Day 1
Take your flight to Budapest where you will be met and taken to your ship. The dedicated crew will welcome you on board, ensuring you settle into your comfortable and extremely well-equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship, your first-class floating hotel. There’s always a sense of expectancy and excitement on the eve of a cruise and after an excellent dinner in the stylish restaurant, conversation is sure to revolve around the delights ahead of you.

Day 2
Experience one of the great delights of cruising as you awake in a completely different location! Overnight we have slipped upstream to Esztergom, Hungary’s capital during medieval times and today the seat of the country’s Archbishop. The town is internationally famed for its great Renaissance basilica, Hungary’s largest church, standing sentinel over the Danube and boasting one of the world’s largest altars plus a wealth of gold artefacts. You can explore the castle too, seat of the government until the 16th century Ottoman invasion. Nestling below, there are a myriad of exquisite baroque masterpieces of churches from which resonate the enchanting sound of talented choirs, adding to the unmistakable central-European atmosphere. This is the best of provincial Hungary and little changed since Hapsburg times. As you enjoy your first lunch on board, we gently leave Esztergom in our wake, affording a fascinating opportunity to compare the landscape, towns and villages of Hungary and Slovakia on either bank.

Day 3
This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast emerging capital city, Bratislava. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of communism, the city has shrugged off its greyness, rekindling the splendour of its imperial past, so evident in its beautifully restored baroque old town. Equally impressive is the great 17th century fortress commanding expansive views across the Danube. This afternoon we cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now, the stresses of everyday life seem very distant as you absorb life on the river: children playing on the banks, young couples strolling arm-in-arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings teem with life - with no one giving you a second glance. You’ll marvel as the captain skilfully navigates the ship with such easy confidence along the serene river and into the fascinating locks as we cruise towards Dürnstein whilst enjoying another superb dinner.

Day 4
Delightfully picturesque Dürnstein is famous for principally two things. Firstly for the amazing ice-blue baroque tower dominating the river and secondly, having been shipwrecked on his return from the crusades, Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned here, before being reluctantly ransomed for a huge sum by his brother, King John. After lunch, we visit the remarkable monastery at Melk. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this extraordinary, honey-coloured building, an enormous abbey standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a palace it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th century and although reconstructed in baroque style it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since. It is famed for its 200m long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits of Austrian emperors, plus many fine rooms and a large library containing a unique medieval collection of manuscripts. Rejoining the ship, dinner is served during the last upstream cruise, through the pretty Nibelungengau, now immortalized in the music of Wagner.

Day 5
Reaching Linz, we take the short drive to Salzburg, once an independent state who’s Archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. The old town is delightful, displaying wonderful architecture dating from the medieval to 18th century, whilst one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, dominates the skyline. Spread below is a maze of tiny streets lined with the exquisite shops that make window-shopping so satisfying. Then there is the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace with its famous trick fountains and the natural beauty of the Mirabell Gardens is a must for the fan of things horticultural. With its genteel atmosphere of bygone times, surrounded by a magnificent Alpine backdrop, Salzburg is a superb spot to relax and explore at your leisure. Salzburg’s most famous citizen was Mozart, one of the greatest musical geniuses to have ever lived. He played the piano at three; could compose rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera at fourteen! This morning, we have a guided tour seeing all the principal places of interest then you are free to enjoy the afternoon exploring the city as you wish, before returning to the ship for dinner. By now you will have completely immersed yourself in life aboard ship: the gentility of it all, the peacefulness, the observation of the wildlife constantly surrounding you, the ever-changing shoreline of the variety of countries through which we pass and the stimulating conversation of your like-minded travelling companions – home will seem a very long way away!

Day 6
Today will probably bring one of the highlights of the cruise – Vienna, whose very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, sumptuous baroque palaces, grand boulevards, noble architecture and a rich tapestry of peoples from all corners of Europe drawn to the city’s magnificent cultural heart. For two hundred years until the First World War, Vienna was the cultural centre of Europe and the huge array of showpiece buildings, galleries, aristocratic palaces and baroque churches you see today were built. Dominated by the striking multi-coloured roofed St Stephen’s cathedral, you have the Hofburg, the former royal court now a collection of museums, home to the Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Spanish Riding School, the crown jewels and the world’s fourth largest art collection. Then there are the Emperor’s apartments and outstanding medieval craftsmanship in the relics of the Holy Roman Empire including allegedly, the crown of Charlemagne himself! This morning our sightseeing tour offers an insight into why this can truly be described as one of Europe’s great capitals, seat of the Hapsburg Emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers at the peak of their influence, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and of course a whole family of Strausses! During the afternoon you are free to explore as you wish. Take a stroll in the Stadtpark, with its huge Ferris wheel and the backdrop to many a ‘cold war’ spy thriller! Or for something quite different, visit the Schoenbrunn former royal palace and now a world-class range of outstanding museums and galleries. Perhaps though, just take a stroll through the fascinating side streets, enjoy a coffee and a slice of delicious sachertorte in one of the renowned pavement cafes, or admire the skill of the street entertainers and even the occasional opera singer. This evening, we have arranged truly the ‘icing on the cake’: no visit to Vienna is truly complete without a live musical experience so after dinner, we have arranged for a recital on board. To hear this exquisite music whilst in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.

Day 7
Dawn breaks and a glance along the shore as it slips gently past reveals Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape, as we majestically cruise to Budapest. After lunch, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. The twin cities of Buda, built around the hilltop fortress and Pest, were fought over through the centuries until the 17th century ousting of the Ottomans. A lasting legacy of Turkish rule is the plethora of thermal baths utilising the hot springs giving rise to the sobriquet “City of the Spas”. Subsequently becoming an imperial city of the Hapsburg Empire, it attracted great cultural and commercial wealth. Explore Castle Hill, the city in microcosm: three churches, five museums and a theatre amongst streets and squares with their own special atmosphere and a dramatic view over the river, its banks dominated by the impressive neo-gothic Parliament building. Endless galleries, museums, outstanding art nouveau architecture and excellent shopping offer a fittingly elegant end to your Danube cruise. At this evening’s gala dinner you sadly bid farewell to your travelling companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.

Day 8
Today at the appropriate time we transfer to the airport for your return flight.

MV Serenade 2
Launched in 2007, this ship really is at the cutting edge of design, guaranteeing the most comfortable possible surroundings for her 134 passengers. Extensive use of wood and glass creates a luxuriously modern and spacious atmosphere.

Built to the highest standards and meeting the most recent and most stringent safety regulations introduced in January of that year, she comprises three main decks, the Chopin (upper), Mozart (middle) and Beethoven (lower), all air conditioned throughout, topped by a very spacious Sun Deck. All three main decks are connected by a standard lift (rarely found on river ships), plus splendid wide staircases with the enormous sun deck being reached by stairs.

Public areas are superbly designed, and at the centre of the ship on the Mozart Deck is a spacious lobby, just like a luxury four-star hotel, plus a small boutique stocking those useful items you might have forgotten, alongside a range of tasteful goods and souvenirs.

The chic Mendelssohn Restaurant is more than capable of comfortably seating the full ship’s complement and is furnished in exceptional taste. Downstairs from the lobby on the Beethoven Deck is, most unusually for a river cruiser, the fitness suite complete with gym equipment, sauna and massage chairs, plus the table tennis room. Ascending the staircase from the lobby, the Chopin Deck features the luxurious Vivaldi Lounge Bar, tastefully furnished with deep carpets, comfortable armchairs and settees. Here the attentive staff will be delighted to serve you a selection of hot and cold drinks from the fully licensed bar. The Captain’s Club, as the ship’s library is called, is ideal for both reading, or perhaps a game of Bridge with your fellow passengers. Large panoramic tinted windows reveal the passing scenery in all its magnificence as you relax with a drink.

A real highlight of the Serenade 2 is the superbly designed Forward Observation Lounge where you relax in your armchair, indoors or out and imagine that you, yourself, are steering this great vessel skillfully along the river or into that impossibly narrow looking lock ahead of you!

The Sun Deck, one of the largest on this type of vessel, incorporates covered shaded areas, and affords ample space to relax in the sun in one of the plentiful deck chairs and enjoy the fresh breeze as the vine-clad slopes and historic towns slip by. If you’re really missing the fairways or even if you’ve never given it a go before, why not try your hand on the putting green, perhaps enjoy a game of chess on the giant chessboard or take a look at how the captain steers his mighty vessel along the winding rivers from the Bridge, towards the bow of this delightful ship.

Cabins
The cabins on board the Serenade 2 are amongst the very best and the largest, 16 square metres (172 square feet) available on any European river cruiser. They feature hotel standard beds (not berths or bunks) and a well-appointed bathroom with WC, bath and separate shower. All cabins feature individually controlled air conditioning, twin beds* with tempur mattresses, a seating area, dressing table and mirror, good wardrobe and drawer space, a minibar fridge, coffee and tea making facilities (another rarity on European waters), safe, hairdryer and direct dial telephone.

These exceptional standard facilities are only available on the finest vessels. Because the cabins are more spacious than on most river cruise vessels there is plenty of storage space by comparison. For those moments when you just want to relax in private, there’s a flat screen satellite TV with a range of channels plus live transmissions from the ship’s fore and aft viewing cameras so you can enjoy the cruising without even having to leave the cosy comfort of your own bed!

All cabins on Mozart and Chopin decks (upper and middle) feature floor to ceiling sliding patio ‘French balcony’ windows, whilst those on the Beethoven deck have smaller fixed windows. Two cabins on the Chopin deck are designed for guests with limited mobility.

Stern cabins on the Chopin deck are 1 square metre smaller than the standard cabins, they feature all the same amenities as the standard cabins, but due to the slightly different size and layout there is only one armchair. *A limited number of single cabins are available at a supplement.


Dining
As you enter the restaurant the mouth-watering aroma of roasting Provençal Lamb drifts tantalisingly from the galley. Smartly uniformed, friendly and intuitive waiting staff professionally guide you to your classically set table with its crisp white linen, premium quality European china, polished fine glassware and gleaming cutlery whilst freshly baked bread is immediately placed before you with effortless style.

Welcome – you’re at home. Quality dining is an integral part of your river cruise experience – and our ships take this to the highest five-star levels with superb cuisine prepared by a dedicated and highly professional brigade of chefs. Take a stroll on the Sun Deck as the river gradually awakes, and enjoy Early Risers’ tea or coffee and freshly baked pastries. The full breakfast buffet is a sumptuous affair with innumerable hot and cold options, plus a popular omelette station prepares dishes to order.

Or if you prefer new for 2013, why not enjoy continental breakfast in your cabin: breakfast in bed as enchanting scenery and riverside life drift gently by - priceless! Naturally complimentary tea and coffee are available throughout the day and a very comprehensive lunch buffet allows selection of as little or as much as you wish from an extensive and tempting selection. Don’t forget to leave some room for afternoon tea and the chef’s special patisserie – it’s just too tempting to ignore!

The day’s culinary highlight is the splendid four-course dinner: entrée, soup, main course and dessert plus a salad buffet is always available – all within the ambience of a high quality restaurant. Our carefully designed menus include international classics together with dishes reflecting the regions we pass through, with careful selections from local markets. In addition, the ‘Welcome Dinner’ enjoys an extended menu and towards the end of your cruise, the Captain proudly hosts his excellent ‘Gala Dinner’ featuring specialities of the countries and regions through which you’ve travelled.

Our clients constantly tell us they love our informal free seating and smaller tables policy, quite unlike the inevitable regimentation of many cruise ships which is exactly the atmosphere we are trying to achieve. Then there’s the wine list. We take great pride in its excellent quality and style, including not only the classic choices but also an extensive range of local wines. Many of these are extremely well-priced, delightful hidden gems and rarely marketed outside their production area.

In addition to the main restaurant, we are proud to unveil the unique new ‘Chef’s Restaurant’, open for dinner only on the Lord Byron with huge panoramic windows and seating for just 24 diners. Here the chef presents his personal favourite signature dishes with a fixed menu using the finest of seasonal produce. This superb dining experience must be reserved on board.

Please indicate any special dietary requirements on booking.