Three Rivers and the Lower Danube – Riverside Luxury Cruises

Cruise Itinerary

From Amsterdam to Budapest to Belgrade and back to Budapest. Wow, what a cruise, what an experience. From the cities and castles of the Rhine to the meandering Main, over the Main-Danube Canal to the villages and towns of the upper Danube all the way to Budapest. Then continue your Danube Delight all the way to Belgrade and experience the Iron Gates, two hydro electric power dams which separate the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. Returning to Budapest, your cruise concludes with a spectacular sail back into the this city.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Alleys, canals and van Gogh around every corner. Amsterdam is one of the most exciting cities in Europe. The historic centre was built on five million spruce trunks. The experiences this city has to offer are limitless. Paintings by famous artists can be admired in the newly designed Museum Square. Rembrandt and Vermeer in the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh has his own museum dedicated to him – the audio tour is a real experience: a touching journey into the life of the artist, who cut off his ear in Arles in southern France after an argument with Gauguin. The Anne Frank House tells a different, but equally touching story. And if you stroll through Amsterdam’s old town, you will experience real contrasts – Chinatown, with the first Buddhist temple built in Europe and with the famous red-light district.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY
Can office buildings dance? In Dusseldorf, the answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. The architect Frank O. Gehry designed it – its model must have been the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They are located in the city’s famous “Medienhafen” quarter, where other international architects have also immortalised themselves in style between quay walls and railway tracks. Definitely worth a visit. Just like the house where Heinrich Heine was born in the old town, the Hofgarten and right next to it the K20 art collection: Klee, Picasso, Matisse and Andy Warhol, all there! And if you want to let the art reverberate a little longer, take a stroll through one of Dusseldorf’s many green parks.

RUDESHEIM, GERMANY
In the past, Rudesheim was regarded by young people as stuffy German and highly provincial. In the meantime, even the hipster scene from Berlin can be seen here from time to time. The town is best known for its 144-metre-long “Drosselgasse”, the venue for wine events in small half-timbered houses and garden pubs. If you want to get an insight into the history of the Rudesheim nobility, visit the beautiful courtyards on Oberstrasse. The Frankensteiner Hof, for example.

MILTENBERG, GERMANY
It lies between the hills of Spessart and Odenwald. It bears the title “Bavarian Place of Pleasure” with maximum pride. And yes, it has one very clever feature – a “Schnatterloch”. In all probability, this village is one of the most beautiful in Bavaria. Anyone standing in Miltenberg’s market square is in no doubt about this. Medieval half-timbering frames the square, at the end of which a footpath leads through the tower of the city wall to the Mildenburg. There is also a hole in the tower through which the water can drain off during heavy rain – the “Schnatterloch”. Incidentally, the museum in Mildenburg shows icons from Greece, Russia and Romania. A real box of gems.

FREUDENBERG, GERMANY
Freudenberg, a small, picturesque town situated along the banks of the Main River in Germany, offers a unique blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Its well-preserved medieval old town, adorned with half-timbered houses, exudes a timeless allure that is further enhanced by the river’s presence. The Main River adds a tranquil element to the town, providing scenic vistas.

KARLSTADT, GERMANY
Karlstadt has a long and rich history, dating back to the 8th century. The city was originally founded by the Franks and was named after Charlemagne, who is known in German as Karl der Große (Charles the Great). In the Middle Ages, Karlstadt was an important trading center and a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe. The city’s strategic location on the Main River made it a key transportation hub for goods and people traveling between Eastern and Western Europe. Throughout its history, Karlstadt has endured several wars and conflicts, including the Thirty Years’ War, which devastated much of Germany in the 17th century. However, the city managed to recover and rebuild, thanks in part to its thriving wine industry and the emergence of new industries such as textiles and manufacturing. Today, Karlstadt is a vibrant and prosperous city that is proud of its rich cultural heritage and strong sense of community.

WURZBURG, GERMANY
Bavaria and Baroque. In Würzburg, it’s like nowhere else. One of the main works is the city’s Residenz, one of the most important castles in Europe, designed by Balthasar Neumann, built between 1720 and 1740 and protected by UNESCO. In the stairwell, every visitor is left feeling amazed: What a fresco! The largest continuous fresco in the world. Any questions? Then it’s on to the city, a baroque dream come true. And finally, we cross the oldest bridge over the Main (don’t worry, it has been lavishly restored time and again) to Marienburg Fortress, which was the residence of the Würzburg prince-bishops for over 400 years. From up here you look down on the old university with its domes and towers. What a view! Perhaps a visit to the art ship ARTE NOAH? It is one of the few floating galleries in Germany.

BAMBERG, GERMANY
Bamberg is the dream of a city that has become northern Bavaria. With charm from the Middle Ages and with listed buildings, yes, with baroque splendour architecture, to be more precise. In addition to numerous museums and historical sights, beer connoisseurs and aficionados will get their money’s worth in Bamberg in much the same way as wine lovers do with a top vintner. Beer is something like the lifeblood in the city. There are numerous breweries and plenty of pubs. But you’d better visit them after a tour of the city. This is because here you should not miss the following first: the Alte Hofhaltung (once the bishops’ residence), the cathedral (dating from 1002) and the Neue Residenz (what splendid halls!) with the rose garden designed by Balthasar Neumann (what a view over the old town). And as a little extra, after all you are on a river cruise: in Bamberg there is lock 100. It is the last lock of the Ludwig Main Danube Canal built under King Ludwig I. It is still operated by hand. The lock-keeper’s cottage is simply magical.

NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Fine wooden toys, jumping frogs and tin music boxes, colourful tableware and stationery – all handmade in local manufactories. The Handwerkerhof in Nuremberg is perfect for small and original souvenirs from the trip. Because your loved ones back home will definitely ask of such a special river cruise: Did you bring me something? Those who have been to Nuremberg also bring back stories. For example, from a visit to the Albrecht Durer House, from a stroll through the Old Town with the Kaiserburg and the churches and the medieval fortress walls, from the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, where the National Socialists held their party congresses and where the Nuremberg Trials were later held. From the “Marriage Carousel”, a fountain with larger-than-life bronze figures thematising the “bittersweet way of conjugal life”. And from the hangman’s house. There is a lot to tell.

REGENSBERG, GERMANY
In the Middle Ages, Regensburg was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire and served as the site of numerous imperial diets (assemblies). During the Reformation, it played a significant role as a meeting place for Catholic and Protestant leaders who attempted to reconcile their differences. This effort ultimately failed, leading to the Thirty Years’ War, which devastated much of Europe. In the 19th century, Regensburg became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and its economy flourished as a center of trade and industry. Regensburg is known for its stunning architecture, including the Gothic-style St. Peter’s Cathedral and the historic Stone Bridge, which dates back to the 12th century. Today, its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A Bavarian Museum showcases the region’s unique cultural heritage through an extensive collection of artifacts, artwork, and historical objects displaying everything from the area’s early settlement and development to its modern-day traditions and customs. Another popular attraction in Regensburg is the historic popular attraction in Regensburg is the historic Wurstkuchl, also known as the Sausage Kitchen. Located on the banks of the Danube River, this restaurant has been serving up traditional Bavarian sausages since the 12th century. According to local legend, the Sausage Kitchen was founded by a group of boatmen who would stop there for a hearty meal after a long day’s work on the river. Today, the same sausages that have been served for centuries are on offer, along with a cold beer.

PASSAU, GERMANY
Passau is first and foremost a university town. That is why it is young, vibrant and full of life. Then there are the three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, which flow together in the city and give it a special character. Speaking of character, Passau has quite the amount of character thanks to the prevalence of Baroque and Gothic architecture including many beautiful churches and cathedrals as well as the Veste Oberhaus, a fortress since the Middle Ages.

LINZ, AUSTRIA
Linz? Often, the only things that come to mind are “Linzer Torte” and Mozart’s Linz Symphony. The city is truly underestimated, with its baroque main square and magnificent old town. Do you love a good market? Then Linz is your town, boasting eleven farmers markets and two Christmas Markets. One, the “Urfahraner Market” takes place in both the Spring and Fall. Shopping anyone?

MELK, AUSTRIA
Does anyone still remember Adson of Melk? Right, that’s the main character in the novel. The name of the rose. The story begins in Melk Abbey and ends in its breathtaking library, in whose 12 rooms more than 100,000 volumes stand in fine order, virtually piling up. (Here, the word “piling up” still has an entirely positive meaning!) Melk Abbey is one of the most magnificent examples of marble, gilded wood, stucco and finely mastered frescoes. Built in 1746 by order of the Benedictine monks, the monastery is perched on a rock nearly 200 feet / 60 meters above the ground. When you stand on the Altane (the great terrace of the monastery) the view of the Danube and the town of Melk almost brings tears to your eyes with emotion. What a view!

VIENNA, AUSTRIA
This is the city of classical music. It’s Mozart and Strauss. It’s street art on a sandy beach and fun in the countryside. It’s bohemia and bourgeoisie and the finest baroque. And of course Art Nouveau. It’s bad-tempered waiters in great coffee houses. It’s Sigmund Freud and Gustav Klimt and Adolf Loos and Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Sisi and many others. It is the Spanish Riding School, an event for horse lovers. And of course it is the city of Schmah (jokes anyone?) and scandals, on which the Viennese feast like cows on fresh grass on the alpine pasture. Last but not least: Vienna is the city on the Danube. Although it was not always so. The Viennese Danube river front is an artificial structure which was only created in the 19th century. Before that, the Danube flowed past Vienna in many arms through floodplains and uninhabited areas. Today, the Riverside can also dock right in front of the city. And then it starts. Marvel, wonder and rejoice. Vienna is a dream.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
It is no coincidence that many filmmakers have chosen Budapest as a backdrop. Take EVITA (1996), for example – most of the scenes were shot not in Buenos Aires, but in Budapest. Anyone walking through the city, in the shadow of the State Opera House or across elegant Szabadsag ter (Freedom Square) in the V. district, sees and feels it immediately. Budapest impresses. It is a metropolis and a spa city. It is Paris, Florence and Vienna in one. Many buildings were copied here. In fact, the Palais Batthyany, is an exact copy of the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. A must: the castle district. Pastel-colored houses, built by their owners to be close to the Royal Palace. Or the National Gallery. Or the Labyrinth: it also served as a prison. Its most famous inmate: Vlad Tepes from Transylvania, who went down in history and stories as Count Dracula. And another suggestion. It is best to simply drift through Budapest. Then you will always come across enchanting stores like the Madison Perfumery. It is housed in the rooms of a 19th-century pharmacy. Not only the fragrances are enchanting, but also the furniture and accessories in the back room, all of which are original.

BELGRADE, SERBIA
Today’s capital of Serbia always aroused great covetousness because of its strategic location. The symbol of many conflicts and the current landmark of the city is the fortress over the Danube and the Sava. There is so much to see and experience here. Among other things, the only preserved Turkish bath from the early 19th century. And, speaking of Turkish. The cuisine of Serbia is so interesting because the meat dishes are Turkish and Hungarian and the pastries are Austrian-Bohemian. It exudes its scent especially in Knez Mihailo Street with its numerous cafés and restaurants.

NOVI SAD, SERBIA
Little known, but well-worth a visit: Novi Sad was founded in the 17th century and quickly became known for trade and production. In addition, the city developed into a centre of Serbian culture – earning it the nickname “Serbian Athens”. Dunavska Street, with its pretty two- and three-storey buildings, is named after the Danube. Also worth seeing is “Freedom Square” with the town hall and St. Mary’s Church.

VUKOVAR, CROATIA
The city is located close to the Serbian border and was the scene of much armed conflict during the war from 1991 to 1995. Signs can still be seen today. The port is surrounded by wineries and close by are interesting archaeological sites.

Charming and poetic, the compositions of Debussy created a beautiful bridge between romanticism and the developing modern world. So too will your ship, the Riverside Debussy, deliver the rich history of Europe along with all the modern comforts that bring you joy. The best of both worlds await you on the romantic Rhine river, where we are creating unique journeys that will allow you to see the old world in an entirely new, and oh so luxurious way.

A river cruise touches the senses. It combines space and time to create a contemplative experience. Sitting on the upper deck in an intimate atmosphere, watching unspoiled, beautiful scenery pass by – these are moments you will never forget.

Marvel at the engineering prowess of the locks. Immerse yourself in the culture of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Enjoy the culinary specialties of the regions the ship passes through. And you only have to pack your suitcase once. Yes, a river cruise in Europe with Riverside Luxury Cruises also means setting out to find yourself.

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Riverside Debussy - Deck 1

Riverside Debussy - Deck 2

Riverside Debussy - Deck 3

Riverside Debussy - Deck 4

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Seahorse Suite

Seahorses enjoy their peace and quiet and like to withdraw. And that’s exactly what you can do in our suite that bears that name. Even in the chic bath, tiled in marble and with double sinks, you’ll have a wonderful amount of space. Perfect comfort in just over 258 square feet (24 m2). The finest materials and art on the walls.

Symphony Suite

At 188 square feet (17.5 m2), you will still enjoy great comfort in a Symphony Suite. Go to sleep under covers of the finest cotton, and begin every day with a tea or coffee in bed as you gaze out into the fresh air. The rain shower in the bathroom will mobilize your energy for the entire day.A small desk gives you the opportunity to take notes – after all, a trip on our ships is full of experiences to write about.

Melody Suite

Varied tones in natural colors melt very harmoniously into a whole.Just downright cozy, as they say in America. A king-size bed and a walk-under rain shower make this suite a charming world in which to live. It’s no wonder that it carries the name Melody. As in all the suites, there is also a flatscreen HD television set here.

Debussy Suite

The great composers commanded their own space. And that’s what you can also do in these signature suites. They are identically furnished, although they carry the names of their respective ships. Each offers more than 500 square feet (45m2) of room and the same service as the Owner’s Suite. Full-length windows, art, fireplace, and a direct view of the water from the king-size bed. For our Bach Suite’s guests, a limousine transfer between the airport or the train station and the ship is included.

Owner's Suite

A dream in 750 square feet (70 m2) on the Debussy, the Owner’s Suite features two bedrooms and two baths. There’s also a stylish living room, where you can sit at the fireplace and read a book, dine privately with the family or sit at the desk and get a few things done on your laptop. Or on your own balcony. This suite guarantees guests a pristine appearance without any effort on your part. Give us your clothes – we’ll wash and iron them. An exclusive limousine transfer between the airport or the train station will be looking forward to bring you on board.

Riverside Suite

Nomen est Omen – the name is a sign. Here, everything goes with the flow of the river. And it can even be seen in the morning right from your bed through the picture window.Enjoy style and comfort in perfect form. And just in case someone has especially moving dreams or the suite is intended for a cruise with a best friend, the king-size beds can easily be converted into two twin beds. For our Riverside Suite’s guests, a limousine transfer between the airport or the train station and the ship is included.