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The Two Cities of Budapest
On our Danube river cruises, voyages start from Passau, Germany (near Munich), and cruise to the Austrian and Hungarian capitals of Vienna and Budapest. These “Floating Hotels” cruise by beautiful cities, villages, castles and vineyards. Once you get aboard our river cruises, your excitement and joy knows no limits as you are overwhelmed with the sight of fascinating places coming into view and the wonderful amenities provided on the cruise vessel. You will often find a swimming pool, beauty salon, gift shop, dancing and entertainment on board. The rates are affordable and include all sightseeing tours, meals, wine with dinner, free internet and use of bicycles on board.
Budapest is the capital and the largest city of Hungary. Budapest is made up of the two cities – Buda and Pest, and is located on the Danube River. This is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Featuring a stunning Parliament building, eight beautiful bridges crossing the Danube River and Castle Mount, Budapest is worth several days of exploration. Known for centuries as a spa town and relaxation resort, special wellness facilities, such as specialized hotels and wellness centers have opened in Budapest during the past eighteen years. These wellness centers offer a wide range of services in every category – dental treatments, plastic surgery, eye clinics, beauty salons, spa, wellness and fitness.
For more active travelers, Budapest has added lots of outdoor activities such as bicycle tours, canoe and walking and swimming tours – even kick scooter tours.
Budapest also offers kayaking at the The Római Coast, located in the northern side of Buda on the riverside of the Danube. This area is one of the most popular centers of the rowing, kayaking and canoeing sport on the Danube in Budapest.
Budapest has so much to experience and enjoy; a passing by trip will not likely be sufficient. If you really want to know and feel what the city is about, plan well in advance and take adequate time off from your busy schedules to tour the area. Staying a few days before or after a Danube River Cruise will give you a bit more time to explore this fascinating town.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the world’s major wine industry capital, with the first vines introduced by the Romans in the 1st century. Bordeaux Wine, which has been primarily a local product, became more widely known when the English kings discovered it in the 12th century. The historic part of the city of Bordeaux is on the UNESCO world heritage list and is home to Europe’s largest town square “Esplanade des Quinconces”, laid out between 1118-1128, at a size of 450,000 sq. ft.
Bordeaux is a delightful city for walking. Take a stroll along the very scenic riverfront area along the Garonne River as well as Botanical gardens across the river. Bordeaux features one of the finest Grand Theatres in France, with its 18th-century architecture by Victor Louis and inspiration from Charles Garnier when he designed the Opera house in Paris. Bordeaux offers many historic buildings as well as several notable museums – Basilique St Michel, started in 1350 – famous for its 375-ft free standing bell tower; Musee d’ Aquitaine and the Flamboyant Gothic Cathedrale St Andre with dimensions that rival the Notre Dame in Paris. Cathedrale St Andre is surrounded by three museums: Musee des Beaux-Arts, Musee des Arts Decoratifs and Centre Jean Moulin.
Shopping aficionados will enjoy the Cours Georges-Clemenceau, a major luxury shopping area as well as the Place de la Comedie along the Cours de I’ Intendance, known as the Champ-Elysees of Bordeaux. Here you will also find several exquisite Louis XV houses.
Bordeaux is also an important Atlantic sea-port and it is well worth visiting the port at the head of the Gironde River, where tankers and freighters from all over the world call in there.
To reach the vineyards of the region of Bordeaux, you can take a short river cruise such as a five day round trip Bordeaux cruise visiting the Haut-Medoc region north of Bordeaux, the Gironde estuary, as well as the St Emilion area. Alternatively, you can get aboard a six night luxury barge cruise St Louis visiting the Graves region south of Bordeaux between Agen and Castets. Both cruises will feature visits to vineyards and wine tasting. There are also visits to historical land marks and, of course, great wine and food. The St Louis also offers cycling on their barge cruise.
Biking Tours on the Deluxe River Cloud II
You can now enjoy active exploring while on a deluxe river cruise – with our bicycle cruises. River Cloud is offering several biking excursions on their Holland and Danube cruise itineraries. In addition to several carefully planned cycling excursions, you will also enjoy the luxury of a floating 5-star hotel – the perfect place to retire at the end of the day. Take in the beauty of the passing landscape as you dine, or enjoy a relaxing evening in your stylish outside cabin.
Our spring bicycle cruises guide you through the beautiful landscape of northern Holland. Picture yourself cycling through lush, green fields and past quaint canals and windmills along the banks of Lake IJssel. We will, of course, be making a stop in the lively city of Amsterdam, as well as the proud ancient merchant city of Antwerp.
In summer, we explore four countries intersected by the Danube and their exquisite cultural settings with spectacular views, as well as plenty of history and art in the landmark cities of Passau, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and Dürnstein. You can cycle through the magical Wachau Valley and through the Donau-Auen National Park. You will also have the opportunity to sample a Grünen Veltliner and to follow in the footsteps of the Nibelungs.
On our cycling trips, the support van is not only a practical solution for transporting luggage; it also acts as a mobile workshop to provide support when we need it. You will see the van regularly wherever its route crosses our cycling path. The vehicle is never far away should you need to retrieve something from your luggage or pack something away, or if you feel the need to take a break.
River Cloud II offers the elegant travelling style of a bygone era and the rediscovery of a slower pace that is a pleasure and an enrichment alike. On board the River Cloud II, you can satisfy this yearning in the scenic heart of Europe, while enjoying an atmosphere of richness and elegance with the beautiful woods, brass and etched glass. With only 44 cabins and 35 staff, there is plenty of room to relax and be pampered by an attentive staff.
Wine Themed River Cruises on the Rhone and Seine Rivers of France
Cruise through some of France’s premier wine regions while enjoying the comforts of a deluxe river cruise vessel.
If you want to indulge in the world-renowned Burgundy wines along France’s Rhone River, sip great Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône wines, and explore the wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, our deluxe river cruise vessel is the right choice. The cruise includes stops in Arles, the city where Vincent Van Gogh lived near the end of his life. From Arles, you cruise to Avignon, where a wine tasting excursion takes you to the renowned Châteanueuf-du-Pape. Continue to Viviers and Tournon, where you will visit the L’Hermitage Winery and enjoy a chocolate tasting. In Vienne, you will visit the Chateau Rousillion before cruising to Tournon for a Beaujolais evening. The following day you can enjoy a winery visit and tasting. Your Rhone River cruise comes to an end in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France.
On the Seine River cruise, begin your voyage in Paris, then cruise to Vernon , for an excursion to Monet’s house at Giverny. Continue to ancient Rouen, where Joan of Arc was martyred. From Rouen, you can visit the Normandy Beaches or choose instead an excursion into Calvados country, to taste the region’s famous apple brandy. The following day, visit the harbor town of Honfleur, immortalized in a number of Impressionist paintings, or travel to Fecamp, home of the famous Benedictine liqueur. Continue your cruise to Les Andelys, site of Richard the Lionhart’s Château Gaillard. Your voyage will conclude in Paris.
Your wine cruise is hosted by a renowned wine or food expert, and your host will present three or four insightful wine-themed lectures that may also address other local specialties, such as the production of sparkling wines, the sampling of French champagnes and the uniqueness of Calvados.