Danube
Captivating in its beauty and as enchanting as a Brothers Grimm folk tale, the Danube River embodies all the classical romance of Europe.
The grand river, with countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites along its banks, is the second longest in Europe. Originating in the picturesque mountains of Germany’s Black Forest, the Danube meanders through the historical and cultural heart of Central Europe before emptying into the Black Sea.
While in an earlier age the Danube played a pivotal role in regional politics and economics, today it’s also a spectacular river cruise route for exploring the confluence of Eastern and Western Europe, where centuries of culture, architecture and cuisine meet and intermingle.
Gliding between ports, Danube river cruises offer a unique way to experience the river, its history and its culture. With frequent opportunities to disembark for day trips and excursions -- think leisurely bike rides, Riesling tastings in Austria’s Wachau Valley and city tours in some of Europe’s grandest capitals.
Enchanting Vienna is always popular with its imposing architecture and world-class orchestras. Music lovers may want to pause in Passau, where they’ll come face to face with Europe’s largest pipe organ. Serene Salzburg, a day trip for many Danube cruises, opens its arms to those with a passion for the The Sound of Music, while those with a sweet tooth won’t want to miss Austria’s famous sacher-torte.
In Budapest, there is sightseeing, shopping and bathing in original Turkish baths. In Melk, the impressive 11th century Benedictine Abbey overlooks the Danube from atop its rocky perch. Dürnstein calls to mind tales of Richard the Lion-Heart and is discernible by its glorious Stiftskirche, with its telltale blue Baroque tower.
All in all, with its enthralling blend of scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage, a Danube river cruise is the epitome of the grand European voyage.
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Danube
The Danube
This mighty river running through the heart of Europe has long been romanticized, most famously with the namesake "Blue Danube" waltz by Johann Strauss. But the waterway is not only a European cultural icon, it’s also a key trade route that has played an important role in the continent’s history, from early man to modern times and with all the long and turbulent drama in between. A cruise on the river offers the very essence of Central Europe: rolling hills and medieval castles, vineyards, bird-lined marshes and cliffs, small river towns and some of Europe’s best known cities. Cruises on this river typically split into trips on the upper or lower Danube. On the upper Danube, cruises generally sail from Bavaria to Budapest, Hungary, through Austria's scenic Wachau Valley, and include stop-offs at two of Europe’s most important cultural and historic cities, Vienna and Bratislava, Slovakia. Cruises on the lower Danube take in the dramatic eastern stretch between Budapest and Bucharest, Romania, through Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria, with Dracula-related stop offs among the many attractions. While both offer bountiful historic sights and attractions, the main appeal of the upper Danube cruise itinerary is more focused on central European culture, most notably opera and classical music, wine and art, opulent architecture, medieval fortresses and museums. Cruises along the lower Danube offer a fascinating glimpse behind the former Iron Curtain and a taste of life in post-Communist Eastern Europe, while also promising medieval fortresses and Orthodox churches, not to mention the region’s dramatic natural scenery.
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The Danube
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