A Week on the Enchanting Danube

I just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Enchanting Danube on the beautiful S.S. Maria Theresa. I was impressed with the amazing historical sites and buildings, museums, and the focus on MUSIC that was a common thread throughout all our ports of call on this fantastic itinerary. It is no wonder it has been described as a perfect cruise for a first-time river cruiser!

We started our cruise in the lovely town of Passau, Germany. There was a bit of rain that day which was a refreshing treat for this Southern California girl. The cobblestone streets and classic churches were a highlight of this very quaint town, even with the rain.

Next stop was Salzburg and a stop in Mondsee, Austria. This day is a MUST for a Sound of Music fan like me! We toured the church where they filmed the wedding scene from the film and the fountain where Maria sang and danced with the children. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, and a city where many musicians and composers have lived and worked throughout the ages. There were beautiful shops with souvenirs and tasty treats. An unforgettable day.

On day four we were able to visit Melk Abbey. What a hidden gem! We were the only group there, as we arrived quite early which was fantastic as we had the whole tour to ourselves. We could not take photos inside, but learning about the Abbey and the way of life for its inhabitants for many years was fascinating. The church is breathtaking, and the grounds were remarkable. The Abbey also boasts one of the largest and most comprehensive libraries in all of Europe!

In the afternoon Uniworld passengers had their choice of a wine tasting in Dürnstein, or Saffron Culinary Experience. The reviews on both were overwhelmingly positive. Uniworld passengers are given a multitude of opportunities to truly connect with locals in a way that makes their vacation one of a kind.

Our final few days were incredible. Visiting Vienna was a dream, we visited the Art History Museum, and again were fortunate to have an early, private entrance. That evening we were treated to a private concert and operatic performance that was out of this world. We travelled to a private historic music hall and were greeted with a champagne reception prior to taking our seats.

I was also able to take advantage of two of our Masterpiece Collection Tours; first to Schönbrunn Palace which was remarkable, and then also to Vienna’s Spanish Riding School which was outstanding. This is the oldest riding school in the world, it has been in existence for over 500 years! Horse lovers from around the world visit for a chance to see these majestic animals in their daily practice sessions. As usual with Uniworld, we had the best seats in the house: front row. It was thrilling to see the horses run, trot and perform tricks that have delighted dignitaries and royalty for centuries.

Our final day on the cruise brought us to Budapest. What a beautiful city. We had a private tour of the Franz List Music Academy; where we enjoyed yet another amazing performance from a student who was an award-winning pianist. We toured the rest of the city independently and I enjoyed the local cafes and fun shopping. But Budapest quite literally shines brightest in the evenings. Once the sun goes down, all the historic government buildings, bridges and cathedrals are lit up for the viewing delight of the multitude of tourists along the Danube. Most notably, the Parliament Building is awe inspiring. As we sipped cocktails and took photos from the top deck of the S.S. Maria Theresa, I was struck but how fitting this was to end our cruise with this special sight on the last evening of our adventure. Uniworld really did save the best for last.

So what was the greatest highlight of this wonderful trip? If you asked me to pick a city or a site, that would be challenging. All were wonderful for so many different reasons. The real highlight? It was the Uniworld factor—the staff that went way above and beyond to take great care of our group in every way imaginable. The fine dining and great service that we experienced for each meal was unforgettable. And the onboard services and entertainment—for those of us who squeezed in a massage at the spa- it was heaven! The nightly entertainment was varied and kept us dancing, singing and laughing every night as well. Our Cruise Director Milcho and Hotel Manager Ruben checked in on every passenger every day to answer questions and to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves. They paid attention to every detail, those tiny noticeable touches that Uniworld is known for.

I cannot recommend this trip highly enough and am hopeful I will return in the near future.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Uniworld itineraries and inclusions are subject to change at any time.