Stroll cobbled lanes on a guided walking tour of Slovakia’s capital, framed by pastel facades and café terraces. Pass through Michael’s Gate, admire the elegant Old Opera House, and pause at St Martin’s Cathedral, the Gothic coronation church of Hungarian kings and queens.

On the main square, see the former town hall and the Primate’s Palace with its mirrored halls and famed tapestries. Views to the hilltop castle and whimsical street sculptures reveal a city that blends Habsburg-era grandeur with a playful, free-spirited charm.

Wander Durnstein’s pretty lanes on a guided walking tour, where the ice-blue tower of Durnstein Abbey rises above stone houses wrapped in vines. Hear tales of Richard the Lionheart and the medieval trade that once flowed through this UNESCO-listed valley.

See the stately Rathaus (Town Hall) and pass through the Kremser Tor (Krems Gate), once guarding the eastern approach. Cobbled alleys, apricot-scented courtyards and terraced vineyards capture the Wachau’s timeless river culture and gentle rhythm of life.

Stretch your legs on an invigorating climb to the rocky outcrop of the hike to Durnstein Castle, where panoramic views over the Wachau unfold in every direction. Among ivy-clad walls, connect with the legend of Richard the Lionheart’s captivity high above the river.

Stone steps and uneven paths reward with vistas of terraced vineyards and the Danube’s silver ribbon. This walk requires good mobility and sturdy footwear; the scenic payoff is a photographer’s dream on clear days.

Visit Melk Abbey, the Benedictine masterpiece whose honey-coloured facade crowns a bluff above the Danube. Baroque drama abounds in the Emperor’s Gallery, where portraits line a stately corridor, and in ceremonial halls bursting with stucco and gilt.

In the ornate library, frescoed ceilings hover over shelves of medieval manuscripts, revealing centuries of scholarship. Step outside to absorb commanding river views that have inspired monks, emperors and travellers since the monastery’s medieval beginnings.

Uncover Linz’s baroque heart on a guided walking tour of the handsome Hauptplatz, anchored by the white-marble Trinity Column. Narrow streets reveal pastel facades and artisan shopfronts, while the hilltop Schlossmuseum recalls imperial power along the Danube.

Learn how industrial ingenuity and modern arts spaces have reshaped this historic city. After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore galleries, browse riverside promenades or sample pastries in a classic Austrian café.

Join a guided tour of Salzburg, where church spires pierce the skyline beneath the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress. In the UNESCO-listed Altstadt, elegant squares and arcaded courtyards recall the rule of prince-archbishops and the genius of Mozart.

Stroll the Mirabell Gardens, where clipped hedges frame views to the citadel, and hear stories of courtly life, Baroque patronage and music-filled salons. Lunch is at leisure; a packed lunch from the ship may be provided for this full-day excursion.

Survey imperial Vienna on a coach panoramic tour along the Ringstrasse, passing the State Opera, Parliament and the Hofburg Palace. Continue on foot into the historic centre to admire St Stephen’s Cathedral and the lanes where composers once lived and worked.

Hear how Habsburg grandeur, Secession style and café society shaped the city’s soul. Between stately boulevards and intimate side streets, linger over Viennese coffeehouse culture or browse boutiques in the refined pedestrian zone.

Settle in for an intimate classical recital on board, where salon-style performances bring Strauss and Mozart to life in the city that inspired them. The ship’s lounge becomes a refined chamber setting, with rich acoustics and close-up artistry.

As melodies float through the evening, savour the romance of Vienna without leaving your ship. Hearing this repertoire where it was created adds a layer of authenticity and quiet wonder to your cultural journey.

Cruise the Danube Bend, where the river sweeps beneath forested hills and castle heights. Glide past the stronghold of Visegrád and the artists’ town of Szentendre, watching village steeples and islands drift by on the broad waters of the Danube.

From the sun deck, breathe in cool river air and photograph changing vistas of cliffs, churches and red-roofed hamlets. This naturally scenic stretch reveals Central Europe’s layered history in one graceful meander.

Gain a sweeping introduction on a panoramic city tour, passing the Opera, Gellért Baths, the Chain Bridge and the Parliament’s neo-Gothic spires. Stops include Heroes’ Square, with its Millennium Monument, and the terraces of Castle Hill for commanding river views.

Learn how Habsburg-era boulevards, Ottoman thermal culture and 19th-century grandeur shaped today’s Budapest. Photo pauses and short walks reveal contrasts between stately Pest and the medieval skyline of Buda.

Tackle an urban adventure on an active guided walk across the Castle District, exploring cobbled lanes, courtyards and bastions. From the fairy-tale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, take in postcard views of the Danube and Parliament.

Hear stories of siege and rebirth around Matthias Church, where tiled roofs flash in the sun and Gothic arches frame a richly decorated nave. This walk involves uneven ground and a moderate pace; lifts and terraces help with elevation.

Celebrate Hungary’s musical spirit with a Hungarian folklore show on board. Lively strings, cimbalom and violins set the tempo for dancers in embroidered dress, their boots and skirts tracing the quicksilver steps of the csárdás rhythms.

Between melodies and storytelling, learn how village traditions and Roma influences shaped this vibrant performance style. The warm ambience and close-up staging create a festive finale to your journey through Budapest.

Venture into the Puszta, Hungary’s Great Plain, for a day of wide horizons and horse culture. At a renowned equestrian park, sip a welcome drink, enjoy a traditional lunch to the strains of folk music, and watch the skill of csikós horsemen in a spirited arena show.

Afterwards, a scenic carriage ride rolls past whitewashed farmsteads and paprika strings drying in the sun. This immersive outing reveals pastoral traditions and the quiet beauty of the steppe.

Step inside the Hungarian Parliament, a neo-Gothic landmark shimmering with gilded detail. In the Domed Hall and Crown Jewels you’ll hear how royal regalia and statecraft shaped a modern nation, while grand corridors and gilded staircases evoke 19th-century ambition.

Stained glass, frescoes and carved stonework reveal craftsmanship on a monumental scale. Your guide illuminates the symbolism woven through this riverside icon and its place in Budapest’s civic life.

Follow locals into the vaulted halls of the Great Market Hall, a 19th-century institution crowned with colourful Zsolnay tiles. Stalls brim with paprika, cured kolbász, seasonal produce and hand-embroidered linens, inviting you to sample regional flavours or pick up edible souvenirs.

As you wander, absorb the bustle, aromas and easy banter between vendors and shoppers. It’s a living snapshot of Budapest’s culinary heritage and daily rhythms beneath a soaring iron-and-glass roof.

Discover the story behind Hungary’s emblematic digestif at the Zwack Unicum Museum. Family archives and vintage posters trace two centuries of resilience, while oak casks perfume the air with the herb-and-spice aroma of this bitter liqueur.

After exploring exhibits that touch on wartime exile and post-communist renewal, enjoy a tasting of Hungary’s iconic herbal liqueur. Notes of citrus, clove and gentian reveal a complex recipe still guarded by the Zwack family.

Experience the breadth of Hungarian art at the Hungarian National Gallery, set within Buda Castle. Galleries trace a journey from medieval altarpieces to 20th-century masters, framed by grand staircases and river-facing windows.

Afterwards, an orientation around the Castle District highlights bastions, courtyards and panoramic views over the Danube. The area’s winding lanes and Matthias Church tell a layered story of kings, sieges and careful restoration.

Visit the Spanish Riding School for a rare look behind the scenes of the world’s oldest classical equestrian institution. Walk the Lipizzaner stables and training arenas as guides explain the Renaissance haute école tradition perfected in Vienna.

Learn about bloodlines, riding techniques and the School’s storied performances. This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to availability; timing and content may vary by season.

Step into imperial life on a guided tour of Schonbrunn Palace, from glittering state halls to intimate private rooms. Stories of the Habsburgs animate stuccoed ceilings and parquet salons, while views across the parterre lead toward the Gloriette.

Stroll formal avenues in the palace grounds and appreciate the ensemble’s Baroque geometry and courtly rituals. This is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to minimum numbers and schedule.

Explore Hungary’s spiritual heart as you join a guided tour of the monumental Esztergom Basilica, its soaring dome rising above the river and standing sentinel above the Danube. From the hilltop terraces, admire sweeping views across the border to Slovakia and the gentle curve of the river below.

Inside, discover richly marbled chapels, a renowned high altar and a treasury of sacred art reflecting Esztergom’s role as the seat of the archbishop. Quiet corners, flickering candles and soft acoustics evoke centuries of worship and the enduring influence of the Hungarian Church.