Danube Waltz with Riverside Luxury Cruises

With included airport lounge access included, you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed as you board your flight to Vienna, Austria’s magnificent capital. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your ship, the luxurious Riverside Mozart, the begin your Danube voyage. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on board, or enjoying a short exploration of the city before your afternoon departure.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

Arrive in the pretty town of Melk this morning, where you’ll have a choice of excursions. It’s hard not to tempted by a visit to Melk Abbey – a stunning Benedictine cloister overlooking the Danube – where grand painting and ornate sculptures complement the Baroque architecture, with its gilded fineries and grand dome. However, if you’d prefer to head out into nature, there’s the chance to take a bike ride into the surrounding countryside and a region first inhabited in the Neolithic Age, around 4,000 BC. In the afternoon, you’ll stop in Ybbs for a visit to the Artstetten Castle, a medieval wonder which dates back to the middle of the 13th century.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

A morning in Linz includes a choice of excursions. Perhaps you’ll get in touch with your musical side, joining an expert guide for a trip to Salzburg and the chance to visit Mozart’s former home. Or you might head to Cesky Krumlov, an hour and a half to the north in Czech Republic, where you’ll explore the stunning State Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Otherwise, stay local with a walking tour of Linz itself, taking in the city’s preeminent landmarks, or hike to the Pöstlingsberg Basilica from where you'll enjoy sweeping views across the valley.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

Sail from Linz to Engelhartszell for the chance to explore the town’s spectacular Schütz Art Museum. Then, head to Passau – a 2,500-year-old town at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Take in its cobblestone streets and Baroque architecture on an evening walking tour before returning to the ship, which will dock in the town overnight.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

Enjoy a full day in and around Passau, where excursions include a full-day exploration of riverside Regensburg with its UNESCO World Heritage old town, where Roman and Gothic elements reflect the town’s 2,000-year history. Alternatively, a walking tour of Passau offers a fascinating insight into the city’s rich history, showcasing the grand St Stephen’s Cathedral – a Baroque masterpiece – and the delightful cobblestones of the pretty historic district. You’ll wrap things up in style with a mug of delicious Bavarian beer.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

Enjoy a morning stop in Mauthausen where another choice of excursions await. Maybe you’ll be tempted by a walking of historic Steyr where your guide will provide insight into the region’s iron mining history between visits to its 15th-century landmarks. Alternatively, head to Sankt Florian for a tour of the stunning St Florian Abbey, with its Imperial Chambers, Marbell Hall and spectacular library. Or there’s the chance to explore the region’s more recent past with an emotive trip to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial.

In the afternoon, Grein awaits with its grand fortress and countryside bike rides, while a hike to Speck-Alm will introduce you to the many different types of produce, from sausages and bacon to homemade cider and fine spirits.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

Your final port of call sees you back in Vienna, with time to explore. You might pay a visit to the famous Spanish Riding School to see the morning training session or pair a panoramic drive and walking tour to take in the city sights, from grand palaces to imposing monuments. Otherwise, you could explore the iconic Imperial Schönbrunn Palace in depth or join a guided bike ride through parks and along the shores of lakes and waterways to reach the Danube Tower, from where you’ll enjoy a magnificent bird’s eye view of the city.

Stay: Riverside Mozart

After a final breakfast on board, you’ll transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.