Table Of Content
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. After our Panoramic Bratislava Tour in the morning, I was extremely relieved to learn it was a sailing afternoon, and I could stay on the ship without being lured away to see some other must-see attraction. Then I went to a department store while Mark explored another coffeehouse, which is our idea of successful togetherness.
Day by Day
Low water levels (or high water levels) can affect river cruising in Europe. In general, the free Panoramic Tours are a combo of bus and walking, so you’re not on your feet for hours. Many people on our Viking cruise had mobility issues, and most tours are not onerous. Once you’ve booked your cruise, you’ll get a link to register for My Viking Journey, which is like your own private calendar of events, and you can pick your tours there. Mark and I mostly stayed with the included options, because they usually give you a big picture summary of a destination, (and, um, they’re free). The soft lap of water was rhythmic as our cruise ship cut through the Danube, a trace of froth swirling below.
A Day in Vienna
The 8-day Danube river cruise through Hungary, Austria and Germany kicks off either in Budapest or Nuremberg. For us, we took the Budapest to Nuremberg itinerary aboard the Viking Tor ship. I have for you here all you need to know about the Romantic Danube cruise - a detailed itinerary for each day, shore excursions and optional excursions, what to be ready for, what to expect, and what the changes are beginning 2021.
Viking Cruises Danube Waltz Itinerary and Excursions
The 15-day Viking Homelands ocean voyage explores Scandinavia by sea, following ancient mariner routes. Gaze at foaming waterfalls that plunge into the fjord’s waters, visit the cosmopolitan cities of Berlin and Copenhagen, and linger longer on overnight calls in Stockholm, Oslo and Bergen. Another incredible experience in this region is to cruise across the Arctic Circle where sunlight shines 24 hours a day during Norway’s summer. At midnight, locals embrace the everlasting sunset by going to the beach or kayaking under a golden sky.
17 Best Viking Cruises Food Options I Enjoyed On Board - TravelAwaits
17 Best Viking Cruises Food Options I Enjoyed On Board.
Posted: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
What to do About Low Water Levels on Your Cruise
I traveled on the Danube River from Passau, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary. The majority of Danube cruises sail between Vienna and Budapest, with few venturing beyond the Slovakian capital Bratislava. In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking not much else lies beyond. Yet it's a river of two distinct halves, and Viking's 11-day Passage to Eastern Europe will transport you to the quieter Lower Danube, close to where the mighty river meets the Black Sea. The all-new eight-day Danube Christmas Delights cruise between Budapest and Passau includes a day in Vienna where beautiful squares are transformed into Christmas markets. After buying unique handmade gifts and decorations there’s the option to visit Vienna's famous four-legged residents with a behind-the-scenes tour to see the Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School.
On the Serbian side, Trajan’s Tablet was laid to mark the construction of a Roman military road; on the Romanian side is a giant rock sculpture of Dacian king Decebalus, embedded in white limestone cliffs draped with forest. Spot these ancient remains on Viking’s 11-day Passage To Eastern Europe river voyage between Budapest and Bucharest via Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria. One of the world’s best preserved medieval cities, Dubrovnik, is surrounded by towering, historic walls.
Viking Danube River Cruise: Captivating Capital Cities
I found this River Cruise Advisor site helpful, and scoured the comments every day as people would write in while they were sailing. I’ve also heard about passengers being put up in hotels in Budapest because of low water levels on the Danube. I wasn’t worried about this, as the hotels were deluxe properties like the New York Palace and the Corinthia Hotel – two luxury hotels I know well. Viking added an automatic gratuity of $18 US per day onto our bill to cover tips for all the onboard staff, who truly do go out of their way to make your trip smooth. Every excursion ended with free time, which was much appreciated.
Sail to charming cities & villages
Our haphazard seating strategy was more calculated on the last night of the cruise and Mark and I beetled into the dining room as soon as it opened at 7 p.m. However, because Mark and I were usually the last ones into the restaurant, it was more of a case of ‘sit wherever there are spare seats’ and we pretty much sat with different people every night. Importantly, the Viking Cruises has free Wifi throughout the ship. Programs ranged from Salzburg Sound of Music Singers and Hungarian Melodies to a talk on Viennese coffeehouses. Why watch the 40″ flat screen TV when there’s an ever-changing feature film outside your balcony door?
Europe River Cruises
Wander along a nature trail to discover the park’s restored pre-industrial water mill and a monastery. The Viking 15-day Ancient Adriatic Treasures voyage makes calls in Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Montenegro and Italy including overnight stays in Istanbul, Athens and Venice. Santorini is the stunning highlight of Viking’s 11-day Greek Odyssey voyage . Get fabulously lost in its winding streets lined with whitewashed homes, shops and cafés.
Enter the cobblestoned Old Town through the 15th-century Pile Gate. Follow the Stradun, a marbled pedestrian way that gleams from hundreds of years of footsteps, to the Dominican Monastery, housing a fine collection of Renaissance paintings. Pass the Sponza Palace, the Church of St. Blaise and Onofrio’s Fountain.
But the rain soon let up, and I could dart around taking pictures of the Hofburg Palace, the Plague Memorial and St Stephen’s Cathedral like any self-respecting tourist should. I was less enthused when we had to get off the bus, especially since Mark kept holding the umbrella wrong so water dripped on my head. Each selection has a starter, a main and a dessert and you can mix and match. Also, this way Mark could belt out Happy Birthday along with the waitstaff, because – as we have now all learned – he likes singalongs.
Founded in the 7th century, the abbey is home to St. Peter's cemetery and catacombs. You may recognize the abbey as one of the filming locations used in "The Sound of Music." It can also change day to day so almost impossible to predict in advance.
This quaint Bavarian city is a visual feast and a history lover's dream, with half-timbered medieval, Romanesque and Gothic architecture. A highlight is the 900-year-old Stone Bridge, with its striking 16 arches crossing the Danube to the old town. Here, the spiky 13th-century Regensburg Cathedral, with its twin spires poking above terracotta rooftops, is home to the oldest boys' choir in the world, the Regensburger Domspatzen. Because Viking has more cruise ships than most European cruise lines, if one area is impassable they can transfer to you another ship at the other end of the impasse.
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. Emerge rejuvenated from the nourishing mineral springs of Budapest, Hungary. Enjoy this relaxing tradition, revered since the times of the ancient Romans.
But, for variety or if you’re strapped for time, it’s also good to be surprised. Now if you’re going on a cruise anyway, you might as well have them arrange air travel for you too. Free air travel and a cruise booked way ahead can add up to a good chunk of savings. Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week.
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