Itinerary Highlights

Budapest - 17-21 August 2026
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, the wonders of Budapest rise up along both banks of the Danube in a truly impressive way. Along with Heroes' Square with its Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, awe-inspiring Hungarian Parliament Building, and the lavish Castle District with photogenic Fishermen's Bastion, the city is home to a captivating Jewish district and the second-largest synagogue in the world, an intricate underground cave system, and some of Europe's most famous thermal baths.

Matild Palace - Step into regal grandeur at Matild Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark where Belle Époque elegance meets modern indulgence. Commissioned in 1902 by Princess Clotilde, this neo-baroque masterpiece crowns the Elisabeth Bridge with its iconic twin towers. Today, 130 lavish rooms and suites, many overlooking the Danube, welcome global explorers. Indulge in Wolfgang Puck’s gastronomy, sip cocktails at the Sky Bar, or linger in the storied Matild Café. As Hungary’s first Luxury Collection Hotel, Matild Palace offers an intimate blend of history, luxury, and authentic Budapest charm.

Esztergom - 21 August 2026
Capital of Hungary from the 10th to mid-13th centuries, the royal city of Esztergom is where St. Stephen, Hungary's first king, was crowned. Esztergom Basilica, the country's largest church and seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary, houses the nation's largest ecclesiastical collection, while Esztergom Castle sits majestically on a cliff overlooking the Danube. Meanwhile, the city's medieval center is walled by Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical buildings and features a lively market square whose houses were occupied by rich merchants in the 17th century.

Bratislava - 22 August 2026
Bratislava is perfect for those who want to be transported to another time. Even from a distance, its 9th-century clifftop castle strikes an impressive pose. Down below, the bustling pedestrian-only Old Town is a charming collection of Old World architecture, like Michael's Gate, St. Martin's Cathedral, the Old Opera House, and the Neoclassical Primate's Palace. There's even a surprise or two, with Napoleon's cannonballs lodged in historic walls and an unexpected statue of Cumil the Sewer Worker peering up from below street level!

Vienna - 23-24 August 2026
Vienna is a city that defies simple description. Over the centuries, it has been an imperial city, seat of the Holy Roman Empire, capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and capital of sovereign Austria. Today, Vienna retains the grand Baroque architecture, historic style, and Lebenskunst (art of living) that attracted famous composers like Mozart and Strauss. It's a wonderland of lavish palaces and cathedrals, world-class museums and music venues, atmospheric coffee houses, and romantic fiakers (horse-drawn carriages) clip-clopping past it all.

VIP Evening at Belvedere Palace - Experience Vienna in unmatched opulence with a VIP, after-hours visit to Belvedere Palace. Enjoy a private concert as you wander the Painted Hall, Grand Staircase, and Marble Hall, culminating in a rare, crowd-free viewing of Klimt’s iconic “The Kiss” — a Riverside Signature Event that brings Baroque grandeur and artistic mastery to life.

Dürnstein - 25 August 2026
If ever a town was the embodiment of quaint, it's Dürnstein. Sitting right at the entrance to the celebrated Wachau Valley, everything about this village is hospitable—even the vineyards extend right to the riverbanks to greet visitors. Highlights include the striking blue and white Stiftskirche, and the castle ruin looming over town that once imprisoned King Richard the Lionheart, according to legends. Welcoming shops and wine taverns serving up the Wachau's delectable wines and sweet apricots make this a wonderful place to spend time.

Spitz - 25 August 2026

TBC

Linz - 26 August 2026
Austria’s third largest city, Linz is a European Capital of Culture worth exploring. Highlights include the Feichtinger House with its Glockenspiel, Castle Museum, Lentos Art Museum, and the Neo-Gothic Mariendom with its impressive stained-glass windows and 20,000-person seating capacity. A hike up Pöstlingberg Hill delivers outstanding views over the Danube and is best followed by a coffee and piece of scrumptious Linzer Torte, invented here as the world's first cake!

Passau - 27 August 2026
Situated along the Route of Emperors and Kings where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers meet, Passau was settled as early as the Neolithic Age. During the Renaissance, this City of Three Rivers was a major manufacturing center of swords, crafting bladed weapons stamped with the Passau wolf, which legend claimed would grant invulnerability. Today, the most famous sights lining the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town are the artistic Town Hall and the Baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral with its green-domed towers and one of the largest organs in the world.

Munich - 27-29 August 2026
Munich is a city where tradition and sophistication blend effortlessly beneath the Bavarian Alps. Grand boulevards lined with Baroque and Neoclassical architecture open into lively squares like Marienplatz, where the famed Glockenspiel performs its whimsical dance each morning. World-class museums such as the Alte and Neue Pinakothek house masterpieces spanning centuries, while the English Garden invites leisurely strolls beside winding streams and shaded beer gardens. Yet Munich’s charm is equally found in its atmosphere — a place where heritage, culture, and gemütlichkeit (warm hospitality) infuse everyday life. From bustling markets like the Viktualienmarkt to serene church towers offering panoramic views, the city rewards exploration at every turn.

The Charles Hotel brings refined Bavarian elegance to life with contemporary ease. Set beside the Old Botanical Garden and part of the prestigious Rocco Forte Hotels collection, this modern landmark offers a tranquil retreat just moments from Munich’s historic heart. Its spacious rooms and suites — among the largest in the city — feature warm natural tones, Juliet balconies, and views across the gardens or toward the Alps. Guests can savour sophisticated Italian dining at Sophia’s, unwind in Munich’s longest indoor hotel pool, or indulge in botanical-inspired treatments at the acclaimed Charles Spa. Thoughtfully designed and impeccably serviced, The Charles Hotel delivers a harmonious blend of modern luxury, local character, and understated glamour.