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- 5 nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite
- All meals on board, including the Chef’s Dinner and farewell drinks
- Free Superior drinks package* *Unlimited quantity of drinks at lunch and from 6pm to midnight while on board (selected drinks available.)
- Complimentary on-board tea, coffee, and Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
- Return scheduled flights from a selection of regional airports
- Five-star service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
- Services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge
- 3 guided tours including captivating Budapest, charming Bratislava and elegant Vienna
- 3 Christmas market visits including Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna
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The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets
MS Thomas Hardy
16th Dec 24
5 Nights
1
Budapest, Hungary
Fly from your chosen UK airport to Budapest and be transferred to the port for your five night cruise.
2
Budapest, Hungary
One of eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan cities — Budapest — offers plenty to see and do. The 19th-century Chain Bridge spans Danube River and connects the hilly Buda district with the flat Pest area. Ride the tram up Castle Hill to Buda's old town where you can step back to Roman times at Budapest History Museum and discover the World Heritage-listed Royal Palace. Admire Hungarian crown jewels at Parliament House or indulge in a hot thermal bath at Szechenyi Bath. Enjoy a photo opportunity at Heroes’ Square, before visiting Vajdahunyad Castle in nearby City Park. Savour a bird's eye view of the city from the Budapest Eye Ferris wheel and the famous Fisherman's Bastion.
3
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is set along the Danube River by the border of Austria and Hungary. It is surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian Mountains threaded with biking and hiking trails. Venture to heart of Bratislava and walk along the picturesque streets of the old town or become lost in the beauty of St Michael's street and gaze in awe at the fairy tale-like St Michael’s tower. Visit the peaceful Slavin to pay your respects to fallen soldiers and admire the breath-taking views of the city. Be amazed by the verdant fields and meandering rivers as you venture to the historical Devin Castle or lose yourself in the modern art at Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum.
4
Vienna, Austria
A highlight of any cruise is a day in Austria's capital city — Vienna. Steeped in history, Vienna is packed to the brim with wonderful sights — from the world-famous Opera House and Spanish Riding School to the Burgtheatre, Town Hall, St Stephen's Cathedral, Schonbrunn Palace, and Hofburg Imperial Palace. Visit Vienna's Leopold Museum, Kunsthalle Wien and Museum of Modern Art, or get up close to exotic wildlife at Tiergarten. Make sure to admire city-wide views from the Riesenrad giant Ferris wheel and Danube Tower.
5
Budapest, Hungary
Enjoy your final night in Budapest, before disembarking MS William Wordsworth in the morning.
6
Budapest, Hungary
Today your cruise comes to an end. Disembark and be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Why Book
MS Thomas Hardy
Overview
After years of painstaking research to create the most perfect vessels afloat, a new era in river cruising dawns as we introduce our brand new, state of the art, ‘all suite’ ships. Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Thomas Hardy. It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes it from similar vessels. It would be very easy to just say ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that; we have deliberately avoided the current trend for a minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how exceptionally spacious this new vessel is as you enter a gleaming, richly coloured marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced masterpiece of onboard style, utilising sustainable rich hardwoods, gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore. The restaurant rivals the finest on shore establishments taking fine dining to another level complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel. This superb vessel carries 44 in-house trained crew members serving just 169 guests (similar size vessels may carry well over 190 passengers) giving the ratio which our experience proves is concurrent with our first class service levels. Furthermore your suite will easily exceed your expectations for not only will you enjoy the most discerning décor, so too the ship’s dimensions afford the ultimate in space and comfort - a minimum 17 square metres (183 square feet), with upgrades available to ‘Superior’ and ‘Deluxe’ accommodation.
Food & Drink
Stunning restaurant on the Main Deck serving buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and four-course dinner.
Bistro with open kitchen, large panoramic windows and al fresco seating.
Entertainment
The Diamond Deck is where you will find the very heart of the ship - the superb panoramic observation lounge and bar; a lounge in every sense of the word, complete with plenty of comfortable leather armchairs and sumptuous sofas where you can sink into warmly colourful cushions in beautiful quality fabrics with a freshly made cup of tea. A thick wool carpet feels lovely underfoot and the tasteful contemporary lighting above creates a welcoming and refined ambience, further complemented by the discreet and intuitive service resplendent of the finest five-star hotels. So just sit back with your favourite cocktail and take in the truly mesmerising view.
Health & Fitness
Head on up to the truly spectacular deck and watch life ashore slip by from the comfort of a sun lounger, perhaps under shade if the weather gets too hot! There’s always the refreshing splash pool too or why not try your hand on the putting green.
Simply put, these world-class ships, elegant and refined in the truest sense, take the idea of river cruising to another level – it really doesn’t get better than this!
Kids & Teens
Please note: there are no dedicated kids or teens facilities onboard.
Terms & Conditions
T&C's apply.
The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets
£1,349
From PP
MS Thomas Hardy
16th Dec 24
5 Nights
£1,349
From PP
