Danube River Cruises - Why Different From Ocean Cruises?

To savour the secrets of Europe's cities and seekleatherwork, toys and glass, jewellery, dolls and
out their history, nothing beats a river cruise. Andteddies. Two tiny restaurants serve local
for sheer romance laced with eons of rich history,specialties. The Craftsmen's Corner is open
nothing beats the Danube.year-round but the city is also justly famed for its
Europe's second longest river, meandering 2,850Christmas market, which features all of the
km. across the continent from its source inabove and more.
Germany's Black Forest Mountains to the BlackRegensburg, just downstream, was almost
Sea, visits nine countries - Germany, Austria,untouched by the war. A UNESCO World Heritage
Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria,Site, its roster of delights begins with a river-front
Romania and Ukraine and a full Danube cruise mayRoman fort built in 179. Once the capital of
take you to most or all of them.Bavaria, Regensburg's wealthy past is reflected in
It's an experience totally unlike an ocean cruise.its splendid town houses built in the Italian style in
Sleek and slim, the ships are built to fit the river'sthe 14th century, and its fine Gothic cathedral,
requirements -- small ports, low, ancient bridges,built in 1634, with soaring twin spires added in
and sometimes shallow water. Yet passengers1869.
are often amazed at the level of luxury the shipsNow it's on to Passau and a short bus ride to
offer - compact but well appointed staterooms,Salzburg. Lavish costumes and Mozart-style wigs
nightly entertainment and good food. Buffets atare much in evidence here, as the town
breakfast and lunch and full table service at dinnercommemorates its most famous son, Wolfgang
provide excellent and copious meals with myriadAmadeus Mozart and its most famous film, The
choices for picky eaters or people on special diets.Sound of Music. Another highlight is the famed
In fact, diets were severely tested by theSalzburg Festival, an annual banquet of outstanding
variety of desserts and between-meal treats.music. A visit to Mozart's home, now an
A resident pianist entertained frequently whileinteresting museum, is a must for music lovers.
special evening programs ranged from a GypsyThe city itself is a walker's delight with ancient
band to folk dancers to a quartet of classicalbuildings lining narrow streets but some of the
singers. And the genial approachability ofprettiest horses and carriages are a temptation to
Symphony Captain Fabien Stein laced each phaseabandon walking for a gentle ride through the city.
of the journey with fascinating historicalThe glorious Benedictine Abbey at Melk is vast
perspectives and good fun.and loaded with treasures. The single
Cruising also allows for the comfort and ease ofdisappointment - it's now a co-ed school run by
not having to pack and unpack and findingthe monks who leave distillation of the splendid
accommodation while visiting various destinations.Benedictine liqueur to their colleagues in Italy. No
Best of all were the shore excursions - with afree samples! The town is made for walking -
qualified local guide or on our own. Often therecobblestoned streets lined with 16th century
was time for both - getting the lay of the landhouses and restaurant/taverns. The port for
with a guide then wandering off for leisurelyVienna is a hefty bus ride out of town but the old
shopping or new discoveries.city continues to deliver its kitschy style of
Long before expressways and airports, Europe'sromance amid baroque buildings that include the
mighty rivers were its highways and on theirHofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House and St.
banks major cities flourished. And because theyStephen's Cathedral. A small group of Vienna choir
relied on the river for both business andboys provided a brief concert.
transportation, the city gates tended to face theMore accessible is Bratislava, capital of Slovakia
river. That's the huge appeal of the river cruise -where a whirlwind tour led us along steep streets
the ship docks just steps from the medievalbelow the 13th century Bratislava Castle, past the
heart of the city, where winding streets lead togothic St. Martin's Cathedral and along
ancient walls, fortresses, castles, cathedrals andpedestrian-only streets of smart shops and
quaint shops.tempting cafes.
Our Danube idyll took us from Nuremberg toFinal stop, Budapest, another revelation as we
Budapest with stops at Regensberg, Strasbourg,explored the twin cities of Buda and Pest with
Melk, Vienna and Bratislava.their thermal spas, vast parks and splendid
Nuremberg and Regensburg are two exquisitebuildings. The city market is a huge shopping
neighbours along the Danube, very similar at firstemporium while Andrassy Boulevard, blessed with
glance thanks to their ornate old buildings, cobbledmore than 30 theatres, is called the Broadway of
streets and medieval touches. But there's a hugeBudapest. But Budapest's crowning glory is the
difference - Nuremberg is a 'new' city. During amagnificent Parliament Building, overlooking the
fierce one-hour Allied air attack in January, 1945,Danube, a gingerbread confection of marble, gilt
some 90 per cent of Nuremberg's medievaland stained glass, where the crown jewels are
centre was destroyed. But the city rose again,stored.
almost immediately rebuilt stone by stone to anThe all-inclusive nature of the Danube cruises
exact replica of its old self.makes for easy budgeting. All meals and
Noted for gingerbread and succulent little roastedentertainment and most shore excursions are
sausages, Nuremberg is also a paradise for loversincluded. The passenger list is a pleasant mix of
of fine craft. In the shadow of the ancient cityNorth Americans and Europeans, predominantly
wall, the Craftsmen's Courtyard is a collection ofGermans, but most crew and staff speak several
workshops and stores selling the works of 13languages, including English.
craftsmen, including fine pottery, exquisite