Budapest - WOW! This city is unlike any other I have visited. With so much to see on the Buda and the Pest side, two days was not enough to explore it all. The city's history from Roman times to the Austro-Hungarian empire then the Soviet-bloc and now present day meant you fascinating stories, beautiful architecture and unique points of interest around every corner. The different neighborhoods take you through different worlds. The hustle and bustle of Zrinyi St. leading to St. Stephen's Basilica reminded me of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, while the cobblestone streets of the Buda Castle district gave you the feeling of walking through a tuscan village. These diverse areas make the city so special. The final highlight of Budapest is wandering the waterfront at night. There is no city that compares to the beauty of Budapest lit up at night, every bridge, building, church, castle and the iconic parliament are glittering in yellow lights.
Vienna - A highlight and must see destination for many. Revisiting Vienna nearly ten years after my first trip to this fun meandering city was very exciting. The guided bike tour my father and I did allowed us to ride the Ring Road and explore the many iconic sites along the way (Imperial Palace, State Opera, Parliament, Stadt Park and Prater Amusement Park (oldest in the world) along with many other fun summer spots). Seeing these highlights by bike was a great way to understand the city from the big picture. In the afternoon I returned to the historic city center and explored the narrow winding streets and shops. What truly made the stop in Vienna special was ending it like a local. From where our ship was docked you could walk to Donauinsel (Danube Island) where locals gathered on the grassy knolls, kids jumped off the docks into the water, and couples lounged on the banks in their swimsuits. Nothing felt more appropriate for a summer trip to Europe than strolling along Donauinsel after a full day in Vienna.
Salzburg - Is typically a day trip option for any Danube River Cruise. The port city of Linz which holds its own unique history, activities and Ars Electronica Center, a museum of technology unlike any other is great to explore. However if you prefer to get out of Linz for the day you had the option to visit Salzburg or head north to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Growing up watching The Sound of Music meant I had to see Salzburg for myself. The bus ride to Salzburg is nice but nothing special, once you arrive in the city and walk across the Salzach river to the old city is when the beauty begins. You can get caught up in the busy shopping streets, or stand with the crowd taking photos of Mozart's house, or explore the gardens where scenes from The Sound of Music were shot. I enjoyed all of these tourist highlights then spent my afternoon walking through the city and making my way to Museum der Moderne which sits on the cliffs and overlooks the city. I enjoyed the birds eye view and chance to stroll along the forested path that winds around above the city, before ending my day with a beer at the Stiegl biergarten.
While these were my top three cities each destination along the Danube had something unique to offer; Bratislava with it’s Soviet-bloc history, Durnstein’s beautiful vineyards and castle where Richard the Lionheart was kept prisoner, Grein provided a look into small town Austrian life and the chance to enjoy the beauty of the river valley, and Passau’s iconic location where two countries and three rivers joining together.
The cultural variety, scenery and mix of large and small cities are what solidified the Danube’s spot as one of Europe’s most iconic rivers to explore via the comfort of a river cruise!
Melodies of the Danube - Father Daughter Trip
- Tours and Food the AmaWaterways Experience
- City Highlights Along the Danube River
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