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In Central and Eastern Europe, you’ll find some of the most spectacular landscapes,
and architecture - castles, churches, and war memorials - as well as some of the most colourful, inviting cultures in the world. But what’s the best way to see it all? A cruise down the Danube River, of course.
Danube river cruises are highly requested itineraries. After all, where else are you going to be able to experience 5 countries in 7 nights? You won't know if it's real or a dream with Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and the Wachau Valley of fairytale cities. Let's just say it's a dream come true.
Let's start by exploring two of the countries you'll see cruising on the Danube
HUNGARY
The city of Budapest is known as the Queen of the Danube. Spend you time here with a visit to the Great Market Hall and explore both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest(flat) sides of the river. You'll want to take a hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city and plan to end one of your days with an illumination cruise before sailing away.
Continue your adventure through Hungary with a pitstop in Puszta. Known as the Great Hungarian Plain, tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by world champion carriage drivers. Afterward, be treated to an unforgettable performance of horsemanship and then experience the Hungarians’ warm hospitality, along with a traditional lunch that includes authentic goulash.
From Puszta, set sail to Mohács where you’ll enjoy a scenic morning cruise past a town sprinkled with magnificent churches, including the 18th-century Baroque Protestant church, the Roman Catholic church (1776), the Serbian Greek Orthodox church, the votive church (1926), and the Avas church with its bell tower. Next, you’ll cruise to Pécs, a city founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. In Pécs, you’ll find a city filled with historic architecture including the Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. For wine connoisseurs, there’s the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago
AUSTRIA
Continuing down the Danube, you’ll next stop at the scenic town of Melk, which is celebrated for its magnificent Benedictine Abbey. The abbey contains the tomb
of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty. If you’d like something more active to do, you can join a guided bike tour that takes you through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley; or go on a walking tour along Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets to the famed Baroque church tower, Stiftskirche. Later in the day, set sail through the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley.
No trip to Austria would be complete without a stop in Vienna, “The City of Waltzes.” Vienna is a treasure trove of regal splendours, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. You'll find St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the historic city centre. For a more active exploration, take a guided bike ride to Klosterneuburg Monastery.
Curious if a river cruise is the right trip for your family vacation or milestone birthday celebration? Let's chat about the Danube and other river cruise itineraries to find the perfect match. Schedule your Complimentary Consultation today.