The queen of rivers is a cultural delight

Adventures and insights on the so-romantic Danube

ASERENE waltz along the glorious Danube offers some of the world’s most romantic river cruising.

This great waterway’s banks form a gorgeous patchwork of picturebook castles, medieval monasteries, luscious vineyards and tranquil villages. And there are incredible highlights along the way — Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Melk, to mention just a few.

So a cruise here can be like a string of fascinating city (and countryside) breaks all rolled into one, without the usual hassles of finding your way around.

Emerald Waterways has five of its StarShips based here, offering a collection of four carefully crafted Danube itineraries.

These elegant, luxurious ships are relaxing retreats, each with an open-air dining terrace that makes the perfect place to sit and reflect on each day’s river cruising discoveries.

Kick back with a cocktail in hand, as on craggy rocks, high above, the remnants of a castle gently glow, while fishermen’s huts sit on the banks and birds splash in the current.

Meanwhile, your river ship’s attentive onboard team will look after your every need, while skilled chefs take you on a journey of their own through the flavours of modern Europe.

Ashore, every day becomes an insightful adventure — whether based around magnificent art, musical recitals, medieval architecture or some of history’s most dramatic episodes. Guided excursions are included in the price, and active guests are given ample opportunity to stretch their legs. Cyclists can take a mostly flat 23-mile bike tour through vineyards and quaint towns in the Wachau Valley, for example.

And walkers are invited to hike the cobbled streets of Budapest’s Castle Hill district in the company of a local guide. At the panoramic summit, Buda Castle astounds with its baroque facade.

Check out some of the city’s famous thermal bathhouses and the sweeping views from Fisherman’s Bastion, too. BY NIGHT, Budapest’s giant neo-gothic Parliament building (above) is dramatically reflected in the water — the perfect time for a glittering cruise along the Danube, passing under the city’s bridges, while savouring a traditional Hungarian dinner, with folk dancing and music. Budapest is the starting point for the eight-day Danube Delights itinerary — opening up one of cruising’s finest experiences, as this great river snakes its ways to Nuremberg between mellow hills, all in varying shades of green as the sun dips. Bratislava soon brings its share of must-sees, from the magnificent Mirbach Palace to the Gothic cathedral of St Martin. Here you can enjoy afternoon tea in the home of a Slovakian village family, while there is also a guided hike to Bratislava Castle. Baroque streetscapes and imperial Habsburg palaces set the stage for Vienna’s artistic and musical masterpieces, alongside its vibrant epicurean scene. Experience the city’s imperial architecture and gracious ambience to the full, as you move around by coach, bike or foot to explore such jaw-dropping attractions as the Opera House, Burgtheater, St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Most stunning of all, the Schonbrunn Palace was the opulent summer home of Emperor Franz Josef and his wife Sisi, whose private apartments you can see. The cruise offers optional foodie and concert experiences here. And it would be rude not to try a meltin-the-mouth strudel, served in an elegant coffee house. Next morning, watch a millennium of culture unfold before your eyes, as you explore awe-inspiring landmarks from Durnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1193. The restored Melk Abbey is a beautiful sight to behold, boasting the finest Italian architecture, elaborate gold leaf walls, a 640ft Imperial Corridor, library of exquisite tomes and fabulous fresco ceilings. This glorious Benedictine abbey beams proudly over the picturesque Wachau Valley and is one of Europe’s great sights. More baroque delights await in Passau (above), with an option to visit Salzburg, while Regensburg reveals one of the Danube’s oldest bridges. Here, a traditional Bavarian band joins the ship for an evening of fond farewells to this great queen of rivers, which has revealed its cultural gems at every turn.

SAVE UP TO £1,250 PER COUPLE

EXPLORE Europe’s greatest river in absolute luxury, from just £1,270 on the Danube Delights itinerary from Emerald Waterways. This is a saving of up to £1,250 per couple, plus free drinks with balcony suite bookings, and is based on a departure date of October 22, 2019. Book by July 31, 2018.