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At a glance
Visiting:
Slovakia
Length:
7 nights
by air
WAS from:£1,889ppNOW from:£1,739pp
Request Brochure - Classic Danube Explorer
To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA
Classic Danube Explorer
Europe's second longest river
Explore on a stylish, contemporary A-ROSA river cruiser. Sail through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, visiting some beautiful cities and enjoying the casual elegance of life on board.The A-ROSA Premium Inclusive experience is designed to make river cruising as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. Gourmet buffet dining with live cooking stations, cocktails in the lounge bar and fine-weather barbecues on the sun-soaked top deck, fun things to do on board and ashore, and a lively, friendly atmosphere, mean you'll soon feel right at home.
Immerse yourself in the Danube's history and culture as you spend two days in stunning Vienna, see Hungary's largest church and tallest building – the dome-capped Basilica in Esztergom – and pass another two days exploring the historic capital of Hungary, Budapest. Enjoy a day in Bratislava, Slovakia, before sailing back past Vienna overnight to spend a morning cruising though the glorious scenery of the Wachau Valley to Melk.
Taste the Destination
We’ll complement our delicious international dining with the very best authentic regional cuisine. Here’s a sample of what to expect…
Braised Beef Esterhazy – Braised sirloin with a savoury-sweet sauce of sour cream, onions and vegetables
Austrian veal roll roast served with rich chanterelle cream sauce
A BBQ evening on the sun deck with local dishes from the destination
Holiday Highlights
Seven ports of call
Three included excursions
An overnight stay and included guided tour in Vienna
A morning call in Hungary's Esztergom
An overnight stay and included guided tour in Budapest
A visit to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava
A scenic passage through the Wachau Valley
An afternoon call in Melk, site of the famous Abbey
Return travel from the UK to Germany (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Included coach transfers to the ship (unless you select our Tour Only option)
Free Wi-Fi on board
On-board activities and entertainment
Gourmet buffet dining with live cooking stations
Flexible mealtimes
A FREE unlimited Premium All-Inclusive drinks package including water, soft drinks, speciality teas and coffees, beer, wine, spirits and cocktails throughout the day and evening
Occasional regional treats and specialities to complement your destination that day
Afternoon tea with freshly prepared cakes and pastries
The services of a Cruise Director and experienced English-speaking crew
All port taxes and surcharges
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Engelhartszell near Passau, where you'll begin your A-ROSA Danube cruise. Settle in to your cabin and explore the ship, ready for departure in the early evening.
Day 2
After a lovely morning meandering down the Danube, you'll arrive in the Austrian capital, Vienna, around lunchtime. This bustling cultural and economic centre will be brought to life by an included city tour. Discover why it is known as the 'City of Music', and explore streets and squares lined with a wonderful blend of classical and more modern architecture. Or simply explore or relax at your leisure.
Day 3
Spend another day exploring Vienna's endless sights and landmarks. Sample the local Gruner Veltliner wines, chat with new friends and locals in an authentic Viennese cafe or soak up the culture in a few of Vienna's 100-plus art galleries and museums. A visit to the 1000-room Schonbrunn Palace is a must, for it's where a young Mozart first enthralled astonished listeners with his extraordinary musical prowess. After a wonderful two days, A-ROSA BELLA sets sail again in the early evening, heading east into Hungary.
The local A-ROSA Destination scout will be on hand to help you make the most of your time in Vienna and Budapest.
Day 4
A lively day of exploration lies ahead. Arrive early at small but historic Esztergom, one of the oldest towns in Hungary. Visit the impressive Esztergom Basilica, which dominates the town skyline, and then return to the ship in time to depart before lunchtime.In the mid afternoon you'll arrive in beautiful Budapest. Stroll through the streets on an included city tour, take in the neo-Gothic architecture, perhaps visit the newly reopened Museum of Fine Arts, which holds one of the most extensive collections of European art in the world, or just relax in a quaint cafe or bar.
Day 5
Enjoy a second day in Budapest, perhaps continuing to explore the city's many cultural attractions. With so many museums and galleries, fashionable stores and restaurants on offer, your biggest chore will be deciding which to choose. The ship leaves at mid-afternoon to begin the long, relaxed cruise back up the Danube.
Day 6
Arrive in Slovakia’s capital city, Bratislava in the morning and enjoy an included guided walking tour of the medieval old town - a joy to explore, with cobbled streets, maze-like alleyways, boutiques and cafes. Returning to the ship, enjoy a speciality dinner on board tonight.
Day 7
We'll have a brief stop in the quaint town of Krems this morning. You can choose to take an optional tour here with time in Krems, Durnstein and finishing at the pastel-painted Benedictine Melk Abbey. If you’d prefer to stay on board, enjoy cruising the Wachau Valley, a picture-perfect stretch of Danube river valley flanked by vineyards and fairy-tale villages. We offer the chance to take a bike and cycle the route too. Whether you’ve toured, cruised or cycled, we rejoin the ship back at Melk Abbey this afternoon.
Day 8
You'll arrive back in Engelhartszell early this morning. Disembark A-ROSA BELLA to begin your journey home.
A-ROSA DONNA (2024 departures)
Each of A-ROSA's elegant river cruise vessels has been built specifically for the river upon which it sails, offering spacious, contemporary public areas, light, bright cabins and a casual-yet-stylish cruising experience.
Facilities
Relax on a comfy sun lounger, admiring the views of castles, vineyard-clad hills and enchanting riverside towns and villages (perhaps with a drink from the bar), or enjoy a game of shuffleboard or giant chess with friends. Each river cruiser has either a whirlpool or plunge pool, perfect for keeping cool on those warmer days. On fine days you'll also find A-ROSA chefs on the top deck, barbecuing so you can enjoy a lunch with a view.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory, but from experience we know that many passengers like to leave gratuities for the crew. At the end of the cruise you will find a tip box for the entire crew at the reception and the suggested amount is five Euros per guest per day. Of course, you are free to tip individual crew members at any time, should you wish.
Dress code
The dress code on board and ashore is comfortable and casual; we recommend that you bring sturdy footwear for excursions. For the restaurant we recommend smart casual dress. Please remember to bring warmer clothes for evenings out on deck.
Luggage
Where possible, we recommend non-rigid suitcases as these are easier to store within your cabin.
Pool
A heated pool can be found on the sun deck of the following ships: A-ROSA DONNA, FLORA, SILVA and STELLA.
Optional shore excursions
Optional excursions are available on all cruises. If the number of bookings needed to operate any excursion is not reached, the excursion may be cancelled.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is provided free of charge in accordance with A-ROSA's conditions of use. You can request a login and password from reception. Internet reception is limited and will vary from location to location.
Whirlpool
A heated Whirlpool can be found on the following ships: A-ROSA AQUA, and VIVA.
Cabin facilities
In your cabin you will find a safe installed in the wardrobe, a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers, insect screens and pool towels. The power supply in your cabin is 220 V/50 Hz. All sockets are European two-pin, meaning you will need to bring an adaptor.
Air-conditioning
All A-ROSA vessels are air-conditioned throughout, with individual climate control in each cabin.
Drinking water
The water on board potable and bottled water is provided in your cabin.
Foreign Office travel advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Disabled guests and guests in need of assistance
All ships have stairs, are not equipped with lifts, and may not be suitable for passengers with restricted mobility. Wheelchairs cannot be used on board.
Itinerary changes
Unnavigable rivers
Water levels can fluctuate on Europe’s rivers which may result in low or high water conditions in specific destinations. Please be aware that the situation can evolve rapidly, and it is impossible to predict if a cruise will be affected more than a few days in advance. Rest assured water levels are monitored very closely and we will contact you immediately if we are advised that there is likely to be any impact to your upcoming cruise.
Disruption - Delays during your cruise
If progress along the river is disrupted, we will endeavour to keep your holiday going, however the Captain may need to alter the cruise itinerary. This could include remaining moored in the same place extra nights, postponing the departure to the next day or arranging excursions to the itinerary destinations or equivalent alternatives by coach. If this happens, the Cruise Manager will keep passengers informed.