- Viking Cruises Sponsors The Vikings Exhibition
- AmaWaterways Debuts New Ship
- Danube Cruise with Airfare
- Viking River Cruises Expands
- Tauck is Upgrading Its Ships
- Emerald Waterways Adds 2 New Ships
- Best River Cruises by USA Today
- Uniworld Launches Two Themed Cruises
- Crystal Cruises’ New Itineraries
- Uniworld Launches Virtual Reality App
Danube River
Danube River
Flowing from the Black Forest region of Germany through 10 countries to the Black Sea, the Danube River is one of the most romantic and enchanting rivers in the entire world.
Image courtesy Viking River Cruises
Passing through Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine, the Danube River was the inspiration for the beautiful waltz by Johann Strauss IIand once referred to as the “Queen of Europe’s Rivers” by Napoleon.
Is it any wonder that the Danube River was designated a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1991?
Photo courtesy Amadeus River Cruises
- Want to see Schönbrunn Palace, the little 1,441-room lodge where the Hapsburgs summered? Check.
- Got a thing for Benedictine monks? Check out the magnificent Benedictine abbey in Melk.
- Have a hankering to cycle and sip your way through vineyards in the Wachau Valley? You got it.
- How about Europe’s largest organ? Ahem. Church organ. Then head to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Passau.
- Want to see more UNESCO sites than you can shake a stick at? Done.
- Lipizzaner stallions, hot thermal springs, and the world’s largest Orthodox church? Yep yep and yep.
Schönbrunn Palace Image courtesy schoenbrunn.at
A cruise on the Danube is a cruise through history. You’ll sail through spectacular cities like Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Belgrade. Not to mention Passau, Melk, Esztergrom, Grein, and Linz.
Image courtesy NY Times
The most popular Danube itineraries are one-week sailings between Budapest, Hungary and Passau, Germany. The stunning Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located between the Austrian towns of Krem and Mel. Along the way, you’ll see ancient castles, vineyards, and unforgettable cities.
Image courtesy Viking River Cruises
When to Go
There really isn’t an awful time to take a Danube River cruise, but I certainly have my favorite time.
Spring: While Spring is a lovely time, it can get quite rainy in Europe. And that means potential flooding. Which means the water may get too high and the boats won’t be able to pass under some bridges and through some locks. Which means you’ll be transported by coach. So much for traveling on the river.
Summer: Summer is great in Europe. The daylight hours go on forever. But it’s also hot and crowded. And if it’s too hot, water levels can go down. Which means the boats won’t be able to sail because there’s not enough water to sail safely. Just the opposite of spring. And again, if the boats can’t sail, you’ll be transported by bus.
Fall: It’s glorious. Still a lot of daylight hours. Temperatures are fantastic. Tourists have gone home. And cruises tend to be cheaper. And yes, this is my favorite time to take a European river cruise.
Winter: Christmas Markets! Sure it’s cold, but Europe at Christmas time is magical.
If you ask me, a cruise on the Danube is great for the first time river cruiser. And always great for the seasoned river cruiser.