Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna: A Danube Discovery River Cruise

On arrival in Budapest, you’ll be met by a member of the Rivera team and transferred to your ship.

Our welcoming, English-speaking crew will be ready to assist you in finding your cabin. After settling in, take some time to explore the many first-class amenities before sitting down to your first delicious dinner in our stylish onboard restaurant.

We’ll remain moored in Budapest overnight.

Although divided by the Danube River, the twin cities of Buda and Pest have been unified since 1873. Buda, sitting on the western side, offers fairytale architecture, pretty promenades and wooded hills whilst Pest, to the east, is known for its lively and more modern atmosphere with plenty of trendy bars, cafés and restaurants.

Through the centuries, this land has been shaped by struggle and resilience. The Ottomans ruled for 150 years before their departure in the late 17th century. Their enduring legacy continues to thrive in the form of thermal baths nourished by healing hot springs, earning Budapest its inspiring title – the ‘City of Spas’.

At the end of the Ottoman rule, it became the imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth, before contending with the atrocities of fascism and communism. Yet despite its dark past, Hungary’s gorgeous capital emerged as one of the most vibrant, fascinating cities in Europe - and one of the most beautiful. Here contemporary cool and old-school grandeur mix effortlessly, and all with a distinctly Hungarian flavour.

This morning you have a couple of choices:  

If you choose the panoramic coach tour, you’ll drive past some of Budapest’s famous sites, including the Opera House, Gellert Baths, chain bridge, Parliament building, and more, and stop for photos and some time to explore at Hero’s Square and Buda castle.

Alternatively, you can choose our active tour, where you’ll take a coach to the castle district. From here, you’ll take lifts up to the castle terraces to begin a guided walking tour around the castle area and Fisherman’s bastion. You’ll then have free time to explore before heading back to the coach for the transfer to the ship. This tour involves uneven grounds and a lot of walking so we only recommend it for customers who are comfortable with a moderate activity level.

During lunch, we'll begin our journey upstream towards Bratislava. Head up onto the magnificent Sun Deck to enjoy some fabulous river views as we cruise along the 'Danube Bend', surrounded by historic and picturesque cities like Visegrad and Szentendre. Castle ruins, churches, pretty houses perching on the hills, and thick forests are reflected in the waters of the river. Later today, we’ll pause for a planned stop along the Danube – a lovely opportunity to stretch your legs or simply enjoy the changing scenery.

Relax over a leisurely breakfast as the fairytale landscape glides by through the ship's panoramic windows.

After lunch on board, we disembark for a tour of Slovakia's capital city.

Bratislava is a city where history meets modernity, where intimate charm replaces the bustle of larger capitals, and where every street corner whispers stories of the past. The city boasts a rich history, neoclassical and gothic architecture and a welcoming atmosphere that captivates every visitor. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we'll explore the old town, a picturesque maze of cobblestone streets, pastel-coloured buildings, and lively squares as we wind our way up to Bratislava Castle perched high on a hill overlooking the city. After time to admire the panoramic views of the city and the Danube, we'll carry on to Michael's Gate, the only surviving medieval gate of the city's original fortifications and into the heart of the modern city. 

At the end of our guided tour, you're free to explore this charming capital at leisure before dinner on board this evening. You could head to the riverside district, a sleek promenade lined with cosy cafés, boutique shops, and cultural venues, making it a hub of activity day and night. Or check out the quirky UFO Observation Deck across the river from St Martin's Church - it's a futuristic structure offering 360-degree views and a sky-high dining experience. Perhaps, instead, you'll stop in at one of the local bars to sample wines from the surrounding Little Carpathians region, renowned for its centuries-old winemaking traditions.

After dinner this evening, enjoy a classical string quartet performance in our cosy on-board lounge and bar. As we prepare to set course for the City of Music, Vienna. 

Wake up in Vienna - Austria's capital and cultural heart - where time-honoured traditions and artistic elegance meet modern sophistication.

Vienna's streets are like an open-air museum, from the grandeur of the Ringstrasse boulevard to the iconic spires of St. Stephen's Cathedral. You can lose yourself in the charm of the historic Innere Stadt with its narrow alleys, chic boutiques, and traditional coffee houses. At the centre of the city lies the majestic Hofburg Palace, a sprawling complex that once served as the winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty. It's home to the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the sabre of Charlemagne himself.

This morning, we'll explore its symphony of history, culture, and beauty on a guided tour as our local guide offers insights into why Vienna is one of Europe's great capitals. After the panoramic tour on coach along the Ringstrasse, the famous boulevard, built where the city walls once stood and lined with many of the most important sights, you can choose to continue your tour on foot through the old town or explore independently. 

After a morning exploring Vienna's grand palaces and soaking in the romance of its streets, we'll head back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon sailing back towards Budapest.

This evening, we have something special in store as our talented crew presents the Chef's Dinner - a sumptuous five-course meal filled with local flavours.