Viking River Cruises

Romantic Danube - Budapest to Nuremberg

Itinerary Overview

Cruise the Danube, the celebrated river immortalized by Strauss in his famous Blue Danube waltz. Your seven-night cruise will show you the hilltop castles and quaint towns of the pristine Wachau and Altmühl Valleys. Your ship will call on the grand cities and quaint villages in Austria and Germany, allowing you ample time to explore baroque abbeys, magnificent cathedrals and stroll narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. In Budapest, you can venture to Fishermen’s Bastion, and in Vienna, add the Hofburg Palace to your list of must-see sights. Indulge your taste buds in the region’s wines and savory authentic dishes. Learn the legends of this unique corner of the world, and see for yourself why the romantic Danube is such a treasured river.

What's Included

• 8-day/7-night cruise with river-view, outside cabin onboard deluxe Viking Europe, Viking Pride or Viking Spirit
• 7 tours with private, English-speaking guides: Budapest; Vienna; Melk/Benedictine abbey; Passau/organ concert; Regensburg; Kelheim/Weltenburg Abbey/Danube Gorge by boat; Nuremberg
• All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
• Private motorcoach for all coach excursions
• Welcome Cocktail & Farewell Dinner
• Old World Highlights: Port lectures by your knowledgeable Cruise Manager, apple strudel making demonstration and the baroque grandeur and great art of the Benedictine Abbey at Melk
• Individual port guides for on-your-own exploring
• Onboard currency exchange services
• All port charges included

Ship

Detailed Itinerary

This enchanting and exotic capital of Hungary straddles the banks of the Danube and is divided into two distinct parts, traditional Buda and more modern Pest. Budapest is aptly called "Paris of the East," for its beautiful evening illumination and reflected lights in the Danube's waters. The old city features amazing examples of architecture such as Buda Castle, the baroque Parliament building, Chain Bridge and Matthias church, where the coronation ceremonies of Hungarian Kings were held. Gellert Hill, high above the city, offers not-to-be missed views.

This capital city of Austria is filled with green parks, elegant stores, theatres and gracious boulevards. Known as the "City of Waltzes," Vienna is considered the center of classical music, where Strauss, Beethoven and Mozart composed many of their finest pieces. Any visitor to Vienna should be sure to stop in one of the city's famous cafes to taste the delectable Sacher Torte. Noted landmarks include the impressive Hofsburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, and lavish Schönbrunn Palace, the preferred residence of the Hapsburgs.

Set amidst an important wine-growing region with picturesque villages and hilltop castles, the charming city of Melk lies at the confluence of the Danube and Melk Rivers at the base of the Wachau Valley. An imposing 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a breathtaking example of baroque architecture, overlooks the town from its dramatic hilltop location. This architectural treasure has 365 windows, one for each day of the year. Its beautiful library houses medieval manuscripts and marvelous frescoes by Paul Troger, and its meticulously kept grounds are inviting and picturesque.

Linz - Evening at leisure

Linz was the setting for Lentia, the Roman castle and settlement in the 1st century A.D. Today, Linz’s art, history and architecture make it an inspiring city to visit and a leading cultural center of Austria.

Set at the confluence of Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers, enchanting Passau is home to charming cobblestone streets, elegantly colored building facades, and graceful arcades. Founded by the Celts more than 2,000 years ago, it is one of Bavaria's oldest cities. Passau's baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes, which is still used for concerts today.

Having escaped major damage during World War II, the picturesque town of Regensburg, is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities and the oldest city along the Danube. Its history dates back to its founding by Marcus Aurelius, more than 2,000 years ago. Amidst its many architectural highlights to see are the Old Stone Bridge, constructed in the 12th century, and St. Peter's Cathedral with its single remaining romanesque tower around which the new gothic cathedral was constructed.

Kelheim - Weltenburg Abbey & Danube Gorge by boat

The beautiful city of Kelheim is located at the confluence of the Danube River and the Main-Danube Canal. This town was the first residence of the Wittelsbach princes, and was granted town rights as early as 1181. The city is the gateway for excursions via small ferries through the dramatic scenery of the Danube Gorge. With its 400-foot cliffs, this Gorge is the river's steepest, narrowest area and is justly famous for its stunning scenery. Nearby is Weltenberg Abbey, one of the oldest monasteries in Bavaria, founded in 610 A.D. and well known for the brewing of dark ale, a tradition begun in 1050.

Throughout history, man has tried to alter the course of Europe's major rivers to ameliorate the journey across Europe. Twelve thousand years ago Charlemagne dreamed of connecting the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, uniting them in one watercourse between the North Sea and Black Sea. In 1992, this dream was realized with the opening of the 106-mile-long Main-Danube Canal. The addition of the canal created a 2,200 mile-long waterway, which passes through 15 countries and hundreds of inland ports.

Nuremburg - Coach & walking tour; free time

The second largest city in Bavaria, Nuremburg is filled with gothic churches and traditional half-timbered houses. Although nearly destroyed during World War II, the protective city walls still feature some of the ancient moats, tall watchtowers and grand gateways. Nuremberg was long known for its metal and toy craftsmanship, and the city's modern historical significance can be traced to its role as the location for the post-World War II war crimes trials of the Nazis at the Palace of Justice. These trials were immortalized in the 1961 film, Judgment at Nuremberg.

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$257 per person per night in low season and
$300 pp pn in high season

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$371 per person per night in low season and
$414 pp pn in high season