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Diary of a River Danube Cruise


Follow myself and husband Ian (he’s the photographer) as we cruise along the Danube from Nüremburg to Budapest. Rivers fascinate me; they are the arteries of history, the lifeblood and reason for existence of the cities along their route. This is our first river cruise – we chose the Danube as one of the great European rivers and besides it’s romantic. I know the history and scenery will be rich, of the on board ship life I am not sure what to expect but I’m looking forward to the experience.

Day 3 – Regensburg

“Regensburg is the most beautiful town in Germany”, announced our guide this morning.  She was biased, I know, but  after spending a day here I reckon it’s got to be up there.  Luckily Regensburg escaped being bombed in the war, leaving the city centre with its wonderful collection of Medieval buildings intact.  If you stand on the Stone Bridge (the oldest bridge crossing the Danube) and look back it’s like looking at a fairy-tale illustration: the Gothic cathedral standing tall and huddling beneath gabled roofs, towers and painted mansions in…

Day 2 – Nuremberg

Medieval buildings in Nuremberg with the Imperial Castle in background   An earlyish start at 8.15 am this morning for a trip to the old town centre of Nüremberg, impressively rebuilt in its original style after being almost completely flattened during WWII.  Stopped en route at the Zeppelin Field, the site of the Nüremberg Rallies.  Aso passed the  court house where the post war trials of Nazi war criminals were held.  Must admit theses events were my hook on Nüremberg and it was nice to find new associations – a…

Day 1 – Joining The Viking Danube

Arriving under our own steam in Nüremberg (ICE train from Munich) took a taxi to find Viking Danube moored on a leafy, non commercial bank of the Main Danube Canal some four miles from the city centre.  Very smooth reception, bags whisked out of taxi and waiting for us in the cabin when we had checked in. And the cabin, as you can see, is rather neat. More spacious than I would have imagined, with all the furniture you might need.  I had wondered given the size constraints imposed on…