This powerful river surges through almost the whole of Central Europe, flowing into the Black Sea at the end of its journey. The Danube has for thousands of years brought together elements that politics have repeatedly sought to separate, - she has been a sort magical bridge between West and East. The massive landscapes that she has fashioned over eons of time are no less absorbing: Great valley gorges, like the Wachau and the "Knee of the Danube" at Visegrad, or the numerous fertile flat landscapes like the Vienna basin and the Hungarian lowlands. You'll have plenty of time to fathom the timeless attractions of this great river on our Danube Rhapsody cruise.

You'll approach the famous Danube cities of Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Passau by boat, in a manner worthy of their status. From Kalocsa onwards you'll be humbled by the vast expanse of the Hungarian plains. You'll fall in love with the vines of the Wachau. You'll take home with you wonderful images, be they of the imposing cathedral of Esztergom or the magnificent monastery of Melk.

A Classical Danube cruise with absolutely fascinating scenery, and a great deal of art, music, history and culture. The cruise takes you through four countries (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany). You admire the most magnificent, fascinatingly varied scenery (ranging from the loop of the Danube at Schlogen, the picturesque Wachau region, home of many a legend, to the charming Knee of the Danube at Esztergom and the famous, vast Hungarian plain), see some fabulous sights and get to see no fewer that three capital cities (Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava).

• You get to know four European countries on one single trip

• You see the sights of three European capitals: Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest

• The river voyage passes through fascination landscapes such as the "Schlogener Schlinge", Austria's Wachau Wine district, the "knee" of the Danube near Esztergom and the great Hungarian plain

ITINERARY: 8 Days from Passau and return

Day I

Embarkation on the MS  RHAPSODY or AMADEUS PRINCESS or AMADEUS I in Passau, the city where three rivers meet. The ship  leaves  port  at 4 p.m. and takes you through a lovely stretch of the Danube known as the Schlogener Schlinge. After these first scenic impressions of the Danube, our courier on board will welcome you with a cocktail before the official welcome dinner,

Day 2

At about 10 a.m., the AMADEUS puts into port at Vienna, The entire day is at your disposal to discover the metropolis on the Danube. The city of music and joie de vivre where Sachertorte and Heuriger are just as famous as St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Palace.

See all the important sights on our Vienna sightseeing tour or explore this city full of tradition on your own. The ship leaves the port of Vienna at 6 p.m. and heads downstream for Budapest.

Day 3

Arrival at Budapest, the capital of Hungary at 11 a.m. The magnificent buildings lining the right and left banks of the Danube are an unforgettable sight. Our Budapest sightseeing tour encompasses all the major sights of the city.

After dinner enjoy an unforgettable evening cruise on the AMADEUS with a glorious view of the beautifully floodlit buildings on both banks of the river. A Gypsy band, specially engaged for this cruise, entertains you on board with lively music and you also see a performance by a Hungarian folklore group.

Day 4

In the morning, the ship berths at Kalocsa, a charming town in the Hungarian lowlands, Kalocsa is known for its traditional Hungarian embroidery and, above all, for the cultivation of paprika, Hungary's national product.

Join us on the "Kalocsa" excursion where you witness a performance of typical Hungarian horsemanship and visit the only paprika museum in the world. The ship leaves at 5 p.m. and heads upstream for Budapest,

After dinner, let yourself be carried away by the famous music inspired by the Danube and played by excellent Hungarian musicians.

Day 5

At 7 a.m., the AMADEUS arrives in Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube". Enjoy the morning at your disposal. You may wish to stroll through the lively shopping malls or visit the "Museum of Fine Arts" with its collection of old masters.

Following lunch on board, the party joining the "Szentendre-Esztergom" excursion leaves here to continue by bus via Visegrad to Esztergom. The ship sails upstream through the Danube Bend, one of the most beautiful scenic stretches of the Danube, also known as the "Hungarian Wachau". Arrival at Esztergom at 7 p.m. where the AMADEUS waits for those on the excursion. At 8 p.m., the ship departs for Slovakia

Day 6

Arrival at Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, at 7.30 a.m. In the morning, you have the opportunity to get to know the city during the city tour of Bratislava.

In the afternoon, you can relax and enjoy the journey on the Danube. Vienna is our next destination and the arrival is scheduled for about 7 p.m. After dinner, the "Evening Excursion Vienna" takes you to the Prater and a typical "Heurigen" wine tavern. The ship departs from Vienna around midnight.

Day 7

In the morning the ship passes the world-famous town  of Dürnstein and berths at 0 am at the idyllic wine-growing town of Emmersdorf. From a great distance the impressive baroque buildings of the Benedictine abbey of Melk can be seen and admired already. You can take part in the excursion "Beauties of the Wachau". You drive through the scenic and mythical Wachau to Dürnstein and later you will be expected for a guided tour through the Melk Abbey. To end a splendid excursion, you will be invite to sample a fine selection of local wines. The ship departs at 2 pm. Enjoy the afternoon on the sun deck as the impressive landscape passes by.