Pipe Organ
Gliding along the blue and wide Danube River was a sleek and long riverboat. This was followed by what seemed to be a procession of other riverboats, but actually was only 2 or 3, although many more cruised by later in the day. I had arrived in Passau, Germany the previous evening and was now on a leisurely walk along the river path near where the waters of the blue Danube River and Inn River meet. Some of these ships docked in Passau while others continued downstream to Vienna and even Budapest.
In the following days I learned why this is the best way to explore Europe:
1. What a Hassle free Vacation - Your ship is your motor coach, hotel and dining room combined. Unlike a motor coach tour you pack and unpack only once and you don't need to get up at some early hour. The crew is attentive and because these are smaller ships you have the opportunity to share experiences with the other passengers easily. As you travel through the heart of Europe you can explore or relax as much as you want. You are in a foreign country but all the arrangements have been made for you.
2. Choice of Danube River Boats - I had no idea of the large number of cruise lines sailing this historic route. And I shouldn't really call them river boats as these are luxury ships a few stories high with fine dining rooms, libraries and other public rooms. Elegant staterooms rooms dot each side of the ships.
3. An Amazing Itinerary - The Danube is the longest river in Western Europe and with connecting waterways to other rivers there are an incredible diversity of itineraries available in varied lengths starting from 7 days. All the Danube cruise itineraries sail at least from Passau, Germany to Vienna, but may originate in Nuremberg or further upstream. Heading downstream the cruise finishes in Vienna or Budapest, Hungary. You Danube river cruise will always include Germany and Austria, but many itineraries also include Hungary, Slovakia and other countries as well.
4. Sightseeing - The ships dock right in the heart of your port of call so you are easily able to explore, return to the ship with your shopping and head out again. In Europe the main museums, churches, city squares, old medieval districts other attractions tend to be centrally located which is near where your ship (floating hotel) will dock. Many of the cruise lines offer interesting shore excursions including wine tastings, cycling, apple strudel making and others.
5. You Get Scenery 24/7 - On deck or from your stateroom there is always an interesting panorama along the blue Danube... the Austrian wine district of Wachau, the cathedrals at Melk and Passau, quaint shops in Durnstein, castles, historic ferris wheel in Vienna dating from the 186o's, the cyclists traveling along the bicycle paths on both shores and much more. I mentioned the wine district but of course Germany and Austria also have excellent beers which you can enjoy onboard the ship or in the beer gardens on shore.
6. Culture - Depending on your itinerary you may listen to music from the world's largest pipe organ at St. Stephen's in Passau, see the opera in Vienna. To me culture is sitting in an outside café with excellent coffee and a pastry for which Vienna is famous for and watching the people strolling the pedestrian only streets.
7. Pre & post tours - When your cruise ends you will be in the heart of Europe which is a great base to explore nearby cities such as Salzburg or Munich and the nearby Bavarian castles built by King Ludwig. A Danube River cruise may be the easiest and most enjoyable way to explore historic Europe.
Tom Oxby is a former travel agent and travel industry instructor who has toured and cruised the world. For tips on enjoying the cruise experience go to http://danubecruiseguide.com
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