The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe, spanning from the Black Forest region of Germany and pouring out into the Black Sea. The river’s flow takes it through portions of 10 countries, affording visitors who travel the waterway a transcontinental adventure. Blue Horizon Travel & Yacht Charters is currently planning two trips to the region in 2016, with options for travelers to enjoy both trips for an unbeatable experience.
In the first of the two trips, the Danube from West to East cruise, guests will travel to Nuremberg, Germany and set out on a seven-day journey down the historic river from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30. After an evening in Nuremberg, guests will board the ship and travel to the nearby town of Roth for a day of sightseeing and exploration, including opportunities to visit the industrial museum and check out the historic buildings in this textile manufacturing center. The third day takes the cruise downriver to Regensburg, one of the best preserved German cities. Here travelers can take guided walking tours of the city’s ancient locales, ranging from the remains of a Roman fort to the Altes Rathaus, or the Old Town Hall, dating to the 13th century.
On day four, the cruise meets up with the Inn and Ilz rivers in Passau, a quaint riverside town featuring plenty of buildings constructed in the Italian baroque style, as well as one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Several off-ship excursions are also possible, with travelers rejoining the vessel later as it floats into Austria where activities start on day five. The city of Melk offers guests an opportunity to take a guided tour of an 11th-century Benedictine abbey, featuring spectacular views and a library filled with literature preserved for a millennium. The cruise then departs onward through the Wachau Valley – a UNESCO world heritage site! – and ends the day in Vienna, with an evening concert option in the “City of Music.”
Day six lets travelers explore this great city, which inspired Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. It also once served as the capital of the Habsburg Empire, and the city’s historic Hofburg Imperial Palace complex – with portions dating back to the 13th century – continues to serve as the current president of Austria’s offices and residence. With plenty to explore and great shops and restaurants to take in, there’s no shortage of excitement in Vienna. Late in the day, guests board the vessel and set course for the last stop of the journey – Budapest, Hungary. On day seven and into the morning of the final day of the cruise trip, travelers can freely explore this lively and bustling Eastern European cultural center, taking in guided sightseeing tours, historic churches and locations, and the city’s many beautiful bridges, including the 1849 Chain Bridge – a symbol of the city.
After a morning breakfast on the eighth day, visitors can either explore on their own, return home or join other travelers for a weeklong extension of the cruise, taking visitors from Budapest through Bucharest. Check out our next blog post for more on this exciting add-on to extend your trip and see even more of the sights and culture of the Danube!
Take a look at even more information on the Danube West to East cruise trip, or contact Blue Horizon Travel to book your trip today!
