Viking Cruises: 11-Day Romantic Danube River Cruise

Regensburg is one of Germany’s oldest cities. Its historic center has been exceptionally well preserved and is the largest medieval old town in Germany. Regensburg also has more Italian-style family towers than any other city north of the Alps, earning it the nickname “Italy’s northernmost city.” More than 1,000 historic buildings in Regensburg are specially protected, and its old town was added to the World Heritage List in 2006.

Český Krumlov, officially known as Český Krumlov, lies on the banks of the Vltava, the Czech Republic’s mother river. Founded in the 13th and 14th centuries, the town escaped the devastation of both World Wars and remains remarkably intact, retaining its medieval old town, grand Renaissance castle, and Gothic and Baroque buildings. The town is divided in two by a U-shaped bend in the Vltava: the castle district sits on the northern hillside, while the old town is surrounded by the river. The castle district is a complex of painted castle buildings, marked by its iconic Painted Tower. The old town features a grand church, a chapel with a distinctive roof, a colorful town square, a network of medieval cobbled streets, and an array of specialty shops and museums. In 1992, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural significance.

The Inner Town is the heart of Český Krumlov. The entire area was declared a National Cultural Monument in 1989 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the most prominent building in Passau’s Old Town. Its history dates back as far as 450, but after the great fire of 1662, the entire cathedral was rebuilt, giving it its present Baroque façade and green dome. Its most remarkable feature is the world’s largest pipe organ, with a total of 17,974 pipes. In addition to Masses and concerts, organ performances are held at noon from May to October, as well as in the evenings every Thursday, offering a chance to experience this magnificent instrument.

Passau’s Old Town Hall is a building facing the Danube, with a Gothic clock tower. Its exterior depicts historical figures from Passau, and the tower bells ring on the hour at several times throughout the day. In the lower right corner of the tower are records of historical water levels in Passau—some of them are truly astonishing, perhaps the price of being at the confluence of three rivers. Inside the town hall, visitors can also see the Great Hall (Großer Rathaussaal) and the Small Hall (Kleiner Rathaussaal), both decorated with beautiful old murals depicting Passau’s history.

The Wachau Valley (German: Wachau) is a 30-kilometer stretch of the Danube Valley in Austria, between Melk and Krems, near Vienna. The area preserves a rich record of human history, from prehistoric times to the present, and is home to many historic towns and monasteries. The old town of Dürnstein is where Duke Leopold V of Austria imprisoned Richard the Lionheart, King of England. The region is also an important Austrian wine-producing area, with extensive vineyards. In 2000, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Český Krumlov Castle dates back to the 13th century, and its colorful tower stands at the highest point of the town. Climb up to the castle and take in the town below: orange-yellow roof tiles, a jumble of rooftops, towering churches, endless green fields, a winding river, deep blue skies and soft white clouds. It is dreamlike and breathtakingly beautiful. Seen through the arched windows, Český Krumlov looks like a series of paintings—and you are the artist.

Český Krumlov, officially known as Český Krumlov, lies on the banks of the Vltava, the Czech Republic’s mother river. Founded in the 13th and 14th centuries, the town escaped the devastation of both World Wars and remains remarkably intact, retaining its medieval old town, grand Renaissance castle, and Gothic and Baroque buildings. The town is divided in two by a U-shaped bend in the Vltava: the castle district sits on the northern hillside, while the old town is surrounded by the river. The castle district is a complex of painted castle buildings, marked by its iconic Painted Tower. The old town features a grand church, a chapel with a distinctive roof, a colorful town square, a network of medieval cobbled streets, and an array of specialty shops and museums. In 1992, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural significance.

Located in Vienna, the Austrian Parliament Building is home to the National Council and the Federal Council of Austria.

Schönbrunn Palace takes its name from a spring in what was once an open green space. According to legend, Emperor Matthias was hunting here when he drank from the spring and, refreshed, named it the “beautiful spring.” In 1743, Queen Maria Theresa ordered a palace to be built here, giving rise to the magnificent palace and its Baroque gardens. Covering 26,000 square meters, it is the second-largest palace in Europe, after the Palace of Versailles in France.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a landmark of Vienna and one of the world's most famous Gothic churches. Its 137-meter spire is the second tallest church spire in the world, after Cologne Cathedral. Its soaring dome and intricately decorated Baroque altars leave a lasting impression, as do its beautifully carved marble columns. The magnificent architecture and colorful stained glass create a sacred atmosphere. Visitors can also climb the cathedral's south tower and take an elevator up to see the Pummerin bell, with sweeping views of Vienna from the tower.

Hofburg Palace was the palace complex of Austria’s Habsburg dynasty, located in the heart of Vienna. From 1275 to 1913, it was expanded and rebuilt many times, eventually becoming the maze it is today, with 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,500 rooms. The six exhibition rooms of the Sisi Museum display many authentic items from the empress’s private apartments, as well as reproductions of some of her clothing, offering a glimpse into Princess Sisi’s life.

The Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) is one of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Known as the “World Capital of Opera,” it is also one of Vienna’s main landmarks. One of the world’s four great opera houses, it was founded in 1861 and took eight years to complete. It is located on Vienna’s Ringstrasse in the Old Town and was originally the Royal Court Theatre.

Founded in 2000, the school has eight campuses in Vienna. It is named after the renowned composer Johann Sebastian Bach, the father of Western “modern music,” and boasts abundant teaching resources and an outstanding faculty. It offers lessons in a wide range of instruments, with expert instructors providing in-person guidance, and organizes student recital performances. The school has also competed in music competitions in Germany and across Europe many times, winning numerous awards.

The empress of Franz Joseph I (1848–1916) is brought to life for her many admirers at the recently opened Sisi Museum in Vienna’s Imperial Palace. The museum offers an intimate look at Elisabeth’s private life, especially her resistance to court protocol, her intense pursuit of beauty and a slender figure, her passion for sports, and her fascination with poetry. From her beginnings as an ordinary young woman from Bavaria, through her unexpected engagement to the Emperor of Austria, to her tragic assassination in Geneva in 1898, the remarkable and eventful life of this legendary empress is vividly brought to life in the museum.

Fontana is the venue for the Austrian Open golf tournament, and its course was designed by a renowned architect. Towering pine trees, sandy wastelands, and fairways winding down to the water create a stunning setting. With blue skies and white clouds in the distance, many internationally renowned professional golfers have spent time here. Together with the club’s classically elegant facilities, it makes an ideal resort and retreat for golf lovers. Beyond golf, it offers an experience that delights the eyes, nose, ears, and senses.

From the broad, rolling hills near Vienna to the southeastern foothills of the Alps in the south and the high alpine pastures of the Royal Alps in the west, golf courses can be found throughout Austria. Lower Austria, which surrounds Vienna, has 37 golf courses—the most of any federal state. Austria currently has 140 golf courses, and that number continues to grow.

Vienna City Hall is a magnificent Neo-Gothic building and the seat of the Mayor of Vienna and the city council. The Rathausmann atop its tower is one of Vienna’s symbols and also represents people’s challenge to the old order.

This square is laid out around the statue of Maria Theresa, which forms its visual centerpiece. The famous German sculptor Zumbusch created this celebrated and legendary queen, one of the most renowned figures in the history of the Holy Roman Empire and the House of Habsburg. Facing northeast, she sits high above the square. The sculptural group on the pedestal includes mounted generals and a chancellor standing at the center, while high reliefs around it depict 16 prominent figures of her era, including the musicians Haydn and Mozart. The statue is imposing in scale and makes a magnificent impression from a distance, reflecting to some extent the grandeur of Queen Maria Theresa at the height of her reign.

The Vienna Woods lie beside Vienna, Austria’s capital. This natural forest has retained its original character and consists mainly of mixed woodland and hilly meadows. Covering 1,250 square kilometers, it extends partly into the city. The Vienna Woods border the Mödling Valley, where clear water and lush greenery add great charm to the ancient city. They also play an important role in keeping the air clean, earning them the name “the city’s lungs.” Strauss’s Tales from the Vienna Woods made them famous around the world.

Standing before the statue of Beethoven, visitors from around the world come to Beethovenplatz in Vienna to pay tribute to the revered “Prince of Music” and admire Beethoven.

Heroes’ Square lies in the heart of Vienna and is one of the city’s main attractions. Around and near the square are sights including the Hofburg Palace, the President’s Office, the Federal Chancellery, Vienna City Hall, the Parliament Building, the Natural History Museum, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It is named after two Austrian heroes whose statues stand in the square: Prince Eugene of Savoy, who defeated the Turkish army, and Archduke Charles, who defeated Napoleon’s forces.

The colorful Prater amusement park lies between the Danube and the Danube Canal. Its most famous attraction is the Giant Ferris Wheel, built in 1897. It has appeared in many films, most famously Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise. In the film, the two leads share a romantic kiss on the Ferris wheel at sunset. Thanks to this film, many people arrive in Vienna dreaming of countless romantic chance encounters.

St. Peter’s Church in Vienna is an ancient Roman Catholic church in Austria’s capital. Built in the Baroque style, it faces southwest and is close to Graben Street. Many events have taken place here throughout its history. With its verdigris dome and white-patterned walls, the church reveals a remarkable interior. Although it was destroyed by fire more than a century ago, it was later rebuilt in the style of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Small but complete, its intricate, gleaming gold ornamentation is packed closely together without making the intimate space feel crowded.

Hundertwasser House is a model apartment building designed in collaboration between the talented Austrian Jewish painter and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser and the Vienna city government. It was completed in 1986. Its most distinctive features are its fairy-tale artistic vision, twisted asymmetrical forms, and dazzling array of colors. Standing out among the many drab buildings around it, it embodies harmony, individuality, and human-centered design. The original aim was to create an eco-friendly building that was suitable for people to live in and followed the laws of nature, with green plants growing on the roof. As a result, the walls of Hundertwasser House are covered in plants and decorated with vibrant colors.

The Austrian National Library holds 7.4 million books, making it the largest library in Austria. Located in Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, it was founded by the Habsburg royal family. Rather than a library in the real world, it feels like a setting from a big-budget fantasy film. Its interior bears a striking resemblance to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.

The Albertina Museum has one of the world’s largest and most important collections of prints, with approximately 65,000 drawings and around 1 million Old Master prints, as well as more modern graphic works, photographs, and architectural drawings. In addition to its collection of works on paper, the museum has recently acquired two important collections of Impressionist and early 20th-century art on long-term loan, some of which will be on permanent display.

One of the world's ten great cultural districts, it boasts a rich and diverse array of art and music, a full range of cultural facilities, and restaurants, cafés, and shops at every turn. Baroque and modern architecture sit side by side. A must-visit for art and history lovers.

If you love the Danube, taking a river cruise is sure to be one of your favorite ways to explore it. Along this stretch of the river, you can experience the relaxed elegance of the Blue Danube.

Vienna's Musikverein Golden Hall is counted among the world's five great concert halls, alongside the Berlin Philharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Boston Symphony Hall. The Golden Hall's architecture is resplendent, and its acoustics are rich and brilliant. However, since its design was based mainly on empirical data, it was not perfect in every respect by modern acoustic standards. This has not diminished visitors' affection for this magnificent temple of music. The Vienna New Year's Concert is famous around the world, and audiences everywhere can admire the Golden Hall during its television broadcast.

Founded in 1812, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna has a history of nearly 190 years and is one of the world’s most renowned music and arts universities. It currently has ten independent departments, each offering courses in a specialized field. The departments are housed in 19 different buildings across various districts of Vienna. The university is spread throughout the city in buildings steeped in history and culture, reflecting its close connection with Vienna’s rich cultural character. The university library has continued to expand since 1909. As a specialist library for the arts and research, it reflects the university’s teaching and research standards.

There’s the Golden Hall, but no Sydney Opera House.

Vienna, located on the Danube, is Austria’s capital and largest city. It is one of the country’s nine federal states and a major European cultural center, known as the “City of Music.” Vienna is one of the United Nations’ four official headquarters locations and is also home to the headquarters of OPEC, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other international organizations. For several consecutive years, UN-Habitat has ranked Vienna among the world’s most livable cities.

Founded in 1978, the German Logistics Association is an independent, nonprofit, honorary organization. Its extensive regional network provides a platform for the exchange of professional ideas and practical experience in many local communities. Through more than 300 major regional, national and international events each year, the association creates an ideal setting for logistics professionals to connect. The Vienna edition of the Logistics Summit, themed “Digital Effectiveness and Maximum Flexibility,” took place in Vienna, Austria, from April 11 to 12, 2019. BVL expected more than 900 industry participants, nearly 100 conference partners, and politicians, including decision-makers and industry leaders. The conference program included: - Keynote speeches - Best-practice presentations - Parallel sessions -Exhibitions -Networking Evening -Newcomer Competition

The Roland Fountain, located in the square at the heart of Bratislava's Old Town, was built around 1572 to celebrate the coronation of King Maximilian.

St. Martin's Cathedral was built in the 14th century. Eleven monarchs (10 kings and Queen Maria Theresa) have been crowned here throughout history.

Heroes' Square is a major square in Hungary's capital, Budapest, at the end of Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, next to City Park. Two important buildings stand beside the square: the Museum of Fine Arts on the left and the Hall of Art on the right. The Serbian Embassy is also located here. At the center of the square stands the city's landmark, the Millennium Monument, featuring statues of the seven tribal chieftains who founded Hungary in the 9th century, as well as other notable figures from Hungarian history.

Fisherman's Bastion is a Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque viewing terrace on Castle Hill, on the Buda side of the Danube in Hungary's capital, Budapest, near Matthias Church. It was built between 1895 and 1902 and designed by Frigyes Schulek. Fisherman's Bastion was nearly destroyed during World War II. Between 1947 and 1948, Frigyes Schulek's son, János Schulek, oversaw its restoration. From its towers and viewing terraces, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Danube, Margaret Island, Pest to the east, and Gellért Hill.

Construction began in 1839 and was completed in 1849. It is the oldest and most magnificent of the nine bridges connecting Budapest. The Chain Bridge was the first permanent structure to truly connect the cities of Pest and Buda. At each end of the bridge stands a pair of lion sculptures, their four paws firmly planted on the two banks, symbolizing the close connection between Buda and Pest. Just as Tower Bridge is an icon of London, the Chain Bridge has long been a symbol of Budapest.

Built in the early 20th century, Széchenyi Thermal Bath was the first thermal bath in Pest and is the largest thermal bath complex in Europe. It blends Roman, Greek and Northern European styles and is the city’s most popular thermal bath.