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On Cruising the River Danube: Part 1 of 4

Our first river cruise was a good one, so thought I’d share a bit of it with you. My first thought was 2 posts: the Upper and Lower Danube – but those posts would be too long with too many pics in each post. (That’s a self-imposed standard.)  So, I’ve decided to spread this trip over 4 posts, but in order of occurrence. This post features Prague to Linz.

 

Prague, Czech Republic

Although not located on the Danube, Prague is a common beginning (or end) point for Upper Danube cruises. We first visited Prague last year at the start of our Rick Steves tour. Because we loved it this city by the River Vltava , we didn’t mind returning. For more details and images of Prague, here’s a past post.

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Terezin, Czech Republic

Until last year’s trip, I had never heard of Terezin until our guide mentioned it. After reading about it in Madeleine Albright’s Prague Winter, and then watching a documentary on it, I couldn’t pass a tour opportunity to visit. Terezin served as a town and a military installation. The Nazis took it over and turned it into a “model city” for interned Jews. It is an interesting, yet horrific, story. I’ve very glad I visited.

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Regensburg, Germany

A bit more than a two-hour bus ride from Prague (and before boarding the Avalon Passion), we spent the afternoon in Regensburg. Because it wasn’t bombed in WW2, it’s medieval city is still intact – and vibrant!

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Passau, Germany

Our first cruise stop was Passau. This city of three rivers is where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet. Interesting how the Inn’s murky water affects the Danube from this point and beyond. (From here down, it’s not blue.) Someone saved a young Adolph Hitler from drowning in the Inn.  After an Old Town tour, we hiked up to the castle for a scenic view.

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Linz, Austria

Linz is one of the larger cities in Austria. Although not one of my favorite stops, my dad was part of the army that liberated Linz in WW2. From Linz, some passengers went to Salzburg. Because my wife is a mega Sound of Music fan, she wanted more than a couple of hours.

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38 thoughts on “On Cruising the River Danube: Part 1 of 4”

  1. Incredible and beautiful places to visit. Although, having read much about Theresienstadt, I know it to was a place of terror. I have visited many concentration camps. There are lessons to be learned there that are more than ever important as our country turns towards the frightening.

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    • Cindy,
      So much to learn about the Nazi camps. I recall thinking that if I could mandate a place everyone in the world would have to visit, Auschwitz would be it.

      Knowing how much you love travel, this is a wonderful part of the world. Have you cruised the Danube or even another river? (I can’t recall.)

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  2. I looks like a wonderful trip, Frank! So many beautiful places.
    I was surprised you didn’t know of Terezin/Theresienstadt. The Holocaust memorial in Philadelphia has a Theresienstadt tree grown from a sapling of a tree the children there watered even when they had limited water themselves. Every time we walk by it, I say hello. 🙂
    There’s also an opera that the children in the camp performed that Maurice Sendak and Tony Kushner re-discovered.

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    • Merril,
      Wonderful trip. After a Thanksgiving post, the rest of the trip will be 3 consecutive posts.

      Yep – never heard of it until Sept 2018. After I read about it in Prague Winter, I wanted to know more. Defiant Requiem is an interesting documentary about their orchestra. (I saw it on Netflix) Meanwhile, next time pass along a hello to the tree from me.

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    • Kick,
      Welcome first-time commenter. Thanks for sharing a bit of your experience. The countries of the lower Danube are different – especially socio-economically. Besides, they aren’t too far removed from Communism. Hope you make it there sometime in the future!

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  8. Thanks for sharing your cruise memories and photos. I learned about Theresienstadt from a man in my local genealogical society, because his mother had been interned there and he’d only recently found some of her friends from there, still living, who could tell him her story. After living here for decades, he has returned now to the Czech Republic and begun a tour service.

    We were in Linz on our recent bike trip through Austria. I agree it wasn’t charming, but apparently there are some interesting museums – all closed when we were there (Monday).

    Salzburg is amazing. We did the canned “Sound of Music” tour, but wished we hadn’t. We could have spent the time (and money) better.

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  9. Beautiful, Frank. Having only been to Zug, Switzerland and a few cities in Tuscany, my list of places to visit is long.. now that I am solo, it takes a bit longer to get out there (till I get a better paying job, anyway!)

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  10. A beautiful journey Frank. I hope I get to take this tour one day. I did take the Viking tour in 2017 along the Rhine but have not been to Prague and it is a dream of mine. Your pictures are amazing ! Thanks so much for sharing , have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  13. Finally was able to get over here to see your part 1, Frank. Fascinating visit! Places like these hold so much history, some of it bearing horrible horrors that the normal every day person cannot even relate to. If I started thinking on those lines, I couldn’t cope, knowing what humans are capable of. No. I look at the beauty and feel the HOPE of renewed life. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I look forward to the next 2 parts.

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  14. A river cruise is such a gracious form of travel, and I’d love to experience the opportunity some day. I’d be enchanted with the beauty and combined with the historical significance of this region, I’d say you chose a wonderful trip! Very memorable!

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