Cruise & Rail: Grand Alpine & the Enchanting Danube (2025) Cruise on S.S. Maria Theresa from Passau (Germany)

Passau (Germany)

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. Tourism in Passau focuses mainly on the three rivers, the St. Stephen's Cathedral and the "Old City".The organ at St. Stephen's was long held to be the largest church pipe organ in the world. Organ concerts are held daily between May and September. St.Stephen's is a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque, built by Italian architect Carlo Lurago and decorated in part by Carpoforo Tencalla. Many river cruises down the Danube start at Passau and there is a cycling path all the way down to Vienna. It is also notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. The town is dominated by the Veste Oberhaus and the former fortress of the Bishop, on the mountain crest between the Danube and the Ilz rivers. Right beside the town hall is the Scharfrichterhaus, an important jazz and cabaret stage on which political cabaret is performed.

Passau (Germany)

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. Tourism in Passau focuses mainly on the three rivers, the St. Stephen's Cathedral and the "Old City".The organ at St. Stephen's was long held to be the largest church pipe organ in the world. Organ concerts are held daily between May and September. St.Stephen's is a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque, built by Italian architect Carlo Lurago and decorated in part by Carpoforo Tencalla. Many river cruises down the Danube start at Passau and there is a cycling path all the way down to Vienna. It is also notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. The town is dominated by the Veste Oberhaus and the former fortress of the Bishop, on the mountain crest between the Danube and the Ilz rivers. Right beside the town hall is the Scharfrichterhaus, an important jazz and cabaret stage on which political cabaret is performed.

Linz (Austria)

Located in northern Austria on the banks of the river Danube, Linz is a city of contrast with its strong industrial developments and its intense and vibrant culture. This ever evolving, modern and dynamic city plays host to a wide variety of festivals and concerts throughout the year. Linz also offers plenty of cultural attractions with an array of museums and art galleries while its charming city centre offers visitors a glimpse into its past with its baroque churches and buildings dating back to the renaissance as well as being a bustling commercial area.

Dürnstein & Melk (Austria)

Nussdorf (Viena, Austria)

Bratislava, Slovakia

The largest city in Slovakia is found on the banks of the Danube River. Most od the monuments are found on the Castle hill and in the old town, such as the St. Martin´s Cathedral, Grassalkovich Palace or Bratislava Castle.

Budapest (Hungary)

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre,[2] sometimes described as the primate city of Hungary. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Budapest (Hungary)

Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary, the largest in East-Central Europe and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre,[2] sometimes described as the primate city of Hungary. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Lake Achen, Innsbruck

Vorarlberg, Zürich

Lake Como, Milan

Veorna, Italy

Verona is a city straddling the Adige river in Veneto, northern Italy, with approximately 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of northeast Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona covers an area of 550.58 sq mi and has a population of 714,274 inhabitants. It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy, owing to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans. Because of the value and importance of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Verona preserved many ancient Roman monuments, no longer in use, in the early Middle Ages, but much of this and much of its early medieval edifices were destroyed or heavily damaged by the earthquake of 3 January 1117, which led to a massive Romanesque rebuilding. The Carolingian period Versus de Verona contains an important description of Verona in the early medieval era.

Lake Bled, Ljubljana

Postojna, Venice (Disembark)

Venice

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. On both sides of the Grand Canal you will find historical palaces and bridges. The city along with its lagoon is listed as a World Heritage Site. Places of interest: St. Mark's Square and visit the Ducal's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Bordering the islands via Della Giudecca canal you will find the Lido Island, famous for hosting the Venice Film Festival. Of course do not forget to take a gondola ride through the tiny channels.