In August and September 2023, I took my first river cruise. It began in Budapest, Hungary and concluded three weeks later in Amsterdam, Netherlands. We began by heading up the Danube River through Slovakia, and into Austria via a series of locks. Eventually, we crossed the continental divide into Germany and the Main River. Headed down the Main now, we finally joined the Rhine River near Wiesbaden, Germany. Continuing downstream we reached Amsterdam, our final destination. All along the route, we visited, toured, and explored many different and unique cities and towns; castles, cathedrals, and palaces…oh my!
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest at sunset
Evening river cruise through Budapest
Cruising the Danube River at night
Parliament complex in Budapest, Hungary
Liberty Bridge over the Danube in Budapest
Megyeri Bridge, north Budapest, Hungary
City center Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava Castle, Slovakia
Devin Castle ruins in Bratislava, Slovakia
Late afternoon on the Danube
Palais Liechtenstein near Vienna, Austria
Royal coach on display in the lobby of the Palais Liechtenstein
Ceiling mural based upon the 12 feats of Hercules, Palais Liechtenstein
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria
Central plaza in Straubing, Germany
Pillar in plaza at Straubing, Germany
Fountain, central Straubing, Germany
Clock tower, central Straubing, Germany
Flowers after a morning drizzle, Straubing, Germany
The drowning of Agnes depicted in window mural, Straubing, Germany
Central cathedral in Straubing, Germany
Gilded alcove in central cathedral, Straubing, Germany
Straubing main street
One of many busy streets in old town Salzburg
Kollegienkirche in Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg palace and fountain in Residenzplatz, Salzburg, Austria
Vestiges of ancient Roman walls in Regensburg, Germany
Vestiges of ancient Roman walls preserved in Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg city street
David and Goliath depicted in mural, Regensburg, Germany
Altes Rathaus in Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg, Germany
City street in Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg, Germany
Local carnival, Regensburg, Germany
Ducks on the Danube
Nuremberg Castle, Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg Castle, Nuremberg, Germany
St. Sebaldus Church, Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg City Hall, Nuremberg, Germany
Schoner Brunnen (beautiful fountains), Nuremberg, Germany
Reflections am Main near Nuremberg, Germany
Country village on the Main River, Germany
High water and low bridge!
Wallfahrtskirche Kappele near Wurzburg, Germany
Rothenburg, Germany
Hotel Roterhahn, Rothenburg, Germany
Cafe Gerberhaus in Rothenburg, Germany
Crime and punishment in old Rothenburg, Germany
Markplatz, Rothenburg, Germany
Burg Wertheim Castle, Stadtprozelten, Germany
Church along the Main River, Mondfeld, Germany
Swan am Main, Germany
Mechanical music players museum, Rudesheim, Germany
View of Rudesheim on the Rhine from the Germania statue, Germany
Courtyard fountain, Rudesheim, Germany
Cobblestone street and shops, Rudesheim, Germany
Rheinstein Castle in the Rhine Gorge near Rudesheim, Germany
Church in Lorch-Lorchhausen, Germany
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, Oberwesel, Germany
Burghotel Auf Schönburg, Oberwesel, Germany
St. Martin's Kirche, Germany
Aussichtspunkt Rheintal St. Goar/Loreley, Germany
Katz Castle, St. Goarshausen, Germany
Katz Castle, St. Goarshausen, Germany
Medieval castle ruins Rhine River Gorge, St. Goarshausen, Germany
Burg Maus, St. Goarshausen, Germany
Liebenstein Castle, Kamp-Bornhofen, Germany
Churches along the Rhine River, Boppard, Germany
Basilika St. Severus church, Boppard, Germany
Great St. Martin Church, Cologne, Germany
Great St. Martin Church, Cologne, Germany
Cologne Cathedral, Germany
View down the main transect in the Cologne Cathedral
Twin spires of the Cologne Cathedral, Germany
View of 7 bridges along the old canals in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Side view of theCologne Cathedral, Germany
Stained glass window Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Stained glass window Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Towering front facade of the Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Canal, Amsterdam, Netherlands