COURTESY OF AMAWATERWAYS
AmaWaterways offers bike tours during its Rhine River itineraries .
which offers a variety of itineraries for travelers to choose from . “ The Danube is one of our most popular rivers ,” said Marilyn G . Conroy , executive vice president of sales and marketing North America for Riviera River Cruises . “ Riviera differentiates itself in this marketplace by starting our cruises in Budapest which is just a 20-minute ride from the airport versus Passau , which is two and a half hours by coach .” As eager travelers know , every minute counts when exploring a new destination , and with this kickstart to their adventure , cruise-goers can dedicate even more time to exploring the Paris of the East .
Upon sailing west toward Vienna , travelers will look on in awe as sprawling landscapes and twinkling city lights dance on the horizon , a view perhaps best appreciated from boats like Riviera River Cruises ’ MS William Wordsworth and MS Thomas Hardy . Of course , cruise-goers will have the opportunity to roam this foreign terrain too , with a variety of shore excursions offered by the brand . And , while their options will vary depending on itinerary length , there are some experiences and attractions Conroy says travelers won ’ t want to miss .
The first of said experiences is a full-day tour of Salzburg , an Austrian city best known for its ties to the 1965 hit film “ The Sound of Music .” Here , travelers can imagine themselves as members of the Trapp Family as they tour the iconic city in the company of an expert local guide . They ’ ll learn about Mozart , the Hohensalzburg fortress and the Hellbrunn Palace , all with the snowcapped peaks of the Eastern Alps and charming storefronts selling Mozartkugel — a delectable treat donning the famous composer ’ s face — in view .
Another prominent destination along the Danube is Vienna , Austria ’ s capital city known for its famous former residents including Mozart , Beethoven and Sigmund
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