Danube River Cruise
Listed under River Trips in Passau, Germany.
These great rivers have so many ports to visit that even a journey of a single day gives a sense of the history of such a great and important trade route. And that is what this river represents, a great slinking, dragging, proud trade route though Europe, all her important cities, or those with the greatest wealth at least line its banks, all pointed spires and crowded, yet beautiful architecture.
Passau at the juncture of three great rivers is the first of the larger towns and cities, and an excellent introduction, in its history and architecture, for what follows. Irrigating the wine region of Wachau on its meander between Melk and Krems, the river carves through a broad, hill lined valley famous for vineyards and orchards. Melk Abbey is a beautiful Baroque sight and has towers and architecture worth disembarking for, as well as an ancient library and walls hung with paintings of Austrian heritage and nobility, and if you do, you must also venture down the medieval lanes and alleys of Krems and drink the Riesling the local people are so proud to produce. If you have only time for one day on the river this is the Danube at its most scenic and there is easy access from Vienna, which should probably be your next significant stop on your journey down river, but not before you pass a portion almost as lovely, where castles perched on the rivers bend, including the lovely Schonbuhel Castle, answer every corner turned.
Bratislava follows Vienna, then its Budapest and there the more historic and beautifully scenic section of the Danube ends, I believe.
Written by 
Lesley Harris.
Other expert and press reviews
“The river Danube by ferry”
By Richard Green for Times Online First Published 4th September 2009 I would like to travel along some of the river Danube, possibly between Vienna, Belgrade, Budapest and Bucharest, but do not want to do a cruise. Do you know if there are any local fe… Read more...
Written by press. Continue reading on timesonline.co,uk
Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers
I wish to travel along the Danube from Budapest to Belgrade, first week in June. What are my option
2 Replies
Hi Shaun - Have a look at this page for a list of the people you need to speak to about this: www.worldreviewer.com/holiday/cruises/in-europe
World Reviewer Staff
- posted 17th April 2010
Hi Sean , I too would like to travel from budapest to belgrade by ferry etc on Danube but I am not good surfing the net. If you discover a simple cheap route please let me know Tom
thomas
- posted 26th April 2010
Dear Friends,
The Danube river doesn't even touch Ukraine! The beautiful picture of a bridge was taken in Hungary (Budapest). The bridge is called Chain Bridge (Lanc hid)
The Danube River
As well being know for having its own waltz, the Danube is famous for playing an integral role in European history. Birth place of several European civilisations, for centuries the river has acted as a physical border between ten of the nations along its course and has provided a vital European trade route for an additional ten countries. Since 1992, the Danube has been part of a trade route from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
Starting in the Mountains of Germany’s Black Forest, the Danube reaches the Black Sea via the Danube Delta in Romania. The reeded, marsh lands of the delta are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of their position on the migratory route of several large species of bird and are a great place to bird watch. If you visit the cities along the river's route and drink water from the taps you will be drinking the Danube (purified of course) - just another way to experience it...
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Related links
- Passau travel guide
- Bavaria travel guide
- Germany travel guide
- Germany travel specialists
- The best River Trips
- The best Cruising
I WANT TO TAKE A VEHICLE ON A FERRY TO PASSAU GERMANY I AM TRAVELLING FROM VARNA IN BULGARIA WHAT IS THE NEAREST PORT