Pick-up service from home and flight with Luxair to Vienna. City tour in Vienna, followed by lunch. Afterwards free time in Vienna. In the afternoon, transfer to the ship and embarkation on board the MS Douce France. Introduction of the crew and welcome cocktail. Departure of the ship at 8 pm and night cruise to Melk.

Optional excursions AUTHENTIQUE / EXPERIENCE: Visit Melk Abbey. The abbey is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and dominates the magnificent Wachau valley. You will find the ochre color that adorns the grandiose façade reminiscent of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Inside the abbey you will find beautiful baroque frescoes and a library with almost 100,000 volumes, some of which are among the most valuable manuscripts of the Middle Ages.

Return on board and travel to Dürnstein, which we reach in the early afternoon. Explore the small medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural heritage. The village is full of sights, including the elegant baroque tower of the church of Dünstein, the medieval and Renaissance facades of the town hall or the colorful houses in the main alley. Return on board in the late afternoon and continue to Bratislava.

Early morning arrival in Bratislava. Optional excursions :

– AUTHENTIQUE: Sightseeing tour of Bratislava. Situated at the foot of the Little Carpathians, it shines in a wooded and rocky environment. The castle, the city’s landmark, rises on a hill above the Danube. From its forecourt, you have a unique view of the city and the river. The medieval old town with its labyrinth of small, winding alleyways, squares, fountains and cafés is also not to be scoffed at. Bratislava is also known for its intense cultural and nightlife.

– EXPERIENCE: Hike in the Little Carpathians through the Devinska Kobyla nature reserve. This Slovakian nature reserve, located just a few kilometers from the capital, takes you to the ruins of Devin Castle, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Danube.

Boat trip to Kalocsa in the afternoon. You pass the Gabcíkovo Dam, one of the largest reservoirs on the Danube. You cruise along the protected Dunajské Luhy Landscape Park. This marshy land is a crucial environment for rare bird species, one of the most important nesting areas and an exceptional ornithological site.

Arrival early in the morning. Optional excursion AUTHENTIQUE / EXPERIENCE: The Puszta. In the heart of the great Hungarian Plain, which is now a nature reserve, you will travel through the wild steppe on board covered wagons. You will take part in a horse show where you can admire the riders and their horses. A tasting of regional products rounds off the tour.

In the afternoon, boat trip to Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube”, which we reach at night.

Optional excursion AUTHENTIQUE / EXPERIENCE: Guided tour of Budapest. Budapest reveals its splendor around the Danube. The architecture designed by man century after century has produced baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau buildings. Panoramic tour between the hills of Buda and the plains of Pest? Then cruise along the river where you can admire the Parliament overlooking the Danube. Return to the ship.

Free afternoon OR optional excursions outside the package:

– Visit to the Gellert baths. Decorated in Art Nouveau style with ornate mosaics and sculptures, the Gellert baths are surprisingly beautiful. This is also an opportunity to take a break and enjoy a moment of relaxation. So don’t forget your bathing suit, because this is a unique opportunity.

OR

– Visit to the market halls of Budapest. Make your way on foot to the market halls of Budapest. With its gleaming Zsolnay tiled roof, the Great Central Market of Budapest is the largest hall built in the 19th century. You will discover an incredible display of diverse products, including the famous paprika garlands. A tasting of sweet local specialties will round off your visit. Return to the ship on foot.

Optional excursion AUTHENTIQUE / EXPERIENCE: Folklore evening in Budapest, where you will get to know the typical gypsy dances and costumes.

Night trip to Esztergom.

Free exploration of Esztergom, the former Hungarian capital with its unspoiled charm. The city lies on a hill and stretches peacefully along the banks of the Danube. It holds unexpected treasures such as the elegant basilica, whose silhouette towers 177 meters above the river, or the historic center with its colorful houses.

Boat trip to Vienna in the afternoon. The entire Hungarian section of the Danube is protected as a Natura 2000 site, providing habitats for endangered species. A little further away you will see the Komarom Fortress, a perfect example of Central European military architecture. Gala evening.

In the morning: Optional excursions :

– AUTHENTIQUE: Visit to Schönbrunn Palace and panoramic tour of Vienna. The palace is the prestigious center of the 18th century court and has an ochre façade closely associated with the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy. The magnificent building houses an imperial interior

and the spirit of the Habsburgs watches over the dazzling house. You will then take a panoramic drive along the famous boulevard, also known as the “Ring”. You will see the extraordinary buildings that were erected between 1830 and 1890 and give the Ring a unique atmosphere.

– EXPERIENCE: Experience Vienna like the Viennese do. You will get to know one of Vienna’s most important concert venues, the famous Konzerthaus. It was inaugurated by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1913 and has since developed into one of the most popular venues for music ensembles through tradition and innovation. Afterwards, head to one of the city’s many coffee houses to enjoy a Viennese coffee. You have to go back to imperial times to discover the origins of this coffee. In harsh winters, cab drivers drank hot coffee with whipped cream between rides to make ends meet. The “Kutscher- oder Einspänner-Kaffee” was later known outside Austria as Viennese coffee.

In the afternoon, optional excursion AUTHENTIQUE / EXPERIENCE: visit to the Hofburg. The Hofburg is located in the historic heart of Vienna and surprises visitors. It exudes the impression of excess and splendor associated with imperial power. Nevertheless, it inspires those interested in history and architecture. Today it houses the “Sissi” Museum in the imperial apartments.

Empress has become a cult figure revered by all.

In the evening, optional excursion AUTHENTIQUE / EXPERIENCE: Viennese music concert (subject to availability). At a legendary venue in Vienna you will find some of the most beautiful works by Mozart and Strauss and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of waltzes, polkas, arias… and get carried away.

Disembarkation after breakfast and transfer to the airport. Return flight to Luxembourg and transfer to your place of residence.