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From a cliff 400 metres above the ocean, finish your day watching the Cyclades sun setting over the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Other islands such as Rhodes and Crete offer opportunities to hike among the volcanic splendour, sample wine at hilltop wineries, and discover historic sites. The voyage also includes Kuşadasi, Turkey, for a chance to roam the ruins of Ephesus, dating back to the 10th century BC. As with all rivers cruises in Europe, Danube cruises can be affected by water levels. 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.
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If you organize it all through Viking they can arrange airport transfers and hotels, with optional tours in each start and end destination. Most people organize their entire trip through Viking Cruises, including airfare, either going straight to the ship or with a pre-trip in Prague or a post tour in Budapest. It’s not a disjointed hop from sight to sight, but a watery continuum crafted by nature, where countries flow together, histories merge and every bend and twist leads to a new adventure. You think you know your husband until you see him belting out Edelweiss as a trio of Austrian musicians in lederhosen play the accordion and sing during an Austrian-themed dinner on an eight-day Viking Danube Waltz river cruise. Glide along the gentle waters of the Danube, the heart and soul of Central Europe.
Durnstein, Austria
Enjoy a lifetime’s worth of experiences on a single journey through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Bucharest. Best of all, land programs offered by the cruise lines will be fully escorted by a cruise director who will look after your every need. Your Danube River cruise will be filled with memorable experiences unique to the region.
Budapest, Hungary
This voyage is a perfect fit for return travelers eager to explore more. 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'. 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.
One thing I like about Viking Cruises is that they use local guides, and so you’re getting someone with firsthand knowledge of the destination and culture. There was barely a light on shore, and hulking dark hills passed in the night like a series of crouching giants. We hopped on the red line at Stephansplatz, got out at Vorgartenstrasse and walked to the river dock. It was so simple a Lipizzaner Stallion could have managed it if he’d been tired of trotting.
Post: Nuremberg
Viking’s 15-day Into the Midnight Sun ocean voyage includes an overnight stay in Bergen and visits to Edinburgh and the Orkney and Shetland islands in Scotland. Departures are offered throughout June and July 2025 and June 2026. Viking’s shore excursions offer an engaging way for inquisitive travellers to learn about other countries and cultures, led by expert guides who are passionate about their region and provide insights into the local way of life. The pastel-hued Göttweig Abbey is nestled in an emerald-green forest with superb views of the Wachau Valley from its hillside location near Krems. Visit the place where monks work and worship on an exclusive Privileged Access Viking shore excursion.
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. 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. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour.
TIP #1: Use onboard credits for optional excursions
Discover the delights of Vienna and browse the museums or enjoy a Viennese pastry. 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.
Viking Ocean Cruises
The most popular baths can be found at Széchenyi, the largest spa complex in Europe, with a daffodil-yellow outdoor section. Mingle with the locals as they relax in these pool-like thermal baths and watch them play chess in the water. This is one of many treasured activities on Viking’s 15-day Grand European Tour river voyage through four countries, with stops in riverside villages and cities including Cologne, Vienna and Amsterdam.
This vacation and experiences were fully paid by yours truly, and in no part by Viking River Cruises or any third party. I wrote about our Viking River Cruises Romantic Danube trip with the intention of writing a whole series of posts about it. 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. Cutting a swathe through the heart of Europe, the mighty Danube flows for a stretch of 2,860km through or along the border of 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Discover these 15 unforgettable things to see and do on a Viking river or ocean cruise in Europe.
Well, not quite, so I would say this excursion is the only one and the closest to that image - privileged access with that extra experience you see on Viking ads. Celebrate Vienna and Salzburg’s musical legacy, and savor the culinary delights of Budapest and Bratislava’s brewing heritage. Enjoy scenic sailing through the Wachau Valley and admire sleepy villages along the Danube. With overnights in Vienna, Passau and Budapest, enjoy more time to fully explore. The winter season is an ideal time to visit, with fewer travelers and easier access to landmarks.
The walk from the town center takes roughly 20 minutes, with the two connected by a stone wall. There's also a model of the castle ruins on display at Durnstein Abbey. 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. The beautiful Szechenyi Bridge straddles the Danube, linking the two sides of the Hungarian capital, Buda and Pest.
The Viking 10-day Empires of the Mediterranean voyage sails from Athens to Venice via Santorini and Corfu, the fortified town of Kotor in Montenegro, and other stops in Croatia and Slovenia. For most travellers, the aurora borealis is the world’s most sought-after spectacle in the sky. On a clear night, these ethereal lights may appear over Norway as faint wisps of green or dramatically dancing ribbons in multiple colours. In Search of The Northern Lights is Viking’s 13-day ocean voyage in the Arctic, sailing between London (Tilbury) and Bergen via the Norwegian fjords. Multiple departures will operate from January to March 2025, regarded as the best time to see the lights. 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.
Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing - The Points Guy
Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
All meals and drinks, including sparkling wines and cocktails, are included, as are snacks and afternoon tea. Also included is the use of the sauna, gym and top-deck heated swimming pool. After 26 years in Europe, Viking knows the most enjoyable aspects of its popular destinations, from major cities to the countryside. Every itinerary has been honed to explore the most beautiful landscapes, stunning landmarks, and unusual customs and cuisines unique to each port of call. 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).
Stroll the medieval, UNESCO-listed city’s streets and learn about Regensburg’s history. Admire Vienna’s architecture and discover the city’s classical music heritage. Coursing through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea, the Danube is the soul of Central Europe.
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