Are you ready to dip more than just your toes into the cruise waters? Picture this: a leisurely river cruise along the enchanting Western Danube.

Why Choose a River Cruise?

• Relaxation: Drift along at a soothing pace, savoring every moment.

• Shore Excursions: Explore charming towns and historic sites.

• Deck Delights: Lounge with a captivating book or soak up the sun.

• Biking and Hiking: Rent a bike or take a scenic hike.

• Culinary Adventures: Shop with the chef, learn to cook local dishes.

• Views Galore: Every cabin boasts a window to Europe’s beauty.

 

GetAway Travel invites you to unlock a whole new dimension of Europe.  Book your Western Danube cruise now and let the river weave its magic!

Old World Capitals, elegant architecture

There are a variety of cruises with a variety of stops so you can chose your cruise option based on time on the river, and destinations.

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe and it flows through 10 countries including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. A river cruise gives you a great blend of bigger cities, picturesque towns and charming villages with enchanting scenery including the lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley.

Many cruises start in Budapest, Hungary’s picturesque capital city. The Danube splits the city which guarantees fabulous views from the river of many of the city’s architectural wonders. You can actually get the best view of the Parliament Complex from the river. The largest structure in Budapest, it is also the most photographed and it looks awesome no matter what time of day. The Parliament Building, Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Stephen’s Basilica glow like they are made of gold at night.

Then there’s Vienna which just exudes culture and royal ambiance. There’s the oldest zoo in the world, clusters of amazing palaces like the Schönbrunn and Belvedere and interesting museums.  The Blue Danube Waltz was inspired by the majestic Danube River, which flows through Vienna. The Danube holds a special place in European history and culture, and Johann Strauss captured its beauty and grandeur in song, written while he was living in Vienna.  If you have the sound on, you may even be listening to it now.

Perhaps your cruise includes Salzburg. The birthplace of Mozart and “The Sound of Music” just looks like a backdrop to a fabulous movie. Its cultural importance is renowned, which is why it is a UNESCO Word Heritage site.

Charming towns and wine

 Linz is the third largest city in Austria and it was named a European Capital of Culture in 2009. The city is making a name for itself in the areas of computer art and digital design. There are great sculptures along the riverbank and the modern buildings are lighted with LED lights.

The Ars Electronic Center is a museum and development center for media arts. Learn about robots, artificial intelligence and so much more.

Austria’s Wachau Region is one of Austria’s best-known wine producing areas with Dürnstein being a popular destination. The vineyards are visible along the riverbank. They are on the flat areas, and terraced up the sheer hillsides. The region is known for its rieslings, but is also a prime spot for growing apricots. Sample some apricot dumplings, strudel and apricot brandy!

You can see the ruins of the Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held captive by Duke Leopold V.

The Blue Church has a striking blue and white spire. The church is a fine example of Gothic Architecture and the interior features intricate stained glass windows and a great collection of religious art.

Historic cities with striking architecture

Passau is located in Germany where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers converge. The city made a name for itself during the Renaissance because swords and other bladed weapons were manufactured here and bore the coveted “Passau Wolf” hallmark. The famous hallmark supposedly made warriors invincible.

St. Stephens Cathedral, a beautiful Baroque-style church is worth a visit. This lovely church was the most recent to be built on the site of several other churches. The current church was built in 1680 and it contains one of the largest pipe organs in the world.

The Romer Museum was built on an old Roman fort. It contains fascinating archeological finds from the area.

In addition to weapons, Passau is also recognized for glass production. UNESCO has recognized Passau as one of Germany’s “Cultured Properties of National Significance.” The Passau Glass Museum has glass collections and glassmaking materials from Bavaria, Bohemia, Austria and Silesta. The 15,000 pieces span 300 years of the craft.

Regensburg, Bavaria is an eclectic mix of Roman, Romanesque and Gothic buildings, surrounded by stone walls. Built as a trading city by the Romans, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cross the Danube on the famous Roman stone bridge to the island of Stadtamhof. Once a separate medieval village, it is full of historic buildings which have become artist studios.

Regensburg Cathedral is one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture in Bavaria. It is as impressive inside as it is on the outside. It houses the world’s largest hanging organ, awesome stained glass windows and a silver altar.  The organ was a relatively recent addition in 2009 – being the largest and heaviest hanging organ in the world. It is 37-tons with 80 stops/registers, and a total of 5871 pipes.  The organ is suspended on four steel cables fixed into a steel structure above the vaulting

The Old Chapel, also known as the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, is the oldest church in Bavaria. Its renovated interior is done in 18th century rococo.

There are some great museums to see including the Regensburg Museum of History, Museum of Bavarian History, Natural History Museum of Eastern Bavaria and the Regensburg Museum of Danube Shipping.

Are you thinking about a laid-back river adventure with lots of city and port options? Your travel advisor at GetAway Travel can help you pick the option just right for you! Reach us at (262) 538-2140, or e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel