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4-Star Dazzling Danube & Imperial Cities Cruise & Stay by Rail
13 days by Rail, 2 June & 26 September 2022
from £3199 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: UK to Cologne
Meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras and travel by train to Cologne via Brussels. Overnight in Cologne.
Day 2: Cologne – Berlin
Morning walking tour of Cologne. Midday train to Berlin. Overnight in Berlin.
Day 3: Berlin – Prague
Morning walking tour of Berlin. Early afternoon train to Prague. Overnight in Prague.
Day 4: Prague
Morning guided tour of Prague. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Prague.
Day 5: Prague – Budapest
Morning train from Prague arriving Budapest late afternoon where we join the MS Verdi for our 8-day full-board cruise. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 6: Budapest
Today we have a full day in Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here you can explore both sides of Hungary’s capital – traditional ‘Buda’ and the more cosmopolitan ‘Pest’, known as the Pearl of the Danube. Early evening we set sail for Bratislava. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 7: Bratislava
Bratislava is described as ‘The Beauty on the Danube’, situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and on the banks of this stunning river, on the border with Austria. The Slovakian Capital is one of the youngest in the world and quickly developing with a mix of both old and new highlights including stunning 18th Century Squares and spires, the old town and the castle of Bratislava which dominates the skyline. This evening we sail into lower Austria as the captain skilfully navigates the winding river and several locks as we enjoy free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 8: Dürnstein
The town of Dürnstein is crowned by the ruins of the castle that once imprisoned Richard the Lionheart. Enjoy wandering around the cobbled streets and admiring the pretty courtyards and buildings. In the afternoon we set sail for Linz. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 9: Linz & Salzburg
Today is at leisure in Linz or you can join the excursion to Salzburg, a city famous for Mozart and the Sound of Music. Here you can visit the sites associated to the composer or join a tour visiting the settings for the musical. Afterwards you will have time for strolling around this amazing city. Return to the ship for our overnight sailing to Melk. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 10: Melk
This morning we visit the small town of Melk which lies in the beautiful Wachau Valley. Here you can visit the Benedictine Abbey, one of the most famous monastic houses in Austria which has been occupied by monks for over 900 years. Rejoin the ship and continue our cruise towards Vienna arriving in the evening. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 11: Vienna
We spend today experiencing the delights of Vienna. Grand palaces, baroque castles, magnificent squares and grand monuments are just some of the key features of this beautiful city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the early evening we cast off and cruise towards Budapest. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 12: Budapest – Munich
Late morning train from Budapest to Munich arriving early evening.
Day 13: Munich – UK
Morning train from Munich to London Via Frankfurt and Brussels.
Note: Order of excursions subject to change depending on local conditions.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
• Budapest Ciy Tour £24pp
• Bratislava guided tour £18pp
• Melk Abbey £25pp
• Salzburg ‘Sound of Music Tour’ £35pp
• Vienna City Tour £24pp
Excursions must be booked prior to departure. 5% excursion discount when you pre-book all of the above. All operate subject to minimum numbers.
Accommodation
Your hotels
Maritim Hotel – 4-star – Cologne : Maritim Hotel – 4-star – Munich
www.maritim.com
TBA – 4-star – Berlin
Astoria Hotel – 4-star – Prague
www.hotelastoria.cz
Cruise ship
MS Verdi
GN Holidays & Voyages is chartering the elegant four-star sister ships, MS Carmen and Ms Verdi for some exclusive cruises in 2021 & 2022. Both ships – identical in everything but name – were fully renovated to a great standard in 2016. They accommodate 136 guests in spacious and comfortable cabins, all freshly renovated with double and twin hotel style beds.
The impressive Reception on Upper deck includes a hotel style lift which goes from the upper deck to the lower deck. At the front of the ship you will enjoy the magnificent lounge with bar, spacious dance floor and easy chairs. There is also a Sun deck with sun loungers, chairs and covered areas with wind protection so suitable for all weathers.
The impressive Reception on Upper deck includes a hotel style lift which goes from the upper deck to the lower deck. At the front of the ship you will enjoy the magnificent lounge with bar, spacious dance floor and easy chairs. There is also a Sun deck with sun loungers, chairs and covered areas with wind protection so suitable for all weathers.
Restaurant
The restaurant on the Upper Deck features large picture windows and is light and airy with elegant decor and furnishings engendering a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Diners can enjoy generous breakfasts, plus four course lunches and dinners served at your table.
The restaurant on the Upper Deck features large picture windows and is light and airy with elegant decor and furnishings engendering a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Diners can enjoy generous breakfasts, plus four course lunches and dinners served at your table.
Leisure facilities
In the centre of the ship there is a stylish library and seating area. Under the large awning on the Sun Deck there are plenty of chairs and deck chairs for guests’ comfort.
In the centre of the ship there is a stylish library and seating area. Under the large awning on the Sun Deck there are plenty of chairs and deck chairs for guests’ comfort.
Decks & Cabins
Cabins all have window, TV, safe, hair dryer, individually, controlled heating and cooling system, shower and WC. They have double/twin hotel style beds, except the singles which have a single bed and sofa. Cabins are situated over three decks with a choice of A-grade French Balcony, B&C grade 1/2 French Balcony, D-grade Fixed window or E-grade singles with small window.
Cabins all have window, TV, safe, hair dryer, individually, controlled heating and cooling system, shower and WC. They have double/twin hotel style beds, except the singles which have a single bed and sofa. Cabins are situated over three decks with a choice of A-grade French Balcony, B&C grade 1/2 French Balcony, D-grade Fixed window or E-grade singles with small window.
Please note: When docking ships can be moored side by side so views from the cabin may be obscured.
UPPER DECK WITH FRENCH BALCONY – The upper deck is split-level with all A-grade *French Balcony cabins situated in the highest part of the ship. The restaurant, at the rear of the ship, is accessed directly from here down 3 small steps. The reception, bar and lounge at the front of the ship are also accessed directly from here down 8 steps or via elevator.
*French Balconies look and act like a regular balcony, with the only exception being that there is a railing placed directly behind the glass, meaning you cannot step out onto a separate space. The glass is almost full cabin width and height like a sliding patio door.
*French Balconies look and act like a regular balcony, with the only exception being that there is a railing placed directly behind the glass, meaning you cannot step out onto a separate space. The glass is almost full cabin width and height like a sliding patio door.
MIDDLE DECK ½ FRENCH BALCONY – cabins situated between the restaurant and reception are accessed directly from here up 12 steps, or you can take the elevator from reception and enter via the upper deck. The reception, bar and lounge at the front of the ship are also accessed directly from here up 7 steps or via elevator.
** 1/2 French Balconies have a cabin width sliding window from waist height up with an external guard rail at chest height.
** 1/2 French Balconies have a cabin width sliding window from waist height up with an external guard rail at chest height.
MIDDLE DECK STANDARD – D-grade cabins with fixed picture window (does not open) are at the front of the ship below the bar/lounge with access from the reception via 15 steps or elevator.
LOWER DECK SINGLE – The lower deck has 10 E-grade single cabins (no supplement) situated mid-ships below the reception with access via 15 steps or elevator.
Ship’s stats
Length: 114 metres • Breadth: 11.40 metres • Passenger Capacity: 136 • Passengers decks
Length: 114 metres • Breadth: 11.40 metres • Passenger Capacity: 136 • Passengers decks
What Our Customers Say
Just to say how much we all enjoyed the Danube Fortunes Cruise. Our first holiday with you and our first river cruise, won't be the last. We've recommended your company to friends. Read more “‘Fortunes’ River Cruise”
Mr & Mrs.Greenwood, Mr & Mrs.Ellis & Mr & Mrs.Bamford.
The presentation of all concerned, a good attitude by all staff and crew. GN hosts were excellent. the pace of the tour was just right and very relaxing. Having never heard of GN Holidays before seeing the ad, we were very sceptical on what to expect, but we are very happy with our experience, and would book and recommend them to anybody. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
The holiday had a relaxed atmosphere with freedom to do as much or as little as you liked at each location. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
J Robertson
The friendliness on board and good all round entertainment was fine, not to mention the good food and wine. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
F Bellamy
I, like so many other,s are only ready to make a complaint, BUT, not this time. I would like to say a big thank you and well done on the river cruise. We had never heard of GN Holidays until we saw the advertisement in the Daily Mail, we liked the itinerary, but were sceptical, and thought we would give it a go not knowing what to expect. We were very pleasantly surprised, the ship and crew of the Carmen were excellent, as was the pace of the tour, the GN tour manager Sheena, the host Gareth and the singer Chris Baker all deserve special praise. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
R Frear
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