A Danube river cruise is a voyage of discovery through the heart of Europe
The River Danube rises in the Black Forest of southwestern Germany and passes through scenic landscapes and historic cities on its 2800 km course through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, flowing out to the Black Sea.
Over the centuries riverside settlements have developed into great cities, notably Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade. The route is rich in architectural and cultural assets, fascinating museums and art collections and world-class concert halls. The diversity of sights and experiences - makes the Danube a popular choice for river cruise holidays.
There are thoroughly modern shopping centres along with fascinating old town sections of the cities that have huge potential for exploring on shore excursions.
A Danube river cruise is a great way of touring Europe without flying and there is a variety of river ships, fitted out as first-class floating hotels, available.
Options range from a four-day trip from Vienna to Regensburg on board the luxury river ship the Premicon Queen to a ten-day cruise from Passau to Bucharest on the Amadeus Royal or Amadeus Diamond. The Mozart offers an eight-day cruise round trip cruise starting and finishing in Passau, taking in Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. Combined with the Ijssel, Rhine and Main waterways, the Danube also features in longer cruises across Europe all the way from Amsterdam to the Black Sea.
The cities on the Danube such as Vienna and Budapest are destinations in their own right and have huge scope for pre- and post-cruise stays. An overnight call in Vienna can be combined with attendance at a classical music concert. Several attractions along the Danube’s course are Unesco World Heritage Sites, including the Wachau Valley, an area of picturesque landscape and Austria’s wine producing region. The Danube Delta is an area of natural beauty rich in wildlife and is great for bird watching.
River cruising vessels on the Danube
The ships cruising the Danube offer all the comforts of modern first class hotels and the atmosphere of a small ship that is not attainable on ocean-going liners. The emphasis is on combining a luxury experience on board with appreciation of the ever-changing scenery; so large windows, spacious decks and lounge areas are key features.
The Premicon Queen is a floating grand hotel with a panoramic lounge, a gourmet onboard dining room and spacious cabins and suites.
The sister ships Amadeus Diamond and Amadeus Royal have outside cabins and suites designed with large panoramic windows.
The Mozart is one of the most luxurious river cruise ships in the world and has a swimming pool on board.
The River Cloud is an opulent river yacht that combines 1930s nostalgic charm with modern facilities. Her sister ship River Cloud II also has a Steinway grand piano in the lounge.
The dining room and lounge on the Poetry have floor to ceiling windows so guests can make the most of the unfolding scenery, and the A-Rosa Bella and A-Rosa Mia have trade-mark spa facilities onboard.
The interior of the deluxe river cruiser, Casanova, resembles a country house with polished wood panelling and original works of art on the walls.
The River Princess, River Countess, River Empress and River Duchess are identical ships of the Uniworld fleet of boutique hotel style cruisers, which feature exquisite décor and lavish accommodation. Classic design and comfort are the hallmarks also of the River Ambassador and River Queen.
Danube ports of call
One of the main embarkation ports for a Danube cruise is the city of Passau in Lower Bavaria, close to the border with Austria, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers converge. The city is noted for its winding streets and alleyways and its Gothic and Baroque architecture. St Stephen’s Cathedral is worth a visit to see and hear the largest pipe organ in Europe. Passau is on one of Germany’s inter-city mainline rail routes and is well served by autobahns (A3 and A92 from Frankfurt and Munich). Munich and Linz are closest airports.
Passau does not have international chain hotels, but a range of accommodation mainly in old buildings. Hotel Residenz, for example, stands on the Danube riverbank in the city centre, a short walk from the Cathedral and the beautiful Baroque square, Residenzplatz. Hotel Weisser Hase is in a 16th century building located in the pedestrianised shopping area, and the rooms feature paintings by a noted local artist.
The ten-day Blue Danube Cruise on board the Amadeus Royal, and an 8-day roundtrip cruise on the Mozart both begin in Passau. Each cruise starts in the afternoon and dinner is served on board as the ship heads downstream, cruising overnight.
Nearby, Regensburg is a popular stopping point for cruises. It’s a medieval city with townhouses dating from the 12th and 14th centuries and a cathedral with impressive stained glass windows. The Palace Museum is worth a visit to see the magnificent rooms of the former residence of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis.
The old city of Durnstein is the first stop on the Mozart cruise. This is the main city of Austria’s beautiful Wachau Valley, and is known for its Heurigen, wine taverns where you can tour the cellars and taste the local produce often in the company of the wine producer in person. Durnstein has a connection with English history – it was here that Richard the Lionheart was held captive for a time in the castle above the town, on his way back from the Crusades in 1192.
The river port of Melk is renowned for its magnificent 15th century Baroque abbey, a Benedictine monastery. Extensive renovation has restored the monastery to its former glory and its history is told with the aid of state-of-the computer presentations. Some of the old shops in the town have ancient wall paintings depicting their trade. The town hall facade includes an elaborate wood and copper door.
Austria’s capital, Vienna, is the next stop, and also the starting point for the Danube Waves and Viennese Waltzes cruise on board the Premicon Queen. Vienna has all the amenities of a modern capital city including almost 500 hotels.
Vienna is connected daily flights from London and other major cities and has excellent rail and road links, for anyone who wishes to spend a few days in the city before embarking on a river cruise.
A wealth of music, art, cinema and theatre performance is a major feature of cultural life in Vienna, but never more so than during the Vienna Festival that runs throughout May and the first half of June.
Shore excursions from the cruise ships include a city walking tour and visits to the Schonbrunn Palace or the Royal Hunting grounds.
Vienna is renowned for its laid-back café society – and sampling a Viennese pastry and coffee is a must.
Bratislava, is the next port of call where a visit to the 13th century castle is rewarded with breathtaking views over the three countries, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. A lively, modern city, music is big in Bratislava. The annual Bratislava Music Festival in September is followed by Jazz Days in October. In December the city’s Christmas markets rival those of Germany, and New Year ’s Eve is national party time.
The river meanders in a roughly east-west direction until it turns abruptly at the famous Danube Bend. The royal town of Esztergom was once the Hungarian capital and is the birthplace of St Stephen, the first King of Hungary. The restored castle is an impressive museum and the Basilica on top of Castle Hill is Hungary’s largest church.
The approach to the river cruise mooring point in Budapest is magnificent as the gothic Parliament building comes into view. This is a city two halves; Buda is the older and more graceful with cobbled streets, medieval architecture, the castle and cathedral, and Pest, the modern commercial centre with wide avenues and a lively shopping centre. The two sides of the city are joined by bridges spanning the Danube. A visit to Budapest is an opportunity for traditional-style spa therapy in one of its many baths.
On the way south towards Belgrade, there is the small riverside town of Kalocsa. This is a centre for crafts such as lace-making and pottery, and a tour could include a display of Hungarian horsemanship.
The Danube passes through Novi Sad, where the river winds round a rocky promontory on which stands the fortress of Petrovaradin. Here the former military barracks house the city’s museum, an art academy, a hotel and workshops of a community of artists. The fortress is the venue in July for the Exit music festival, a celebration of modern club dance music that attracts top bands and DJs.
The river winds its way over the flat lands of the Panonian plain towards Belgrade where the Danube meets the Sava River. Belgrade has largely recovered from its recent history of conflict and is once again a thriving city and the capital of Serbia. The older part is dominated by Kalemegadan Fortress overlooking the rivers and a city tour should include the well-known artists' district of Skadarlija, with its narrow streets and old-style cafés and bars. Below is New Belgrade, which a new development of commercial and residential buildings including the Sava Centre, a modern convention and concert venue.
The next stretch of the Danube is quite scenic, as it cuts its way through the Carpathian Mountains, to a narrow gorge known as the Iron Gates. This was once the most hazardous part of the river, but the creation of a hydro-electric dam has helped raise the water level and cruise ships must negotiate a series of locks.
Next stop is the small river port of Svistov, and a chance to visit Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria. Nearby is the riverside town of Rousse, where there is the Ivanovo Rock Monastery, a collection of chapels and caves with frescoed walls. Just outside the town is the Friendship Bridge, the border crossing over the Danube between Bulgaria and Romania.
The river then divides into the Danube Delta, an area renowned for its wildlife and a delight for birdwatchers. Over 300 species of birds can be spotted and the marshland has a rich diversity of plant species. The main section of the Danube is the St George Channel which leads to the port of Chiciu. There’s not much here and after disembarking from the cruise ship, transport is available to the Romanian capital, Bucharest. On the 10-day Blue Danube Cruise, a night in a hotel is included to conclude the cruise.
Bucharest is a city with historical charm. The old quarter is being restored gradually, but the city is largely influenced by French style architecture and neo-classical buildings remodelled in the 19th century. The city has an abundance of art galleries, theatres, music venues and jazz clubs.
In September Bucharest’ opera houses and concert halls host the George Enescu International Festival, a prestigious event named after Romania’s most famous musician and composer, which attracts orchestras and musicians from all over the world – including this year the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Nash Ensemble from London.
One extraordinary legacy of the period of Nicolae Ceausescu's dictatorship is the People’s Palace, now the Romanian Parliament and the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.
Bucharest has a range of modern hotels for a post-cruise stay, and the international airport has direct flights to London and other major European cities.
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