The magic of Mozart has once again placed its spell and the demand for music inspired trips along the Danube continues unabated. With our friends at London Festival Opera and the elegant, 100-passenger RV Advance, we can promise you a marvellous experience. Our musical journey from Regensburg to Budapest is a celebration of Mozart’s life, and of the many great composers from this Golden Age. During this eight night river cruise we will visit small towns and villages as well as the cities of Salzburg, Bratislava and Budapest, enjoying some of the finest works of music from the concertos of Mozart and the waltzes of Johann Strauss to opera and folk tunes in idyllic settings. We will also visit the city most celebrated for its musical heritage and Austria’s capital, Vienna, whose classical period was a golden age in Viennese musical life. Mozart lived here for the last decade of his life and exerted great influence on the musical life of the capital.
In addition to our excursions and music ashore, we will also enjoy ‘highlight’ performances by London Festival Opera aboard our wonderfully comfortable vessel in the intimate atmosphere of the lounge. The life and times of Mozart as well as the music of this Golden Age will be brought vividly to life by our Guest Speaker who will accompany the trip.
Advance
The 100-passenger RV Advance is a luxurious, boutique river ship which was built in 2017, and launched into service in 2023. No expense has been spared to create a vessel which is a joy to travel on with stylish public rooms and elegant staterooms along with an expansive Sun Deck. The atmosphere is warm and convivial and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment. A musician will play each evening whilst you relax in the lounge, Guest Speakers will provide a series of interesting talks and our Cruise Director will host informative port briefings. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Kelheim, Germany.
Fly by scheduled flight to Munich. On arrival transfer to the RV Advance in Kelheim. This evening we will sail to Regensburg.
Day 2 Regensburg.
After breakfast enjoy a guided stroll around Germany’s largest and best-preserved Medieval city, Regensburg. See the twin-spired cathedral Dom St Peter, the treasury and the tower houses followed by a visit to the Turn and Taxis Palace. Return to the RV Advance for lunch and sail.
Day 3 Passau.
Enjoy a morning walking tour of the ancient fairytale city of Passau, the meeting point of the Danube, Ilz and Inn Rivers. See the old town and cathedral that houses one of the largest pipe organs in the world. After a short organ recital return to the ship for lunch and this afternoon is free to relax or explore ashore further. In the early evening London Festival Opera will present an Opera Soiree of Handel, Verdi, Gounod, Bizet and Puccini on board the RV Advance.
Day 4 Linz for Salzburg, Austria.
From our berth in Linz we depart for Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and famous for its architectural treasures and music festival. Our guided excursion will concentrate on Mozart’s family and his musical contemporaries. Visits will be made to the house known as Tanzmeisterhaus where he spent his early life, and the Residenz. We also take a walk through the lovely gardens of the Mirabell Palace. Before we leave, we will enjoy a special concert of music by a string quartet at the Mozarteum Conservatory. Return to the ship and sail this evening.
Day 5 Melk & Durnstein.
Today we will see the great Baroque Abbey of Melk, situated high above the Danube. On a morning excursion we will visit this imposing abbey including the Imperial Staircase, the Marble Hall and the abbey church. We then sail on through the beautiful Wachau Valley and arrive later this afternoon in the pretty town of Durnstein, where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Enjoy some free time ashore to explore and perhaps sample some of the town’s delicious Marillenschnaps or strudel.
Day 6 Vienna.
After breakfast today depart for a guided city tour which will include the famous Ringstrasse, the Old Quarter and St Stephen’s Cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch and the afternoon will be at leisure to explore independently or you may like to join the included visit to the Mozarthaus, a three storey museum where Mozart lived from 1784-1787, during which time he wrote the world-famous opera 'The Marriage of Figaro' and three of the six Haydn Quartets. We will stand in the room where Mozart and Beethoven met and where Haydn told Mozart’s father “your son is the greatest composer I know in person or by name”. Return to the ship and enjoy a pre-dinner performance in the lounge by London Festival Opera of 'A Night in Vienna' including the works of Mozart, Johann Strauss and Lehar.
Day 7 Bratislava, Slovakia.
This morning we will take a guided walking tour of the city, formerly known as Pressburg, a former capital of Hungary. See the old quarter, the ornate Baroque Palace and the ancient city gates. The tour ends with a visit to the impressive Moyzes Hall for a concert of music by Dvorak and Mozart by a string quartet. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon cruising to Budapest.
Day 8 Budapest, Hungary.
We have the day to explore Hungary’s elegant capital city. Spend the morning on an excursion that will include the old quarter visiting the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Royal Palace (outside view). Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure to relax or sightsee independently or for those who wish there will be an included tour to the Liszt Ferenc Memorial Museum, located in the Old Academy of Music. Liszt spent a significant part of the last five years of his life here (from 1881 to 1886) and his furniture, portraits, books, pianos along with other personal belongings are on display.
Day 9 Budapest to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return scheduled flight to London.
Dates and Prices
10 to 18 June 2024 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
D Standard Stateroom on Deck 2 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
C Standard Stateroom on Deck 3 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
B Large Stateroom on Deck 2 | £4695 | £4495 |
A Large Stateroom on Deck 3 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Suite Two room Suite on Deck 3 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
D Standard Stateroom on Deck 2 for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
C Standard Stateroom on Deck 3 for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: RCAV100624
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Eight nights aboard the RV Advance on a full board basis • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions • Performances by London Festival Opera • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port & airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Advance
The 100-passenger RV Advance is a luxurious, boutique river ship which was built in 2017, and launched into service in 2023. No expense has been spared to create a vessel which is a joy to travel on with stylish public rooms and elegant staterooms along with an expansive Sun Deck. The atmosphere is warm and convivial and within days you will have made new friends in the open-seating restaurant, on the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the comfortable public areas. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people in an English-speaking environment. A musician will play each evening whilst you relax in the lounge, Guest Speakers will provide a series of interesting talks and our Cruise Director will host informative port briefings. After a day exploring ashore, you will return to the comfort and peace of a well-run and exceedingly comfortable vessel.
Travelling with You
London Festival Opera
We are delighted that London Festival Opera will be joining us for three performances during the cruise. Bringing together established opera singers from major British opera companies, London Festival Opera has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera and music performances in a wide variety of worldwide venues. They will perform a Mozart Opera Celebration featuring arias and ensembles from The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi Fan Tutte and Don Giovanni, in period costume. Other opera concerts include A Night in Vienna and an Opera Soiree on board the MS River Crown whilst we are moored in Passau and Vienna.
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Jamie Hayes
Jamie has directed many new opera productions, both at home and abroad. After training at RADA, he worked for Kent Opera, Glyndebourne Festival and Touring Opera, the BBC, the RSC and English National Opera. He has directed many opera productions for leading UK festivals as well as all our most distinguished musical conservatoires. His new opera productions overseas have appeared as far away as Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. He was Director of Productions for British Youth Opera for over a decade, a company devoted to promoting the talents of our finest young opera singers in the UK. Jamie is married to the opera singer Jean Rigby and they have three children. Jamie became an accredited lecturer with The Arts Society in 2022.
Tour Extensions
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We are offering the opportunity to spend three nights before your cruise in the romantic city of Prague, the ancient capital of Charles IV’s Bohemian Kingdom, set on the banks of the Vltava River. Prague is a delightful and easy city to explore on foot and there is a full day at leisure to discover and sightsee at your own pace. Included in your stay is a walking tour of the city’s famous sights, a half day panoramic tour including Prague Castle and a private visit to the serene and historic Strahov monastery library. Also enjoy an evening music event at the famous Estates Theatre or the State Opera House (schedules permitting).
The Itinerary
Day 1 London to Prague, Czech Republic.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2 Prague.
Meet this morning for a walking tour of the Old City including Wenceslas Square, where the Velvet Revolution took place, the Old Town Square, with its famous astronomical clock and finally Charles Bridge and the church of St Nicholas. After lunch the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. (B, L)
Day 3 Prague.
Today is free to sightsee and explore at your own pace. Perhaps visit the beautiful old Jewish quarter with its wellpreserved synagogues and the old town square or enjoy the city’s wonderful café culture and excellent shopping. (B)
Day 4 Prague.
A morning panoramic tour of the city begins with a private visit to the impressive Strahov monastery library with its amazing collection of ancient books and manuscripts. We then visit the Basilica and the Convent building before continuing to the castle, scene of the famous defenestration in 1618 which led to the start of the 30 Years War. Finally, visit the magnificent St Vitus Cathedral and walk along Golden Lane. After lunch we will transfer to the RV Advance moored in Regensburg. (B, L)
Prices per person based on double occupancy
7 to 10 June 2024 Category Price Twin £995 Single £1295 Price Includes: Three nights hotel accommodation in Prague, meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch), wine & soft drinks with included lunches & dinners, excursions, Noble Caledonia Tour Manager, gratuities, transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Also of Interest
Three River Odyssey
A journey along the Danube, Main & Rhine rivers aboard the RV Advance
Advance
Itinerary at a glance
- Budapest / Bratislava / Vienna / Wachau Valley / Melk / Passau / Regensburg / Nuremberg / Bamberg / Wurzburg / Miltenberg / Heidelberg / Strasbourg / Colmar / Strasbourg
Opera in Venice
An escorted four night stay in Venice including two musical performances
Saturnia & International Hotel
Itinerary at a glance
- Venice / Murano / Burano /Torcello
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000