| Cruise |
S.S. Maria Theresa, 14 Night Cruise & Rail: Grand Alpine & the Enchanting Danube ex Passau, Germany to Venice, Italy |
| Cruise Line |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises |
| Ship |
S.S. Maria Theresa |
| Destination |
EU Rivers |
| Brief Description |
14 Night Cruise sailing from Passau, Germany onboard S.S. Maria Theresa |
| Type of Cruise |
River |
| Departure Date |
31 May 2026 |
| Cruise Description |
Embark on a river cruise down the shimmering waters of the fabled Danube River, where our locally-based destination experts will take you well beyond the “must-sees” of each region, offering fresh takes on classic sites, insider knowledge of delightful under-the-radar locales, and VIP access to places only a privileged few will ever experience.
Then begin your ascent into the idyllic wonderland of the Alps via a luxury overnight train, where your days will be filled with unbelievable mountain scenery, picturesque lakes, and unforgettable experiences. Enjoy lunch on Lake Como, sample Swiss fondue in Zürich, head into Slovenia’s Postojna caves on a private visit, and more.
Day 1 - Passau (Embark)
Arrive at Munich Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Day 2 - Passau
Passau is a crossroads in more ways than one, as three rivers meet here and three nations nearly do, making for a fascinating cultural mosaic. Get to know the town and its main claim to fame—Europe’s largest pipe organ—or “Let’s Go” with an invigorating riverside hike.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Day 3 - Linz (Salzburg)
Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg is nestled in a glorious alpine setting that sparkles like a winter wonderland. Linz may be best known for its famous Linzer torte, but it’s also a hotbed for the arts. See the sights with a local expert and visit a family at their farm in the countryside. Austria’s third-largest city, Linz boasts a long history of trading and textile manufacturing, but these days it is perhaps best known for its electronic arts and annual festival.
Day 4 - Melk, Dürnstein
This morning, visit the 900-year-old Melk Abbey and its extraordinary baroque-style library.
Later, you will head to Dürnstein, one of our favorite towns along the Danube, a lovely place to wander cobblestone lanes, browse quaint shops, and maybe hike up to a ruined castle (with an intriguing tale all its own). You can also opt for a tasting or learn all about the world’s costliest spice from the Wachau Valley’s only saffron grower. You have two ports of call in the incredibly scenic valley, Dürnstein and Melk, and an assortment of delightful ways to explore this lovely region.
Day 5 - Vienna
Vienna is a cultural treasure trove revered for its art and music (and sinfully rich pastries). Experience the “City of Waltzes” with a highlight tour of the city, as well as an expertly led tour of an extraordinary collection of art at the renowned Vienna Art History Museum.
* You have leisure time after your tour to explore Vienna on your own. You might wish to visit the Albertina Museum, which houses one million old-master prints and an impressive collection of works by 19th- and 20th-century painters, ranging from Renoir to Rothko.If you’d like to get a little exercise and see a completely different side of Vienna, borrow a bike from the ship and explore Danube Island and Prater Park. (For a wonderful view of the region, ride the Ferris wheel in Prater Park.)
Day 6 - Vienna, Bratislava
Your ship sets sail from Vienna and heads for Bratislava today. You may relax onboard all day, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and taking in the scenery as the ship wends its way along the Austrian Danube toward Bratislava. Although it’s not a large city, Bratislava has played a leading role in the politics and culture of the region for many centuries, and it is well worth a visit.
If you opt for the walking tour today, you may choose to leave the ship by bus in Vienna and start your excursion early. This would give you time for lunch on your own in town, as well as some additional free time to enjoy Bratislava after your tour ends.
Day 7 - Budapest
Budapest is an enchanting city that presents a vibrant mix of medieval and modern.
* In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Day 8 - Budapest (Disembark), Transfer to Train (Embark), Vienna
Disembark the ship and transfer to the Golden Eagle Danube Express for a morning departure back to Vienna. Settle into your cabin, then enjoy lunch as the train makes its way to the capital of Austria, where you’ll have the opportunity to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, visit the famous Schönbrunn Palace, or enjoy some free time to explore on your own.
In the evening, we will enjoy a private concert featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
Day 9 - Lake Achen, Innsbruck
Today will be one of the real highlights of the journey as we depart from Vienna in the morning and travel across central Austria and into the Alps on an incredibly scenic route. Keep your cameras at the ready as we climb over the Semmering Pass with its 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, through the famous skiing village of Kitzbuhel to Jenbach, where we’ll take a scenic drive to the picturesque Lake Achen for a cruise on the water.
From here we travel by bus the short distance to Innsbruck, the capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol and an Alpine city that has long been a destination for winter sports. Innsbruck is also known for its Imperial and modern architecture.
Day 10 - Vorarlberg, Zürich
Sit back, relax, and watch the scenery of the Vorarlberg unfold in front of your eyes this morning as we pass through St. Anton before crossing through Liechtenstein and then into Switzerland, where we run along the whole of the Lake of Zürich before arriving in the city.
The city of Zürich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the north end of Lake Zürich in northern Switzerland. The picturesque lanes of the central Altstadt (Old Town), on either side of the Limmat River, reflect its pre-medieval history. Waterfront promenades like the Limmatquai follow the river toward the 17th-century Rathaus (Town Hall). While we are in the city, we will enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue tasting.
Day 11 - Lake Como
Upon leaving Zürich, we’ll pass along the shorelines of Lakes Zug and Lucerne before starting the very scenic climb to the St. Gotthard Pass. Once through the old St. Gotthard tunnel, we’ll descend through Lugano towards Lake Como in Italy, where we stop for a beautiful lunch on the lake. After lunch, set sail on a boat cruise around Lake Como and visit the lakeside town of Bellagio.
Day 12 - Verona, Trieste
This morning, after running along the south shore of Lake Garda, we arrive in Verona, where you’ll set out on an informative walking tour of Verona’s famous sites.
Enjoy lunch onboard as the train threads its way to Trieste. Our brief tour here includes a stop at the imposing Miramare Castle and also a visit to the vast Piazza Unità d’Italia, the main town square. Standing on a hill overlooking Trieste is the famous Church of San Giusto. We will go inside the church for a close-up view of its splendid Byzantine-style architecture, enriched with precious mosaics.
Day 13 - Lake Bled, Ljubljana
You may wish to wake up early this morning to catch the incredible scenery outside your window as our train climbs away from Trieste and heads over the border into Slovenia, continuing its ascent through the Julian Alps to Lake Bled.
From here we travel onto Ljubljana as we have lunch on board and discover a delightful combination of ancient architecture and a youthful culture. Our afternoon tour includes visits to Preseren Square, the Three Bridges, and Dragon Bridge.
Day 14 - Postojna, Venice (Disembark)
This morning, you’ll be treated to a private visit to the Postojna Caves before re-boarding the train to head south towards Venice, where we’ll say farewell to our train crew and check into the Kempinski San Clemente Palace. This magnificent, five-star retreat is set on its own private island, just minutes away from Piazza San Marco by private boat.
Day 15 - Venice
If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home. |
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| Sailing Dates |
| 31 May 2026 |
| Pricing |
| Please enquire for pricing |
Cruise Itinerary
| Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 31 May 2026 |
Passau, Germany |
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| 1 Jun 2026 |
Passau, Germany |
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| 2 Jun 2026 |
Linz, Austria |
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| 3 Jun 2026 |
Durnstein, Austria |
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| 4 Jun 2026 |
Vienna, Austria |
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| 5 Jun 2026 |
Bratislava, Slovakia |
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| 6 Jun 2026 |
Budapest, Hungary |
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| 7 Jun 2026 |
Budapest, Hungary |
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| 8 Jun 2026 |
Innsbruck, Austria |
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| 9 Jun 2026 |
Zurich, Switzerland |
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| 10 Jun 2026 |
Bellagio, Italy |
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| 11 Jun 2026 |
Verona, Italy |
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| 12 Jun 2026 |
Ljubljana, Slovenia |
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| 13 Jun 2026 |
Venice, Italy |
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| 14 Jun 2026 |
Venice, Italy |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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