river cruise from budapest to nuremberg

River Cruises from Budapest to Nuremberg

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From Budapest to Nuremberg aboard a Premier River Vessel

Blue danube discovery cruise.

Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia

From $2,899

Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

• Complimentary land package on selected departures if booked by March 31, 2024
• No single supplement on select departures

Discover a wealth of art, history, and cultural treasures as you cruise to some of Europe's most famous destinations. Journey to Bratislava, Vienna, Passau, and the 2,000-year-old town of Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, visit magnificent cathedrals and Baroque abbeys, sample Vienna's sinfully rich sachertorte cake, experience the breathtaking scenery of the Wachau Valley wine-making region, and traverse Europe's Continental Divide. Add on a pre-cruise extension to Budapest or a post-cruise extension to Prague.

Arrive: Budapest, Hungary

Depart: Nuremberg, Germany

• Cultural and architectural heritage of Vienna, Bratislava, Melk, Passau, Regensburg
• Walking tours, wine tastings, guided bike tours
• Extend your adventure to Glorious Prague, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.

Dates & Pricing

Payment & cancel schedule.

At time of reservation: $400 100 days prior to departure: Balance Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

Minimum fee: $200 per person 90-120 days prior to departure: $400 per person 60-89 days prior to departure: 35% of trip cost 30-59 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 7-29 days prior to departure: 80% of trip cost 6 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

• 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom—most staterooms offer French Balconies or revolutionary Twin Balconies
• Life-enriching tours daily with personal headset included “Limited Edition Tours"
• Entertainment on demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library, and English language TV stations
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
• Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms
• Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
• Multiple dining venues
• Unlimited red and white wines from Europe's great wine regions, beer and soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board
• Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Special highlights including lectures, theme dinners, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and afternoon/evening piano music
• Bicycles to explore on your own and guided bicycle tours
• Services of professional Cruise Manager
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise and land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare
• All local taxes

Not Included

• Arrival/departure transfers
• Passport or visa fees
• Optional travel insurance
• Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
• Any activities and services described as an upgrade or optional
• Optional gratuities to guides or crew

Accommodations

Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Days 1-7 (7 nights)

What the Trip is Like

This cruise is rated Level 1, Easiest , and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Daily shore excursions require a moderate amount of walking, often along uneven cobblestone streets and up and down stairs. To better accommodate guests and their individual fitness levels, AMA Waterways programs provide several levels of walking tours whenever possible: "Gentle Walkers" are designed for slower walkers to enjoy the tour in a relaxed manner, "Active Walkers" enjoy the tours at a normal pace, and there is also a "Late Starters" group offered to guests who prefer to sleep in.

Staterooms range from 160-350 square feet (depending on category), and typical hotel room amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, television, and mini-safe. Every stateroom has individually controlled air conditioning, internet access, wi-fi (free throughout the ship!) and a movie-on-demand system that offers a variety of English language channels, films and music options. Most staterooms have balconies, either walk-on or French, but lower categories just have fixed windows or portholes.

AMA is known for its efforts to bring in regional cuisine, which is always fun as you explore new countries and cultures. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with made-to-order specialties. Dinner is multi-course. Every lunch and dinner includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. Bottled water, specialty teas, and coffees are always available free of charge. All ships have an open seating policy in the main restaurant to encourage you to meet your fellow travelers.

On Board AMA Riverboats

AMA Waterways specializes in high-end river journeys that navigate some of Europe's most famous waterways. Their ships accommodate approximately 150 passengers in comfortable staterooms, all with scenic views. While this might sound like a lot of travelers compared to Wilderness Travel's traditional small group trips, it's a modest number of passengers in the cruise ship world and there are a number of comfortable lounges, dining rooms, bars, and sitting areas on board for you to find a perfect spot to socialize or quietly relax, depending on your mood.

There is a warm and welcoming feel to all AMA cruises. From the moment you step onboard, you will be welcomed by crew, staff, and leaders who are friendly, professional and English speaking. There is a high staff to guest ratio (1:3) that assures a feeling of being well-taken-care-of at all times. Your fellow passengers will come from a variety of English-speaking countries and guests tend to mingle freely. No need to bring fancy clothes as the atmosphere onboard is casual, although guests do tend to dress up for the Captain's dinner.

Daily shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise, along with free time to explore on your own. Each tour is led by a qualified, local guide. At many stops, you'll be free to choose from one of several options. Complimentary headset systems ensure that you hear every word of your tour. AMA ships carry more than two dozen bicycles and helmets, free of charge, for your use should you want to venture into the countryside.

There is a reception desk onboard that is open 24 hours a day with somebody available to help you, should you need it. All announcements and lectures will be presented in English as the clientele is mainly North American, Australian, and European. All AMA cruises prohibit smoking inside their ships. Smoking is only permitted outside on the sun deck.

Electricity on board all ships is 220v, with 2-pin power outlets. You will need an adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. There are no medical facilities on board although if medical services are needed, they can easily be called from shore. Laundry services are available for a fee.

All ships are equipped with either a whirlpool or a small, heated swimming pool. If you think you might want to use this, be sure to pack a swimsuit!

Tips are not included in the price of the cruise, and are entirely at your discretion. The recommended rate suggested is 3 Euros per passenger per day to the Cruise Manager and 12 Euros per passenger per day to the crew, which will be divided up and distributed. You can use your credit card for this expense. It is also customary to acknowledge a particularly good performance of a local guide by leaving a tip of 1-2 Euros per tour.

Wilderness Travel enjoys partnering with AMA Waterways because they offer a high quality product with thoughtfully planned itineraries, allowing travelers to experience Europe's most glorious architecture, medieval castles, historic villages, and idyllic countryside with minimal effort. Since these trips are relatively short, you may consider this as part of a longer, European adventure!

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Book your trip today

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

Submit the form below to download itinerary

Trip Download Itin

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Level 1 – Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

• Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India
• Small ship cruises

Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

• Our African safaris
• Costa Rica Wildlife

Level 3 – Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

• Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
• Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
• Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
• Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as  Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin,  are Trip Level 3.

Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

• Ultimate Patagonia
• Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Level 5 – Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Everest Lodge to Lodge

Level 6 – Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

• Everest Base Camp
• Climb Kilimanjaro!

Romantic Danube: Budapest to Nuremberg

• Get inspired by the possibilities.
• Build your ideal trip.
• Visit the National Opera House in Budapest
• Tour Schönbrunn Palace, erected in 1778 and known as the “Versailles of Vienna”
• Explore the Old Stone Bridge in Regensburg
• Discover Nuremberg's medieval castle
• Cooking Classes
• Urban Exploration
• Local Market Visits
• River Cruises
• Helicopter Tours
• Danube River
• European Union

Full Itinerary

Day 1: budapest, hungary | embark, day 2: budapest, hungary.

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Vienna, Austria

Day 4: krems, austria, day 5: passau, germany, day 6: regensburg, germany, day 7: nuremberg, germany, day 8: nuremberg, germany | disembark.

• 1 Breakfast

Viking Cruises

Dates & prices, my preferred start date.

Initial deposit is $700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 190 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and checks

See our general terms and conditions:

• Adventure Life Terms & Conditions

We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

• Viking Cruises - Terms & Conditions - Viking Cruises

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

• 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
• 7 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
• Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• Port Taxes & Fees
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Visits to UNESCO Sites
• Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Flight costs (please request a quote)
• Additional excursions during free time
• Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
• Excess baggage charges
• Drinks, beverages and meals not included in the package
• Optional shore excursions/tours/concerts

We Love to Talk Travel

Why travel with adventure life, recognized by.

The Blue Danube Discovery

May - Aug 2022 on board on board Viking Longships New Ship PRESIDENT'S CRUISE

• VIEW DETAILS
• Up to FREE International Air from $ * (from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal. Low Air add-on available for other gateways)
• FREE Transfers (Available for day of Embarkation & Disembarkation)
• FREE Prepaid Gratuities (Value of C$44/couple/day)
• FREE Drinks Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks w/ Onboard Lunch & Dinner
• FREE Unlimited Internet
• FREE US$ Shipboard Credit /Stateroom (Veranda & higher categories)
• FREE Guided Tours
• FREE Bicycles for checkout
• Taxes & Fees Included
• PLUS Travel Insurance ‡ Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption (for Panorama Suite Only) NO AGE LIMIT PRE-EXISTING CONDITION WAIVED NO MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE See: Insurance Coverage Summary / Resolution Policy

Budapest to Nuremberg Budapest to Nuremberg

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

• Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
• Day 2 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
• Day 3 VIENNA
• Day 4 DÜRNSTEIN – MELK
• Day 5 PASSAU, GERMANY
• Day 6 REGENSBURG
• Day 7 ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG
• Day 8 NUREMBERG (DISEMBARKATION)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

The day is yours to relax and enjoy the city with time for photographs, cafés, and confections.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Vienna Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view.

This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace— summer home of the Habsburg Empire.

Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from the ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

DÜRNSTEIN – MELK

Passau, germany.

Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.

Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing.

Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg.

Alternatively spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG

Nuremberg (disembarkation), nuremberg to budapest, panorama suite.

• 6-person sitting area
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Choice of bed configuration
• Comfort Collection Beds SM
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Elegant, contemporary design
• Extra blankets
• Full shower with glass door
• Individual climate control
• Large mirror in bathroom
• Make-up mirror
• Memory foam mattress toppers
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony®
• Writing desk
• Alarm clock
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• Coffee table
• Complimentary bottled water
• Direct-dial telephone
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• European-style duvets
• Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channel
• In-room safe
• L’Occitane bath products
• Marble countertops in bathroom
• Nightly turn-down service
• Soft and firm pillows
• Well-stocked minibar

Cruise Connections Exclusive Offer

Inventory is limited. Speak to our Cruise Specialist.

Bon Voyage!

Avalon shares the flavours of the world with the freshest local ingredients prepared by our talented chefs and served in your choice of venues on board.

From action-packed experiences and interactive discoveries, to traditional sightseeing, you can tailor a vacation to suit your interests and pace.

Avalon's exclusive Panorama Suites SM — exquisite accommodations and a huge Open–Air Balcony SM that provides an indoor/outdoor seating area without sacrificing room space.

Classic Beverage Package

Open 6 days a week.

Hours of Operation: • Monday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm PT • Saturday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm PT

604–1201 West Pender Street Vancouver BC Canada V6E 2V2

Viking River Cruises Romantic Danube - Detailed Daily Itinerary from Budapest to Nuremberg

Scenic cruise along the Danube is what European fairytales are made of. (© BIANCA BUSTOS-VELAZQUEZ)

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Well, this post is quite overdue. I wrote about our Viking River Cruises Romantic Danube trip with the intention of writing a whole series of posts about it. Alas, life.

Nonetheless, I replied (and continue to reply) to people who inquired about the excursions via email. And I thought, I have the responses already, people are still interested, I might as well continue with my original intentions.

This is not a sponsored post. This vacation and experiences were fully paid by yours truly, and in no part by Viking River Cruises or any third party.

The 8-day Danube river cruise through Hungary, Austria and Germany kicks off either in Budapest or Nuremberg. For us, we took the Budapest to Nuremberg itinerary aboard the Viking Tor ship. I have for you here all you need to know about the Romantic Danube cruise - a detailed itinerary for each day, shore excursions and optional excursions, what to be ready for, what to expect, and what the changes are beginning 2021.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

What to Know Before You Go

About the Viking Longship Tor

The food on the romantic danube, day 1 - arrival in budapest, day 2 - hungary: panoramic budapest excursion.

Day 3: Austria: Morning - Panoramic Vienna Excursion; Evening - Mozart and Strauss Concert

Day 4: Austria: Göttweig Abbey Excursion in Krems

Day 5: Germany: Docked in Passau with Bus Ride to Salzburg, Austria

Day 6: Germany: Regensburg Walking Tour

Day 7 - Germany: Nuremberg through History Tour

Day 8 - disembarking from nuremberg, what to know before you go.

A few weeks before your trip, you’ll receive a nice little travel bag containing your cruise documents, distinctive red leather Viking Cruises luggage tags, paper luggage tags with your stateroom number, plus your stickers that you put on yourself so that the guides picking you up from the airport can easily identify you.

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. Viking has so many offers - ie 2-for-1 prices, free air, free onboard credits - and with proper planning, you can surely wait to get all of them. There are plenty of these offers around throughout the year.

TIP #1: Use onboard credits for optional excursions

If you did get free onboard credits and want to use it for optional excursions., you should NOT book optional excursions BEFORE your trip. Otherwise, you pay for it. You can only use your onboard credits for excursions if you reserve your spot at the Reception Desk on the boat. Obviously, the benefit of reserving your spot before you go is that you are sure of the availability. When we embarked, all of the optional excursions were actually still available. So I’m glad that I waited to use my onboard credits for them.

TIP #2: paying for the VIKING air plus is worth it.

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. Now if you’re going on a cruise anyway, you might as well have them arrange air travel for you too. Viking Cruises has free air travel sales all the time. Definitely take advantage of that. Free air travel and a cruise booked way ahead can add up to a good chunk of savings.

Step aboard the Viking Tor - your home for 8 days on the Viking River Cruises Romantic Danube Tour

But what is Viking Air Plus ? If you include air travel to your cruise but don’t purchase Air Plus, they’ll book you the cheapest flights to get you to your port of origin city. This could mean a few too many layovers. So if you’re asking yourself, “is the Viking Air Plus worth it,” well, for an additional $50 to $150 per person (depending on the itinerary), you can work with a Viking Cruises travel agent to customize your entire air travel. And, if you want to use airline points for upgrading your free flight, they can arrange it for you.

You also don’t have to purchase Air Plus at the time you book your cruise. What happened with me is that I actually forgot about it. Then 2 months or so before the trip, when they sent me my air travel itinerary and I saw that our flights included 2 layovers and was basically almost 30 hours of travel, I called Viking immediately. I told them that that much travel is too much for my husband with limited mobility. So they were able to find and rebook us flights with only 1 layover, for a total of about only 15 hours of travel. I also was able to request to find us flights that will arrive in Budapest early-ish enough (1PM flight arrival, and after gathering everyone from the flight, on the boat by around 3PM), which was great because we saw some folks still boarding the boat while dinner service already was going on.

Grand staircase. Baby by cruise ship standards but so modern and minimal.

This lounge area leads to the Aquavit Terrace.

Good sized bathroom for a ship.

There’s an herb garden and mini golf.

Common Rooms on a Viking Longship.

I’ve only been on one cruise before this trip - an ocean cruise with thousands of people - and it was not really for me. It was from that experience that led me to Viking Cruises actually, because I did like the idea of a vacation all planned for me already, meals included, etc but I need it to be a lot less people, no kids would be best (I didn’t like it how kids were playing with the elevators on a huge ship!), geared towards slow travel, and focused on the sites we’re visiting rather than being a floating resort.

Here are the stats for the Viking Tor:

Staterooms: 95

Max number of guests: 190

Crew members: 50

Year built: 2013

The style is very Scandinavian, of course - modern, minimal, functional. The common rooms are comprised of the reception area - where the grand staircase, a little shop, a small library and business center are located, restaurant - where breakfast and dinner are served, lounge area - where there’s a bar and where they also hold some interesting lectures, the Aquavit terrace - where they also serve lunch, and the sun deck - where you should try to go whenever they say there’s a scenic sailing.

The stateroom is very comfortable. From my last cruise experience, the bathroom situation was really difficult, and it didn’t even try to make you feel like you’re not on a ship. On the Viking Tor, the bathroom felt like a small hotel bathroom, and the toiletries weren’t even travel size.

In your room, you’ll also find the audio receivers and earpieces that you’ll need during the walking tours. I couldn’t tell if they have extras in case you forget them during the tours as everyone was ready for it.

What can I say, as someone who loves to eat, well, the food onboard Viking Cruises is where I got my money’s worth. I exaggerate, you will get your money’s worth on the comfort and luxury, but a big portion on the food.

They really serve you local dishes. On the Romantic Danube, you will get to savor your favorite Hungarian, Austrian and German dishes. I am talking about goulash (which you’ll actually get to have the Hungarian and the Czech versions), Esterházy tortes and Sacher tortes, schnitzels! You’ll even get to have peach schnapps when you depart Austria.

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. If you’re a vegetarian, there’s always an option for you.

The quality is top notch, with the wines to your liking. The service is impeccable too. You will get to know your servers and soon, they’ll even know what you like to drink.

TIP #3: Don’t forget to let them know of special occasions you’re celebrating.

They’ll give you a bottle of bubbly and have a little something on your dessert.

You’ll have options to eat at the Restaurant or the casual buffet style Aquavit Terrace. At the Restaurant, it’s always a 3 course meal dinner. There’s always coffee and tea available throughout the day. And of course, the bar is well stocked. They have pastries at the coffee / tea station as well, in case you get hungry between meals.

All that paprika on this Hungarian goulash - they also served Czech goulash in the evening.

Dessert during the scenic cruise from Visegrad.

One dinner menu. Everyone excited about the chateaubriand.

Chateaubriand perfection.

Sacher torte one evening in Austria.

Esterházy torte one evening in Budapest.

Little glasses of hot chocolate while cruising the Wachau Valley.

Sautèed Rainbow Trout.

Sample dinner menu #2.

It’s in the details! Let them know if you’re celebrating anything!

Taste of Germany dinner.

Bavarian dinner after a day in Regensburg.

Day 1 of the cruise is very much dependent on when your flight gets in! I only booked a post-cruise extension to Prague. I don’t know why in the world I did not include a pre-cruise extension to Budapest. I must not have had enough vacation or something to not have added this. So…

TIP #4: ADD BOTH THE PRE- AND POST- EXTENSIONS.

The Budapest extension is $399 per person for 2 nights while the Prague extension is $699 per person for 3 nights. Now that I think on it, if you have only the opportunity to book one extension, you’ll have a preference of what city to experience, but here’s another tip:

TIP #5: BETWEEN the pre- and post- extensions, the pre-extension is probably more worth it.

Here’s why I say so: Like I said, Day 1 of the actual river cruise is dependent when you get to the boat. If you’re already in the city, then you check-in to the river cruise early. They have lunch ready and they actually have an excursion on Day 1! Most people didn’t even get to join this on our cruise because most people were on the same flight as us that got in around 3PM.

If the pre-cruise extension is not viable, then consider adding the Viking Air Plus to at least try to find a flight that can get you in as early as you can. Here’s what’s planned on embarkation day:

11:30 AM - 3:00 PM: Embarkation buffet

1:30 - 3:00 PM: Welcome walk through historic heart of Budapest (I would’ve liked to join this one!)

3:30 - 5:00 PM: Cheese and Wine Tasting (do partake in this, especially if this is around the time you check in and did not get to have some buffet lunch because dinner is not for a few hours.)

5:30 - 7:00 PM: Cocktail hour

6:15 PM: Welcome Briefing and Port Talk - Viking Tor team introductions

7:00 PM: Dinner

8:00 - 10:00 PM: Scenic Evening Cruise (get your jackets and your tripods! Budapest is glorious at night! There’s a commentary from the program director which I found very useful.)

Every evening, you can cap the night off with music and drinks at the Lounge.

Hungarian Parliament Building during the Scenic Evening Cruise on the Danube. (© BIANCA BUSTOS-VELAZQUEZ)

Breakfast views on the Romantic Danube.

It’s the first full day on the ship and yes there is an itinerary for you but this is when I tell you, you do you!

TiP #6: You may feel you have to stick to everything on the itinerary, but you actually still have options.

Every night, you will be given the Viking Daily newsletter for tomorrow’s activities. You may think you should be at all of them. Perhaps you can. And though I would say Viking’s allure for us is its slower pace, it can actually still be hectic. So don’t feel the pressure or fear of missing out. I know I did. But after day 2 where I knew I was missing out anyway compared to our style of travel that does not involve packaged tours, I decided to just let go and yes prioritize the included and paid excursions, and then everything else is more like what I’m feeling for, which may be a nap.

Here’s the plan for the day, and I will now add the excursion experiences.

Three breakfast options!

6:00 - 11:00 AM - Café style; 6:30 - 9:30 AM - Continental breakfast; 6:30 - 9:00 AM - Buffet breakfast (We did the buffet breakfast everyday in the restaurant. I love bacon and eggs, and the eggs are so fresh, the yolk is orange.

08:00 - 12:30 PM: Panoramic Budapest . If you didn’t get to join the walking tour the previous day, or did not do any pre-tour extensions, this is your only time in Budapest. Here you’ll get to experience the highlights of the hilly Buda side and the flat Pest (pronounced Pesht my friends) side. You start on the Pest side, and that entire time on the bus actually. I really really needed to manage my expectations after this one because yes you drive through the National Opera House and Heroes’ Square and the Széchenyi Baths, but you don’t even get to see the baths. You’re on the bus looking at the yellow building, wishing you get to see the famed baths. This is why the pre-extension feels so important.

Our guide talked less about history and more about the dire economic situation of the city. We even drove through the part of town where embassies are, which I thought was nice because the buildings are very nice, but his talk here was more about the people in power staying in these palatial homes while most of the country is struggling. I like to know these truths of course. However, I’d say a balance between that and art, culture and history would have been nice because the tone of this part of the tour was very angry and somber.

You get off the bus on the Buda side. Not a lot of time here. After a guided mini tour inside the Matthias Church, it’s about one hour only to explore the Fishermen’s Bastion and surrounding areas. It is here where I learned that Hungary is the largest producer of paprika in the world! Make sure you buy some paprika because this is essential for when you make goulash at home - which I still do!

TIP #7: Though you’re pressed for time and there’s a lot of people, FEAR NOT and just be patient, there’s time for you to take the requisite fishermen’s bastion shots.

I’ve wanted that shot overlooking the parliament building, and it is doable. The crowds come in waves so you’ll definitely get that photo op.

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8:00 AM: Cast off . If you did not join the shore excursion, the ship sails from Budapest to Visegrád, where the shore excursion people will then join the ship.

12:15 PM: If you stayed on the ship, you have about 15 minutes in Visegrád.

12:30 PM: Lunch is served. We stayed in the restaurant for the goulash. But this is also one of the scenic cruises on the Danube Bend. So if you can enjoy the sit down lunch or enjoy the scenic cruise with buffet lunch at the Aquavit Terrace.

2:00 PM: Safety Instructions.

2:30 - 3:30 PM: Wheelhouse Tour. I found this very interesting actually. They talked about the locks that we would be going through. And I thought it’s very cool that the wheelhouse goes up and down if it needs to clear some bridges.

4:00 - 4:45 PM: Hungarian Teatime. I grabbed some pastries then took a nap, because I wanted to join what was next.

5:30 PM: Presentation: Austrian Coffee Houses. Learn about the coffee culture in Austria, which is very important. Thankfully from this talk, I was able to determine which coffee shop I wanted to go to in Vienna for the next day.

6:30 PM: A Toast to the Guests. Grab a bubbly.

6:45 PM: Port Talk about tomorrow’s plan.

7:00 PM: Welcome Dinner. This is the first time you’ll meet the Chef de Cuisine and the Maître d’ at the Restaurant. And yes, this is when they served the chateaubriand. A casual meal is also served on the Aquavit Terrace.

9:00 PM: Presentation: Mozart and Austrian Coffee Houses. In case you missed the afternoon one, but with additional information about the genius that is Mozart.

Day 3 - Austria: Morning Panoramic Vienna Excursion and Evening Mozart and Strauss Concert

This is a long day but you have such a variety of experiences. Here’s what’s planned for the day:

Exploring Vienna on our own.

6:00 - 11:00 AM - Café style; 6:30 - 9:30 AM - Continental breakfast; 7:00 - 9:00 AM - Buffet breakfast

9:00 AM: Arrival in Vienna

9:15 AM - 12:30 PM: Included shore excursions - Panoramic Vienna or Up Close Vienna. The Panoramic Vienna is high level walking tour, talking about Vienna’s architecture, the Hapsburgs, and riding along the Ringstrasse - the circular grand boulevard around the historic district of Vienna. The Up Close Vienna is also about Vienna’s architecture and history, but this time, taking the local underground transportation.

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Optional Excursion - Jewels of Vienna’s Ring.

12:30 PM: Lunch at the Restaurant or Aquavit Terrace.

2:00 - 5:30 PM: Optional excursions - Schönbrunn Palace or Behind the Scenes at the Lippizzaner Stallions. The Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most magnificent in the world, so in this one, you get to tour this UNESCO world heritage site, learn more about the Hapsburgs, and specifically, Maria Therese. For the visit to the Lippizzaner Stallions, you will get to learn about the Spanish Riding School, home of the famed Lippizzaner Stallions, tour the historic stables and learn about the equestrian tradition. After which, you get to witness the Viennese coffee culture at a traditional  kaffeehaus.

Tip #8: If your romantic danube cruise is in the summer, you won’t be seeing the stallions as they are at a different location every july and august.

5:30 - 7:00 PM: Cocktail Hour

Took a cab to Café Landtmann to experience Viennese coffee culture.

5:45 PM: Port Talk about tomorrow’s plan.

6:00 PM: First dinner seating at the Restaurant for those joining the optional concert excursion. 7:30 PM: Second dinner seating at the Restaurant or Aquavit Terrace if you’re not joining any optional excursions.

9:00 PM: Live music at the Lounge.

6:30 - 10:00 PM: Optional excursion - Heurigen Dinner. In this dinner, you get to join a classic dinner at a local vineyard and toast this year’s wine. Heuriger are the wine taverns in Austria and the spirit of  gemütlichkeit , or good cheer, is what is planned for your evening.

7:30 - 10:30 PM: Optional excursion - Classical Concert. What better way to see a Mozart and Strauss concert than in Vienna? The Vienna Residence Orchestra performs in a historic venue. And from the concert, you will have a scenic evening drive back to the ship.

10:00 PM: Late night snack. After the concert, since you did have an early dinner, you can enjoy some Gulaschsuppe at the terrace.

11:59 PM: Cast off as the shop leaves Vienna for Krems.

So that’s a lot planned for the day and it’s tour after tour after tour. So, I’d like to share what we did.

Capped of the evening with a Mozart and Strauss concert.

We joined the Panoramic Vienna tour, and that was a great way to get oriented with the city. I really prefer exploring cities on my own so I managed my expectations here for sure. Like I said, we’re big coffee fans and from the previous presentation, we learned that Café Landtmann , which has been around since 1873, is a classic Viennese coffee house where Freud used to hang out. So we did not join any tours in the afternoon. Instead, we took a cab to Café Landtmann and truly relaxed, enjoyed some Viennese coffee and cakes.

Tip #9: Be Fearless and veer off the itinerary. Make sure you take the card with the ship’s location from the reception so you can go back on your own time.

It was raining that day and I’m so glad that I didn’t pay for an optional excursion in the afternoon, and instead partook in the famed Viennese coffee culture on our own. We had a good amount of time walk on our own, shop a little, take a cab to the café, and take a cab back to the ship.

TIP #10: since you know when you’ll be in vienna, you may want to book café sacher in advance.

If I knew of the timing of things ahead of time, I would have booked a table at Café Sacher and enjoyed a Sachertorte where it was invented. Without a reservation, the lines are very long. So this is something I’m sure I’ll go back for. This and the Schönbrunn palace.

We even had enough time to rest and freshen up before the early dinner, and then we were off to the concert. You actually end up joining guests aboard different Viking ships, which I think makes sense for the company because the hall where the concert is held probably seats about 300 people, certainly more than how many people are on your ship. I’m also glad I picked this one as an optional excursion. Worth every penny. The performance brought me to tears.

Changes beginning 2021: There will be more time in Vienna because the ship won’t be docking at Nuremberg anymore. So, starting 2021, day 3 will actually include 2 privileged access tour options: Schönbrunn Palace and Vienna Boys’ Choir or Behind the Scenes at the Vienna Boys’ Choir where you will get to tour the boarding school of the Wiener Sängerknaben at Palais Augarten. Both of these include an exclusive performance. I’m so glad they added an excursion like this. When we did our walking tour, that’s what I was wondering about. The difference between these two is that the former is a combination of the latter and the Schönbrunn Palace excursion I mentioned earlier - so it’s a 6 hour tour.

Beginning 2021, you will have another day in Vienna. The Lippizaner stallions and the Mozart / Strauss concert will now be an excursion on Day 4. In addition, there are 2 new optional excursions on the 2nd day in Vienna: Historic Farmers’ Market Visit with the Viking Chef , where the Executive Chef will lead you through a tasting journey of the Naschmarkt, and Picturesque Bratislava , where you will travel to the capital of Slovakia.

I’m very much considering another Romantic Danube cruise because of these changes. I will likely do the Schönbrunn Palace and Vienna Boys’ Choir, and the Picturesque Bratislava excursions!

Day 4 - Austria: Göttweig Abbey Excursion in Krems

We now arrive at what I would say was my favorite day of the cruise. I think it’s because this day was the one that was exactly what I expected a Viking Cruise would be. Changes in 2021: This will be Day 5 instead of Day 4.

View this post on Instagram #Austria #biangtravels 8th anniversary on a hilltop church with the breathtaking view of Austria's Wachau Valley. ❤️ Göttweig Abbey, Stift Göttweig, Paudorf, Austria #GetThereGetLost @vikingcruises #myvikingstory A post shared by Bianca 👩🏻‍💻✈️📸📝🧡 (@gettheregetlost) on Sep 18, 2017 at 10:08am PDT

6:00 - 11:00 AM - Café style; 6:30 - 9:30 AM - Continental breakfast; 6:30 - 9:30 AM - Buffet breakfast

8:00 AM: The ship arrives in Krems.

8:30 - 11:00 AM: Optional excursion - Wachau Valley by bicycle. Biking along the vineyards on an electric bike. If my husband were not disabled, we may have considered this. But, this is of course weather dependent.

8:30 - 11:30 AM: Shore excursion - Göttweig Abbey with optional 30 minute extension (either Apricot Dumpling demonstration or Historic Attic).

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Shore excursion - Göttweig Abbey no extensions.

The Göttweig Abbey is a 900-year old abbey ran by the Benedictine monks. It’s an abbey at the top of the hill and oh so magnificent views of the Wachau Valley. I don’t know about you but when I see Karine Hagen (Viking’s SVP and the founder’s daughter) in the ads visiting locals and talking to monks, that’s sort of what I imagined for all the shore excursions. 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.

TIP #11: For a small fee, i highly recommend the apricot dumpling presentation. it’s a change of pace from all the walking.

And, more than that, volunteer to help cook during the presentation. I expected the optional extension to be a cooking session but it’s really just a demonstration. And unless you volunteer, you won’t get your hands dirty at all, but you will definitely taste the apricot dumpling. I, of course, volunteered!

12:00 PM: Lunch at the Restaurant or Aquavit Terrace.

12:30 PM: Ship departs from Krems.

1:15 - 3:00 PM: Scenic Sailing: Wachau Valley.

This is the other part that made this day my favorite on this itinerary. Sailing through vineyards, ruins, small towns and forests is truly what European fairytales are made of. For this, the Wachau Valley has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Most definitely go to the top deck for this one.

It comes with the little Viking Cruises touches too like the staff bringing you blankets and small glasses of hot chocolate for you to comfortable enjoy the views.

3:00 - 4:00 PM: Austrian Tea time and Apple Strudel Live Demonstration.

6:35 PM: Viking Explorer Society Cocktail Party . By invite only, If you’ve sailed with Viking before, there’s a private cocktail party at the Lounge.

7:00 PM: Dinner at the Restaurant or Aquavit Terrace.

9:15 PM: World in Comfort with Viking Presentation. Here you can find out more about different itineraries and some discounts for future bookings. This is then followed by live music.

Day 5 - Germany: Docked in Passau with Bus Ride to Salzburg, Austria

Now we’re in our final country in the itinerary! But the options this day are quite varied! Changes in 2021: This will be Day 6 instead of Day 5.

9:00 AM: Arrival in Passau, Germany.

I was most definitely ready to burst out my Do Re Mi in Salzburg!

TiP #13: If you can wake up earlier, have an early breakfast and enjoy the cruise before arriving in passau for some striking misty morning views of the bavarian countryside.

9:15 AM - 6:00 PM: Optional excursion - Salzburg Highlights

View this post on Instagram #Salzburg #biangtravels Mozartkugels seem to be everywhere in Austria but you will only find the ones wrapped with silver foil in Salzburg, where Paul Fürst created his marzipan, pistachio and nougat goodness covered with dark chocolate. Have you had Mozartkugels before? 😋 Konditorei Fürst, Salzburg, Austria #GetThereGetLost A post shared by Bianca 👩🏻‍💻✈️📸📝🧡 (@gettheregetlost) on Jan 9, 2018 at 11:00am PST

I had heard that Passau, Germany was a very charming town with the famed pipe organ. However, this cruise was my first time in Austria, and with The Sound of Music being near and dear to me, Salzburg was a must. Remember to bring your passport since you are going to another country. It’s about a 2 hour drive from Passau to Salzburg, but the alpine views are very nice.

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. We made our way to the Domplatz before our lunch in Austria’s oldest restaurant, entertained with the music from the movie by classically trained singers.

We had a bit of time on our own so we explored the cathedral cemetery, which if you recall was also part of the movie. 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.

After some walking while it was raining, it actually got a bit much for my husband, who had a swollen foot from a cut he got from walking around in Vienna. He already walks with a cane and the pain got a bit much for him. Seeing the challenge, instead of walking back to the bus after the tour, Viking actually called a car for us. I’m not sure if this would have been offered by other operators but that’s the type of attention to detail and dedication to customer service that I actually saw a lot from Viking Cruises.

9:15 - 10:45 AM: Shore excursion: Passau Walking Tour

11:00 - 11:25 AM: Passau Organ Concert. With more than 17,000 pipes, it is the largest pipe organ in Europe.

2:00 PM: Enrichment Lecture at the Lounge: Life in Germany.

2:15 - 6:00 PM: Optional excursion - Bavarian Beerfest. Drive through the Bavarian countryside from Passau to Gut Aichet and tour a riverside farm. Then enjoy an Oktoberfest-like party with traditional music, locally brewed beer, and Bavarian treats.

3:15 PM: Back on board if you didn’t join any optional excursions. Ship departs Passau for Vilshofen.

5:30 PM: Shuttle Passau to Vilshofen for those who either did their own thing.

6:00 PM: Stop at Vilshofen for guests not yet on board to rejoin.

9:15 PM: Rhine - Main - Danube Canal Presentation. Learn about the canal that connects the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea.

Since our cruise, Viking has added a few new optional excursions:

Hike the Passau Hills - for those looking for some challenge, you can do a hiking excursion from the Mariahilf Hill to Veste Oberhaus and enjoy spectacular views of the city.

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. And from there you drive through the Hohenschwangau valley for lunch before returning to the airport for a return flight to Vilshofen. If this were available at the time of my cruise, I probably would have done this optional excursion since I’ve always wanted to see the Neuschwantein Castle.

Flightseeing over Passau - if hiking is not for your, you can still enjoy breathtaking views from above of Passau and the three rivers - Ilz, Inn and the Danube - on a 45-minute private charter.

Bavaria by E-bike - another excursion with a bit of a challenge, bike along the Inn River through farm fields and riverside forests. You will leave Germany from Passau, and cross the bridge into Austria through Wernstein.

Day 6 - Germany: Regensburg Walking Tour

I can’t really decide on a favorite day for this tour. This day I really liked because of the freedom we had of having enough time to explore on our own. You can do it that way or spend a day full of excursions too. Changes in 2021: This will be Day 7 instead of Day 5.

6:00 - 11:00 AM - Café style; 6:30 - 9:30 AM - Continental breakfast; 7:00 - 9:30 AM - Buffet breakfast

Lunch at Alte Wurstkuchl, a Regensburg institution!

8:30 AM: The ship arrives in Regensburg.

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Optional excursion - Munich Highlights. You’ll take the bus to the Bavarian capital where you will meet a guide for a panoramic tour. As it was with Budapest, you’ll basically be driving past historic sights such as the Olympiapark and the royal avenues of Ludwigstrasse, Prinzregentenstrasse and Maximilianstrasse. You’ll have time to shop at the Viktualienmarkt and have lunch at Ratskeller.

Tip #14: If you did the salzburg excursion from passau the day before, i would not recommend doing the munich tour unless you really want to VISIT munich.

It’s another 2 hour drive each way and our friends who did both said they just got so restless from all that bus ride back to back.

TIP #15: Alternative to the panoramic tour, you can completely do your own thing in munich.

Some folks took a train on their own from Regensburg to Munich as they wanted to tour the BMW museum. Just make sure you look at the itinerary for the day to know what time you need to catch the train back.

9:15 - 10:45 AM: Shore excursion - Walking Tour - Regensburg. The city is very well preserved because it was never bombed during World War 2. You can even see some of the walls erected by Marcus Aurelius when the city was founded in the Roman times. In the Old Town, you’ll be able to see why this town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9:15 - 11:15 AM: Shore excursion - Jewish Walking Tour - Regensburg. This tour is focused on Regensburg Jewish history and heritage, which includes the Neupfarrplatz and the Synagogue Memorial.

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12:00 PM: Lunch at the Restaurant or Aquavit Terrace. As an alternative, we instead had lunch at the Alte Wurstkuchl (Sausage Kitchen). This is a historic restaurant as it’s been serving sausage to customers since 1146 - that’s more than 870 years, guys!

I don’t drink beer but it felt dutiful to try some Bavarian beer, learning that they are very serious about it having a purity law and all dating back from 1516, which states that they can only use water, barley and hops for brewing. Tried it, and nope, beer is still not my thing.

1:00 - 4:00 PM: Optional excursion - Microbreweries in Bavaria. If you’re a beer fan, this one’s for you! You’ll be able to sample some of Bavaria’s pride and joy - Ratskeller from Regensburg, beer from Bischofshof, a pilsner from Kneitinger, a dark beer from Weltenburger, and a wheat beer from Weissbräuhaus.

1:00 - 6:30 PM: Optional excursion - Weltenburg Abbey and Danube Narrows. If you’re not up for some biergarten fare in the afternoon, you can visit the abbey that was founded in the 7th century, with more Danube views. This excursion is only available if you go between May - October.

Or, you can do what we did and just explored Regensburg on our own after the shore excursion. I was able to buy a hat from the famous Hutkönig, which has been making hats since 1875 for European royalty, Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland, and Pope Benedict XVI. We had lunch at Alte Wurstkuchl. We were able to explore smaller streets and I even came across some Banksy graffiti - though I’ve never been able to verify if it’s truly his or some copycat.

1:00 PM: The ship leaves Regensburg for Kelheim.

5:15 PM: Transfer from Regensburg to Kelheim. If you wish to stay in Regensburg for the afternoon like we did to explore the town on our own, you need to sign up at the Guest Service Desk in the morning for the bus transfer. You’re to meet at the Sausage Kitchen and then walk as a group across the river to the bus stop. From there, you will travel to join the ship in Kelheim.

5:30 - 7:30 PM: Cocktail Hour

6:15 PM: Arrival in Kelheim for guests not yet on board to rejoin.

7:00 PM: Disembarkation Briefing and Port Talk.

7:30 PM: Dinner: A Taste of Germany. They went all out with this German buffet dinner! Even the servers were in their lederhosen and dirndl!

9:00 PM: Evening entertainment - live music and dancing.

Our last port! Changes in 2021: This will be Day 8 instead of Day 7. Instead of a day in Nuremberg, there is an optional excursion to the historic Nuremberg on day 6 from Regensburg. It’s a 10 hour excursion, which means you basically skip the Regensburg itinerary above. For what we did, and it’s still the same for 2020, here’s the schedule for the day:

7:30 AM: The ship arrives in Roth.

8:15 AM - 12:45 PM: Optional excursion - Faber-Castell Factory and Museum . Here you get to learn the historical method of manufacturing pencils.

8:15 AM: Shuttle bus from Roth to Nuremberg. This I was very unclear about. I think this was just if you wanted to drive instead of take the ship because at the same time, the ship leaves Roth for Nuremberg as well.

12:00 PM: The ship arrives in Nuremberg. Lunch is also served at the Restaurant or the Aquavit Terrace.

1:30 - 5:30 PM: Shore excursion - Nuremberg through History. Here we saw where Nazi rallies were held and drove by the Palace of Justice. We then visited the Imperial Palace, and walk past the picture perfect half-timbered houses. We made our way to the Market Square where there were several stalls selling Christmas decorations already, but we definitely enjoyed all the food stalls! You’ll have time on your own, which we spent by eating bratwurst and visiting a book shop. You’ll then take the bus back to the ship.

1:30 - 6:00 PM: Optional excursion - Nuremberg and World War II. More in depth of Nuremberg’s war history, here you’ll visit the setting of the rise and fall of the Third Reich.

5:30 - 6:30 PM: Cocktail hour and the Captain’s farewell cocktail party.

6:45 PM: Final farewell from the program director.

7:15 PM: Farewell dinner at the Restaurant or casual meal on the Aquavit Terrace.

9:15 PM: From the Danube to the Adriatic Sea: Enjoy local Nuremberg musicians in the Lounge for music from composers who lived in the banks of the Danube.

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Alas, the tour has come to an end!

From here, you are transferred to the airport or you join the bus to your respective post-cruise extensions. So the schedule varies depending on your flight. For us, our trip took us to Prague next after a 3 hour bus ride from Nuremberg. We had breakfast at 6:30 and were on the road by 8:30 AM. We had a guide on the bus so it wasn’t just 3 hours of sleeping.

You still have to check out, and this is also where and when you can leave a tip for the staff.

That was a lot in 7 days. 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.

Despite my preference of having enough time to explore on our own, being able to go to museums, libraries or markets, cruising with Viking Cruises was really for the comfort and luxury of having everything planned for you, great food and service on board, with as much effort for slow travel and privileged access while not missing out on the main tourist attractions. I hope you were able to get the information you need about the Romantic Danube cruise as much as I enjoyed walking down memory lane. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Bianca is one of the founders of get there | get lost. She is an avid writer and photographer based in Northern California. Her love for history, literature, architecture and food culminate to her passion for traveling and learning about different cultures. She advocates for accessible travel, and continues to explore with her husband and travel partner, Jesús, despite physical limitations. Follow their adventures on Instagram as @gettheregetlost and @coffeeandtherapy.

Romantic Danube River

Visit the fascinating capital cities of budapest and vienna on this superb holiday along the danube, with return flights from leeds-bradford or manchester.

Exclusive Yorkshire Cruise Club Package 7 Nights

• Description

Price Includes

Explore fascinating capital cities and traditional towns on this superb holiday along the Danube.

Discover the highlights of magnificent Budapest, including the Fisherman’s Bastion and Parliament Building, before cruising to Austria to explore the historical legacy of the musical city of Vienna, with its ornate buildings and impressive Schonbrunn Palace.

YR145 Operated by Viking River Cruises

Day 1 : UK - Budapest (Hungary)

Fly from the Leeds-Bradford or Manchester to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, and transfer to your ship. (D)

Day 2 : Budapest

Enjoy a tour of the Pest side of the city where you will see the National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Cross the River Danube to Buda's Castle District where you can visit Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. (B, L, D)

Day 3 : Vienna (Austria)

Enjoy a city tour with highlights including the Opera House, Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. After lunch aboard, spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, summer residence of the Habsburgs. Dinner is served aboard and there is an optional evening concert in Vienna (forward itinerary only). (B, L, D)

Day 4 : Krems

After breakfast, visit Gottweig Abbey, a UNESCO-listed Benedictine abbey which towers above the Wachau Valley. Later, rejoin your ship for a cruise through the beautiful Wachau valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Passau (Germany)

Explore Passau at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers where you can take a guided walk with highlights including St. Stephen's Cathedral. Inside, you can enjoy a special concert on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe's largest church organ. Please note: Organ concert is available from May - Oct only and not available on Sundays. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Regensburg - Kelheim

Enjoy a walking tour through the medieval city of Regensburg where you will see the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge and St. Peter's Cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of scenic cruising along the Danube. Alternatively, perhaps enjoy an optional tour to the Danube Narrows and visit the magnificent Weltenburg Abbey, renowned for its dark ale, brewed by monks since 1050. Please note: Weltenberg Abbey tour is available May - Oct only. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Roth or Nuremberg

Cruise through a series of locks on the Main-Danube Canal. Cruise into Nuremberg and enjoy a guided tour which showcases the Palace of Justice and Market Square. Alternatively, join the optional World War II history tour. Please note, on the reverse itinerary there isn't the option to disembark in Roth. (B,L,D)

Day 8 : Nuremberg - Munich - UK

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Leeds-Bradford or Manchester. (B)

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is also available in reverse from Nuremberg to Budapest. Visit sequence, tours and times may vary.

Enjoy a tour of the Pest side of the city where you will see the National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Cross the River Danube to Buda's Castle District where you can visit Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Rejoin your ship in Visegrád for lunch as we cruise along the scenic Danube River. Enjoy a mid-afternoon Viennese coffee workshop, complete with apple strudel. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a city tour with highlights including the Opera House, Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. After lunch aboard, spend the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, summer residence of the Habsburgs. Dinner is served aboard and there is an optional evening concert in Vienna. (B, L, D)

Day 4 : Vienna

Enjoy time to explore Vienna at leisure, or join an optional excursion including a trip to the local farmers' market with a Viking chef and a behind-the-scenes visit at the Spanish Riding School.

Day 5 : Krems

After breakfast, visit Gottweig Abbey, a UNESCO-listed benedictine abbey which towers above the Wachau Valley. Later, rejoin your ship for a cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Passau (Germany)

Explore Passau at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers where you can take a guided walk with highlights including St. Stephen's Cathedral. There is the option to join the full day excursion to the musical city of Salzburg. (B,L,D)

Day 7 : Regensburg

Day 8 : regensburg - uk.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is also available in reverse from Regensburg to Budapest. Visit sequence, tours and times may vary.

• 7 nights full board cruise on board a Viking Longship
• Return flights from Leeds-Bradford or Manchester to Budapest and return from Munich
• Guided excursions
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
• Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner
• Captains Farewell Dinner
• All port and airport taxes
• Transfers as stated

Price Does Not Include

• Travel insurance

Cruise Extensions

• Extend your stay in Prague or Budapest Why not extend your holiday to soak up the atmosphere? A pre- or post-cruise extension with 2 night stay in Budapest is available from £299 per person. A pre- or post-cruise extension with 3 night stay in Prague is available from £549 per person. Single supplement applicable. Please contact us for details.

Special Features

• No regional flight supplements from selected airports

Select a date and click continue

Call free on: 0800 471 4754

Monday to Saturday: 9am to 7pm

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Home » Cruises » APT Travelmarvel » Delightful Danube

APT Travelmarvel Delightful Danube

From £1,995 pp.

Enjoy a feast of Bavarian food at a festive night including food, music and lively folk dancing whilst enjoying hte stunning sights along the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest

What’s Included:

• Return scheduled flights from the UK (fight supplements may apply)
• Unique cultural experiences in 7 towns, villages and cities
• Insider Experiences
• Complimentary soft drink, beer and local wine with lunch and dinner on board
• 8 Breakfasts,  7 Lunches and 7 Dinners
• Travelmarvel River Cruise Director and expert local guides
• Overseas transfers, port charges and tipping

• Nuremberg to Budapest
• Budapest to Nuremberg

Fly from the UK to Munich.

On arrival, you will travel to your hotel in Nuremberg.

Stay: Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg

Enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg today, taking in the city’s historic past.

Afterwards, transfer to your premium river ship.

Get to know your fellow travellers and Cruise Director at a Welcome Reception.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Having reached the Danube River overnight, you will dock in Regensburg this morning.

Wander the medieval city at your leisure, either by foot or on a bike, and explore the streets that have over two millennia of history.

Awake in the city of Passau.

On a guided walk, stroll past the city’s colourful buildings, such as the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall).

Alternatively, you have the opportunity to embark on a Salzburg tour, absorbing familiar sights from ‘The Sound of Music’, or you can visit the Czech town of Český Krumlov.

INSIDER EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a Bavarian evening on board with local beer, snacks and traditional German entertainment.

Dock in Melk and join a local guide for a tour through Melk Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery since 1089. This magnificent abbey is home to around two dozen practising monks.

After, discover Dürnstein, the town overlooked by the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned back in 1192.

Embrace the splendour and elegance of Vienna today on a walking tour that takes you past St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace and the Albertina.

You may wish to visit the Naschmarkt after.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna, a cultural utopia of music, art and food.

You may wish to visit Schönbrunn Palace or the Slovakian capital of Bratislava (own expense).

Arrive in the heart of Budapest, where the history and beauty of the city is illuminated by a local guide.

See the spectacular Hungarian Parliament and Matthias Church, and visit the Fisherman’s Bastion and Heroes’ Square.

After a Captain’s Farewell Dinner, take a twilight cruise through the city.

Fly from the UK and arrive in the enthralling city of Budapest, where your contemporary river ship awaits on the Danube River. Enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception and meet your fellow travellers and Cruise Director before a relaxing dinner.

Awake to views of one of the Danube’s most enchanting cities this morning. Disembark and learn the vibrant history of Budapest as your local guide takes you to a host of impressive sights, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, Heroes’ Square and Buda Castle. Back on board this evening, enjoy a delightful Gala Dinner while you cruise.

Embrace the elegance of Vienna as you drive around the Ringstrasse, taking in some of the city’s most famous buildings. On arrival in the centre, a walking tour will provide an insider’s view of sights such as St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben and Hofburg Palace. Afterwards, maybe visit the Naschmarkt and browse the stalls. This evening, you could enjoy an optional concert, featuring music from Mozart to ‘The Sound of Music’.

With the day at leisure, perhaps explore the Hofburg area or wander along Karntnerstrasse, the city’s famous shopping strip. Otherwise, embark on an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, or head across the border to former soviet Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

Cruise to the town of Dürnstein and enjoy a stroll past rustic town houses and taverns. Along the way, gaze up to the hilltop ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Later, dock in Melk and tour through Melk Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery since 1089.

Perhaps join an optional tour to  Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, or visit Salzburg and enjoy the sights from ‘The Sound of Music’. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing day sailing to Passau.

Tonight, enjoy a traditional Bavarian experience on board. Sample delicious local beer and snacks, accompanied by traditional folk music, song and dance.

Continue along the Danube River to Regensburg, located in the southern region of the Bavarian Forest. Here, wander along its cobblestone lanes, taking a journey through the ages as you explore the historic streets, medieval buildings and cultural sites  on your guided walking tour .

Arrive in Nuremberg, the site of Hitler’s infamous rallies during World War II. Take a city tour this afternoon, which includes sights such as the Zeppelin Field and Palace of Justice.  Afterwards, transfer to your hotel in Nuremberg for the night.

Stay:  Le Meridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg

Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast this morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

• Capella (Contemporary)
• Polaris (Contemporary)
• Vega (Contemporary)

Travelmarvel Capella, and her sister ships Vega and Polaris, offer stylish contemporary design and a host of modern facilities and amenities to make your journey truly memorable.

Multiple dining styles are available on your trip.  Choose from a more formal Dining experience in the Constellations Restaurant, where regional specialties are always featured. For more relaxed dining, lighter, buffet options are available in the True North Lounge, or head to McGeary’s Bar, an Irish pub serving traditional pub fare. Wherever you dine, lunch and dinner is always accompanied with complimentary local wine and beer, as well as soft drinks.

The large Sun Deck offers space to relax and unwind whilst enjoying the passing scenery.  Perhaps take a dip in the whirlpool, practice your putting or take a drink at the outdoor Bar.  One great new feature of these ships is the large Sky Deck Terrace.  At half a deck lower than the rear Sun Deck this area is accessible even when passing through locks and under bridges – particularity useful on cruises that pass along the Main river and Main Danube Canal.

Staterooms and suites on the middle and upper decks feature floor to ceiling windows, that drop down to create a French (Juliette) balcony at the touch of a button.  All have personal climate control, en-suite bathrooms, double or twin beds and TV, safe and mini-fridge.

Onboard Features & Facilities

• Comfortable outside cabins and  suites, most with opening floor to ceiling windows and french Balcony
• Sun deck with 360-degree views, shaded sitting area, putting green & whirlpool
• Lower level Sky Deck Terrace & Bar
• Open seating Constellation Restaurant with tables for 4 to 8 guests
• Panoramic views from the True North Lounge and open-air Alfresco Lounge
• McGeary’s Bar offering drinks and pub style meals
• Lift to all internal decks
• Fitness room, walking track & bicycles for use on shore
• Air conditioned throughout
• Onboard shop *
• Laundry service*

* Payable locally.

Accommodation & Amenities

91 spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms and suites range in size from 153 – 258 ft² .

Most accommodations featuring floor to ceiling glass sliding doors opening to a French Balcony, so you can enjoy the ever-changing scenery however you wish.

Such is the attention to detail on this vessel that all guest accommodation has specially designed blackout curtains and blinds to keep out the light until you choose to open them.

Owners Suite

258 ft² – upper deck.

• Floor to ceiling window dropping down to a French balcony with two chairs and a table
• Enhanced sitting area with sofa and armchair
• Larger private bathroom with WC, wash basin & glass shower enclosure with quality bath products and fluffy bathrobes
• Hotel Queen size beds, the best mattresses and fine cotton bed linen
• In room safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, plenty of storage space & telephone
• Flat-screen HD television
• Individually controlled air-conditioning

Cat P, A & A+

167 ft² – upper deck.

• Floor to ceiling window dropping down to a French balcony
• Private marble bathroom with WC, wash basin & glass shower enclosure with quality bath products

Cat B+, B & C

167 ft² – middle deck.

• Floor to ceiling glass doors opening to a French balcony

Cat D & E

153 ft² –  lower deck.

• High-level fixed twin windows

Travelmarvel Capella Deck Plan

Travelmarvel Polaris, and her sister ships Vega and Capella, offer stylish contemporary design and a host of modern facilities and amenities to make your journey truly memorable.

Travelmarvel Polaris – Deck Plan

Travelmarvel Vega, and her sister ships Capella and Polaris, offer stylish contemporary design and a host of modern facilities and amenities to make your journey truly memorable.

Travelmarvel Vega – Deck Plan

Enquire now about this cruise & speak to one of our friendly river cruising team on 0800 471 4754 .

European Gems

7 nights not long enough then combine this journey with “Reflections of the Rhine & Main” from Amsterdam to Nuremberg to make a 14 night European Gems holiday.

Call 0800 471 4754 for more details.

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Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising Budapest and beyond

Why, when and how to sail along Europe’s second-longest river, which meanders through the likes of Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest

Its banks are lined with dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, postcard-perfect towns and villages, and grand, opulent cities . 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.

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.

While ships are smaller than those traversing across oceans, river cruise itineraries often feature big-name guests onboard – as is the case with our seven-night sailing along the Danube , when one of the UK's best-loved historians, Lucy Worsley (pictured below), joins guests on a private visit to Vienna’s Royal Lipizzaner Stables and Spanish Riding School.

What is the best time of year to cruise the Danube River?

The Danube is a year-round destination with the exception of January and February, when few cruise lines operate here. Summer, when the weather is hottest, is peak season and as a result Europe’s cities are particularly crowded. Because of that, we recommend taking a Danube river cruise in April, May, September and October. Good Housekeeping's seven-night itinerary sails in September, when the weather should still be balmy and dry, but the summer hordes have gone home.

Where does a Danube river cruise start and end?

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.

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. You'll then loop back down the river, calling at Slovakia's capital Bratislava and the Wachau Valley in Austria before returning to Engelhartszell.

Is a Danube river cruise worth it?

Absolutely! 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.

On a river cruise, you can discover multiple destinations – and even get to the heart of them with a guided tour, should you wish – in just one trip, all the while returning to the same luxurious stateroom and comfy bed each night.

What are the best things to do on a Danube river cruise?

One of the highlights of any Danube cruise is the Austrian capital, Vienna, with its musical heritage, imperial palaces, array of art museums, stunning Lipizzaner stallions, and delectable cuisine (a slice of Sachertorte chocolate cake is a must when in town!).

Secondly, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, boasts breath-taking architecture as well as historic thermal baths (pictured above), while Bratislava shouldn’t be overlooked with its lively 18th-century Old Town and impressive reconstructed hilltop castle from which you can look down over it.

Other hotspots along the Danube include the verdant Wachau Valley in Austria, which tumbles down to the riverbanks; and medieval Esztergom, Hungary’s former capital, which is home to the country’s largest church, Esztergom Basilica.

And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship. Join us on our seven-night Danube cruise and you’ll sail aboard A-ROSA FLORA, which boasts an onboard spa offering beauty and body treatments, gym, spacious sun deck, heated outdoor pool, outdoor restaurant with canopy top, bar and dancefloor, lounges and plenty of evening fun.

Which cruise lines offer Danube river cruises?

Among the companies offering cruises along the Danube are A-ROSA Cruises , with whom we have partnered to bring you our remarkable river cruise . A-ROSA has 20-plus years of experience in sailing couples, families, groups and solo travellers along some of Europe’s loveliest rivers in laidback style, giving you lots of freedom to explore port stops at your own pace.

How much does it cost to cruise the Danube?

Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week. 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. You'll also get 15% off treatments in the onboard spa.

Sail the Danube and visit Vienna's famous riding school with Lucy Worsley in September 2024.

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Viking River Cruises’ Romantic Danube: How To Make The Most Of Every Stop

River cruising is a popular way to get the ease and convenience of a cruise while enjoying a more intimate experience.

Viking River Cruises is one of the most recognized names in the industry, and we had the chance to take their eight-day Romantic Danube cruise in the wintertime. The cruise stops vary from year to year and season to season, but each version has stops in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

During our trip, we wanted to indulge in one of our favorite travel hobbies: visiting different European Christmas markets . Not only did we immerse ourselves in many memorable Christmas markets, but we also explored some charming, beautiful, and historically important towns.

Viking River Cruises’ Romantic Danube offers so many different ways to optimize your time. Our experience was absolutely magical, and we wanted to share some suggestions for how to make the most of every stop on this unforgettable itinerary.

We were guests of Viking River Cruises on their Romantic Danube itinerary. All opinions expressed are our own and are based on our experiences.

Nuremberg, Germany

The Romantic Danube itinerary varies, sometimes beginning in Hungary and other times in Germany. The stops may vary slightly as well. But wherever your specific journey takes you along this beautiful river route, you’ll find a lot to explore.

Our itinerary began in the German city of Nuremberg . Steeped in World War II history, it witnessed the rise and fall of the Third Reich. History buffs can visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds , the Nazi Documentation Center , and other historical sites.

But as the second-largest city in Bavaria (after Munich ), Nuremberg also has lots more to offer. The Old Town features beautiful half-timbered houses along with the medieval Imperial Castle . Art lovers can visit the home of German Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer , explore the Germanisches Nationalmuseum , and enjoy numerous art galleries around town.

The food is incredible in Nuremberg, so we recommend having at least one meal or hearty snack ashore. Don’t miss the city’s skinny German sausages served three to a roll or on a plate with sauerkraut or potato salad. Paired with a frosty local beer, it’s a perfect meal.

Stop by the open-air Hauptmarket in the city center for a colorful look at local produce, flowers, handmade gifts, and delicious food specialties. If you happen to be there during the holiday season , you’ll see the transformation of the Old Town into a winter wonderland where over 180 vendors make up the Christkindlesmarkt . Stalls display art, local products, handcrafted goods, and treats of the season. Glittering lights and fresh greenery enhance the festive atmosphere.

Regensburg, Germany

A well-preserved medieval city on the northern portion of the Danube River, Regensburg boasts some of the most interesting historic buildings in Bavaria.

The Altes Rathaus is a bright yellow building dating to the 1200s. The Thurn und Taxis Palace is the impressive residence of an aristocratic family that had amassed a fortune from postal operations in the early 1800s. During the holiday season, a Christmas market springs up on the castle grounds. The Porta Praetoria comprises the ruins of a gateway made of rough stone blocks dating to the 13th century. Neupfarrplatz, a Roman fortress built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, was later home to one of the first Jewish communities in Germany. The ornate German Gothic Saint Peter’s Cathedral is worth seeing, too. Walk across the Old Stone Bridge, a pedestrian walkway over the Danube, and then turn to see the colorful clock tower.

A UNESCO World Heritage site , Regensburg also has great food. The Historische Wurstkuchl , or Historic Sausage Kitchen, is 1,000 years old and the oldest sausage kitchen in Europe, maybe even in the world. If you have time, sit a while at the Weltenburger am Dom , a restaurant and brewery right next to the cathedral. Try the amazing schnitzel with a beer from Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest monastery brewery in the world.

Passau, Germany

Right on the Germany-Austria border, Passau is a picturesque city. It’s known as the City of Three Rivers, since it’s where the Danube, Ilz, and Inn Rivers come together. Something you won’t find in many other places is a wasserstand , a chart depicting high water marks from floods in the city center. It’s drawn on a wall of the old town hall as a reminder that while being at the confluence of three rivers may be beautiful, it is not without risks.

Art is important to Passau, with the city’s modern art museum and a unique glass museum containing more than 30,000 European pieces of art glass. Check out the fun Artists’ Alley, where cobblestones painted in bright colors line the streets and darling boutiques hold plenty of unique souvenirs.

Passau is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the world, with almost 18,000 pipes. It resides in the gorgeous baroque Saint Stephen’s Cathedral. If the timing is right, you could catch a concert for an unforgettable experience.

Modern pleasures in Passau include the Klostergarten, a contemporary park that is home to farmers markets and gardens. It lights up at night with dramatic lighting, water features, and choreographed fountain displays, perfect for enjoying on an evening stroll.

Melk, Austria

As the Romantic Danube cruise moves into Austria, you’ll spot the Melk Abbey standing grandly atop a hill overlooking the Danube. More than just an abbey, it’s a complex comprising seven courtyards, a beautiful church, and a library with over 90,000 volumes and rare manuscripts.

Melk is located in the Wachau Valley , where small towns and monasteries flourished during the Renaissance. The scenery is stunning. Several castles — including Schloss Schallaburg , Schloss Artstetten , and Schloss Schonbuhel — beg to be explored, and the ruins of other castles dot the landscape.

If you’re interested in local food and beverages like we are, the Wachau Valley is renowned for its apricots and wine. In addition to excellent wines made from grapes such as riesling and gruner veltliner, apricot wine, apricot dumplings, apricot cake, and some unique items made with saffron are also local specialties.

Krems is the town at the other end of the valley and is sometimes part of the Romantic Danube itinerary.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are so many things to see, do, and eat that you will not want to waste a moment of your time there.

We have to put the Viennese culinary culture at the top of our list. Famous desserts like sacher torte and apple strudel, gorgeous coffeehouses, incredible farmers markets, delicious street food, and a wide range of restaurants provide many opportunities to sample local delights. Most people don’t know that Vienna is also home to its own wine regions, making the local wine a great option to try.

Music is another highlight of Viennese culture. The City of Music has many venues from which to choose. The Musikverein , Vienna State Opera , Wiener Konzerthaus , and Schonbrunn Palace offer concerts featuring everything from the classical music of Mozart and Strauss to jazz, pop, and rock. There are also cafés, bars, and nightclubs offering food, drinks, and music in a more intimate setting.

World-renowned palaces like Schonbrunn and the Hofburg as well as sacred spaces like Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and Karlskirche impress with their magnificence.

Of course, Vienna also offers gorgeous Christmas markets in stunning venues like the City Hall, Belvedere Palace, Maria Theresien Square, and Schonbrunn Palace, among others.

Animal lovers can check out the elegant Lipizzaner stallions performing at the Spanish Riding School or visit Vienna’s Tiergarten , the oldest zoo in the world.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is actually three different cities: Buda and Obuda on the west side of the Danube  River and Pest on the east side. That only adds to the intrigue of this unique destination.

The quieter Buda side has hills and a funicular, which you can ride to the top for a panoramic view of the Pest side. The City Park is a lovely place to stroll, with botanical gardens, a municipal zoo, the Budapest circus, and a museum of agriculture. There’s also a huge timer containing sand that takes a year to go from the top to the bottom. It’s started all over again every New Year.

The Great Market Hall features three floors of local produce, prepared delicacies, crafts, and souvenirs. If you like to shop, be sure to stroll along Vaci and Kiraly Streets, pedestrian roads full of touristy joints as well as fun local shops and cafés.

Budapest has several spas and thermal baths in which you can relax while also getting your history fix; many of these structures have been around since Ottoman times.

Budapest also boasts several phenomenal holiday markets, including the Advent Feast at the Basilica , considered among the best Christmas markets in Europe.

The folks at Viking River Cruises know that the spectacular Hungarian Parliament Building is a vision at night. They generally provide an opportunity to see it while you’re on the water and make a picture-perfect memory to last a lifetime.

What To Know Before You Go

Viking River Cruises offers several excursions as well as a variety of add-ons. Be sure to take time before your departure to explore what interests you and book anything extra well in advance because space is often limited. While the ship is comfy, the service delightful, and the onboard activities lots of fun, be sure to get out and explore at every stop. There is so much awaiting you on your Romantic Danube journey.

APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

River Cruises from Nuremberg

A cruise starting in Nuremberg is a great way to experience river cruising. We have 45 cruises that range from 6 days up to 14 days in length. The most popular time for river cruises leaving Nuremberg is December.

45 Nuremberg river cruises with 12 reviews

• River Cruise

The Legendary Danube 2024

Festive Season on the Legendary Danube 2025

Grand Christmas & New Year's (2024) (Nuremberg to Budapest, 2024)

Grand Christmas & New Year's (2025) (Nuremberg to Budapest, 2025)

Blue Danube (Nuremberg - Budapest) (9 destinations)

We have done several river cruises before and this was our first with Lueftner. The Amadeus Provence is a fabulous vessel. The accommodations and meals on board were fantastic. It was also good to see a mix of excursions: city vs. outdoors vs. history vs. culture. Completely outside of Lueftner's control, a couple of the locks on the Rhone were closed due to the strikes in France, so we were not able to cruise south of Vienne. But our cruise director Andreea did a fabulous job keeping us updated on the situation, and Lueftner was able to quickly line up coach buses and a hotel stay in Avignon so our excursion schedule was not impacted at all. I highly commend them for their focus on the overall customer experience.

Magic of Advent on the Danube (Nuremberg - Vienna)

Main Experience Nuremberg - Cologne 2024 (7 destinations)

Main Experience Nuremberg - Cologne 2024 (9 destinations)

Legendary Danube 2024

Legendary Danube 2025

Danube Christmas Markets (Start Nuremberg, End Budapest)

Danube in Depth with Ljubljana & Zagreb - Melk > Dürnstein (Start Nuremberg, End Zagreb)

Festive Season on the Legendary Danube 2024

The Legendary Danube 2025

Christmastime on the Danube (Eastbound) 2024

What people love about river cruise tours from nuremberg.

We have done several river cruises before and this was our first with Lueftner. The Amadeus Provence is a fabulous vessel. The accommodations and meals on board were fantastic. It was also good to see a mix of excursions: city vs. outdoors vs. history vs. culture. Completely outside of Lueftner's control, a couple of the locks on the Rhone were closed due to the strikes in France, so we were not able to cruise south of Vienne. But our cruise director Andreea did a fabulous job keeping us updated on the situation, and Lueftner was able to quickly line up coach buses and a hotel stay in Avignon so our excursion schedule was not impacted at all. I highly commend them for their focus on the overall customer experience.

Travel Styles

River cruise from nuremberg.

• to Budapest (20)
• to Vienna (7)
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2-for-1 Flash Sale

Available for a limited time only.

Save big on select 2024 sailings of our all-inclusive, luxury river cruises by booking two guests for the price of one. And keep checking back as we release more sailings throughout the month!

This offer ends on May 10, 2024.

"2-for-1 Flash Sale" offer requires payment in full at time of booking and is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2024 itineraries, departure dates, and stateroom categories only. Bookings must be made between April 16, 2024 and May 10, 2024. Offer applies to full-fare bookings only. All fares and savings listed are in US dollars. Savings featured are for cruise or cruise/tour only. Savings featured are per person based on double occupancy, and do not apply to other optional vacation add-ons. Rates and savings vary by itinerary and departure date. Offer is not combinable with any other promotional offer, program, or price protection credits except standard River Heritage Club member savings/benefits. All applicable discounts are applied sequentially; fixed savings amounts are deducted prior to applying any percentage-based discounts. Offer is capacity controlled and may be modified or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires May 10, 2024.

Burgundy & Provence

8 days | Arles to Lyon

Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin on this exquisite journey through southern France.

From* $2,099 per person

2-for-1 Fares on select staterooms

*From price based on November 3, 2024 sailing date

Delightful Danube

8 days | Budapest to Nuremberg

An extraordinary journey for aficionados of European history, music and art.

From* $2,199 per person

*From price based on August 16, 2024 sailing date

Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley

11 days | Porto to Lisbon

An extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers, with a highlight hotel stay in Lisbon.

From* $2,999 per person

*From price based on July 28, 2024 sailing date

Douro River Valley

8 days | Porto to Porto

An extraordinary journey designed for culturally curious travelers.

From* $2,499 per person

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• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Budapest to Regensburg
• Regensburg to Budapest

Romantic Danube

• From $2,399
• 5 Guided Tours
• 3 Countries
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Budapest to Regensburg Regensburg to Budapest
• Day 1 Budapest, Hungary
• Day 2 Budapest, Hungary
• Day 3 Vienna, Austria
• Day 4 Vienna, Austria
• Day 5 Krems, Austria
• Day 6 Passau, Germany
• Day 7 Regensburg, Germany
• Day 8 Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg, Germany

Having escaped major damage during World War II, the picturesque town of Regensburg is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, the oldest city along the Danube and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Stone Bridge, constructed in the 12th century, is a masterpiece of medieval engineering with its 16 arches. St. Peter’s Cathedral is widely considered Bavaria’s best Gothic architectural work. The old town’s Neupfarrplatz square is a cross section of history—it was once a thriving Jewish quarter, a bustling marketplace and the site of Nazi book burnings.

Shore Excursions

Regensburg Walking Tour

Witness a true medieval city untouched by World War II bombing and rich in architectural splendor.

Historic Regensburg & Jewish Heritage

Discover Regensburg during a walking tour and learn more about the city’s Jewish heritage.

Weltenburg Abbey & the Danube Narrows

Visit a splendid abbey, founded in the 7th century, at a spectacularly scenic bend in the Danube Narrows.

Munich Highlights

See the cultural and historic highlights of one of Germany’s most relaxed cities at the foothills of the Alps.

Bavarian Beer Culture

Sample a selection of Bavaria’s best-loved brews, accompanied by classic biergarten fare.

Historic Nuremberg

Tour one of Germany’s most renowned and intriguing cities on this full-day excursion.

Cooking with Karine: Bratwurst

Taste a variety of German delicacies with Karine in Nuremberg’s medieval district, and learn some of the best side dishes to go with them, perhaps paired with a local brew.

German Language Lesson

Learn a few useful German words and phrases with Rebecca, your Viking tutor. Prost!

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