TRAVEL REVIEW: Star ship enterprise boldly combines quality river and rail travel
"Delights of the Danube" successfully straddles such stimulating transports of delight.
Unique voyage of discovery awaits all opting to take cruise control aboard a vessel where true new friend-ships are forged.
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Hide AdIndeed, some passengers find soul mates amid holiday romances '70s TV hit "The Love Boat" story lines would be proud of.
Adventures aplenty lurk just around the bends of most majestic of rivers, jaw-dropping journey courtesy of relative novice in this twin travel sector.
New-ish kid on the dock is none other than Great Rail Journeys, whose impressive reputation rises with every successful sail.
Enjoyable escorted exploration for the more mature traveller is ensured at every turn, fittingly first class, courtesy of specialists whose train transport track record remains second to none after almost 50 years' experience.
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Hide AdAmadeus Star navigates most scenic of sections along among Europe's longest waterways, whose total 1,770 miles meander from Black Forest to Black Sea.
Weighing in at hulking 1767 tonnes, our 135 metre denizen of the deep negotiates labyrinth of locks, looming high overhead, forging forward at 14 knots.
Aboard are 200-plus passengers and crew, fellow guests proving convivial company, sharing absorbing back stories, while 50-odd staff, representing numerous nationalities, remain consistently professional and personable in equally engaging measure.
Quality cabins belying "more you pay, more you sway" misnomer, this fabulous floating hotel offers superior spacious accommodation at every level.
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Hide AdGourmet catering comes second to none from bountiful breakfasts to finest daytime dining. Downtime days fuelled by Yorkshire Tea, a tannin tribute to the company's York base, something a little stronger lubricates dancefloor dusks, Erdinger for we weiße squad stalwarts.
Informative itineraries comprehensively confirm daily excursions' expectations for those keen to take shore leave at every opportunity.
Others sit back and kick back on-board, watching wondrous watery world drift by, everyday cares washed away on open-air sun deck or within luxurious lounge and Panorama Bar.
Bustling Budapest to peaceful Passau, this transnational trip takes us back in time to Ottoman and Habsburg empires, seamlessly sampling Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany throughout nine fine days' globetrotting, magnificent seven nights afloat.
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Hide AdThis floating voter, Yorkshire native like popular prime time TV "Cruising With" celebrity Jane McDonald - singing fewer songs and sporting slightly fewer sequins - remains convinced such trips tick all the boxes, reporting such sophistication is certainly something to write home about.
What's not to like about unpacking once, daily waking refreshed in new cities, nay countries? I rest my case. And you can yours.
"Four countries aboard five star floating palace awash with quality service and food, great organisational team, tours and guides. We would certainly book again with GRJ." - Richard Morgan, Birmingham
Daily diary ...
Day 1: London Royal National Hotel sleep dawns with St Pancras early morning departure, riding rails to NH Collection Nuremberg overnight stay via Eurostar Brussels and Dusseldorf before new day delivers further transfer to Budapest via Vienna, together encountering more trackside delights than television train buff Michael Portillo boxed set.
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Hide AdDay 2: Hungarian capital - and George Ezra hit song title - first port of call, bisected by body of water Johann Strauss II immortalised with 1866 blue waltz. Warmest of welcomes makes way for local folklore, interpreted through medium of musical dance, and truly illuminating nocturnal spectacular, amazing architectural landmarks, moon splashed and star spangled, viewed in new awe-inspiring light.
Day 3: Having slept like captain's log, this most majestic of cities becomes available via coach tour. Opera House, Parliament Building, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, St Stephen's Basilica and Castle, perching imperiously above all below, collectively demonstrating indisputably why hilly Bude and flat Pest combined are correctly acclaimed "Gem of the Danube".