The Gems of the Danube.
An All-Inclusive Scenic River Cruise from Munich to Budapest
By Lana Herzan, Travel Concierge Director of Client Experiences
In the spring of 2024, I accepted an invitation from Scenic Cruises to experience one of Europe’s most storied rivers, the Danube. Together with my son, Christopher, we embarked on a journey that would take us from the Bavarian heartland of Munich to the grandeur of Hungary’s capital, Budapest.
Munich Set the Tone.
While Munich isn’t directly on the Danube, it served as the perfect launching point for our adventure. When we arrived in the city, it was 11:00 pm, but jetlag had us believing it was 2:00 in the afternoon. Mentally, we were ravished, so we hopped on the local train and set out on a quest for food. To our surprise, so many restaurants were open, and we found a quaint Indian restaurant that was superb.
In an effort to maximize our time, we awoke early to explore Munich’s Gothic architecture, and rich Bavarian culture that saturated the city. Strolling through Marienplatz, the heart of the city, we admired the New Town Hall with its famous Glockenspiel chiming through the marketplace. To soak in panoramic views, we climbed the observation tower at Neues Rathaus with a 279-foot viewing platform. An afternoon stroll took us through Eisbach Garten Park with its Japanese gardens and Eisbach River where surfers rode the wild rapids.
After soaking in Munich’s energy, we transferred to Regensburg where our river-cruise ship awaited, promising serene waters and panoramic views even before our trip began. Although the trip already started in Munich, the true 5-star journey kicked off the moment we embarked the “Scenic Space-Ship.”
With just 163 passengers, the intimate vessel offered an all-inclusive experience, carefully crafted to create memorable and carefree moments. In every suite, butler service was provided, as well as a complimentary mini bar stocked daily with premium beverages.
From a six-course meal to a relaxed café, five onboard dining options were available, each influenced by the region with locally-sourced ingredients. Despite the passage of time, I can still taste the 5-star gourmet meals that paired perfectly with local wines. As part of the Scenic Free Choice program, 19 onshore activities were included in our trip, with categories focused on active–, cultural–, and interactive excursions.
Regensburg: A Medieval Masterpiece.
Regensburg felt like stepping into a medieval storybook. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts impeccably preserved architecture dating back 2,000 years. Walking across the iconic Stone Bridge—which has spanned the Danube since the 12th century—we marveled at the engineering feats of the past.
The Regensburg Cathedral, with its soaring Gothic spires, dominated the skyline. Inhaling the beauty, I planned my next onboard move . . .to unwind with a glass of apricot wine in the ship’s Salt Therapy Lounge. Scenic’s “salt cave” is known to help with ailments, respiration, and boost the immune system. Check, check, and check!
Passau: Where Three Rivers Meet.
Sailing onward, our Scenic Cruise ship drifted into Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” where the Danube meets the Inn and Ilz. Nestled at the confluence, Passau’s baroque beauty shone brightly under the morning sun.
Climbing to Veste Oberhaus fortress, we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the rivers converging below. In old town, we headed to St. Stephen’s Cathedral with the world’s largest church organ featuring 17,974 pipes. It was there that we attended an organ concert, a soul-stirring experience of powerful notes reverberating through the marble halls.
Crossing into Salzburg, Austria.
Surrounded by alpine peaks on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as home to Mozart and The Sound of Music. This storybook city has a thriving art-and-music scene, with concert halls and a Baroque old town where Mozart was born.
Among the iconic sites was Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, sitting high above the rooftops. While in Salzburg’s old town, we lunched at the oldest operating restaurant in Europe, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. Dating back to 803, the historic restaurant was part of our all-inclusive experience with Scenic Cruises.
Melk Abbey & the Wachau Valley: A Golden Glow
It was no debate. I couldn’t wait to sign up for the 24-mile bike ride from Melk to Dürnstein. One of the most enchanting stretches of the Danube unfolded as our group cycled the Wachau Valley on our e-bikes. As a UNESCO-listed region, it’s famed for its terraced vineyards, charming villages, and historic landmarks.
The hills rolled past like scenes from an artist’s canvas, and apricot orchards filled the medieval ruins where we rode. Not only did we see the beauty, but we tasted it in the chocolate-covered dried apricots. I was hooked on anything and everything apricot! As a special onboard gift, our Cruise Director organized a tasting of regional delicacies including apricot dumplings and local schnapps.
Vienna: A Symphony of Culture.
No Danube cruise is complete without a stop in Vienna, a city where imperial grandeur meets artistic brilliance. Also known as the City of Music, its where musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven found their inspiration.
From the moment I set foot ashore, Vienna’s elegance and artistic flair was undeniable. With its sprawling gardens, the majestic Schön Brunn Palace whispered tales of Habsburg emperors. The Belvedere Museum is one of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks where we explored Austrian art including works by Monet, Van Gogh, Max Beckman, and my personal favorite, Gustav Klimt.
A leisurely walk along the Ringstrasse revealed architectural gems like the Vienna State Opera and the Hofburg Palace. But Vienna’s true soul lies in its cafés. Sipping a creamy mélange coffee at Café Central—where great minds like Freud and Trotsky once lingered—I felt part of the city’s intellectual legacy. The day ended perfectly with a private classical concert in the gilded halls of Palais Liechtenstein. The music of Mozart and Strauss floated through the air, and I thought, “There’s no other place I would rather be.”
Bratislava: Charm on the Danube’s Edge.
A delightful surprise awaited in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. Unlike Vienna’s grandeur, Bratislava exuded a more intimate charm with its colorful facades and quirky statues peeking from unexpected corners.
Wandering through cobblestone streets, I paused at cafés to savor local pastries and Kofola, the region’s unique cola alternative. Climbing to Bratislava Castle offered sweeping views of the city and the river below—a reminder of how the Danube has shaped the lives of those along its banks for centuries.
Since its independence in 1993, Slovakia’s capital of Bratislava has lured visitors with its modern multicultural metropolis and intriguing history. The glorious old town showcases medieval and Gothic architecture, and a well-preserved hilltop castle dating back to the 9th century.
The Grand Finale: Budapest’s Dazzling Splendor
I awoke at sunrise to experience the “Grand Finale,” Budapest at sunrise on the upper deck. As the cruise neared its end, Budapest rose on the horizon, a city that seemed to embody the very essence of the Danube’s journey—bold, beautiful, and rich.
Approaching the city by river was unforgettable; the Hungarian Parliament, with its neo-Gothic spires and glowing dome, stood majestically along the riverbank. It was especially breathtaking later that night, illuminated like a crown jewel reflecting on the river.
Divided by the Danube, Buda is on one side and Pest is on the other. The city became united in 1873 when a bridge connected the two cities. Today, it is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. It is also well known for its hot springs, thermal baths, and vibrant nightlife.
I was enchanted by the contrasts: the grandeur of Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion with its fairy-tale turrets, compared to the bustling energy of Pest’s ruin bars and vibrant markets. As we made our way to Heroes Square, there were buildings with bullet holes, showing their scares from the 1945 siege of Budapest by the Red Army.
In true, memory-making fashion, we ended our day with a private piano recital at the Institute for the Blind.
More Than a Vacation: An Awakening.
During one of my city excursions, I learned that travelers who were lost could look to the local church as a landmark. Based on the orientation, a great majority of European churches faced East, allowing wanderers to find their way home. Because the sun rises in the east, finding “home” could come about by way of the light and landmarks.
As our river cruise came to an end, I thought deeply about how my Scenic Cruise adventure served as both a landmark and beacon of light in my own life. My personal journey along the Danube River was more than a vacation—it was a voyage through time, culture, and beauty.
For me, the Danube was more than just a body of water. With its gentle current and scenic banks, the river became my storyteller, carrying tales of empires, artists, and everyday life.
And as I disembarked in Budapest, I realized that while the cruise had ended, the memories would continue to flow, as timeless as the river itself.
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