Five reasons to choose the Danube for your next river cruise
Looking for your next wish-list river cruise? Tick off four fascinating European capitals with a sailing along the winding River Danube.
When it comes to exploring Europe, few types of travel can match up to river cruising for its carefree pace, ease of access, and ability to showcase the finer details of each destination. That’s why we’re proud to partner with CroisiEurope, which has operated first-class sailings for more than 50 years. The only thing left for you to consider is where your sailing will take you next, and that’s where the River Danube comes in.
Cutting a path through four major capitals, this world-famous waterway ranks amongst Europe’s longest and most celebrated routes. Stretching 2,850 kilometres, this winding river takes in no fewer than 10 countries, from Germany and Austria to the Balkans, and it promises a fantastic variety of unique regional highlights. It’s for this reason, alongside many others, that the Danube is one of the most popular choices for river cruises. Here’s why you should experience it for yourself.
Why choose the Danube for your next wish-list sailing?
1. Four riverside capitals
Passing through more capital cities than any other river in the world – four, including Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Belgrade – the Danube makes it easier than ever to cross multiple highlights of your travel wish-list. Embrace the grand imperial wonders and café culture of elegant Vienna, explore the historic Slovakian capital, and soak up Hungary’s split city, Budapest, with its ever-popular thermal baths. Few holiday types allow you to experience such a variety of distinct cultural highlights in close succession, and fewer still make the transitions between them quite as effortless as a river cruise.
2. Enchanting European scenery
The best part of exploring this route by riverboat, for many, is that the wish-list experiences aren’t limited to each excursion. By choosing a river cruise, you’ll enjoy taking it all in at a lighter pace, where the journey between each port of call matters as much as the destinations themselves.
With themed nights on board offering an intimate introduction to each region’s local culture, and an assortment of Europe’s most impressive landscapes, there’ll be plenty to enjoy as you sail. Watch the sun rise over the vineyard-laden Wachau Valley, marvel at the towering walls of the Iron Gates Gorge, and see Budapest’s famous waterfront at its most atmospheric in the evening light. There’s no set itinerary once you’re back on board the ship, meaning you’ll be free to soak up each local highlight however you see fit.
3. History at every turn
It’s not just the cosmopolitan capitals that’ll impress on the Danube, and there’s a host of charming rural towns that are sure to be just as memorable. From Melk, with its thousand-year-old Benedictine Abbey, to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was held captive after the Third Crusade, a wide array of historic discoveries awaits by the riverside.
Bratislava's old town is another highlight, and the medieval, Baroque and Art Nouveau masterpieces, set within a few streets of each other, characterise the influences that have shaped the Slovakian capital. Better yet, with easy access from your cruise ship, often docking in the heart of each city, centuries of European history are never more than a short walk from your cabin.
4. A route of contrasts
While one of the Danube’s most enticing qualities is its sheer number of wish-list highlights, something that many don’t appreciate is just how unique each port of call is. As you might expect, covering 10 countries means contrasts are central to the river’s identity, and no two days of exploration will feel the same. Idyllic countryside stretches give way to the energy of each city, and intimate introductions to the local culture can be enjoyed amongst the Danube’s smaller towns.
Budapest itself is a city of contrasts, with Buda’s ancient landmarks complementing Pest’s lively shopping areas perfectly, and it embodies the Danube’s diversity perfectly. What’s more, you can then take your exploration further with an excursion to the ‘cowboy’ ranches of the Puszta grassland, an ideal change of pace from the bustle of the city. Elsewhere, travelling by river cruise ensures you’ll experience the Danube’s full range of highlights and contrasts.
5. A more leisurely way to travel
One of the best parts about travelling by river cruise is just how easy it makes exploring. With hassle-free travel and no need to haul your luggage between hotels, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed experience on your first-class ship. Pair this with comfortable private cabins, refined public areas, and viewing areas that offer unrestricted views of each breathtaking vista, to elevate your Danube experience even further.
With all-inclusive service on CroisiEurope, you won’t need to worry about finding restaurant recommendations in each city and will enjoy an authentic taste of each region’s local cuisine as you sail. Also included in the price of each package are flights, excursions, and the services of a friendly, experienced Newmarket Holidays tour manager, so you can rest assured that your holiday will be in safe hands. In short, we’ll handle the details of your wish-list river cruise so that you can spend more time focusing on the moments that matter.
Discover the Danube with Newmarket Holidays
Ready to raise the anchor on your dream river cruise? Our eight-day itinerary, Grand Capitals of the Danube, offers the perfect introduction to this remarkable riverside region. Our friendly holiday planners are on hand seven days a week to help answer your questions and start organising your next escape. Give them a call today to book your spot on board.
If you’d prefer to explore on dry land, our collection of escorted tours spans six continents, and you can browse every itinerary on our dedicated destinations page.
