Viking Danube River Cruise Reviews 2024 UPDATED: Ratings of Viking Cruises to Danube River
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Here’s a breakdown of each stop, highlighted by my favorites. 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. Traveling through four countries -- the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary -- the epic Grand European tour is a feast for all the senses. 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. Normally for us, that’s too many countries in a week but it’s a good taste of what the region around the Danube has to offer.
Viking Idi Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
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They cover many of the main highlights and provide the ideal excuse to come back for more. Along the way it shadows centuries-old storybook villages that appear unchanged by time and cuts through sophisticated world capitals, like Vienna and Budapest. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Day 5 – Vienna, Austria
Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Regensburg’s charm is intact and is best explored on foot. The included walking tour of the old town or the included Jewish heritage walking tour provides you with a guided stroll through one of Germany’s most interesting cities. Our seven-night Danube river cruise with Lucy Worsley departs from the city of Engelhartszell in Austria before calling at Vienna (pictured below), the pretty town of Esztergom in Hungary and Budapest.
Day by Day
And when they do depart a bit from the locale, it’s special nonetheless - I mean, I would never have expected chateaubriand to be served on a cruise ship. 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. But, for variety or if you’re strapped for time, it’s also good to be surprised.
Austria's Linz and Salzburg -- and the Czech Republic's Cesky Krumlov
Moving on to Bamberg you might want to sample the curious smoked beer that's a specialty of this region. 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.
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And I did of course made sure I bought some Mozartkugels from Salzburg. You’ll see them throughout Austria in gold foils and in Salzburg, where it was created, is where you can find them wrapped in silver foil. Mozart was born in Salzburg and Paul Fürst honored him with this chocolate goodness. You’ll have options to eat at the Restaurant or the casual buffet style Aquavit Terrace.
Stroll the Three River City on the German-Austrian Border
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. Every night, you will be given the Viking Daily newsletter for tomorrow’s activities. And though I would say Viking’s allure for us is its slower pace, it can actually still be hectic. I’ve only been on one cruise before this trip - an ocean cruise with thousands of people - and it was not really for me.
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You'll then loop back down the river, calling at Slovakia's capital Bratislava and the Wachau Valley in Austria before returning to Engelhartszell. During our tour, it was actually raining, so the views were a bit dramatic. It was a bit cozy actually so I enjoyed a nap to and from Salzburg. From there, we did a walking tour of the Old Town and the Mirabell Gardens where we saw filming locations from The Sound of Music.
Grand European Tour
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. On an included Panoramic tour of Budapest with Viking, you can take in fantastic views of Szechenyi Bridge from Buda Hill, in Buda's sublime Castle District.
Too high and ships can’t sail under the bridges; too low and ships can’t operate. Accelerated snow melt, heavy rain and drought are the chief interrupters of river itineraries, but cruise lines are adept at handling disruptions and have contingency plans in place. Your ship may organize special events, such as bringing dancers onboard to perform the Viennese Waltz while in Austria or hosting a lecture on Bavarian beer by a local expert in Germany. Your cruise will also feature regional cuisine - think river-caught fish, local produce in season, fruit from the surrounding orchards, and German, Austrian, and Hungarian wines. As you can see, taking a Danube Viking River Cruise is an incredibly scenic and relaxing way to see some of Europes prettiest parts. From riverside castles to tasting local cuisine, Viking River Cruises does an incredible job immersing its guests in the culture of each region visited.
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. Why watch the 40″ flat screen TV when there’s an ever-changing feature film outside your balcony door? There is always something new to see, whether it’s the night lights of Vienna, vineyards in sunshine or crumbling ruins. After touring the the castle grounds, our (very wonderful) local guide Karolina led us through the curved cobbled lanes of the Old Town. And thank you, Brilliant Sunshine, for accompanying us the whole way.
Throughout the trip, you will find onboard activities such as culinary demonstrations, cultural info sessions, and local live music and entertainment. This includes learning how to make strudel, how to order coffee in Vienna, opera performances, and language lessons. Online, on MyVikingJourney.com, with your booking number, you’ll have your Viking account. And on there, you need to make sure all the document requirements are filled out. There is an excursion at every port, but you can also book optional excursions before the trip.
My Danube Viking Cruise journey was aboard the luxurious Viking Njord. This cruise ship sleeps ~190 people and has a bar, sundeck, and dining hall. All rooms are bright and airy, the decor is modern and clean, and the staff is on hand 24/7 to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Sip on glühwein, pick up handmade crafts and listen to Christmas carols as you soak up the festive atmosphere. One of the mightiest castles peering over the Danube is Durnstein Castle, around a 15-minute drive from Krems. This infamous medieval fortress is where Richard the Lionheart was incarcerated by Austria's Leopold V in the 12th century.
Our guide was ‘Burgundy Brigitta,’ a flamboyantly-dressed woman who took us to St Stephan’s Cathedral, which has the largest pipe organ in Europe. I traveled on the Danube River from Passau, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary. 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). There's also the balmy Leisure Pool, the Indoor Medicinal Pool, plus plunge pools. Saunas, steam rooms and spa treatments, such as couples' massages, are also available.
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.
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