.

• 

Europe is an amazing place to visit!

On a euro tour you will see different cultures merge into one another as you cross the many borders that carve up the continent. With so much history, varied landscapes, and some of the greatest cities in the world, river cruising in Europe is one of the best ways to see it all. It’s understandable that river cruises may not be the first thing you think of when planning a holiday, but if you want to get the most out of a euro tour it’s a great way to see the countryside and cities. If you are considering river cruising in Europe, sailing down the River Danube has to be one of the best experiences available.

Within Europe the River Danube is second only to the River Volga in length, measuring just over 1750 miles in total. It starts in Germany, and flows through eight different countries before it empties its water into the Black Sea. It winds through 26 major cities from its source up until its estuary, and 4 of those are capital cities. Residents of Vienna in Austria, Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary, and Belgrade in Serbia all see the River Danube as their city’s river. With all this to offer, it’s no wonder a boat trip down the Danube is one of the most popular choices for river cruising in Europe. Read on to see what to expect on a euro tour which takes you on a cruise along the Danube.

Vienna

Vienna is sometimes called ‘The City of Dreams,’ because it was the early home of the famous psychologist Sigmund Freud, until he fled to Britain to escape Nazism. The Danube cuts straight through the city, but most of its tourist attractions can be found on the west bank of the river. Over a quarter of Austria’s entire population live within Vienna’s metropolitan area, and has ranked first in a worldwide survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit to determine which city offers the best quality of life. It’s a city that has to be visited by anyone on a Euro tour, and one attraction you shouldn’t miss is the oldest zoo in the world at Tiergarten Schönbrunn.

Bratislava

Bratislava is the largest city in Slovakia, and home to some great museums, art galleries, and theatres. It is the cultural hub of Slovakia, and unique because of the large influence of other nearby nations, like Czechs, Hungarians, and Austrians. As you approach the city along the Danube you will be able to see Bratislava Castle up above on the horizon. The site of the castle has used by people since the Stone ages, and there have been a variety of different style castles built over the centuries. The latest castle was rebuilt in the 1950’s to replicate its former 17^th century style after it lay in ruins for almost 150 years.

Budapest

Before Budapest became Budapest, it was actually two different settlements that were on either side of the River Danube. On the west bank of the river was a place called Buda, and on the east bank was a place called Pest. In 1873 they merged together to create the capital city of Budapest. One of this city’s nicknames is the ‘Pearl of Danube,’ and it is home to a large World Heritage Site close to the river’s bank. Mooring up here will give you chance to stroll along the impressive Danube promenade and take in the sight of Buda castle. You should also visit Margaret Island, a large island park surrounded by the Danube, where you can practice sports to keep fit or party with the locals on a summer weekend.

Belgrade

The Serbian capital is a strategic city that has a long history of battles being fought over it. Attila the Hun ransacked the area around Belgrade way back in 442, and as recently as 1999 the city was bombed by NATO planes. Despite the conflict that has affected the city throughout its history, Belgrade is the cultural hub of the country. If you are lucky enough to be in Belgrade when the Belgrade Film Festival, also known as FEST, is on you might catch a glimpse of some Hollywood stars. In the past famous actors like Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, and Kirk Douglas have attended the festival. Look out for the barges along the Danube as you cruise into the city. These offer great places for anyone to drink and be merry after dark, and Belgrade is regarded as having some of the best nightlife in Europe.

What do you have to do next? You can book your own Danube euro tour right here!

•