Danube: Passau – Vienna – Passau

This historic city lies close to the Bavarian/Austrian border, and also goes by the name the City of Three Rivers. You’ll board between 4 and 5 p.m., the ship departs at approx. 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board as the ship sails on to Engelhartszell.

For those still getting into holiday mode, Engelhartszell’s Trappist monastery has special cordials and liqueurs that can pep you up for the coming tour with their “special healing powers.” Following the river, you’ll pass through wonderful vistas and charming villages before having the chance to hop on a cozy ferry (€3) to marvel at the powerful 180° turn made by the Schlögener Schlinge river loop. It’s then time to board the ship at Untermühl, from which point you’ll cruise on to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria.

Enjoy breakfast during an early morning cruise to Mauthausen, where you’ll have the chance to visit the memorial site of the KZ Mauthausen concentration camp. Later downstream, the town of Mitterkirchen will give you a glimpse into Austria’s Celtic past, and then you’ll have the choice between an easy cycle tour or a more challenging one. The first follows a flat path along the Danube, while the “Clam Castle” tour snakes through the handsome Strudengau backcountry, tackling slightly hillier terrain but making up for it with excellent views. Either way, you’ll end the day in Grein, where you can feast your eyes on the Castle of Greinburg.

The touring today will lead you through a wonderful variety of landscapes, starting with a return to the Strudengau, which is where the Danube River narrows to a treacherous body of water that was once the bane of river captains. The Danube valley starts to widen from Persenbeug onwards, and you’ll cycle on to Melk, which is overlooked by a baroque Benedictine Monastery which is also the resting place of Austria’s first ruling dynasty. Cruise on through the Wachau, taking in the sunset and dusk light with a refreshing drink in hand. Tonight your floating hotel will berth in Tulln, which is known for its market gardens and art scene — not the least because the Art Nouveau artist Egon Schiele was born here.

Your highlight for today: Set in impressive scenery right on the footstep of Vienna, the Klosterneuburg Monastery. You’ll already spot its 900-year-old baroque silhouette from afar, its grand marble hall and lavishly-decorated interior will inspire awe, and the wine taverns of the Kahlenbergerdorf are also a must. Top it all off with a walk through the oldest vineyards in Austria, and an unbeatable perspective looking out over Vienna.

Today you’ll have plenty of time to explore Vienna’s must-see attractions, like St. Stephens Cathedral, the Museum Quarter, and the Hofburg. You can opt to take an extra city bike tour (not included), or make your own way along the monumental Ringstraβe boulevard, stopping by the town hall, the State Opera House and Imperial Palace. Give your feet a rest in one of Vienna’s world-renowned coffee houses and seek out some apfelstrudel, apple strudel, before embarking for a night cruise to Dürnstein or Rossatz.

We’ve saved the best for last! You can’t help but be enchanted as you bike through this scenic portmanteau of fruit trees, villages, vineyards and fortresses, with remnants of medieval history everywhere you look. The compact but romantic town of Dürnstein is overlooked by impressive ruins, which contrast with its famous blue monastery tower — a true icon of Wachau. Carrying on, guests will re-embark in Pöchlarn, just in time for a farewell cocktail and dinner.

All good things come to an end, but you’ll have one last time to relax on deck, enjoying the peaceful Danube dawn and the first light of day. Get another perspective of the Great Donau Loop as you make your way back to Passau, arriving at approx. 10 a.m. A relaxed disembarkment follows half an hour later, with connecting trips recommended from noon on.