Monday, April 1, 2024

Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising the Danube

river danube river cruise

Week-long sailings are a great option for first-timers as they offer a combination of cosmopolitan cities and quaint towns for a well-rounded Danube River cruise experience. With a length of almost 2,900 kilometers, the river runs from the Black Forest to the Black Sea and crosses ten countries on its journey. Accordingly, there is a lot to see and experience on a river cruise on the Danube. With Vienna and Budapest, two of Europe's most beautiful and important cities lie on the banks of the Danube, their magnificent buildings bearing witness to their centuries-old history.

Go Glam to Attend the Vienna State Opera

river danube river cruise

But travelers should also have seen historic cities such as Regensburg, Passau, Linz and Bratislava. 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.

Viking Inclusive Value

The old town’s Neupfarrplatz square is a cross section of history—it was once a thriving Jewish quarter, a bustling marketplace and the site of Nazi book burnings. The Danube either flows through or delineates part of the border of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. Many cruises traverse the stretch between the capital cities of Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary, starting or ending at either location.

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

You may recognize the abbey as one of the filming locations used in "The Sound of Music." Salzburg is one of Europe's truly magical cities and is easily reached from Passau on a Danube River cruise. Home of "The Sound of Music," the hills are also alive with the classical sounds of Mozart, one of history's greatest composers, who was born in Salzburg. Dedicate time to exploring Salzburg's UNESCO-listed Italianate Old Town, before visiting Hagenauer House at Getreidegasse 9, where the composter was born on January 27, 1756. The pastel-hued Göttweig Abbey is nestled in an emerald-green forest with superb views of the Wachau Valley from its hillside location near Krems.

European River Cruise Packing Tips for No-fuss Travelers

All meals and drinks, including sparkling wines and cocktails, are included, as are snacks and afternoon tea. Also included is the use of the sauna, gym and top-deck heated swimming pool. And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship. If you love dazzling landscapes, magnificent architecture and fabulous food, a Danube river cruise is hard to beat.

European Sojourn

Because of that, we recommend taking a Danube river cruise in April, May, September and October. Good Housekeeping's seven-night itinerary sails in September, when the weather should still be balmy and dry, but the summer hordes have gone home. Fall in love with some of the world's most scenic rivers, passing charming landscapes and cityscapes. Add to that a well-timed, well-chosen glass of wine or classic cocktail (best enjoyed at sunset, up on deck) – and the temptation becomes too great to resist. The ancient origins of its name are lost in the mists of time – with contenders including a bringer of luck, a Vedic river goddess, and even words meaning swift, violent and undisciplined. Gliding peacefully between its famous and endlessly enchanting river banks, you’ll experience for yourself the calm delights that inspired “the beautiful blue Danube” of Johann Strauss’s immortal waltz and lullaby.

Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing - The Points Guy

Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing.

Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Music is everywhere on the shores of the river Danube – from the wild genius of Mozart in Salzburg to Beethoven, Brahms, and an entire family of Strausses in classical Vienna. You’ll follow in the wake of emperors and kings on your Danube river cruise, too. The Danube River is one of the most famous rivers in Europe, so naturally, it is also a popular river cruise destination.

Along the way it shadows centuries-old storybook villages that appear unchanged by time and cuts through sophisticated world capitals, like Vienna and Budapest. Experience Europe’s best river cruise destinations in 2024 by joining any of these rail and cruise tours, each with a spellbinding route and enamoring scenery. Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week.

See the cultural and historic highlights of one of Germany’s most relaxed cities at the foothills of the Alps. Visit a splendid abbey, founded in the 7th century, at a spectacularly scenic bend in the Danube Narrows. Discover the delights of Vienna and browse the museums or enjoy a Viennese pastry. Admire Vienna’s architecture, linger at a café or visit the Hapsburgs’ Schönbrunn Palace. Sail the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO Site, and admire views of hillside vineyards. Savor a taste of Bavaria and sample a selection of local cheeses, hams and sausages.

As such, it has been an important transportation route for more than 2,000 years. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. The symmetrical building includes piercing spires and a central dome, with two parliament halls on either side. One can be explored during a guided tour, while the other is in use by the Hungarian National Assembly. Wander the courtyards, marvel some of the 242 sculptures and statues of Hungarian rulers and famous national figures and gaze at vivid frescoes.

This extraordinary waterway is Europe's second-largest river, winding 1,775-miles southeast from Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea, with a river cruise presenting the best way to explore it. From the end of November to mid-December, Danube ships operate Christmas Markets cruises. Other ports include Linz and Passau, where day trips are often offered to Salzburg and the medieval city of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. And the quaint villages in the fruit- and schnapps-producing Wachau Valley are also a highlight.

If you travel to Passau with your own car, we recommend booking a space in the Globus parking garage there. Our partner Globus will take you with your luggage directly from the parking garage to the ship on the day of arrival and will conveniently pick you up from the ship on the last day of your trip. You will receive further information about the parking facilities and the voucher with your travel documents. Having escaped major damage during World War II, the picturesque town of Regensburg is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, the oldest city along the Danube and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Stone Bridge, constructed in the 12th century, is a masterpiece of medieval engineering with its 16 arches. St. Peter’s Cathedral is widely considered Bavaria’s best Gothic architectural work.

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