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Reader Holidays - Cruise the Danube to Vienna and Budapest from Hereford Times

Discover Life on Board MS Olympia

A scenic European passage

Join Olympia as she journeys along one of the world's most iconic rivers, through the ever-changing scenery of three contrasting countries. Calls at some of Central Europe's most beautiful cities - including historic Vienna, stunning Budapest and enchanting Bratislava - will make this a cruise to remember.

There's far more to life on board Olympia than we could possibly fit on one page. Click here to find out more about her fantastic facilities and welcoming atmosphere.

What The Price Includes

• Return coach travel from your chosen pick-up point
• Seven nights' accommodation in a standard lower cabin (upgrade cabins available)
• Embark in Linz
• Two nights' bed and breakfast accommodation in a hotel in the Frankfurt area
• Cruise the Wachau Valley
• A scenic cruise of the Austrian Danube
• Calls at Melk, Vienna and Budapest
• A walking tour of Durnstein
• Full-board arrangements whilst on board, including afternoon tea and evening snacks
• On-board entertainment including a Captain's Farewell Dinner
• On-board English commentary
• Luggage porterage
• The services of a friendly, professional crew
• The services of a Newmarket Cruise Manager

All prices are per person and based on two sharing. Single cabins are available for a supplement

Itinerary

Day One

Board the coach at your pick-up point, and travel to Dover to cross the Channel and continue to Frankfurt and your overnight hotel.

Day Two

Continue travelling south this morning, boarding Olympia in Linz. Enjoy a first meal aboard, perhaps stepping ashore to enjoy the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan home of the famous Linzertorte, before Olympia slips away downstream overnight.

Day Three

Olympia arrives in Melk, beneath Austria's most celebrated Benedictine Abbey, Stift Melk. Join our optional excursion here and explore the vast church, ornate Baroque interior, Imperial rooms and museum. This afternoon, Olympia heads into the stunning Wachau valley, before mooring close to Vienna.

Day Four

Board the coach for the short transfer into the centre of Vienna. Discover the city of 'coffee and cake' - whose greatest glory is the wonderful Hofburg Palace - on our optional guided tour. This afternoon, another optional excursion brings the opportunity to visit the Schonbrunn Palace, the Imperial summer home, where the opulent salons once echoed with the sound of the young Mozart.

Day Five

Be on deck to experience Olympia's unforgettable arrival this afternoon in Budapest. Our optional guided tour of the 'Pearl of the Danube' is the ideal way to introduction to the city, with its colourful Castle Hill, Gothic parliament buildings, and old town's designer stores and coffee houses.

Day Six

This morning brings another chance to explore the Hungary's 'twin' capital. After lunch, as Olympia slips away back upstream, join the optional excursion to the towns of the spectacular Danube Bend. Visit Esztergom, with its great basilica and Baroque Szentendre, with its artists' colony, before rejoining Olympia in Visegrad, where entrance is included to the 13th century fortress, boasting stunning views.

Day Seven

Discover the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, on this morning's optional walking tour. You'll see the Gothic St Martin's Cathedral, splendid Baroque palaces, and the city's ancient suspension bridge, before Olympia continues upstream this afternoon, cruising back into Austria.

Day Eight

Olympia's final call is at the delightful Wachau Valley town of Durnstein, in the castle above which Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. Enjoy an included walking tour of this beautiful place, then re-board the ship for a final cruise back through the Wachau's exquisite scenery, and this evening's Captain's Farewell Dinner.

Day Nine

Bid 'Auf wiedersehen' to Olympia and her crew, and begin the return journey to the UK, stopping overnight in the Frankfurt area.

Day 10

After breakfast this morning, leave the hotel and continue your journey home to the UK.

*The exact discount available may vary depending on the cruise and departure date selected. All cabin prices shown when booking include their discount amount. Discounts apply to all cabin categories. Offer ends midnight 30th November 2012 and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. The offer may be withdrawn at any time.

The following hotels are offered with this holiday (subject to availability and supplementary pricing)

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