Comfort, style and modern furnishings, plus panoramic views await you on board our MAXIMA and VIKTORIA. Enjoy unique views in the best of company from our spacious sun deck or from the privacy of your own cabin. A spa with sauna and whirlpool are also available for even more relaxing moments. Our chef conjures up gourmet food in the galley on a daily basis, and our attentive crew cater to your every whim around the clock. Lunch and dinner menus are served at the table. Depending on the daily programme, choose between a light lunch buffet in front of the panorama salon or snacks from the barbecue station on the sun deck. In winter 2023/24 all public areas were modernised to an exclusive standard. In winter 2024/25 the cabins will be refitted.
Spectacular Danube cataracts
12 days | Passau • Iron Gate • PassauWhy this trip?
- Travel to 6 countries in 12 days - only 6 dates
- Highlights of this trip are the Danube cataracts and the Carpathian Passage with breathtaking gorges and the "Iron Gate".
- Visit the Croatian nature park Kopački rit with countless water birds and beautiful vegetation
- Interesting impressions beyond the well-known tourist paths in the Djerdap National Park (Iron Gate) as well as the Lepenski Vir archaeological site.
- Austro-Hungarian culture in the colorful old town of Novi Sad in Serbia
- Magnificent panoramic view of the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers in Belgrade
Early booking discount
The discount is already included in the displayed starting price.
€150 discount per person on bookings before 30.11.2024
€75 discount per person on bookings before 31.01.2025
Itinerary
Passau
Embarkation 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wien
Today the tradition-rich Danube metropolis Vienna is on the program. From the pier you will pass the "New Vienna" with the Uno-City and the Danube Island. See imposing magnificent buildings such as the State Opera, the Burgtheater, the Hofburg, the Parliament, the City Hall and the Votivkirche during the trip along the famous Ringstrasse. During a guided tour afterwards, you will experience this charming city and its world-famous "Viennese Schmäh" at first hand. After a short free time, you will pass the Praterstern and return to your ship.
In Vienna, cozyness is still capitalized, so it is not said for nothing: Who comes to Vienna, must plan time. Experience it yourself during a typical Heurigen evening in Vienna. By bus you will go to a famous Heurigen place, where you will spend the evening in a cozy atmosphere in a typical Heurigen. "Heurigen" refers to both the rustic taverns and the young wine. The Heurigen musicians will provide the right atmosphere. The price of the excursion also includes a drink.
Budapest
Budapest is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and bears the nickname "Queen of the Danube" not without reason. The Danube divides the Hungarian metropolis into the districts of Buda and Pest. You will first drive through the city center and enjoy the flair of the city. Enjoy a beautiful view of the Buda Castle, Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church, which still remind of the glory of past times. Also a small visit to the famous Budapest market hall may not be missing, of course.
Belgrade
Donji Milanovac
Passage of the Danube cataracts with the famous "Iron Gate".
By bus we will go to the archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, the scene of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries. The complex house layouts of the rediscovered settlement allow interesting conclusions to be drawn about the significant technical knowledge and skills of its inhabitants. It is believed that the Lepenski Vir culture is even older than those in Mesopotamia. See in the museum sculptures and tools dating back to the period between 6500 and 5500 BC, testifying to a highly developed civilization. Immerse yourself in the life of prehistoric cultures with the help of virtual tours on the computer and a tour of the excavation site.
About an hour's bus ride from our pier, between the Danube and Drava rivers, lies the Kopacki rit Nature Park, one of the largest and best preserved marshlands in Europe. The canals and lakes overgrown with reeds are mostly surrounded by white willow trees and their surface is covered with white water lilies. These give a home to numerous freshwater fish (carp, pike, perch), reptiles (fire salamander, pond turtle) and bird species (cormorants, storks). The most famous inhabitant is probably Europe's largest eagle, the white sea eagle. Experience the untouched nature during a boat trip and with a little luck you will also see some of the wild animals that live there. Afterwards, you will go to the nearby Rural Haus, where you will learn more about the area, its tradition and culture during an interesting and humorous presentation, among other things, you will learn what is behind the scary "Busho" mask. Tasting local products, such as ajvar and slivovitz are also part of the visit before heading back to the ship through the Slavonian Plain.
Bratislava is located in the fertile Danube plain south of the Small Carpathians in the immediate vicinity of the borders with Austria and Hungary. The Slovakian capital could be aptly described as "small but nice". The old town has been magnificently renovated with great attention to detail. During your sightseeing tour of Bratislava, you will first drive through the embassy district to the castle (Hrad), which towers high above the city and is considered the city's landmark. There you will make a photo stop and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Here you will also get more detailed information about the eventful history of the castle, which was the residence of numerous Hungarian kings for a long time before Maria Theresa settled there and the castle experienced its heyday. Afterwards, you will continue to the Old Town and begin the walking tour. Walking together through the Old Town of Bratislava, you will see the Redoubt, the National Theater, the City Hall and some Baroque palaces and the city gates that testify to the k.u.k. Monarchy. Among other things, you will also meet the most famous man of Bratislava, Gullimann Cumil.
Pöchlarn
Cruising through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau.
Passau
Disembarkation until 09:30 a.m.
Services
- Cruise in an outside cabin in the booked category
- nicko cruises full board
- nicko cruise director and local tour guide
- Comfortable Sennheiser audio system on all excursions operated by nicko cruises
- Entertainment programme on board
- Use of SPA with sauna, relaxation area and whirlpool
- Use of the 2 outdoor fitness machines on the sun deck
- Travel documents
- Luggage service between landing stage and cabin for embarkation and disembarkation
- All port and passenger fees
The services provided during your trip
- Arrival and departure
- Excursion package with 5 excursions: €185 p. P.
- Beverages on your cruise: €319 p. P.
- Guarded car parking space (outdoor) in Passau (12 days): €103 p. P.
- Guarded car parking space (parking garage) in Passau (12 days): €119 p. P.
- Insurance
- Complete insurance
- Travel cancellation insurance
- Travel health insurance
Additional services
Your ship: MAXIMA
Comfort, style and modern furnishings, plus panoramic views await you on board our MAXIMA and VIKTORIA. Enjoy unique views in the best of company from our spacious sun deck or from the privacy of your own cabin. A spa with sauna and whirlpool are also available for even more relaxing moments. Our chef conjures up gourmet food in the galley on a daily basis, and our attentive crew cater to your every whim around the clock. Lunch and dinner menus are served at the table. Depending on the daily programme, choose between a light lunch buffet in front of the panorama salon or snacks from the barbecue station on the sun deck. In winter 2023/24 all public areas were modernised to an exclusive standard. In winter 2024/25 the cabins will be refitted.