Cruising the Danube - Romans, Amber and Habsburg Splendour

After lunch in Vienna, we begin our visits for the day.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Our first visit of the trip is to the city’s stunning Natural History Museum, which houses one of the most important Palaeolithic works of art in the world, the 30,000 BCE Venus of Willendorf figurine. Afterwards, we explore Hofburg Palace, the sumptuous heart of the Habsburg monarchy that played host to the Congress of Vienna and displayed all the pomp of the Austro Hungarian Empire.

Still in Vienna, more cultural and archaeological discoveries await.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: We travel to the impressive Roman remains of Carnuntum today, the ancient capital of Pannonia Superior, which was vital to the amber trade. Here, we see the amphitheatre and Heidentor. Later, at the Schloss Belvedere – the splendid summer residence of the military genius, Eugene of Savoy and today home to the Belvedere Museum – we can admire The Kiss by celebrated artist Gustav Klimt.

After a stop in Esztergom, we arrive in Budapest where we disembark and go exploring.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today we explore the archaeological remains of Buda, starting with a visit to Aquincum, the capital of Pannonia Inferior in which Marcus Aurelius wrote part of his Meditations. At this site, we visit the museum and amphitheatre. We also go to Florian Square to see the Thermae Maiores, a bath complex, which bears witness to the splendour of the Roman period. Free time in Buda follows.

We enjoy a second day discovering Budapest’s delights on land.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Today we visit Buda Castle, the enormous 18th century Baroque palace complex of the Hungarian Kings, sumptuously rebuilt under Maria Theresa and Franz Josef, which is now home to the National Gallery and Budapest History Museum. Later, we can explore independently.

The many wonders of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, await us today.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: We start at Devin Castle, an impressive fortification whose history reaches back to the Neolithic period. View the stunning Maiden Tower which overlooks the river. Free time in this city comes later.

After cruising down the scenic Wachau Valley, we disembark in Melk.
Exclusive Andante Excursion: Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, founded in the 11th century by Leopold II Margrave of Austria and home to a scriptorium (an important centre for the production of manuscripts) as well as a famous library.

Our tour ends in Engelhartszell and we catch our return flight back to London.