11 nights · Hungary · River cruise · Departs Budapest (Hungary) · Visiting Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Linz, Engelhartszell, Regensburg, Prague · Aboard Riviera Travel on the MS Esprit
Image courtesy of Riviera Travel ©
This river cruise sails the Danube, departing Budapest.
| Cruise line | Riviera Travel |
|---|---|
| Ship | MS Esprit |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 3 sailings |
| From fare | $5,990 per person |
| Year built | 2010 |
| Guests | 98 |
| Cabins | 49 |
| Crew | 36 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 13.0 kn |
Budapest makes a memorable arrival, with the Danube dividing hilly Buda from lively, level Pest. From the river, the Hungarian Parliament’s Gothic Revival façade commands attention, especially after dark. Cross the Chain Bridge to explore Castle Hill, or stay in Pest for cafés, markets, and celebrated thermal baths. Allow time to linger: Budapest’s pleasures are best discovered on foot, over a long lunch, and beside the water.
Bratislava rewards a day ashore with a walkable old town, a lively Danube waterfront and a castle above the river. Explore the lanes around Michael’s Gate, then climb to Bratislava Castle for wide views across the city and beyond. Pause at a café terrace before following the riverside promenade. Slovakia’s capital is compact, making its historic centre easy to discover on foot.
Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.
Dürnstein is a small Wachau village with an outsized place in Austrian history. Its blue-and-white abbey tower rises above the Danube, while lanes of pastel houses lead to riverside cafés and apricot shops. Climb to the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held from 1192 to 1194 for broad valley views. Beyond the village, vineyards and orchards define this UNESCO-listed stretch of the Wachau.
Linz rewards curious travelers with a rare blend of imperial architecture, modern art and working-city energy. On the Danube, its compact center makes an easy introduction to Upper Austria, while cafés serve the famous Linzer Torte. At Ars Electronica Center, interactive exhibitions explore technology and the future; nearby Lentos Art Museum adds a striking riverside counterpoint. Ride the Pöstlingbergbahn for broad views over the city and river, then return to the baroque Hauptplatz.
Engelhartszell sits on the Danube near Austria’s border with Germany, where wooded hills frame the river’s passage. Begin in the village at Engelszell Abbey, known for its ornate Rococo church and long monastic history. Nearby, Haus am Strom explores the Danube’s ecology and hydropower at the Jochenstein power station. Riverside paths and quiet lanes reveal Upper Austria’s borderland character, shaped by water and centuries of passage.
Regensburg rewards a day on foot, with a remarkably intact medieval centre set beside the Danube. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, then follow narrow lanes to the Gothic cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Roman foundations, merchant houses and riverside cafés reveal a city shaped by two millennia of trade. The UNESCO-listed centre feels lived in, not staged, and its compact scale leaves time for a Bavarian lunch.
Prague is best explored on foot, where Gothic spires, Baroque façades and quiet lanes reveal the city’s layered past. Cross Charles Bridge early, before the crowds, then climb towards Prague Castle for sweeping views over the Vltava. In Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock draws visitors at the hour. Leave time for a riverside café and a measured look at a city that wears its history in daily life.
Regensburg rewards a day on foot, with a remarkably intact medieval centre set beside the Danube. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, then follow narrow lanes to the Gothic cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Roman foundations, merchant houses and riverside cafés reveal a city shaped by two millennia of trade. The UNESCO-listed centre feels lived in, not staged, and its compact scale leaves time for a Bavarian lunch.
Published September 9, 2026
Last updated October 26, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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