Danube Grandeur & Prague

Prague, the captivating Czech capital, is arguably Eastern Europe's biggest tourism success story, attracting visitors from far and wide with its handsome architecture, cosmopolitan outlook and truly excellent beer. The castle and the iconic Charles Bridge can get rather busy during the summer high season, but it's easy enough to give the crowds the slip. We recommend ducking into one of the many bars that line the cobbled lanes of the Old Town, or taking a stroll amongst the picturesque palaces and gardens of the Malá Strana district.

Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second city, first pops up in the history books in 1050 as a stronghold of the Franks, and later became the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Nowadays the city is a tourist magnet thanks to the beautifully restored old town, Christmas markets and excellent beer.

Originally founded by the Celts and later an important Roman settlement, Regensburg is one of Bavaria’s lesser known gems. Situated on the northernmost bend of the Danube, it’s a friendly and laid back city, with an exceptionally well preserved medieval centre.

The pretty Bavarian town of Passau, situated close to Germany’s border with Austria, enjoys a unique setting at the confluence of three rivers: the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube. The narrow cobbled streets of the handsome old town, the Altstadt, are quite delightful.

Formerly the centre of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is as grand a European capital as you can imagine, jam packed full of thrusting, bombastic buildings that stand as a reminder of Austria’s glorious imperial heyday.

Bratislava, Slovakia’s quaint little capital, straddles the Danube close to the border with Austria and Hungary. The compact old town is the best place to begin your exploration, before heading up to the hilltop castle for commanding views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most appealing cities, a vibrant and welcoming capital that straddles the Danube. The history of Budapest has been somewhat turbulent, but plenty of beautiful buildings survive, including the imposing Parliament and iconic St Stephen’s Basilica.

Novi Sad is a vibrant and friendly city with a lovely riverside setting. Handsome Austro-Hungarian architecture is a reminder of past glories, while the imposing Petrovaradin Fortress has become the unlikely setting for one of Europe’s biggest music festivals, Exit, which began life as a student protest against the government.

Belgrade has been invaded and occupied dozens of times over the centuries, a fact that's reflected in the mish-mash of architectural styles, from Ottoman and Art Nouveau to grim relics of the communist era. But Belgrade is also a city with real soul, emerging from a difficult recent history as one of Europe’s most exciting capitals.