Below is an article from Clinton Maxwell that will give you an idea of all the possible things to see and visit in Vienna when on your Danube river cruise. Please note the excursions provided by your cruise company guides may or may not include all the following items. I will let Clinton take it from here.

Visiting Vienna Austria

By Clinton Maxwell

Vienna Austria is the country’s capital and is located on the scenic River Danube. This city was the political center of the Austrian Empire and is home to ornate palaces and museums. Many of these were built for or by the Hapsburg family and trace the family history as well as the country’s history.

Visiting Vienna

The city has many hotels and other accommodations near the airport and in surrounding areas. There are hotels in every price range. The inner city is home to monuments and parks that are popular tourist attractions. Old, ornate churches can be found here as well as other building such as Parliament, the University and Opera house.

When planning your trip, be aware that most attractions are closed on public holidays in the city. Public holidays include: January 1, January 6, the Monday after Easter, May 1, Ascension Thursday, The Feast of Corpus Christi, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25 and 26. Just about all museums, palaces and many shops are closed on these days.

Museums

o Kuntshall Wien is a museum with a collection of modern and contemporary art. The artists are both Austrian and International artists. This museum is run by the city of Vienna.

o The Sigmund Freud Museum is dedicated to the Father of Modern Psychology. It is run by the Sigmund Freud Society and traces the doctor’s life and work.

o Austrian Gallery Belvedere was built for Prince Eugene of Savoy as a summer home. It is now open for tours and contains art work and historical information. The gardens are spectacular and are also open for touring.

Palaces in Vienna

Vienna is home to several palaces built for the Hapsburg family. The Imperial Palace is located in the inner city and it was from here that the Hapsburgs ruled for seven centuries. It was constructed in the early 13th century. The Gothic chapel on the site is still open on Sundays for services. The Vienna Boy’s Choir sings here. The palace is open for tours during the week.

The Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephens is located near the Imperial Palace. Construction on this ornate cathedral was started in the thirteenth century and completed in the fifteenth century. The steeple of St. Stephens can be seen from all over the city.

Schonbrunn Palace was built as a summer residence for Empress Sisi. The grounds include a park, zoo and large labyrinth that are open for tour as well as an ornate, Baroque style palace. There is so much to see at this palace that you should plan an entire day here.

The Belvedere Palace is also built in the Baroque style. This palace was the heart of the former Hapsburg empire. The Austrian Gallery Belvedere is located here. In addition to viewing the artwork, you can tour the palace and gardens.

The Imperial Burial Vault is located below the Capuchin Church and is open for tours. This was the burial place for members of the Hapsburg family. The vault contains 146 aristocrats, 12 emperors and 19 empresses.

About the Author: Clinton Maxwell writes many news for http://www.munich-to-vienna-via-salzburg.com. In his publication the author is publishing about vienna austria.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=47235&ca=Travel

I hope this article gives you an idea of what you will possibly see in just one stop off destination Vienna.
Thanks to Clinton for his informative article. There are many more exciting and interesting destinations along the river on your Danube River Cruise. We include several articles covering these other destinations on this site. Just browse around this site to find out everthing you need to know about Danube river cruises and other european river cruises.

Danube river cruise are provided by all the main cruise line companies.

By Eugen Lisov

Danube Delta is probably the last truly wild place in Europe, a stretch of land and water that offers a comfortable place to live to an incredible diverse wildlife and an incredible spectacle of nature to visitors. With over three hundred and twenty species of birds and 1500 species of fish, it has one of the biggest biodiversities in the world.

Because not many people yet know about it, the Danube Delta offers a rare opportunity for a true nature passionate to spend a few days in the middle of what could easily be called Paradise.

Being chosen as the “Landscape of the year 2007-2009” by The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, there are plenty of nature-related activities you can choose to spend your time with.

Bird watching

Danube Delta is an El Dorado for the true birdwatchers. Nowhere in the world will you see so many species of birds crowded all together in a small place. You will find here over half of the world’s population of cormorants and the largest population of pelicans.

You will also have the pleasure to see the winter and summer swan, the white tailed eagle, wild ducks and geese, cranes, egrets, spoon bills, red neck geese, eastern flossy ibis, white, gray, yellow and red herons, bald coots, Dobrudjan hawks, storks, and many flamingo birds.

To go on a bird watching trip, you can either to book a trip with one of the many specialized agencies here, or you can simply choose to hire one of the locals to take you on a private boat ride. Usually, the second choice will be the most interesting because the locals know the best places to visit and they have many entertaining stories to complete the picture.

Fishing

Fishing is one of the most popular activities here. With over 1500 species of fish, this place is the favorite place for many recreational fishermen to spend their holydays. Among the fish you can catch here, you’ll have the surprise to see the great sturgeon, the catfish, carp, pike and a whole lot more.

Now, at the end of the day, to celebrate a great day of fishing, somebody should prepare the traditional fish soup, or ‘bors de peste’. Again, a local will do it best. Trust me; you won’t eat anything like this anywhere else! It is simply delicious!

Beaches

Ah, yes… The beaches… If you want to catch a tan and also have some privacy, the 30 km stretch of wild beach between Sulina and Sf. Gheorghe is just perfect. There are no people anywhere near and you will most like have the chance to see the only pack of wild horses in Europe roaming around.

And if you feel particularly romantic, take your partner for a pleasant night walk on the beach! Out here, in the wild, you’ll see the night sky better than ever. There are so many stars out there, that some will start falling al around you. Start making wishes

If you want a combination of wild and modern, then Gura Portitei is the place to go. It is a modern beach resort that has all the rustic and wild elements that make the Danube Delta the unique place it is.

The largest city in Danube Delta is Sulina. It’s got a great history and in the 19th and early 20th century it was the headquarter of the European Commission of the Danube, an early precursor of the European Union. It was one of the most cosmopolite cities in Europe at the time and the legacy of those days can still be seen today. If you happen to have a dink with an old local, make sure to ask him about the pirates that used to raid this place a century ago. The stories are great!

Cultural Activities

Being at the crossroads of many cultures, there is also an incredibly ethnic diversity in Danube Delta. Each of the nationalities living here, the Romanians, Ukrainians, Lipovans, Armenian, Greeks, Turks and many more, have their own unique traditions which they celebrate during various festivals.

Recently, the International Independent Film Festival has become the most important event in the region. It takes place every year in Sfatu Gheorghe and it brings together big names in the movie industry, from Romania and the whole Europe.

About the Author: Eugen Lisov has lived most of his life in Danube Delta and his website http://www.Wild-Danube-Delta.com is a modest attempt to make this place better known for its unique natural elements. Please feel free to visit his site to learn more about the magic of this place.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=352138&ca=Travel

Riverboat cruises are an amazing alternative to the standard ways of visiting Europe, which can include countless hotel transfers, exhausting flights and boring tour guides. Instead, see the rugged, open country and beauty of Europe while floating down the most famous rivers of the region in a beautiful luxurious riverboat offering not only amazing accommodations, but four star dining and a cozy atmosphere.

Danube River Cruise

One of the most popular rivers in Europe is the Danube which snakes its way through five central European countries, including Austria and Germany. This voyage can be done in a number of ways through Viking Cruises that offers four distinct cruises down the Danube ranging from eight or ten day adventures. Depending on the areas of the Danube you are interested in and the trip you find the most desirable, there are many different riverboat cruise adventures available. If you are looking for any time of year, their Romantic Danube, Danube Explorer and Romantic Danube & the Passionsspiele are the perfect cruises for you to consider.

If you are looking for something completely different and decadent, sail on the Danube Holiday Delight and take an eight day cruise down the Danube through four countries and enjoy seven different guided tours to learn about the cities and villages you stop in along the way.

These cruises are an amazing way to see Europe’s rich history and take an off-the-beaten path approach to travel. As with most cruises accommodations and meals are provided, Viking River Cruising also offers a large variety of add-ons that can be purchased at the time your tickets are purchased to make your time on the ship more enjoyable. Some of these add-ons include staterooms upgrades and specific medical or disability needs of their travelers. If you book your flight through Viking, they will also transfer you to and from the airport.

With a high level of customer service, amazing destinations and luxurious ships, Viking Cruises offers you an experience of Europe you won’t find anywhere else. If you are considering a riverboat cruise, take the time to consider all the facets of the adventure and make sure it fits your needs and abilities. With a large variety of cruises to choose from, historic destinations not accessible other ways and a new perspective on cruising, a danube river cruise can take your European vacation to the next level.