Ok, we have bite the bullet and booked a 14 day Viking River Cruise on Rhine and Danube river from August 13 to 27, 2022. Ports of call include:
Amsterdam
Kinderdijk
Cologne
Koblenz
Miltenberg
Wurzburg
Bamberg
Nurenberg
Regensburg
Passau
Melk
Krems
Vienna
Budapest
We have booked all the walking tours there is but wondering what special trip we should book where walking tours is short of. Your experiences are our guide.
TIA.
My mom is on this exact cruise right now although the reverse itinerary. I’ll let you know how it was when she returns later this week. She’s texted me some photos and said the food has been excellent although it seems like they may be a bit short staffed.
Has she commented on the luggage situation at Amsterdam? Well, she maybe flying out of Amsterdam later this week, so it may not affect her yet.
I have done a bunch of those cities. Budapest is my favorite. If you have any free time, the House of Terror is a must. So engrossing and grim. Not a happy place though. Also Hospital in the Rock and the Shoes on the Danube memorial.
I really loved Vienna. I would definitely go to the Spanish Riding School and see the Lippizaner stallions. Even if you’re not into horses, the show/tour are both amazing. We also visited the Schonnbrunn Palace Park and the Botanic garden–stunning.
IIRC, they weren’t too far apart–I could be wrong. We were there 12 years ago (Yikes!!)
Bicycle tour in Budapest. It was recommended by a friend. DH and I were the only ones on the tour, despite 3 Viking longboats in port. It was like a private tour!
Segway tours are awesome!
My D spent a semester in Budapest and we visited her and also Vienna.
Vienna is very touristy. We had very little time there and visited Mozart’s house and also saw a performance at the Musikverein and a couple of other things. Discovered that the best time to visit the Sacher Cafe was at 11pm after the symphony! No wait at all.
In Budapest I second the House of Terror and the shoes on the Danube. We also loved the Inner City Parish Church at the foot of the Elizabeth Bridge. It’s not a super big tourist spot but it’s open for visitors and we found it fascinating. Layers of history covering 1000 years. There’s Roman-era ruins of a hypocaust system in the basement, it was once converted to a mosque after the area was invaded, and then later converted back to a Catholic Church. Some other artwork from these layers is still there. They have old music manuscripts displayed. Franz Liszt was choir director there If I recall correctly. It’s a very interesting place. Also try to find some chimney cakes. If you need a taste of home, the first McDonalds behind the iron curtain is in Budapest and somewhere near St. Stephen’s there’s a bronze statue of Ronald Reagan of all people.
We loved Budapest.
Amsterdam: Anne Frank House, glass bottom boats, Rijksmuseum, Rice Tafel/Indonesian Food.
Flying over Koblenz is great. I looked up and saw they have helicopter tours. If you can get a small plane rental might be even better.
Cologne: Cathedral
Nuremberg: Old town, historical tour WWII.
Vienna: Sachertorte chocolate layer cake @Sacher Hotel
If you want to go to the Anne Frank house, you must buy tickets ahead of time.
They go on sale the first Tuesday of the month for the next month.
I’m doing a river cruise in November but just the Rhine so around half of this trip.
Lots of Facebook groups for Viking Cruises if you are interested
We are doing Budapest to Amsterdam Sept. 24th until Oct. 8th. I am really looking forward to it. You will have to fill me in on all of the details. We have been to Amsterdam, but never Budapest. I have been told to get paprika there. Have fun!!!
We will be on this trip but starting from Budapest in early Sept. Have been to Budapest and Amsterdam, Vienna. We booked the ‘Rothenburg ob der Tauber’ in Wurzburg which is extra. Are you doing any pre and post tours?
We are doing the pre tour in Budapest. With the airlines so crazy, and jet lag, we thought it would be a good idea to plan to get there early.
We are doing pre and post(both 2 days) visits in Amsterdam and Budapest on our own. What do you recommend to visit?
Read this page for recommendations. The 33 Best Things to See and Do in Amsterdam in 2023
We’ve done the first 10 suggestions except #9. I was in the Anne Frank’s house in 1973 while I was still in college, it’s worth a look but not at great expense and long lines. Everything else is worth seeing and I love taking canal tours even I’ve done it many times. For shopping, there’s de Bijenkorf Amsterdam in Dam Square. I love that store! I plan to look into purchasing a European sized carryon bag under 5 lbs. The Europeans ones are much lighter as their airlines have stricter size and weight restrictions. With the Euros on parity with USD, it’ a good time to make purchases.
I find Budapest fascinating and there’s a lot to see there. Take a walking tour. Viking will provide a city tour and you can go back to places you like to spend more time. The public transport is easy to navigate. I just bought tickets to see the inside of the Parliament building. I’ve seen it from the outside but not inside. English guides are not readily available so book in advance. This is the site to buy tickets.jegymester.hu Make sure you make the purchase as a non EU resident.
We are staying at the Marriott and walking up and down the roads by the Danube is a lot of fun.There’s also a McDonalds near the Marriott which has the cheapest (McDonalds prices) soft serve ice cream cone. I will go back to check quality and price this time. Do not skip the Great Market Hall where you can spend hours.
She is flying out of Amsterdam tomorrow when the cruise ends.
In Budapest shopping the Great Market Hall was fun, and it can be a good place to eat.
My favorite activity was going to the thermal baths, and though there are many bathhouses in a variety of styles, the old classic Széchenyi Thermal Bath - [Official website] (szechenyibath.hu) was wonderful both architecturally and for the variety of experiences as the pools are inside as well as out.
I’d second the baths. There are many spas and baths along the way in various places. They can be a great way to spend the day and most offer a daily rate. This isn’t anything like a US spa. Many are connected to real thermal spas. Though some may offer services, it’s more like going to a pool where the water is restorative.
I flew into Schiphol on Monday and back home Wednesday. If flying coach give yourself a full 3 plus hours. You will need it as they have people lined up under tents in the parking lot to gain access to the terminals.
If flying business or you have Premier Access enter terminal two (avoid one) and go upstairs and stay right. There is a small sign for priority and you will have your boarding pass scanned. You will then by staying right have a separate passport control line. The entire process takes less than 30 minutes.
Regardless of travel status bags are being lost and the check in process is a total mess. If at all possible use carry on or ship bags there are several services that will come to your hotel.
Sorry if I am adding anxiety but give yourself time.
She texted me this morning that her flight was cancelled. She got on another flight and arrives soon. Hopefully her bags will make it too.