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I traveled on the Danube River from Passau, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Modern pleasures in Passau include the Klostergarten, a contemporary park that is home to farmers markets and gardens.
Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising Budapest and beyond
When we started cruising with Viking 10 years ago the house white was Gruner Veltliner and the red Blaeur Zweigelt both from Wachau's Morwald winery. It’s a river overflowing (hopefully not literally) with history, hills, fortresses, medieval church steeples and vibrant destinations such as Vienna, voted the world’s most liveable city. Viking River Cruises offers several excursions as well as a variety of add-ons. Be sure to take time before your departure to explore what interests you and book anything extra well in advance because space is often limited. While the ship is comfy, the service delightful, and the onboard activities lots of fun, be sure to get out and explore at every stop.
What are the best things to do on a Danube river cruise?
The ornate German Gothic Saint Peter’s Cathedral is worth seeing, too. Walk across the Old Stone Bridge, a pedestrian walkway over the Danube, and then turn to see the colorful clock tower. A well-preserved medieval city on the northern portion of the Danube River, Regensburg boasts some of the most interesting historic buildings in Bavaria. Viking River Cruises’ Romantic Danube offers so many different ways to optimize your time. Our experience was absolutely magical, and we wanted to share some suggestions for how to make the most of every stop on this unforgettable itinerary.
Getting Back to Your Viking Cruise Ship from Vienna on the Subway
Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing - The Points Guy
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We've picked five of our favorite Viking sailings on the beautiful 'Blue Danube' to help you plan your cruise. Admire the patrician houses in the old town and see Passau’s ornately decorated cathedral. Sail along the scenic Danube and see stunning landscapes unfurl as you pass quaint towns. Savor a taste of Bavaria and sample a selection of local cheeses, hams and sausages.
While you could spend your entire time eating desserts down the Danube, Vienna is the absolute worst. It’s also the best, according to Mark, because it was his favourite Viking Danube river cruise excursion of all. As a bonus, if you decide to sleep late – which is unlikely, as there are so many things to do on the Viking river cruise Danube itinerary – you can have a continental breakfast here until 11 a.m.
Because each port offers at least one included excursion at no extra cost, as well as optional tours you can book and purchase beforehand. It was late when the glittering lights of Budapest came into view, and I couldn’t wait to see what Hungary’s capital, a city of Art Nouveau buildings and steamy thermal springs, had in store. The soft lap of water was rhythmic as our cruise ship cut through the Danube, a trace of froth swirling below. Desserts are another big draw on any Viking river cruise on the Danube. Viking Cruises are known for their cuisine and offer a good range of menu items. Mealtimes, however, can be fraught with tension, at least for Mark and me, because the tables are communal and we were always worried no one would want to sit with us.
The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024 - Forbes
The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024.
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Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centers, and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. Spend two days in Vienna, and celebrate the city’s musical heritage at a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this 8-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one you are sure to love.
Viking Danube River Cruise Reviews
It’s drawn on a wall of the old town hall as a reminder that while being at the confluence of three rivers may be beautiful, it is not without risks. Stop by the open-air Hauptmarket in the city center for a colorful look at local produce, flowers, handmade gifts, and delicious food specialties. If you happen to be there during the holiday season, you’ll see the transformation of the Old Town into a winter wonderland where over 180 vendors make up the Christkindlesmarkt. Stalls display art, local products, handcrafted goods, and treats of the season. Glittering lights and fresh greenery enhance the festive atmosphere.
Many cruises traverse the stretch between the capital cities of Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary, starting or ending at either location. It can also change day to day so almost impossible to predict in advance. I talked to passengers on other cruise ships coming from Budapest to Passau who’d had to bus it from Budapest to a small town about an hour and a half away, which they said wasn’t a big deal.
The Thurn und Taxis Palace is the impressive residence of an aristocratic family that had amassed a fortune from postal operations in the early 1800s. During the holiday season, a Christmas market springs up on the castle grounds. The Porta Praetoria comprises the ruins of a gateway made of rough stone blocks dating to the 13th century. Neupfarrplatz, a Roman fortress built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, was later home to one of the first Jewish communities in Germany.
Visit the place where monks work and worship on an exclusive Privileged Access Viking shore excursion. Savour a glass of sparkling apricot wine -- on of the region's delicious delicacies -- before enjoying a private viewing of the abbey. On a Viking European river cruise you will discover so much more than on a tiring land-based tour of the same length. Only packing and unpacking once, your longship is a relaxing floating home as you move seamlessly from place to place.
Why watch the 40″ flat screen TV when there’s an ever-changing feature film outside your balcony door? There is always something new to see, whether it’s the night lights of Vienna, vineyards in sunshine or crumbling ruins. After touring the the castle grounds, our (very wonderful) local guide Karolina led us through the curved cobbled lanes of the Old Town. And thank you, Brilliant Sunshine, for accompanying us the whole way. Our next day’s tour took us from Linz to the storybook town of Český Krumlov.
Our seven-night Danube river cruise with Lucy Worsley departs from the city of Engelhartszell in Austria before calling at Vienna (pictured below), the pretty town of Esztergom in Hungary and Budapest. You'll then loop back down the river, calling at Slovakia's capital Bratislava and the Wachau Valley in Austria before returning to Engelhartszell. The Danube is a year-round destination with the exception of January and February, when few cruise lines operate here. Summer, when the weather is hottest, is peak season and as a result Europe’s cities are particularly crowded. Because of that, we recommend taking a Danube river cruise in April, May, September and October.
Viking River Cruises is one of the most recognized names in the industry, and we had the chance to take their eight-day Romantic Danube cruise in the wintertime. The cruise stops vary from year to year and season to season, but each version has stops in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Along the way it shadows centuries-old storybook villages that appear unchanged by time and cuts through sophisticated world capitals, like Vienna and Budapest. The Danube, celebrated in art and song, might be the world's most feted river.
I know it’s a small kitchen because I did the galley tour on Austrian buffet night, which ended with a shot of Schnapps, a perk that makes you like the kitchen even more. Also of vital importance on the Upper Deck is the 24-hour tea and coffee station, there to fulfil your cappuccino and cookie needs at any time of day or night. The decor is a contemporary mix of pale neutral colours, blond and red wood finishings, and eye-catching artwork that adds a splash of interest without detracting from the cinematic views outside.
The folks at Viking River Cruises know that the spectacular Hungarian Parliament Building is a vision at night. They generally provide an opportunity to see it while you’re on the water and make a picture-perfect memory to last a lifetime. Budapest also boasts several phenomenal holiday markets, including the Advent Feast at the Basilica, considered among the best Christmas markets in Europe. The Great Market Hall features three floors of local produce, prepared delicacies, crafts, and souvenirs.
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