A Danube river cruise is a stalwart of the travel bucket list. Flowing for 1,770 miles through ten countries – from Germany in the west to Romania in the east – the river offers cruisers the opportunity to float through some of Europe’s incredible natural landscapes and storied cities on one unforgettable journey. But there are so many Danube river cruises on offer – which one should you choose?

If you’re more of a rock-and-roller than a Blue Danube waltzer, and if you like a healthy helping of fun and laughter alongside your craving for culture, there’s only one cruise you need to consider: the Sounds of the Fortunes Danube River Cruise offered by GN Holidays.

Cruising Tunes Courtesy of the Sounds of the Fortunes

At GN Holidays we pride ourselves on organising fun and friendly adult holidays that offer you the chance to get away from your usual routine and let your hair down – you deserve it! We are thrilled that our Danube river cruise in October 2019 will have two very special guests guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your nostalgia throbbing: Michael Smitham and Eddie Mooney, two long-standing members of The Fortunes. For two nights they will take to the stage on the MS Verdi to perform some of their most popular hits as well as a host of other iconic tunes from the 1960s and 70s.

The Fortunes, originally founded in Rugby in 1961, gained international fame with their hit ‘You’ve Got Your Troubles’ in 1965 at the height of the Swinging Sixties. A slew of top 10 hits followed in the next few decades, including ‘Here It Comes Again’, ‘Freedom Come, Freedom Go’ and ‘Storm in a Teacup’. While the band still performs together as The Fortunes, Michael and Eddie regularly bring the house down as a duo, sharing some hilarious stories of yesteryear as they perform.

Top Tip: Free drinks, dinner and nightly entertainment make GN Holidays’ Danube river cruise a stand-out option for fun-loving over-forties searching for a cruise with character.

All Aboard the MS Verdi

The MS Verdi is the elegant setting for our unforgettable Danube river cruise. This four-star vessel was fully renovated in 2016, offering twin and double cabins for 136 lucky guests. We are proud to be chartering the ship exclusively for our 2019 and 2020 departures, which means that we can guarantee that you’ll be surrounded by likeminded holidaymakers with a passion for the music of yesteryear.

Choose Your Cabin Style

• A-grade with French balcony
• B- and C-grade with half a French balcony
• D-grade with fixed window
• E-grade single with small window

Leisure facilities on board include a library and a fabulous lounge bar with dancefloor – the perfect place to show off those groovy dance moves! The holiday package includes seven nights of full board accommodation, so you can feast on buffet breakfasts and four-course lunches, and four-course dinners served at your table. And from 6pm to 11pm you can have your fill of free wine, beer and soft drinks at the bar. If you’re still peckish between meals you can help yourself to afternoon tea or coffee served with pastries, or late night snacks when the lights get low.

Top Tip: don’t miss the chance to indulge in a special five-course captain’s dinner during your trip.

The Decadent Delights of a Danube River Cruise

If you’re a seasoned river cruiser you will know that the biggest benefit of a holiday on water is the ever-changing scenery and the opportunity to wake up each morning in a completely different location. The path of the Danube through central Europe has formed the natural border between countries for centuries, so you can sit out on the sundeck of the MS Verdi and see Hungary, Slovakia and Austria all pass you by within a single holiday.

“The holiday had a relaxed atmosphere with freedom to do as much or as little as you liked at each location.”

J Robertson

The eight-day itinerary for this holiday is jam-packed with day trips and optional excursions to explore the towns and cities that cluster on the banks of the river. Stop-offs include:

• Budapest

Discover the fascinating split personality of Budapest on either side of the river, from hilly, historical Buda to vibrant, trendy Pest.

• Bratislava

Beautiful Bratislava is one of the youngest capital cities in the world and astounds with its eclectic mix of architecture, from medieval through to modernist.

• Dürnstein

There’s something of a Grimm’s fairytale about the castle and cobblestoned streets of Dürnstein, which nestles in a bend of the river as it snakes through Austria.

• Linz

Linz may boast some gorgeous baroque architecture, but it’s also a thriving cultural, technological and media hub. You can choose to explore the city at your leisure or …

• Salzburg

Alternatively we offer music lovers the chance for an excursion to Salzburg, to walk in the footsteps of Mozart or join our ‘Sound of Music Tour’ (an additional £35pp) to visit famous filming locations around the city.

• Melk

A stop-off in Melk gives you the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the Wachau Valley and the town’s historic Benedictine Abbey.

• Vienna

Finally you can admire the baroque beauty of Vienna’s palaces, the seat of the Habsburgs for over 600 years.

Top Tip: pre-book all of the additional excursions we offer and enjoy a 10% discount.

So there we have it: a Danube river cruise that offers the perfect mix of sightseeing and singalongs, exploring the romantic culture of some of Europe’s most beautiful cities by day and enjoying the nostalgia of some legendary tunes from the 1960s and 70s by night.

If you’re ready to sing along to the Sounds of the Fortunes and dance the night away on the Danube, book onto our October 2019 charter today. Take a look at the web page to book online, or get in touch with one of our helpful sales team to book over the phone by calling 01895 83 33 33. We’re so excited for you to join us!