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Crammed with Gothic churches, timber-clad houses and charming squares, plus three miles of medieval city walls, dotted with original watchtowers. Nuremburg is the site of Nazi party rallies and the location of the World War II war crimes trials at the Palace of Justice. Made popular in the late 18th century, the waltz swept across Europe from Vienna, reaching palatial ballrooms from Linz to London.
Organizing Your River Cruise and Getting to Your Ship
After our tour we had about an hour and a half of free time before the bus returned to the ship. 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. While the ship’s nightly events are not ocean cruise-style entertainment like huge shows or a casino, they fit in with the theme of the Danube cruise itinerary.
Which cruise lines offer Danube river cruises?
We were back on the ship, having a drink in the ship’s Aquavit Lounge before dinner when I was hit by my first case of FOMO (fear of missing out). All red roofs and gleaming domes, this well-preserved town in southern Bohemia is less than a 90-minute drive from the ship. Older than the Rhine River (which is no spring chicken itself), the Danube originates in Germany’s Black Forest and travels through ten countries before spilling out into the Black Sea.
Stomp Grapes in Portugal
Join us along these culture-rich banks, whose scenic vineyards, ancient monasteries and elegant cities have inspired travelers for centuries. We have full time responsibilities (ie, families and work) but we continue to pursue our travel dreams, and continuously learn about the world we live in. Bavaria by E-bike - another excursion with a bit of a challenge, bike along the Inn River through farm fields and riverside forests. You will leave Germany from Passau, and cross the bridge into Austria through Wernstein. After some walking while it was raining, it actually got a bit much for my husband, who had a swollen foot from a cut he got from walking around in Vienna.
What to do About Low Water Levels on Your Cruise
The 10-day itinerary from Lisbon to Porto also crosses the border to Spain to visit Salamanca. Dip into chocolate-making at the lakeside Lindt headquarters in Kilchberg, Switzerland. Viking guests can participate in a hands-on workshop led by a master chocolatier at one of the world’s foremost producers, founded in 1845.
River Cruise Destinations
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. Because I wanted to travel on airline points (hello, Business Class) and spend some time in Germany beforehand I booked my own arrangements, so from Munich, Mark and I took the train to Passau, then caught a cab to the dock. You’ll find descriptions of each tour, and the cost if there is one. All you do is click to add it to your booking, so it’s pretty easy.
Day 6 - Germany: Regensburg Walking Tour
10 Things You Should Know Before Your First European River Cruise - InsideHook
10 Things You Should Know Before Your First European River Cruise.
Posted: Sat, 16 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. At least half the people we talked to had done Viking cruises before, which says a lot in the cruise line’s favour. Every night before dinner, Max, our outgoing Program Director, would give us a rundown on the next day’s events here. The top deck of the ship has a walking track, deck chairs, a sun shaded area, a putting green and shuffleboard. 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.
Upcoming Viking River Cruises: 2024 Prices, Itineraries + Activities on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Upcoming Viking River Cruises: 2024 Prices, Itineraries + Activities on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:31:13 GMT [source]
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.
Highlights of Danube River Cruises
So if you’re asking yourself, “is the Viking Air Plus worth it,” well, for an additional $50 to $150 per person (depending on the itinerary), you can work with a Viking Cruises travel agent to customize your entire air travel. And, if you want to use airline points for upgrading your free flight, they can arrange it for you. Cruising Europe’s waterways is a great way to see more of the region in a short period of time than you might do by land, and a river cruise can be the ideal introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers. Among the delights of Viking’s 16-day Malta, Morocco and the Mediterranean cruise is an underground expedition inside Spain’s Nerja Caves. Follow your guide around this archaeological marvel, where artefacts indicate human and animal habitation as far back as 25,000 BC.
The Alto Douro, a World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most beautiful wine regions. Viking Longships drift through this lush valley, past terraced vineyards, charming villages and eye-catching rock formations. At a centuries-old wine-growing estate, guests can cut grapes from the vine before stomping them by foot in a traditional stone trough. Portugal’s River of Gold cruise-tour offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local food and wine, including its famous Port.
If you did get free onboard credits and want to use it for optional excursions., you should NOT book optional excursions BEFORE your trip. You can only use your onboard credits for excursions if you reserve your spot at the Reception Desk on the boat. Obviously, the benefit of reserving your spot before you go is that you are sure of the availability. When we embarked, all of the optional excursions were actually still available. Head to a husky farm on the outskirts of Longyearbyen to embark on a thrilling experience in the Arctic Tundra. Meet your guide and team of huskies who love to run through the wilderness, pulling a wheel-equipped sled across the snow.
She is an avid writer and photographer based in Northern California. Her love for history, literature, architecture and food culminate to her passion for traveling and learning about different cultures. She advocates for accessible travel, and continues to explore with her husband and travel partner, Jesús, despite physical limitations. Follow their adventures on Instagram as @gettheregetlost and @coffeeandtherapy. I had heard that Passau, Germany was a very charming town with the famed pipe organ. However, this cruise was my first time in Austria, and with The Sound of Music being near and dear to me, Salzburg was a must.
Part bus tour and part walking tour, Panoramic Tours are offered in almost every port on a Viking Danube river cruise, and we usually chose them because they provided a good overview of a destination. 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. Neuschwanstein Castle by Plane - you’ll board a plane to Reutte and transfer to Neuschwanstein to explore the famous castle that inspired Disney. You’ll get to tour the garden, courtyard and the castle’s rooms.
Like I said, we’re big coffee fans and from the previous presentation, we learned that Café Landtmann, which has been around since 1873, is a classic Viennese coffee house where Freud used to hang out. Instead, we took a cab to Café Landtmann and truly relaxed, enjoyed some Viennese coffee and cakes. Our guide talked less about history and more about the dire economic situation of the city. However, I’d say a balance between that and art, culture and history would have been nice because the tone of this part of the tour was very angry and somber. The main reason I went on a Viking River Cruise is because I wanted to go somewhere without doing all the planning. I like planning for trips and I would say I’m pretty good at it.
Explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau. Witness daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while cruising leisurely through spectacular scenery.
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