Wien, Austria Cruise from Vienna to Nuremberg — 8 Days

Vienna, Austria

Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.

Durnstein, Austria

Dürnstein is a small Wachau village with an outsized place in Austrian history. Its blue-and-white abbey tower rises above the Danube, while lanes of pastel houses lead to riverside cafés and apricot shops. Climb to the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held from 1192 to 1194 for broad valley views. Beyond the village, vineyards and orchards define this UNESCO-listed stretch of the Wachau.

• River Cruising (River Cruising)

Linz, Austria

Linz rewards curious travelers with a rare blend of imperial architecture, modern art and working-city energy. On the Danube, its compact center makes an easy introduction to Upper Austria, while cafés serve the famous Linzer Torte. At Ars Electronica Center, interactive exhibitions explore technology and the future; nearby Lentos Art Museum adds a striking riverside counterpoint. Ride the Pöstlingbergbahn for broad views over the city and river, then return to the baroque Hauptplatz.

Main-Danube Canal, Germany

The Main-Danube Canal carries you across Europe’s continental watershed, linking two great river systems. Opened in 1992, the 106-mile waterway joins the Main and Danube. It completes a navigable route from the North Sea to the Black Sea. From the deck, watch vessels climb and descend through an impressive sequence of locks. Franconian villages, wooded hills, and farmland unfold along the banks. Nearby Nuremberg rewards a shore visit with medieval streets and layers of history.

Passau, Germany

Passau sits where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, their contrasting waters framing one of Bavaria’s most handsome old towns. Walk its baroque lanes to St Stephen’s Cathedral, famed for its historic organ. From the fortress of Veste Oberhaus, rooftops and rivers unfold in a memorable view. Passau rewards a leisurely call: explore on foot, pause beside the water, and watch three waterways shape the city’s character.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• Land Tour (Land Tour)

Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg rewards a day on foot, with a remarkably intact medieval centre set beside the Danube. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, then follow narrow lanes to the Gothic cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Roman foundations, merchant houses and riverside cafés reveal a city shaped by two millennia of trade. The UNESCO-listed centre feels lived in, not staged, and its compact scale leaves time for a Bavarian lunch.

Stadt Roth, Germany

Roth is a quiet gateway to Franconia, with Nuremberg within easy reach. Start at Schloss Ratibor, a Renaissance hunting lodge commissioned by Margrave Georg the Pious in 1535. Its museum pairs historic rooms with exhibits on Roth’s past, giving the town’s story a memorable setting. The Franconian Lake District lies nearby, with waterside paths and open views offering an easy change of pace.

Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg is a city of striking contrasts, where medieval streets meet the history of twentieth-century Germany. Within its old walls, the Imperial Castle rises above timbered houses, churches and the Hauptmarkt. Visit St. Sebaldus Church, then explore the Documentation Center and former Nazi Party Rally Grounds for essential context. Allow time for local gingerbread and a walk across the Pegnitz, which divides the historic centre.