Back from group support: river cruise on the Danube with CroisiEurope

Back from a magnificent tour with a group from Savoie, we take you this time to the banks of the legendary ‘Blue Danube’. For five days, we enjoyed a river adventure between Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava, three emblematic capitals of Central Europe.

Aboard the MS Vivaldi, one of CroisiEurope's elegant 5-anchor boats, we shared much more than just a journey: discoveries, smiles and moments suspended between history, culture and the art of living. 

An enchanted interlude along the Danube, between architectural treasures, local flavours and breathtaking panoramas.

Vienna

On April 9, we set foot in the heart of Austria's majestic capital, Vienna. Barely out of the airport, we were off on a panoramic tour of the city: sumptuous palaces, elegant avenues and the typical Viennese ambience.

After this initial immersion, a well-deserved gourmet break awaited us in a traditional Viennese café. A real moment of indulgence, appreciated by all, which immediately immersed us in the Austrian art of living.

In the late afternoon, it was time to board the MS Vivaldi, CroisiEurope's elegant 5-anchor ship. Everyone took possession of their comfortable cabin, our floating cocoon for the days ahead.

After crew introductions and a warm welcome cocktail, we shared our first dinner on board. That evening, the boat remained docked, and we slept in Vienna, cradled by the waters of the beautiful Blue Danube.

The next morning, we boarded the coach to explore the capital in greater depth: strolling through the historic center, iconic monuments, imperial atmosphere... Vienna was a sight to behold.

Then, at the end of the day, we headed for Budapest, the pearl of the Danube.

Budapest

Early in the morning, we disembarked in Budapest, aptly nicknamed the Pearl of the Danube. After a leisurely crossing of the city from the river, we dropped anchor for a day of discovery.

As soon as we arrived, our local guide led us to Budavár Palace, perched on its hilltop. From up there, the panorama was nothing short of spectacular: the Danube below, the rooftops of Pest as far as the eye could see, and the iconic bridges linking the two banks.

Budapest, with its iconic bridges, legendary baths and gentle way of life, won us over immediately.

The afternoon began with a stroll through the Halles centrales, a vibrant place where local specialties, fresh produce, colorful stalls and handcrafted souvenirs intermingle. A must-see to capture the city's gourmet soul. And because a trip wouldn't be complete without a sweet touch, we sampled a delicious Kürtőskalács on the go, this crunchy yet melt-in-the-mouth Hungarian spit cake, eaten right in the street, in a convivial atmosphere.

At the end of the day, it was time to get back on board the MS Vivaldi. The Danube was waiting for us again... Next stop: Bratislava.

Bratislava

For our final stopover, we headed for Bratislava, Slovakia's charming capital nestling on the banks of the Danube. As soon as we arrived, it was impossible to miss the emblematic White Castle, standing proudly on its hill. Although the visit was an outdoor one, the panoramic view of the city and the river alone was worth the diversions.

Accompanied by our guide, we then strolled through the narrow streets of the city centre, discovering this human-sized capital, full of charm and history. Lively squares, colourful facades and a peaceful atmosphere punctuated this lovely stroll at the end of our stay.

Then it was time to get back on board the MS Vivaldi, to return to Vienna and catch our return flight.

A final, short but intense crossing to conclude this river trip, rich in emotion and sharing.