River cruises along the Danube: description, routes and reviews

"Ay, Danube, my Danube, ah, merry Danube!" - is sung in one of the Russian folk songs about one of the most famous rivers in the world. It proudly carries its waters past the ten states of Europe.

Long ago, on its shores there were settlements of ancient Slavs. This river has always attracted the attention of invaders and geographers. In the 5th century BC it was explored by the famous Greek traveler Herodotus.

The Danube is of interest in our time. There are many interesting cruises along the river . Cruises on the Danube are very popular with travelers. And what is this river? Are there any legends associated with its name? What do tourists think that cruise on the Danube? What are they like? About everything in order.

The Danube is the longest river in Europe

The Great River, uniting the countries of Europe, carries its waters from west to south-east. In translation from the Celtic language, its name translates as "fast river". On its banks were built fortresses, and soldiers of different countries were breaking their camps.

Whoever has not explored the Danube: Phoenicians and Greeks, Romans and Macedonians. With the emergence of Kievan Rus Danube is becoming a popular trading route. A variety of goods sold on its shores: fabrics and jewelry, leather and furs, vegetables and wine, horses and servants. This river at all times attracted numerous conquerors. King Darius and Alexander the Great, Khan Baty and the Crusaders, Roman emperors and the Ottoman Empire - all of them sent their troops to the banks of the Danube in the thirst for profit.

The river originates in the mountains of Germany and ends in the Ukraine. On the banks of the Danube are more than a dozen large European cities. Many of them would like to be called a river capital. But the most important is Vienna, it is rightly called the pearl of the Danube River.

Russian hero of the Danube

One of the legends associated with the appearance of the river, you can read in Russian bylinas. A warrior named Danube Ivanovich at a feast accidentally kills his young wife. Learning that she was expecting a child, he can not bear the double murder and, throwing himself at his sword, dies. The blood that flows from the wound of the Danube forms the whole river, later it is called the name of the Russian hero.

"Oh, Danube, and the ships are now scampering for you ..." - wrote the Russian poet Fedor Tyutchev almost two hundred years ago. The development of navigation on the river began in the 19th century and continues actively in the 21st century throughout the entire calendar year, with the exception of one to two months.

Today it is the most popular and loved by many tourists of the world route. Cruises on the Danube are very diverse. Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest are popular ports of departure.

Cruise on the Danube from Vienna

This route is the most popular and loved by many tourists of the world. The capital of Austria - Vienna - for a long time will take captive the hearts of lovers of opera, waltzes, museums and romance. The city of Mozart and Strauss, strudels and schnitzels will open its hospitable embrace for you.

The journey begins from the city of Vienna and usually ends there. Average duration of the cruise is from 7 to 11 days. Comfortable cabins, Russian-speaking guides, entertainment programs, delicious and nutritious food - all this and more awaits you on a cruise.

Cruises on the Danube from Budapest

If you only have a couple of days to visit the capital of Hungary , be sure to take a boat trip. You can see the whole city in a short time, and also swim under the seven bridges that connect the banks of the Danube. The river divides the city into two parts: the right bank - the green Buda and the left bank - the plain Pest.

You can ride a boat for several hours, and you can book a cruise from two days to a week. In this case, you can get acquainted not only with Budapest, but also with many European cities. The cruise program includes not only a water trip, but also parking in the largest cities of Europe, and visiting museums.

Curious facts about the Danube

1. The length of this river is about three thousand kilometers.

2. The tributaries of the Danube River numbered several hundred, with about 30 of them navigable.

3. Poems by Vladimir Khlebnikov and Maxim Gorky, Fedor Tyutchev and Yaroslav Smelyakov were written about the Danube .

4. "Lament of Yaroslavna" from the famous ancient Russian poem "The Lay of Igor's Campaign" includes a mention of the Danube.

5. In Russian folklore there are a lot of ceremonial wedding songs in which it is sung about the river.

6. The Danube has several younger brothers and sisters, rivers, which received its name from it: Dunajec, Dunavec, Dunavec.

7. Donau, Danube, Duna, Dunarea, Dunav, Danubiy, Tuna, Istra - the names of one great river.

8. By combination of some features and geographical features, the Danube is divided into several parts: Upper, Lower and Middle.

9. The zero kilometer of the river is in Ukraine, the Ankudinov Island, it is from here that the length is considered.

10. In Germany there is the Danube valley, here the Danube joins with two rivers: Ilts and Inn.

Seven reasons to cruise

1. In a short time you can get acquainted with the main sights of four European capitals: Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade.

2. River cruises on the Danube - an excellent way for people who can not choose a sea cruise because of motion sickness.

3. You can get acquainted with the rich history of the river.

4. The opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery, passing by.

5. No need to waste time to move from one city to another.

6. If you want to make a romantic trip, then the best option and you can not think of.

7. A small number of people, usually no more than 200 people, contributes to the creation of a friendly, home environment on board the ship, which makes a cruise on the Danube especially attractive.

Reviews of people who cruise

One of the distinctive features, which are noted by almost all tourists, cruises along the Danube is the open upper deck of the ship. If you want, you can always get up here and enjoy the fresh air and beauty of the floating places.

To the pluses, many tourists attribute the excellent quality and variety of cooked dishes. Meals from 6 to 8 times a day. Interesting entertainment programs and excursions.

The amazing illumination of the bridges, which are many on the Danube, is admirable. Swim under them, you need to clap your hands and make a wish, as the local guides say. It is quite obvious that many people want to repeat the cruise on the Danube more than once. From Moscow to Budapest you can fly in a few hours, it is from here many tour operators are advised to begin a journey through the famous river of Europe.

Things to take with you

If you decide to go on a river cruise so that your voyage is easy and comfortable, do not forget to bring along the following:

• Warm clothes: a jacket, a cardigan, a cardigan, a shawl or a scarf.
• Walking shoes, best without a heel or low. The perfect solution will be sports shoes: sneakers, moccasins, sneakers or ballet shoes.
• Headgear for protection from sunlight.
• Remedies for mosquitoes.
• First-aid kit with the most necessary medicines: anesthetics, antipyretic, from motion sickness and others.
• Slates or special shoes for taking water procedures.
• Camera or camcorder. Better and then, and more. So that you could more than once admire the amazing scenery and beauties of the great river and the sights of the cities you will visit.

Cruises along the Danube are an excellent opportunity to visit the most interesting places in Europe, without getting tired of an overabundance of impressions. And on the contrary, resting and enjoying the amazing views of nature that open before your eyes, when you swim along the river.