From Engelhartszell (Passau) to Melk, Vienna, Bratislava and Cruising Day to Engelhartszell (Passau).
Plenty of time to enjoy a pampering manicure or massage in the SPA-ROSA – this is how our guests prepare for Christmas dinner. It’s not exactly stressful. The Christmas Day programme leaves nothing to be desired: the splendour of Melk Abbey followed by the frost-covered landscape of the charming Wachau valley. Then, to mark the occasion, opulent wine. Danube Baroque and imperial grandeur wrapped in sparkling lights. There’s a wealth of delicacies for the taste buds. Gourmet buffets and the Christmas Day menu vie with each other to impress you. Live Christmas music on the streets below Bratislava Castle. The Slovaks certainly know how to party.
The UNESCO World Heritage Wachau lies christmassy in the Danube valley and enchants you with its beautiful landscapes. And of course, a visit to the landmark of the Wachau, the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, should not be missed. Cities and nature have a special interplay here. The valley is lined with steep hills on which some of the best grape varieties in Europe grow. In between you will discover a castle, a palace or a romantic ruin on the hills, which testify to past times. With such an enchanted landscape, it is no wonder that numerous legends have been passed down from the Wachau, dealing with mythical phenomena or even real events such as the Napoleonic Wars.
Sisi is always on TV at Christmas. Even better: go to Sisi yourself. The Danube cruise carries you solemnly through castles and monasteries standing trellis in the most beautiful landscape. Vienna is tailor-made to evoke a festive mood. Advent glows from the high windows of the magnificent old buildings, and imperial palaces, baroque churches and opulent squares with glittering Christmas markets and skating rinks seem to have sprung from a fairy tale.
Directly at the border triangle with Austria and Hungary, on the southwestern border of Slovakia, lies the capital Bratislava, the largest city in the country. The traces of the Austrian-Hungarian dual monarchy are omnipresent in the old town. A leisurely life between baroque and rococo, palaces and palisades, art and coffee houses. Enjoy your day individually in christmassy Bratislava.
This is the departure point for your Danube cruise. Our tip: to ensure that you get off to a relaxed start, travel the day before the cruise begins and spend the night at one of our partner hotels. This will allow you to explore the region around Passau, too. And when your ship sets sail for an exciting Danube cruise, you will have already enjoyed your first few adventures.
The UNESCO World Heritage Wachau lies in the Danube valley and enchants you with its beautiful landscapes. And of course, a visit to the landmark of the Wachau, the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, should not be missed. Cities and nature have a special interplay here.
The Benedictine Abbey Melk is not only the landmark of the Wachau, but also one of faith and Austrian history. Since its founding in 1089, it has been continuously inhabited by Benedictine monks. It is regarded as a masterpiece of fusion of art, culture and nature, of faith and science. Enjoy a wonderful view of the Wachau from the 60-metre-high Melk Abbey, before taking a look at the imposing interior with its many baroque rooms.
€ 49 per person
approx. 2h
Coach and walking
Moderat
Vienna has many wonderful places. On probably each sparkles another Christmas market and entices with the smell of cinnamon, punch and sweet specialties! Christmas music plays everywhere, and traditional handicrafts tempt you to store against an imperial backdrop. And between all the lively excitement: time to just let yourself drift.
Experience on Christmas Eve the enchanting Vienna with all its dreamlike places. On probably each sparkles a different Christmas market and entices with the smell of cinnamon, punch and loud sweet specialties! Christmas music plays everywhere and traditional handicrafts tempt you to store against an imperial backdrop. And between all the lively Christmas atmosphere: time to just let yourself drift.
On this tour, you will get to know Vienna's most historically significant sights. We will begin with a drive along the Ringstrasse with its magnificent buildings, such as the State Opera, the Museum of Art History and the Museum of Natural History, the Hofburg Palace, the Parliament Building, the city hall, the university, the stock exchange and past numerous palaces and monuments to famous composers, poets and artists. We will then continue to travel along the Prater with its famous Ferris Wheel to the Hundertwasser house, to St. Charles's Church and the Viennese Music Association. One of Vienna's landmarks can only be reached by foot due to its location - St. Stephen's Cathedral. After a brief tour of the outside, you will be taken back to your cruise ship.
This excursion does not take place on the following cruises:
1 Nov | 5 Nov 2023 A-ROSA BELLA Danube Mini Cruise Vienna & Bratislava
€ 55 per person
approx. 3.5h
Coach and walking
Moderat
How did Empress Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, Emperor Franz Joseph and Maria Theresa actually live back then? Once a summer residence, later the year-round residence of the emperor, Schönbrunn Palace is an integral part of Vienna's history. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and holds valuable insights for you.
This excursion takes place on the Danube Mini Cruise Vienna & Bratislava only on the following departures:
1 Nov 2023 A-ROSA BELLA | 5 Nov 2023 A-ROSA BELLA
€ 65 per person
approx. 3.5h
Coach and walking
Moderat
On Christmas Day we stop in Bratislava. The traces of the Austrian-Hungarian dual monarchy are omnipresent in the old town. A leisurely life between baroque and rococo, palaces and palisades, art and coffee houses. Enjoy your day individually in christmassy Bratislava.
Taking you directly to the most beautiful view, the Bratislava City Express will deliver you to the Bratislavský Hrad (Bratislava Castle). From the 85-metre-high plateau, you can see far over the Danube. The city owes its name to Duke Wratislaw, who built the complex in the middle of the 17th century. Maria Theresia decided to reconstruct the castle a century later as you'll see on your visit today. After the castle, you will explore the historical centre with its Renaissance houses and baroque palaces by foot.
€ 39 per person
approx. 2h
City Express and walking
Moderat
Experience the magic of picturesque landscapes northeast of Bratislava in the little Carpathian Mountains, known for its charming villages, historic towns and castles. Slovakia's largest contiguous wine-growing area starts right in Bratislava and stretches over 60 km northeast of the city. Visit Cerveny Kamen (Beaver Castle), which is one of the best-preserved castles in Slovakia and, in addition to its beautifully furnished rooms, also boasts the largest wine cellars in Central Europe. Afterwards, visit the Majolica Ceramics Factory, where you can observe the process of traditional majolica making. On the way back to Bratislava, you will visit a family business where majolica is still lovingly made by hand and where you can also try your hand at working on the wheel yourself.
This excursion does not take place on the following cruises:
29 Mar | 9 Nov | 14 Nov 2023 A-ROSA FLORA Danube Discovery
€ 89 per person
approx. 4h
Coach and walking
Moderat
Enjoy Boxing Day on board with a dreamy view of the passing landscape and look forward to relaxation. Tip: In the SPA-ROSA you can really spoil yourself.
After an exciting and thrilling Christmas cruise, you will dock back in Engelhartszell (Passau) today just a few days before the turn of the year. With so many wonderful experiences and enjoyable moments you will return home from the Queen of Rivers. Enjoy the last hours on board and in the city of Passau before heading back home. See you soon, Ahoy and a happy new year!
The tariff for flexible (or spontaneous) relaxation. For certain travel dates we offer the "A-ROSA Basic" tariff with a limited contingent at short notice.
The BASIC Fullboard rate includes the following services:
From various German airports and Zurich to Vienna, incl. transfer Airport – Ship – Airport (incl. taxes).
Flights from € 329 per person
Train operated by Deutsche Bahn from all German train stations to Passau.
Train from € 179 per person (Return / 2nd Class).
Train operated by Deutsche Bahn from all German train stations to Vienna.
Train from € 189 per person (Return / 2nd Class).
If you plan your arrival individually, we offer you a parking space in a guarded car park for the length of your cruise.
Price from € 51 per car (Passau)
Price from € 51 per car (Engelhartszell)
The hotel is located in the ‘Innstadt‘, which is part of the newly developed district ‘InnViertel‘ of Passau. The hotel offers two and three-room appartments. You can reach within walking distance (approx. 10 minutes) the pedestrian area and the old town with the university and Stephen’s cathedral. A parking lot in the underground car park can be booked additionally for a surcharge per night. Each appartments is equipped with the following facilities: air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, kitchenette, spacious bathroom with underfloor heating, towel dryer, shower (some rooms with a bathtub), hairdryer, make-up mirror, toilet. The hotel has also a lift.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Size ca.
63 sqm
for up to 2 persons
Double occupancy
€ 99 pp
Size ca.
73 sqm
with 2 bedrooms
for up to 4 persons
Double occupancy
€ 119 pp
3-person occupancy
€ 89 pp
4-person occupancy
€ 79 pp
Located in a historical building dating back to the 14th century, Hotel Passauer Wolf has a very special atmosphere. Yet the hotel also meets state-of-the-art standards from extensive refurbishment in 2009. The fantastic location in the middle of the old town, right between the cathedral and the pedestrian zone, makes the hotel a perfect starting point for sightseeing and shopping. Enjoy your complimentary welcome drink at the bar or in your comfortably furnished room. Then relax in the hotel spa’s whirlpool and sauna. Use of the spa is included in the booking price. Free Internet access and a bottle of mineral water are available in each room. For luggage and passenger transfers to / from the A-ROSA transfer in Passau (distance from / to hotel approx. 1–2 km) we recommend a taxi.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 69pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 79 pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
This modern hotel in Passau is located in quiet green surroundings just 200 m from the Danube and 500 m from the town centre on the other side of the river. Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival in the light-filled lobby, by the palms on the terrace or in your comfortable hotel room. The hotel bar is open in the evenings. Alternatively, you can enjoy complete relaxation in the spa, which offers a Finnish sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool and an infrared sauna. Free Internet access and a bottle of mineral water are available in each room. For luggage and passenger transfers to / from the A-ROSA transfer in Passau (distance from / to hotel approx. 1–2 km) we recommend a taxi.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 79pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
The Hotel Spitzberg is ideally located just 500 metres from the main railway station and the centre of Passau. The historic part of the house was built in the 19th century and has rooms with art nouveau stucco ceilings. In 2010, the hotel was reopened with completely new furnishings, new bathrooms, new reception, hotel bar and breakfast room to 4-star standard. The rooms are equipped with bathtub or shower/WC, satellite TV, minibar, safe and free WLAN.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 79pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
Hotel Wesenufer is located right by the Danube in Wesenufer, which is near Engelhartszell (7 km) and Waldkirchen am Wesen (4 km). The nearest train station is Passau (37 km). The hotel building itself is more than 300 years old and was carefully renovated in 2008 and 2013. All rooms feature a modern interior design to make you feel at ease. The rooms – some of which have a balcony or terrace looking on to the Danube – are equipped with a flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi, a phone, a safe, a minibar and a bathroom with a shower, toilet and hairdryer. The hotel also has three wheelchair-accessible rooms. Enjoy the view of the Danube from your terrace, the seasonal and regional meals in the Schloss restaurant, and the sauna and steam bath in the spa. Free parking is available on request. Guest and luggage transfer to and from the ship is available for a fee payable at the hotel. When booking, please inform the hotel of your requirements.
Note: Check-in on Sunday is only possible until 17:00. The restaurant is closed on Sunday evening.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 79pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 109 pp
Single occupancy
€ 129 pp
Hotel Residenz stands out with one of Passau’s top locations: right by the Danube, in the heart of Passau’s old town. All attractions are within easy walking distance. Rooms are modern and comfortable, the “Comfort” category and above have air conditioning. The hotel has five exclusive Suites or Junior Suites that are designed very differently. For prices and availability, please enquire when making your reservation. Soak up the hotel’s calm atmosphere by either relaxing in the small but comfortable sauna or listening to classical music with a glass of wine in the hotel’s very well-stocked library.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
FRI - SAT
Double occupancy
€ 79 pp
SUN - THU
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
FRI - SAT
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
FRI - SAT
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
SUN - THU
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
SUN - THU
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
FRI - SAT
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
SUN - THU
Double occupancy
€ 79 pp
