Cruise the Danube and meet top British writers
Exclusive for MoS readers: Join authors from Paxman to Liz Earle on this f loating festival
NEXT April, Britain’s most popular literary festival will – for the first time – set sail, in what is sure to be an unmissable experience as it features the cream of British writing talent.
The Henley Literary Festival, including talks, interviews and more from a host of top writers, will take place on board an Emerald Waterways Star-Ship during an eight-day journey along the mighty Danube.
The river is one of the greatest in Europe, flowing through ten countries and four capital cities – Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade.
This unique itinerary starts in Passau, an ancient town on the edge of the Black Forest in Germany. Your ship will then head into Austria for stops at Linz and the towns of Melk and Durnstein in the beautiful Unesco-listed Wachau Valley. Further along the Danube you’ll visit spectacular Vienna and then, sailing into Slovakia, you’ll visit Bratislava before journey’s end at the stunning Hungarian capital, Budapest.
With an incredible line-up of bestselling authors set to attend, including Dame Jenni Murray, Liz Earle, Victoria Hislop, Jeremy Paxman, Kate Adie and Louis de Bernieres, this promises to be an epic voyage through central Europe that booklovers will not want to miss.
YOUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Award- winning journalist, author and broadcaster JEREMY PAXMAN was the BBC’s Newsnight presenter for 25 years and has hosted University Challenge since 1994. His books include his insightful memoir, A Life In Questions.
As well as being the bestselling author of more than 35 books, LIZ EARLE is a leading wellness entrepreneur, TV presenter, podcast host, charity founder and organic farmer.
VICTORIA HISLOP’s awardwinning first novel, The Island, sold more than five million copies worldwide and has been translated into 35 languages.
LOUIS DE BERNIERES’ best-known work is Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which won t he Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Novel in 1994. It was later adapted into a major Hollywood film starring Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz.
Former BBC Chief News Correspondent KATE ADIE now presents
Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent and has written several books, including The Kindness Of Strangers, a memoir of her extraordinary life.
DAME JENNI MURRAY has presented BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than 30 years and has written a number of books, including A History Of Britain In 21 Women.
REASONS TO BOOK
An incredible line-up: You will hear talks and attend Q&A sessions with some of our favourite personalities from the world of books, hand-picked by Henley Literary Festival. Discover the Danube: You’ll sail through stunning scenery and visit two of Europe’s great capitals – Vienna and Budapest. Your deluxe Star-Ship: The Emerald Waterways fleet offers stylishly designed staterooms, an indoor heated pool with retractable roof, a fitness centre, large open-air sun deck with putting green and an evening cinema.