Monday, August 21, 2017
This is my second in a series of posts on my adventure with Viking River Cruises.What a great way to experience Europe. This August, I was on the “Romantic Danube” with
Viking River Cruises. My first cruise, ever. Viking is known for pioneering the longboat, which is ideal for rivers. It was smooth sailing all the way along the Danube, from Budapest, Hungary to Nuremberg, Germany; and even through the many locks we passed.
What follows is my photo essay from Budapest:Budapest, the capital of Hungary, combines two cities: “hilly” Buda and “flat” Pest, which are divided by the Danube River (and no, it is not blue).
The Hungarian Parliament Building, one of the oldest parliament buildings in the world. We had an amazing view of it, under a twinkling (near) full moon, as we cruised the Danube at night.
That’s me on the Viking River longboat sundeck. The famous Chain Bridge and Buda Castle appear behind me.
St Stephen’s Basilica in Pest, the flat area on one side of the Danube. Is it a lively hub at night with surrounding restaurants and bars.
Like cute restaurants such as this one…
A couple of the famous restaurants/cafes on hilly Buda Castle Hill.
My favourite view of the Danube from Castle Hill, in Buda.
Some interesting more “modern” architecture.
Church of Matthias, one of the finest churches in Budapest’s Buda Castle Hill district, and was used for coronation of Hungarian kings.
Temperature was about 36C. Many people took advance of the sprinkler/mist systems to try to stay cool.
Traditional Hungarian textiles at the local market on Buda Castle Hill.
If you love magic, there is the House of Houdini, master illusionist. I ran out of time so I didn’t get to see the interior of the museum.
Accommodations, transportation and tours provided courtesy of Viking River Cruises.Shannon Skinner is an award-winning television and radio host/producer, author, speaker and travel writer.