The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga, winding west to east from Germany's Black Forest, flowing for some 1,770 miles (2,850 kilometres) to the Black Sea. It passes through 10 countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine and through four capital cities through four capital cities, more than any other river in the world.

Sail past great historic cities like Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest and many famous sights. This is the river of Mozart symphonies and Strauss waltzes, with an ever changing landscape, banks lined with fairytale castles, medieval monasteries and rolling lush vineyards. One-third of the Danube's total length is in Hungary and at night Budapest is particularly spectacular from the water on a cruise. Austria is also a major feature, with ports of call at Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

A very scenic river, the Danube features the dramatic Iron Gate, a gorge that forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania, and a naturally dangerous section of the river to navigate. Modern technologies such as a barrage walls and a lock and dam system have made it safer to cruise this section, so people can enjoy the beautiful scenery in safety. Much older than the Rhine, the Danube remains one of Europe's most important and historic waterways, and a very popular river cruise destination.