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As with all rivers cruises in Europe, Danube cruises can be affected by water levels. Too high and ships can’t sail under the bridges; too low and ships can’t operate. Accelerated snow melt, heavy rain and drought are the chief interrupters of river itineraries, but cruise lines are adept at handling disruptions and have contingency plans in place. 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. Viking's itinerary starts in the grand Hungarian capital of Budapest, divided in half by the river.
Austria's Linz and Salzburg -- and the Czech Republic's Cesky Krumlov
Best of all, land programs offered by the cruise lines will be fully escorted by a cruise director who will look after your every need. 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. 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.
Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising the Danube - Good Housekeeping uk
Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising the Danube.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:15:03 GMT [source]
Danube Dreams with 2 Nights in Prague (Westbound) 2024
One of the mightiest castles peering over the Danube is Durnstein Castle, around a 15-minute drive from Krems. This infamous medieval fortress is where Richard the Lionheart was incarcerated by Austria's Leopold V in the 12th century. Legend has it that on his return from the Crusades, King Richard refused to share his spoils with Leopold and tore up the Austrian flag, leading to his imprisonment. On an included Panoramic tour of Budapest with Viking, you can take in fantastic views of Szechenyi Bridge from Buda Hill, in Buda's sublime Castle District. Viking offers a Privileged Access shore excursion to the Alma Deutscher Mozart & Strauss performance, which takes place at the exquisite Wiener Konzerthaus.
Cross the Szechenyi Bridge in Budapest
Following in the footsteps of the world's greatest ever composers, visiting bucolic vineyards and exploring Renaissance castles are among the best things to do on a Danube River cruise. 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.
MAIN NAVIGATION
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. 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. Its banks are lined with dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, postcard-perfect towns and villages, and grand, opulent cities. Take a river cruise down this majestic river and you’ll encounter some of the world’s most stunning countryside, including the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley, along with an array of fascinating cultures.
Celebrate Vienna and Salzburg’s musical legacy, and savor the culinary delights of Budapest and Bratislava’s brewing heritage. Enjoy scenic sailing through the Wachau Valley and admire sleepy villages along the Danube. With overnights in Vienna, Passau and Budapest, enjoy more time to fully explore.
Follow the pedestrian path to walk across the bridge or take one of the city's yellow taxis, with landmarks such as Buda Castle, home to the Hungarian National Gallery on one side, and Szechenyi Square on the other. Made popular in the late 18th century, the waltz swept across Europe from Vienna, reaching palatial ballrooms from Linz to London. You’d disembark your current vessel, get bussed past the trouble area, and then board a different ship to continue your journey. In extreme cases, your itinerary could continue by motor coach, or be canceled altogether with generous compensation. Iconic cities like Budapest, Vienna and Prague are just a few popular examples to tack onto your cruise.
Viking Danube River Cruise: Cultural Highlights For First-Time Cruisers
While most cruise lines offer seven-day sailings, a few do operate shorter, three to five-day sailings. When it comes to European river cruising, the Danube is unequivocally a popular choice, as it traverses through multiple countries, offering a variety of landscapes, cultures and a wealth of history. Due to its popularity amongst all cruisers, practically every river cruise line sails along the Danube, so there are fortunately lots of choices to choose from. With VIVA Cruises' Danube river cruises, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to routes and duration.
Picturesque landscapes
The walk from the town center takes roughly 20 minutes, with the two connected by a stone wall. Vienna Staatsoper, or State Opera, is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Vienna State Ballet, with a jam-packed program of 350 annual performances. Listen to the magical sounds of Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Vivaldi played out by some of the world's top conductors and performers.
With VIVA Cruises you enjoy the feeling of being in the best hands from the very beginning. That's why our service is not limited to life on board, but begins with the preparation of your trip. That's why we devise an equally diverse excursion program for each of our fascinating itineraries. Whether you are a gourmet, a nature lover or an art enthusiast, our selection of experiences will open up new perspectives for you on every voyage. For anyone that likes city breaks, the new 17-day Capitals of Eastern Europe itinerary is sure to please.
There's also the balmy Leisure Pool, the Indoor Medicinal Pool, plus plunge pools. Saunas, steam rooms and spa treatments, such as couples' massages, are also available. Take home a memento from your time here by picking out a handmade soap made from water from the Gellert Baths, also in Budapest, containing nourishing avocado oil. Your Danube River cruise will be filled with memorable experiences unique to the region.
Crowds are a little thinner, the wine-producing regions host harvest festivals and you will see fall foliage colors along the way. With cooler and shorter days, you also may not be able to enjoy the top deck of the ship as much as you would like. For other good connections - especially to our on-board staff - the included tip provides.
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. Your ship may organize special events, such as bringing dancers onboard to perform the Viennese Waltz while in Austria or hosting a lecture on Bavarian beer by a local expert in Germany. Your cruise will also feature regional cuisine - think river-caught fish, local produce in season, fruit from the surrounding orchards, and German, Austrian, and Hungarian wines. Glide along the gentle waters of the Danube, the heart and soul of Central Europe. These legendary waters flow through 10 countries, coursing through Germany, Austria and Hungary to the Black Sea. Our Danube River cruises deliver you to culture-rich banks, from scenic vineyards to spectacular monasteries and elegant cities that have inspired composers and writers for centuries.
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. 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.
