WHAT FLOATS YOUR BOAT?

BOOZE CRUISE

Toast this year’s wine harvest on AmaWaterway’s special Melodies of the Danube sailing which, in addition to the regular itinerary from Budapest to Vilshofen, will include tastings, cellar visits and talks by an on-board wine expert. The cruise will be hosted by the awardwinning Chapel Down Vineyard in Kent, marking the first time AmaWaterways has partnered with a UK winery. The seven-night sailing on AmaCerto departs November 13. From £2,314, including flights, meals with wine and excursions (amawaterways. co.uk)

CULTURE CLUB

Riviera Travel is among the lines that sail down to the Black Sea and back from Budapest. A culture-rich two-week voyage features 16 diverse trips ashore, including the extraordinary rock formations at Belogradchik in Bulgaria (with names such as Adam and Eve), and coastal Constanta, the oldest city in Romania.

A 14-night Budapest to the Black Sea voyage on MS William Wordsworth departs October 1. From £3,499, including flights, dining and excursions (rivieratravel.co.uk)

LUXURY LIVING

Sail in serious style with all-inclusive luxury line Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, where SS Beatrice features a collection of art that features originals by Picasso. Passengers are invited to a private reception at Artstetten Castle to meet a member of Habsburg royalty, a direct descendent of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Additionally, excursions feature a Jewish Heritage programme with tours exploring Jewish i Chop chop: treat your tastebuds to a cooking masterclass on the SS Beatrice

history along the river.

A seven-night Delightful Danube cruise, Nuremberg to Budapest, departs October 6. From £2,049 if booked before October, including flights, meals, drinks and excursions (uniworld.com)

THE REAL DEAL

Founded in Austria more than 30 years ago, Amadeus River Cruises has sachertorte and wiener schnitzel running through its DNA, and provides a really authentic taste of the Danube. Value-for-money cruises offer a range of optional excursions that can be booked individually or as a package – so passengers have the freedom to do as much or as little as they choose.

A seven-night cruise-only Classical Danube sailing, Budapest to Passau, on new ship Amadeus Imperial departs October 20. From £1,677, including meals (amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk)