Our cruise

This cruise combines the grandeur of the cities of Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Mainz, with the stunning beauty of the Austrian and Bavarian countryside. Visit and explore fairytale villages, majestic castles and stunning palaces. Relax in beautiful gardens and parks. Enjoy regional cuisine and cultures.

After a morning flight from Belfast International, our tour starts with two nights in Budapest – quite honestly two nights is never enough. Our centrally situated hotel is ideal for exploring, whilst offering a high standard of comfort and superb hospitality. We will have an extensive excursion programme to give you the most of this wonderful city. We join the shio on 31st August and set sail on 01^st of September, stopping at Estergom before arriving in Vienna for two days. Our cruise then takes us through the gorgeous Wachau Velley as far as Melk, with its amazing Monastery, featuring one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Optional excursions will take you to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was held to ransom.

Is the Danube really blue? For most of its journey, it is a muddy brown but in our next port of call, it is definitely blue. In Passau the Blue Danube meets the Green Inn and the Black Ilz and for miles downstream, one can follow the three different colours. There’s much more to Passau, though, than coloured rivers and we hope to show you some great sights. Visit St Stephens Cathedral, boasting the world’s largest church organ….it has 18,000 pipes!

From here we start to head into the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal (now know also as the Europa Canal) and we’ll stop at a number of towns en-route to Nuremberg, a stunning walled city with a great history, both modern and ancient. In Bamberg, our ship leaves the canal and enters the Main River, a waterway where there appears to be a medieval village or town at almost every turn. An excursion not to be missed is a trip to the chocolate-box town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, famous for its streets lined with half-timbered houses and the home of Käthe Wohlfahrt, the world’s first and most famous Christmas shop…..yes, even in September.

During the night we’ll sail to Würzburg, one of Germany’s most under-rated cities. Spectacular cathedral, amazing palaces, great cafes, bars and restaurants, parks and gardens.

We’ll visit the towns of Wertheim and Miltenberg, before arriving in Frankfurt, once one of Germany’s least exciting cities, now extensively restored and bursting with life. If you want to do some shopping before returning home – this is the place! In the afternoon, we’ll sail towards Mainz, a major city on the Rhine, where we will disembark. We finish our tour with one night in a hotel in Mainz, before flying back to Belfast the next day.

Flights: (Provisional)

29 Aug 2025 -Belfast International to Budapest

Depart Belfast 08.25  Arrive Budapest 12.50

12 Sept 2025 – Frankfurt to Belfast City

Depart Frankfurt 14.00   Arrive Belfast 15.30

(Or via London Heathrow, depending on whether Lufthansa continue to operate a direct service to Beelfast)

Baggage Allowance:

Hand Luggage. 1 Piece 40 x 25 x 20cm per person

   (No weight limit for small bag)

Checked luggage: 20Kgs bag per person

Oktogon Haggenmacher Hotel

We are delighted to return to the Oktogon Haggenmacher Hotel in Budapest, a beautifully restored villa in the centre of the city, close to so many attractions. This will be the fifth visit in less than three years and we have been delighted with it. Spacious, comfortable rooms overlook a beautiful four-stroey atrium, where breakfast is served and where you can find the friendly bar. The staff have made us feel extremely welcome on every visit and we expect it will be the same on this trip.

Excursions - IMPORTANT NOTES

Each guest has a £150 credit to be used towards excursions. You can choose whichever you like and any costs over and above the £150 will be added to your invoice.  

WE WILL BE ADDING FULL DETAILS OF THE EXCURSIONS IN DUE COURSE. THERE WILL BE A BROAD SELECTION TO SUIT ALMOST ALL ABILITIES AND TASTES.

NOTES

1.  Croisieurope offer a fixed three course menu for lunch and dinner. Meals are of the highest quality but sometimes a particular course may not appeal. The menu is on display from early morning and you may ask your waiter if he/she can arrange something else for you. You must do this at breakfast time, or an alternative may not be available. Most dietary requirements can be catered for.

2.  For those with limited mobility. Whilst the “MS Modigliani” offers one fully-accessible cabin for those who require wheelchair access, our experience shows that river cruising is not ideal for those with severely limited mobility. Berthing is often via steep ramps, possibly steps, and we may also need to cross through another vessel, often involving steep steps. We would endeavour to ensure you get the maximum from a cruise but cannot guarantee you will be able to get off at each and every port. You must also have a carer with you, who is able to manage every aspect of operating and pushing the wheelchair, your luggage, etc. Our representatives cannot be called upon to assist, as we are not insured for it.

3.    Unlimited drinks, alcoholic and otherwise, are available throughout your cruise. The offer includes beers, spirits, soft drinks, teas & coffees, bottled water and a selection of fine house wines but excludes some superior wines and champagnes.

4.    On board gratuities are included in the price of your holiday but, if you feel you have received exceptional service, please feel free to put something into the unmarked envelope, which will be left in your cabin towards the end of the cruise. Gratuities for tour guides, etc. are not included and a small contribution would be appreciated.

MS Modigliani

Named in honour of the famous Italian artist, MS Modigliani has slightly smaller cabins to some of those we have used before. He ship itself is slightly smaller, meaning it is less likely to suffer problems due to “low water” in the canal. This is a major issue for some of the larger ships.

There is a choice of lower deck with a reasonably sized window or upper deck with larger panorama windows,

The elegant decoration and friendly atmosphere, are in perfect harmony with its environment. Located on the upper deck, the restaurant, where all meals are served during the cruise, offers a delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large windows allow you to fully enjoy the panorama. On this same level is also the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while on the sun deck, an ideal place to relax and admire the landscapes, passengers can enjoy comfortable sun loungers,  as well as a large shaded area.

CLICK HERE for full ship's facts and figures

Budapest

Possibly one of Europe's most beautiful capital cities, ranking alongside London, Vienna and Paris, Budapest is well worth a few days visit. With an exciting modern and ancient history, the city is divided by the mighty Danube and, at the same time, joined by beautiful bridges, stunning illuminated at night-time. Featruing one of the most magnificent Parliament Buildings in the world, the banks of the Danube are laden with treasures, which we will explore during our stay.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1. 29 August 2025 – Belfast Budapest

Our flight is currently scheduled as follows, but may change as the departure date is many months away.

Depart Belfast Int’l 08.25   Arrive Budapest 12.40

The afternoon is free but you can join your hosts, Alan and Ann, for a short walking tour.

Evening meal at a local restaurant.

Day 2. 30 August 2025 – Budapest

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Optional morning visit to the Hungarian Parliament, followed by a walking tour and visit to St Stephens Cathedral. Lunch on your own.

Afternoon free for shopping, exploring

Evening meal at a local restaurant.

Day 3. 31 August 2025 – Budapest

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Optional morning tour to Buda and the Castle, followed by walking tour to Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Michaels Cathedral

Afternoon free for shopping, exploring

We are welcome to board the ship at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce the crew over a welcome cocktail. Dinner on board tonight will be followed by an optional excursion or an evening of traditional entertainment in Budapest.

Day 5. 01 September 2025

BUDAPEST - ESZTERGOM

After breakfast, set sail for Estergom, a former capital of Hungary. In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own exploring the former capital of Hungary. The city is full of treasures such as the Neo-classical basilica and former Royal palace.

We'll return on board and depart for Vienna.

Enjoy dinner followed by evening entertainment.

Day 6 . 02 September 2025 VIENNA

Upon arriving in Vienna, we will be organising our own tours. Full details of these will be available approximately four months pre departure. There are also a number of ship-led excursions, as follows: A visit to the Hofburg Palace (only on pre-booking before departure), the Hapsburg's winter residence and its Sisi Museum. Tonight, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Tour Vienna by night.

Day 7. 03 September 2025  VIENNA

This morning, join us for the optional excursion. Audio-guided tour of the Schönbrunn Palace (only on pre-booking before departure), the summer residence of the Imperial family. We will also have an optional afternoon and evening excursion, Full details about three months pre-departure.

Dinner on board. Our ship will depart at midnight.

Day 8. 04 September 2025  MELK

We'll cruise along the most beautiful section of the Wachau Valley this morning, arriving in Melk in the morning. We'll then set off on an optional excursion: Tour of Dürnstein, the fortified village where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner.

In the afternoon, join us on an optional excursion : Visit the Melk Abbey (only on pre-booking before departure). Originally a Baroquestyle palace built between 1702 and 1736, it is now a Benedictine monastery that hosts a prestigious coed school with more than 900 students.

We'll return on board and cruise towards Passau. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Day 9. 05September 2025  PASSAU

We'll set out to explore Passau in the company of hostess, strolling the narrow romantic streets and admiring is Baroque-style buildings.

We'll then cruise to Regensburg through the night.

Day 10. 06 Sept. 2025 REGENSBURG – KELHEIM

Join us on an optional excursion : Guided tour of Regensburg and the Walhalla hall of fame which overhangs the river. We'll return on board in Kelheim and cruise the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg.

Day 11. 07 September 2025

NUREMBERG - ERLANGEN - BAMBERG

We'll arrive in Nuremberg in the morning. Join us on an optional CLASSIC/DISCOVERY excursion : Guided tour of the city and tasting of its famous gingerbread. We'll return on board in Erlangen and start sailing towards Bamberg. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 12. 08 September 2025

BAMBERG - SCHWEINFURT - GERLACHSHAUSEN

We'll spend this morning cruising to Schweinfurt. Join us on an optional excursion : Tour of Rothenburg, one of the oldest cities in Germany. This magnificent walled town located on the historic Roman Road has managed to keep its authentic charm. We'll return on board in Gerlachshausen.

Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 13. 09 September 2025

 WÜRZBURG - KARLSTADT - WERTHEIM

Join us on an optional excursion : Guided tour of Würzburg and the former Residence of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg. We'll return on board in Karlstadt. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 14.  10 September 2025

WERTHEIM - MILTENBERG - FRANKFURT

We'll explore Miltenberg and discover this charming, very typical German village. Its marketplace surrounded by half-timbered houses, its Grande Rue and former Town Hall make Miltenberg a unique town and the "pearl of the Main". We'll cruise to Frankfurt.

Day 15. 11 September 2025

FRANKFURT - MAINZ

Join us for a walking tour of Frankfurt, where you’ll also have a chance to do some last-minute shopping. We'll have the option to return on board and cruise to Mainz during lunch. Or, we can take the train and rejoin the ship there. Gutenberg's hometown, Mainz lies at the confluence of the Rhine and the Main and is a perfect blend of past and present. Its age-old cathedral is not to be missed. You'll be able to explore the city and, if you wish, visit the fabulous Gutenberg museum. We will be leaving the ship in Mainz and transferring to a city-centre hotel for one night.

Day 16. 12 September 2025

FRANKFURT – HOME

We plan to take the direct flight from Frankfurt to Belfast City. Currently, the flight schedule for 2025 has not been posted but we will keep you posted.