Recently updated on January 5th, 2026 at 04:26 pm
Are you more of an earth person or a water person? We’re not asking about your astrological sign – this is to figure out whether you’d prefer a land Trafalgar tour vs our new River Cruise itineraries.
Compare our Prague, Vienna & Budapest tour with our Best of the Danube River Cruise, two similar-length itineraries which cover many of the same cities and countries, to see the side-by-side difference between a classic Trafalgar tour vs River Cruise.
Trafalgar Classic Tour vs. River Cruise
We’ve been running land-based tours since 1947, transporting you across countries and continents, traveling from A to B in comfort and style on our luxury coaches. With reclining seats and panoramic windows, we make sure the journey is just as memorable as the destination. Beyond the coach, on many tours you’ll have the chance to take other modes of transport – from gondolas in Venice to trains through the Swiss Alps.
Meanwhile, our brand new River Cruises take you down Europe’s waterways in style on our distinctive ships. With boatloads of personality compared to many other vessels, a River Cruise will see you unpack once to explore countless destinations, returning to your floating hotel each night. Our eight decades of land touring excellence has helped us take to the water with ease.
On both trip styles you’ll have your own dedicated Travel Director, taking care of your day-to-day logistics and on-hand for anything you need, from logistics, bookings, tickets and transport to restaurant recommendations. With Trafalgar everything is planned, vetted, booked and organized before you start.
However you travel with us, travel with ease and confidence knowing everything is taken care of.
At a glance
- 8 days, 4 countries and 6 cities
- ‘Balanced’ activity level, featuring up to 1.6-4.8 km of walking per day which might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs
- 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
- From $2,799
- 10 days, 4 countries and 5 cities
- ‘Balanced’ activity level, featuring up to 1.6-4.8 km of walking per day which might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs
- 9 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
- From $2,725
Leisure time
River Cruise
Each evening brings something different on a Trafalgar River Cruise; one day you could be rolling your sleeves us alongside our pastry chef, and tapping your feet to live, local music the next. You can even step inside the wheelhouse for a chat with the Captain or sit in on a Nautical Talk to learn what life’s really like on the river. Unwind in the onboard lounge with games or treat yourself to a massage with our onboard therapist. If you’re feeling more active, head to the fitness area or grab a bicycle or set of Nordic walking sticks for onshore exploring.
Land tour
We leave plenty of time built into our land itineraries for you to explore at your own pace – whether that’s an afternoon in Vienna to walk in Mozart’s footsteps or an evening in Prague sipping on the city’s famous Pilsner. Ask your Travel Director for any tips or suggestions for your free time.
Not sure where to start? We have Optional Experiences throughout our tours that help you explore even more of your destination. These add-on experiences can be booked when you are on your tour, so feel free to chat to your Travel Director about them.
Accommodation
River Cruise
On a journey where you’ll visit multiple countries, staying on our River Cruise ship means you only unpack once and come back to the comfort of your room after each busy day out.
Sailing down the Danube, Trafalgar Reverie is a bold and bright ship. Think colorful rooms, striking patterns, marble-finished bathrooms and an inventive use of mirrors to bring even more light into the ship. Sailing along the Rhine, Trafalgar Verity features Dutch blue-and-white porcelain vases, with the only onboard working fireplace in Europe.
When it comes to dining, our onboard chefs craft menus inspired by the regions and seasons you sail through; relaxed buffet breakfast and lunches give you freedom during the day, while à la carte dinners showcasing local flavours. Afternoon sailings bring fresh pastries and tea served with a view.
House wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, while complimentary coffee, tea, water, and light snacks are available around the clock for when you want a moment to yourself, to be enjoyed in your suite, at the bar, in the lounge, or up on the sundeck to take in the ever-changing views.
Land tour
When you’re exploring a new place every day or two, you need restful nights; that’s why we make sure your overnights are spent with trusted hotel partners, including Hilton and Sheraton. If you’re staying in a city, we try and make sure you’re as close to the action as possible so you can maximize your time in each place.
On evenings where you dinner is included, your Travel Director will take you to dine in authentic restaurants that reflect the local cuisine. These are places only locals know to go, and you get a front row seat.
Inclusions
Both Trafalgar land tours and River Cruises have plenty of inclusions. Our itineraries ensure you tick off must-sees and local secrets, skip the lines at key sites and uncover the most authentic side of each destination. On both trip styles, you’ll meet Local Specialists on multiple stops to take you deeper into a city’s history.
You’ll also find a Be My Guest Experience on every Trafalgar itinerary. This is where you get to step into the lives of locals in their own home, hearing their culture, history and stories while enjoying their incredible hospitality. It’s not just about the memories you make, but the people you meet along the way – and our Be My Guest hosts are a crucial, unforgettable part of our trips.
Explore these experiences below on two similar trips: our Best of the Danube River Cruise and Prague Vienna & Budapest land tour.
Be My Guest Experiences
Best of the Danube: Dine with the Saahs Family at Weingut Nikolaihof
Meet the family behind the oldest winery in Austria, with a history dating back almost 2,000 years to the Roman empire. The Saahs family took charge of Weingut Nikolaihof in 1894, carrying on many of the traditional ways of winemaking the vines had seen over the centuries.
You’ll meet husband-and-wife team Nicholas and Christine, who have cultivated the estate since the 1960s. Discover what biodynamic farming really means over a homemade lunch featuring fresh organic produce from their own gardens – and a glass of Riesling of course.
Prague, Vienna and Budapest: Enjoy a hearty Hungarian dinner with the Schieszl Family
Not only does the Schieszl family produce incredible Hungarian wine just outside of Budapest, but the story of how they kept their family business throughout the turmoil of World War II is a tale that will stay with you forever. You’ll meet Konrád Schieszl, and hear how his grandfather hid his Jewish friend in the wine cellars when the war came to Hungary… well, we’ll let them tell you the rest.
You’ll visit that very wine cellar, spending time with the family, sharing stories, sipping wine, and tasting wholesome home-cooked Hungarian delicacies like baked trout with tomato carpaccio and sweet plum cake.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®️ Experiences
Best of the Danube: Life Beyond the Iron Curtain
Let a Local Specialist take you deep into Bratislava’s Cold War history, as you discover key Communist-era sites and hear stories of life under Soviet rule. You’ll meet a representative of Post Bellum, a non-profit preserving first-hand accounts of life under totalitarian regimes, ensuring these stories continue to inspire conversations about democracy and freedom today. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Prague, Vienna & Budapest: Rooftop beekeeping
Take to the skies for a rooftop beekeeping workshop in Prague; explore bee foraging habitats, learn about bee-flower relationships, honey bee products, and the impact of climate change on bee health. Learn how these small but mighty insects influence the city of Prague, and taste the fruits of their labor as you sip herbal tea with honey from rooftop bees. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.