The view Danube
arrived in Vienna. The Austrian capital’s famous Spanish Riding School is well worth seeing.
When we visited, its handsome grey stallions were on holiday in the country with their mares, but the 18th Century school is a majestic vision of white stone.
The most scenic leg of the cruise was Austria’s Wachau Valley. We watched the world go by from our sun loungers, cooled by a steady stream of cocktails.
Some passengers took a guided bike ride along the bank, and we spotted them now and again among silhouettes of ruined castles, little red- roofed houses and a stark white church. We stopped
Beyond its Victorian red brick exterior – which shares an architect with the Houses of Parliament – it’s as modern and stylish as you’d expect a five-star boutique hotel to be. It’s right next to Liverpool Street station and trendy Spitalfields market is only a five-minute stroll away. One of London’s original railway hotels, it opened in 1884 as the Great Eastern. These days some rooms feature street art on the walls. It certainly beats staring at magnolia.
The hotel boasts six bars and restaurants, offering everything from Japanese cuisine in Miyako (hot dishes from £9) to the stylish Eastway brasserie grill (mains from £15). There’s even traditional pub grub such as bangers & mash ( £10) in The George. And the buffet breakfast, among the best you’ll find in the capital, is served beneath the magnificent glass dome ceiling of the hotel’s grand 1901 in Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and home of The Sound of Music. A quaint little church hosted a concert by Maria von Trapp’s granddaughter Elizabeth, after which she led the group on to the steps famously featured in the film for a sing-a-long.
But the most surreal excursion of the trip was yet to come: Artstetten Castle for a private champagne reception with Princess Anita von Hohenberg, great-granddaughter of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The castle was pure fairytale – dusty pink and guarded by seven towers. An awkward curtsey and a glass of champagne later saw us being regaled with stories of the Hapsburg Empire, which once stretched along much of the Danube.
Our last stop was Passau, Germany, a sweet little town where the Danube’s blue joins the greens of the rivers Inn and Ilz. A colourful end for a colourful journey. River cruises tend to be more expensive than ocean-going voyages, but you usually get more for your money, such as unlimited drinks, including wine, beer and spirits, included in the price, plus a full programme of free excursions.
Take a pair of comfortable walking shoes for trips ashore. Men should pack a smart jacket and women a cocktail dress for dressier occasions on board .
Titan’s eightday Enchanting Danube cruise starts at £1,949pp including a saving of £600pp for bookings made by October 31. Includes return flights, sevennight all inclusive cruise, unlimited beverages, gratuities, excursions with local guides, all transfers and Titan’s VIP doorto-door travel service. titantravel.co.uk, 0800 988 5873