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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. On a guided visit with Viking, learn about how patrons have been bathing here since 1913, before enjoying the warm medicinal waters. Surrounded by dashing amber-hued buildings, the Outdoor Thermal Pool is the warmest spot, heated to °F (36-38°C).
Christmas on the Danube
Combining the best parts of various Viking river cruises through Europe, each day brings ever-changing panoramas as you sail along the Dutch waterways, Rhine, Main and Danube. In Cologne you'll have the chance to sip the city's local beer in a cozy waterfront bar, close to where your longship docks. Moving on to Bamberg you might want to sample the curious smoked beer that's a specialty of this region. Made up of a tapestry of verdant forests, terraced vineyards and Renaissance castles, Austria's wine country is unfathomably beautiful.
Cruise Critic's Ultimate Danube River Cruise Guide
Lying on the Austrian border at the confluence of three rivers -- the Danube, Inn and Ilz -- Passau is nicknamed "Three River City". Wander the old town and you'll see soft-hued medieval buildings lining the waterways. This photogenic German city also has Roman ruins, fortified towers, a pilgrimage church and adjoining monastery.
Night Grand Danube CruiseDetails
Sip on glühwein, pick up handmade crafts and listen to Christmas carols as you soak up the festive atmosphere. The building is painted in Canary yellow, with "Mozart's Geburtshaus" (Mozart's birthplace) emblazoned in gold on the front facade. Inside is a museum showcasing the elegant eight-room apartment that Mozart's family lived in until 1780. This glowing retreat has an extraordinary ceiling fresco by Paul Troger from 1739 above the monumental imperial staircase -- it's one of the largest staircases of its kind in the world. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Coursing through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea, the Danube is the soul of Central Europe.
What are the best things to do on a Danube river cruise?
After, enjoy lunch at one of Europe's oldest restaurants, Peter Stiftskulinarium, within the historic St. Peter's Abbey as part of a day-long tour of Salzburg with Viking. 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." Along the way it shadows centuries-old storybook villages that appear unchanged by time and cuts through sophisticated world capitals, like Vienna and Budapest.
Nuremberg, Germany
Included walking tours are a great way to discover popular landmarks and learn about the history and heritage of the cities and towns on your itinerary. While most river cruise lines pause cruising between January and mid-March, a few will sail during these months, giving them a year-round presence. Cruising during low season means fewer crowds and lower cruise fares, and you’ll see the cities and towns in a much different light. Take a trip to the Serbian capital Belgrade, one of Europe's oldest cities, to visit a violin-making workshop or savor a tasty meal of local fare. The cruise also takes in Romania's capital Bucharest (pictured above), where opulent French neo-classical, Art Deco and Bauhaus buildings earned Bucharest the nickname 'Paris of the East'. The symmetrical building includes piercing spires and a central dome, with two parliament halls on either side.
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Viking Danube River Cruise: Captivating Capital Cities
A Viking river cruise is the perfect way to discover the charms of European Christmas markets steeped in tradition and history. Every town has fairy-tale wooden chalets decked in twinkling lights with spicy scents filling the air. Viking's Danube cruises range from week-long sailings, which are the perfect introduction to this world-famous waterway for first-timers, to exciting longer itineraries along the lesser-explored Lower Danube. Viking Longships moor in the center of town making it easy to join daily excursions or take time out to explore independently. Today, the castle's remnants still dominate the skyline above the sleepy town of Durnstein, affording breathtaking views of the Wachau Valley's rolling hills.
If you love dazzling landscapes, magnificent architecture and fabulous food, a Danube river cruise is hard to beat. Exploring Europe by water requires no internal flights and train rides and eliminates schlepping around with your luggage in tow. Take a pew at the sublime St. Stephan's Cathedral, adorned with frescoes by Swiss-Italian Baroque painter Carpoforo Tencalla and home to Europe's largest organ, with a staggering 17,974 pipes. Enjoy magnificent views of Passau from Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress on a hill above the city, and browse Hollgasse, a narrow-cobbled walkway that's also known as Artists Alley for its many art galleries. 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.
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. There are glass mosaics and stained-glass windows by Miksa Roth and the showpiece 16-sided domed central hall to see. If you're on a river cruise, one of the best views of the building is from the water. Although you can arrange it yourself, river cruise lines will offer these city stays as an add-on package to the cruise, which includes hotel accommodations, transfers, some meals and tours, with plenty of free time to explore on your own.
Traveling through four countries -- the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary -- the epic Grand European tour is a feast for all the senses. If it's your first time on the Danube take a look at Viking's eight day sailings. They cover many of the main highlights and provide the ideal excuse to come back for more. 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. 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.
River cruisers can visit the vast Documentation Centre Nazi Party Rally Grounds, designed to once accommodate 50,000 people attending National Socialists rallies between 1933 and 1938. Looming over the city, the fairytale-like Nuremburg Castle is the location of the city's Art Bunker. This underground shelter was built to protect the city's art treasures during the war's air raids. Visitors can learn about the city's efforts to protect art from the air raids and how Nuremburg was turned to ruin -- and rebuilt -- through photography, film and sound records inside the bedrock bunker.
Savour a glass of sparkling apricot wine -- on of the region's delicious delicacies -- before enjoying a private viewing of the abbey. Explore vibrant capital cities such as Budapest, Bratislava, Bucharest, and Vienna, and witness treasured landmarks, from Gottweig Abbey to the Iron Gates Natural Park. Experience an eclectic mix of cultures and traditions on your luxury Danube river cruise. Passing through more countries than any other river in the world, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled tour of Europe on your cultural journey.
The majority of Danube cruises sail between Vienna and Budapest, with few venturing beyond the Slovakian capital Bratislava. 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. Embark on an unforgettable 15-day journey on the Grand European Tour through Europe that will take you from the windmills and tulips of Amsterdam all the way Budapest.
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Join us along these culture-rich banks, whose scenic vineyards, ancient monasteries and elegant cities have inspired travelers for centuries. Christmas Markets are big in Germany, but virtually every European city features at least one market, so it’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit and get your shopping done. We are happy to book a transfer for you from the train station to the ship and back.
This is available from us for 20 € per person, including luggage transport in the bus. A dramatic cruising highlight is the narrow Iron Gate Gorge, sandwiched between the foothills of the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Here you'll pass through the largest lock on the Danube beneath the gaze of a 140-foot rock carving of the ancient king Decebalus.
Taking in an incredible seven countries -- Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania -- culture lovers will be spoilt for choice with each day bringing new highpoints. There's a double helping of riverside beauty in the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley -- lined by more than 40 castles and hilltop fortresses -- and Austria's glorious Wachau Valley dominated by impressive Melk Abbey, pictured above. We've picked five of our favorite Viking sailings on the beautiful 'Blue Danube' to help you plan your cruise. Sail the picturesque Wachau Valley, a UNESCO Site, and admire views of hillside vineyards.
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