Platinum Travel and Uniworld
8 days From €2699 (Per Person)
Hungary
5
River Cruises
Discover the best of Eastern and Western Europe.
Enchanting Danube
From €2699 per person sharing (including flights & port taxes)
No Single Supplement on select dates
Other dates and room types available and prices may fluctuate subject to availability
Ship: S.S. Maria Theresa / Passau to Budapest
The shimmering waters of the fabled Danube River flow for thousands of miles through the very heart of Europe, silent witness to centuries of artistic achievement and historical events. This perfectly composed journey provides an immersive cultural tasting menu of four equally beguiling countries—ideal for first-time river cruisers as well as seasoned travellers seeking to experience yet another dimension of these much-loved destinations
Day 1: Budapest (Embark)
Arrive at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Day 2: Budapest
Located on opposite sides of the Danube, Buda and Pest each has its own distinctive character and charm. Explore this dynamic and multi-faceted city with your choice of tours—see it on four wheels or on your own two feet.
Day 3: Cruising the Danube River, Bratislava, Vienna
Once hidden from the world behind the “Iron Curtain,” Slovakia retains an air of mystery and intrigue, and its small capital city has an unexpectedly colorful history. Learn more about Bratislava’s past from a local expert, then check out the whimsical street art and sample some only-in-Slovakia treats. Your ship sets sail from Budapest and heads for Vienna today. You may opt to relax onboard all day, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and taking in the scenery as the ship wends its way along the Danube Bend, which is lined with scenic towns—among them are the oldest settlements in the country—nestled at the foot of lovely wooded hills. On the other hand, the ship stops in Bratislava for those who wish to visit the capital of Slovakia. Although it’s not a large city, Bratislava has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries, and it is well worth a visit.
Day 4: Vienna
Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the City of Waltzes with your choice of tours, as well as VIP access to an extraordinary collection of art—you’ll have an opportunity to view it in complete privacy, an extra special treat reserved solely for Uniworld guests. The grand dame of the Danube, Vienna was the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remains, to this day, the political and cultural center of Austria. Klimt painted here; Beethoven and Mozart composed here; Freud developed his theories here. It’s a treasure trove of splendid architecture, astonishing art collections and inviting cafés—and it’s yours to enjoy.
Day 5: Dürnstein, Cruising the Wachau Valley, Melk
Dürnstein is one of our favorite towns along the Danube, a lovely place to wander cobblestone lanes, browse quaint shops and maybe hike up to a ruined castle (with an intriguing tale all its own). You can also opt for a tasting at Austria’s oldest winery or learn all about the world’s costliest spice from the Wachau Valley’s only saffron grower. Later, visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinary baroque-style library. You’ll want to find a comfortable seat in the lounge or on the Sun Deck as your ship cruises through the Wachau Valley today. Over the eons, the Danube cut a gorge through the foothills of the Bohemian Mountains, resulting in a 19-mile (30-kilometer) stretch of riverine scenery so beautiful, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Landscape. Castle ruins dominate hilltops; baroque church towers appear on the river banks, marking historic villages and splendid abbeys; and vineyards and apricot orchards cling to the rocky slopes. Some of Austria’s finest white wines are produced from grapes ripening on the dry-stone terraces above the river, where grapes have been grown for 2,000 years. You have two ports of call in the incredibly scenic valley, Dürnstein and Melk, and an assortment of delightful ways to explore this lovely region.
Day 6: Linz (Salzburg or Linz)
Salzburg or Linz? Both are equally tantalizing. Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland; Linz may be best known for its famous Linzer torte, but it’s also a hotbed for the arts. See the sights with a local expert, or go behind-the-scenes at the Linz opera house and taste cider at an apple and pear orchard. Austria’s third-largest city, Linz boasts a long history of trading (especially in salt) and textile manufacturing—not to mention steel—but these days it is perhaps best known for its lively arts and music scene. It is also your gateway to Salzburg.
Day 7: Passau
Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one, as three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town and its main claim to fame—Europe’s largest pipe organ—or “Let's Go” with an invigorating riverside hike or bike ride. Three rivers meet in Passau—the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube—and three nations almost meet: Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. Its central location made it a trade hub for centuries, and with trade came wealth that endowed the town with many beautiful buildings. Spend some time exploring the town itself or get out and about along the Inn or the Ilz with a bike ride or a hike.
Day 8: Passau (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Munich Airport for your flight home.
Platinum Travel are delighted to be working with Uniworld - Boutique River Cruises with the five star all-inclusive boutique experience
Spend even one night in one of the magnificent riverview staterooms and you will agree, sailing with Platinum Travel and Uniworld is truly a stunning way to see the world.
Each Uniworld ship combines old world elegance with modern conveniences. Your stateroom includes marble bathrooms, flatscreen TVs featuring musiic movies and satelite cahnells, in room safe and individual climate control.
When you choose a Uniworld River Cruise with Platinum Travel, you can be assured there is so much included in the price - All meals with various dining options including unlimited beverages onboard, scheduled airport transfers and shore excursions with English speaking local guides. Your gratuities are also included.
Uniworld are committed to giving their valued guests the ultimate strsss free, luxury five star all-inclusive boutique experience. So relax, unwind, and leave the rest to Platinum Travel and Uniworld.
UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
Uniworld—the world’s best and most awarded luxury river cruise line—offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Asia and Peru. The company’s European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 120 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.
The Highest Standards in Luxury River Cruising
In 2004, Uniworld was acquired by The Travel Corporation (TTC), a highly successful international travel group founded by Stanley Tollman. TTC has more than 30 top brands, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels, a renowned collection of four- and five-star luxury properties.
TTC has made major investments in Uniworld's ships, crew, and staff, with an eye towards providing guests with all the elements of an unforgettable Six-Star Experience: Expertise; Service; Luxurious Ships, Uniquely Designed; Culinary; Choice; and Truly All-Inclusive. Combining the tour planning and hotel management expertise of TTC’s sister companies with Uniworld’s decades of superior nautical experience has created an entirely new category of luxury river cruising.
The Boutique Experience, Onboard & Onshore
The renowned Red Carnation Hotel Collection was founded in the early 1980s by Beatrice Tollman, who has many years of experience as a chef, cookbook author, and hotelier in South Africa, Europe, and the US. The family-run business now spans four generations—including her husband Stanley and three children—and owns and operates 17 boutique properties in five countries. Mrs. Tollman was named Hotelier of the Year at the European Hospitality Awards in 2012.
Boutique hotels are known for their destination-specific interior décor, gracious service, and carefully selected amenities, all of which provide an intimate, elegant, and relaxed experience. Similarly, Uniworld’s boutique river cruises allow guests to travel from one exciting destination to the next aboard a stylish floating hotel with inviting lounges, cozy libraries, panoramic restaurants, sumptuous cuisine, exquisite antiques and original art and luxurious riverview staterooms and suites. Meticulous attention to detail is readily apparent on every company-owned ship, including Uniworld’s six stunning Super Ships—the S.S. Antoinette, S.S. Beatrice, S.S. Catherine, S.S. Joie de Vivre, S.S. Maria Theresa and S.S. Bon Voyage.
Gracious and Attentive Service
In partnership with its sister company, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is “No request too large, no detail too small.” Uniworld employs a professionally trained, dedicated, English-speaking staff, so guests never have to worry about communication.
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info@platinumtravel.ie 01 8535000
