Riverside Debussy, 7 Night Budapest to Nuremberg River Cruise ex Budapest to Nuremberg

One river - Four countries, and so much to experience. A first highlight is the incredible panorama of Budapest. You hardly know where to look first. To the Parliament, the elegant bridges, or to the leafy promenades of the Castle District after all? Experience the young vibrant city of Bratislava, walk in the footsteps of the Habsburgs in Vienna and hear more than just the bells ringing in Passau. Feel free to add the organ in St. Stephen's Cathedral to your to-do list. Regensburg and Nuremberg round out your German experience.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
It is no coincidence that many filmmakers have chosen Budapest as a backdrop. Take EVITA (1996), for example – most of the scenes were shot not in Buenos Aires, but in Budapest. Anyone walking through the city, in the shadow of the State Opera House or across elegant Szabadsag ter (Freedom Square) in the V. district, sees and feels it immediately. Budapest impresses. It is a metropolis and a spa city. It is Paris, Florence and Vienna in one. Many buildings were copied here. In fact, the Palais Batthyany, is an exact copy of the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. A must: the castle district. Pastel-colored houses, built by their owners to be close to the Royal Palace. Or the National Gallery. Or the Labyrinth: it also served as a prison. Its most famous inmate: Vlad Tepes from Transylvania, who went down in history and stories as Count Dracula. And another suggestion. It is best to simply drift through Budapest. Then you will always come across enchanting stores like the Madison Perfumery. It is housed in the rooms of a 19th-century pharmacy. Not only the fragrances are enchanting, but also the furniture and accessories in the back room, all of which are original.

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Once understated and unknown, since the turn of the millennium it has become something of a pearl on the Danube alongside Vienna and Budapest. Small, quaint and quiet, it shows its splendor at the castle, but also and especially in the old town where you will find fine buildings, such as the rococo Palais Esterhazy, where the Russian composer Anton Rubinstein once lived. Yet all this grandeur is rivaled by a canal worker, of all people, who speaks for the humor of the Slovaks. They have dedicated a bronze monument to him. Cumil (Man at Work) is the name of the sculpture by artist Viktor Hulik. He mischievously looks out of a manhole cover at passers-by like a gawker. Subtle humor in the face of grand statues – this is a theme in this neat city.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This is the city of classical music. It’s Mozart and Strauss. It's street art on a sandy beach and fun in the countryside. It’s bohemia and bourgeoisie and the finest baroque. And of course Art Nouveau. It’s bad-tempered waiters in great coffee houses. It’s Sigmund Freud and Gustav Klimt and Adolf Loos and Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Sisi and many others. It is the Spanish Riding School, an event for horse lovers. And of course it is the city of Schmah (jokes anyone?) and scandals, on which the Viennese feast like cows on fresh grass on the alpine pasture. Last but not least: Vienna is the city on the Danube. Although it was not always so. The Viennese Danube river front is an artificial structure which was only created in the 19th century. Before that, the Danube flowed past Vienna in many arms through floodplains and uninhabited areas. Today, the Riverside can also dock right in front of the city. And then it starts. Marvel, wonder and rejoice. Vienna is a dream.

DURNSTEIN, AUSTRIA
Durnstein is a village with narrow streets and the canons’ monastery, whose blue church tower stretches out majestically into the Heavens. High above the village is the castle, or rather what remains of the castle. It is there that you can trace an exciting story: King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned here – and would possibly have died there if a singer had not saved him.

MELK, AUSTRIA
Does anyone still remember Adson of Melk? Right, that’s the main character in the novel. The name of the rose. The story begins in Melk Abbey and ends in its breathtaking library, in whose 12 rooms more than 100,000 volumes stand in fine order, virtually piling up. (Here, the word “piling up” still has an entirely positive meaning!) Melk Abbey is one of the most magnificent examples of marble, gilded wood, stucco and finely mastered frescoes. Built in 1746 by order of the Benedictine monks, the monastery is perched on a rock nearly 200 feet / 60 meters above the ground. When you stand on the Altane (the great terrace of the monastery) the view of the Danube and the town of Melk almost brings tears to your eyes with emotion. What a view!

ASCHACH, AUSTRIA
The port of Aschach, a technical stop on your cruise, is a small, but important river port that serves as a hub for transportation of goods and passengers along the Danube River. It is located on the northern bank of the river, about 15 kilometers west of the city of Linz. In addition to its role in the transportation of goods and passengers, the port of Aschach also serves as a hub for recreational activities along the Danube River. There are numerous hiking and cycling trails in the surrounding area, and the river is popular for fishing, boating, and other water sports.

PASSAU, GERMANY
Passau is first and foremost a university town. That is why it is young, vibrant and full of life. Then there are the three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, which flow together in the city and give it a special character. Speaking of character, Passau has quite the amount of character thanks to the prevalence of Baroque and Gothic architecture including many beautiful churches and cathedrals as well as the Veste Oberhaus, a fortress since the Middle Ages.

REGENSBERG, GERMANY
In the Middle Ages, Regensburg was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire and served as the site of numerous imperial diets (assemblies). During the Reformation, it played a significant role as a meeting place for Catholic and Protestant leaders who attempted to reconcile their differences. This effort ultimately failed, leading to the Thirty Years' War, which devastated much of Europe. In the 19th century, Regensburg became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and its economy flourished as a center of trade and industry. Regensburg is known for its stunning architecture, including the Gothic-style St. Peter's Cathedral and the historic Stone Bridge, which dates back to the 12th century. Today, its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A Bavarian Museum showcases the region's unique cultural heritage through an extensive collection of artifacts, artwork, and historical objects displaying everything from the area's early settlement and development to its modern-day traditions and customs. Another popular attraction in Regensburg is the historic popular attraction in Regensburg is the historic Wurstkuchl, also known as the Sausage Kitchen. Located on the banks of the Danube River, this restaurant has been serving up traditional Bavarian sausages since the 12th century. According to local legend, the Sausage Kitchen was founded by a group of boatmen who would stop there for a hearty meal after a long day's work on the river. Today, the same sausages that have been served for centuries are on offer, along with a cold beer.

KELHEIM, GERMANY
Kelheim, a charming town in Bavaria, Germany, is situated at the confluence of the Altmuhl and Danube rivers, and is home to the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel that connects the Main River in Bamberg to the Danube River in Kelheim. Completed in 1992, the canal includes 16 locks, aqueducts, and bridges, and allows for the transportation of goods from the North Sea to the Black Sea, bypassing the dangerous rapids of the Danube. The canal offers unique views of both rivers and passes through beautiful scenery. Kelheim is also known for its picturesque old town with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets, as well as its historical landmarks, including the Befreiungshalle, a monument built in the 19th century to commemorate the liberation of Germany from Napoleon, and the Kelheim Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th century. The town is surrounded by lush green hills and offers outdoor activities such as hiking and biking along the Danube Gorge, a narrow valley with towering rock formations. Kelheim is also known for its local breweries and beer, making it a must-visit destination in ?Bavaria for history, culture and natural beauty.

NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Fine wooden toys, jumping frogs and tin music boxes, colourful tableware and stationery – all handmade in local manufactories. The Handwerkerhof in Nuremberg is perfect for small and original souvenirs from the trip. Because your loved ones back home will definitely ask of such a special river cruise: Did you bring me something? Those who have been to Nuremberg also bring back stories. For example, from a visit to the Albrecht Durer House, from a stroll through the Old Town with the Kaiserburg and the churches and the medieval fortress walls, from the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, where the National Socialists held their party congresses and where the Nuremberg Trials were later held. From the “Marriage Carousel”, a fountain with larger-than-life bronze figures thematising the “bittersweet way of conjugal life”. And from the hangman’s house. There is a lot to tell.

Charming and poetic, the compositions of Debussy created a beautiful bridge between romanticism and the developing modern world. So too will your ship, the Riverside Debussy, deliver the rich history of Europe along with all the modern comforts that bring you joy. The best of both worlds await you on the romantic Rhine river, where we are creating unique journeys that will allow you to see the old world in an entirely new, and oh so luxurious way.

A river cruise touches the senses. It combines space and time to create a contemplative experience. Sitting on the upper deck in an intimate atmosphere, watching unspoiled, beautiful scenery pass by – these are moments you will never forget.

Marvel at the engineering prowess of the locks. Immerse yourself in the culture of Europe's most beautiful cities. Enjoy the culinary specialties of the regions the ship passes through. And you only have to pack your suitcase once. Yes, a river cruise in Europe with Riverside Luxury Cruises also means setting out to find yourself.