted European & Worldwide tours and river cruises plus offering unrivalled value for money.

We are incredibly passionate about our holidays, river cruises and service, and our entire staff both in the UK and overseas is dedicated to ensuring that we meet, indeed exceed the expectations of our discerning and loyal customers.

From our roots organising simple coach trips to Paris, we have evolved to be Britain’s largest overseas escorted tour operator offering a fascinating range of European and Worldwide holidays and experiences spread across four Continents and of which we are all extremely proud of.

Which?, probably the country’s most respected not-for-profit consumer organisation, voted Riviera Travel one of the UK’s finest Holiday Companies awarding us their coveted ‘Recommended Provider’ for a fourth year in a row and we achieved a maximum score in 4 out of 5 categories, with our score being 92%, higher than last year so we are getting even better!

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Passport and Visa Charges
    • Personal Expenses
Ship & cabin information
MS Jane Austen
How can one adequately sum up the wonderfully elegant five-star MS Jane Austen? Launched in 2015 and built to the most exacting standards, how can we describe this extraordinary vessel that’s truly one of the finest ships of its type afloat anywhere in the world? Perhaps the best way to experience the vessel is to explore for yourself with this immersive, visually stunning interactive 3D Tour. (For Desktop or Tablet only) Quite simply, every single aspect and element is designed to the highest possible specification and our own exacting standards to bring you the very best and most enjoyable river cruising experience, in the most luxurious comfort. We have worked tirelessly with our Swiss partner Scylla AG, one of the world’s most experienced luxury rivership builders with a pedigree stretching back over nearly 40 years, to design the perfect vessel, with virtually no expense spared. You’ll feel the unmistakable understated opulence of this extraordinary vessel as you board through the spacious, marble-floored lobby. Stylish furnishings using environmentally friendly materials are beautifully combined with the most advanced safety systems… and the work of a wonderful designer’s eye conjuring up the classic lines and sophistication of a luxurious ocean liner. As always, the finesse is in the detail - beautifully crafted tropical hardwoods, wrought iron, highly polished copper and brass, all beautifully illuminated then added to soft leather furnishings and imaginative colour schemes, promotes a subtle, chic ambience of exceptional taste. Intuitive, unobtrusive service is graceful, efficient yet friendly as you might expect from a Swiss operated ship with 35 staff serving just 140 guests. This outstanding ratio of 4:1 allows a personal touch which makes such a difference to your cruise. Plus unlike other vessels typically carrying up to 200 passengers, you’ll enjoy simply far more space – as well as a smaller, more intimate dining experience.
Built: 2015 Crew: 36 Passengers: 140 Cruises Available: 7
MS Jane Austen Cabins Deluxe Suite: Diamond Deck For the ultimate in space and river cruise luxury, on the Diamond (top) deck there are four deluxe suites, at 22.5 square metres (242 square feet) a full 50% larger than a standard cabin, beautifully appointed and incredibly comfortable, plus for a final homely touch, soft cotton bathrobes and slippers. You will love them. Suite: Diamond Deck For more space you can upgrade to a suite available on all decks, featuring the same facilities as standard cabins but being larger at 18.5 square meters (199 square feet). The extra space is purely devoted to the living area, so you really notice the difference. Stern Suite: Diamond Deck These are the same size and have the same features as the suites Standard Cabin: Diamond Deck & Ruby Deck At 15 square metres (161 square feet), your luxuriously appointed cabin is amongst the largest, most comfortable and best appointed on any European river cruise vessel - with all the high quality facilities you would expect from a top hotel, and more. Standard Cabin: Emerald Deck At 15 square metres (161 square feet), your luxuriously appointed cabin is amongst the largest, most comfortable and best appointed on any European river cruise vessel - with all the high quality facilities you would expect from a top hotel, and more. Suite: Emerald Deck For more space you can upgrade to a suite available on all decks, featuring the same facilities as standard cabins but being larger at 18.5 square meters (199 square feet). The extra space is purely devoted to the living area, so you really notice the difference. Suite: Ruby Deck For more space you can upgrade to a suite available on all decks, featuring the same facilities as standard cabins but being larger at 18.5 square meters (199 square feet). The extra space is purely devoted to the living area, so you really notice the difference. The Decks In addition to the spacious Sun Deck, there are three superb air-conditioned decks on the Jane Austen – the Diamond (top), Ruby (middle) and Emerald (lower). A stylish glass lift and a wide, elegant wrought-iron railed staircase connect the Diamond and Ruby decks, whilst the Sun and Emerald Decks are accessed by staircase. On the Diamond Deck is the magnificent panoramic observation lounge, the heart of the ship with wonderful views through floor to ceiling windows of the ever-changing landscape as you move along the river. This is where the ships superb design really is so evident. You’ll love the quality feel, the genteel ambience, the rich carpeting, the marble-tiled bar and the choice of sumptuous leather armchairs and soft modern settees. What could be better than to lose yourself in conversation with like-minded new friends, sip a coffee, perhaps play chess or bridge, or just relax whilst admiring the incredible scenery? And after a delicious dinner, appreciate our pianist, a gentle dance on the purpose-designed dance floor, or just enjoy a quiet read in the peaceful Lido Bar at the rear of the ship, ideal to while away an hour on a comfortable terrace absorbing the sights and sounds of Europe’s great rivers. On the Ruby Deck is the main restaurant – with cuisine of the absolute highest order, attentive service with just four or six people at most tables, and yet again the elegant surroundings of glass, marble, deep wool carpets and crafted hard-wood panelling evident throughout the ship. The Sun Deck – and especially the forward viewing area - is perfect for watching the historic riverside villages, steep vine-clad valley sides and other scenic wonders glide serenely by. It’s well equipped with plenty of comfortable outdoor chairs and sun loungers, deck games including shuffleboard and giant chess, a small splash pool where you can cool off, and a full bar service. Sometimes we hold barbecues here too, weather dependent of course – a great way to meet new people over a glass of wine. Another very special feature of the Jane Austen is its purpose-designed and extensive spa. You can reserve the spa for your private use to take a sauna or use the steam room, or perhaps visit the on-board hairdresser (small additional fee). A good night's sleep is assured in a full hotel-style bed to find the perfect sleeping position, plus the finest crisp cotton bed linen and down-filled pillows.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation charges are as follows: more than 56 days - deposit only; 56 - 31 days - 80%; 30 - 15 days - 95%; 14 days or less – 100% (charges shown as a % of the holiday price).

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, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
rivier-CruEurRiv

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