uniworld jewish heritage cruises

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Who is UNIWORLD and why sail with them?

You’ve probably heard of Uniworld, but who are they, and how do they differentiate in the crowded river cruise market?

Uniworld is a small, family-owned company whose river ships are truly unique and live up to the billing of being “Boutique River Ships”.  They are also the most inclusive of the river brands:

• Unlimited premium spirits, beer, and wines
• All gratuities on board the ship
• A choice of several shore excursions in every port of call.
• Airport transfers (whether or not you book your air through Uniworld)
• On board fitness and wellness classes.
• Wifi on the ship

Besides the value of having these things included, it changes the culture on board.  There’s a big difference between presenting your key card for a second glass of wine, versus having someone come along and top you up.  It’s much more like being a guest in someone’s home on Uniworld. 

What does “Boutique River Ship” mean?

Each of Uniworld’s ships is uniquely different – designed and decorated to reflect the area through which it sails.  In France, for example, on the SS Joie de Vivre , there’s a French Bistro, and a Wine Cellar Restaurant right on the boat.  River cruises are about what you do on shore, and Uniworld’s custom river ships amplify that experience when you’re on the boat.  Here’s our ship tour video of Joie de Vivre:  https://youtu.be/uBGJhdtFsBY?si=uY_frz6bzmpTxiNg  

You’ll also notice the design and ornate decorations on every ship that is personally designed by the Tollman family, owners of Uniworld.  Their personal art collection is featured on every ship.  You don’t have to be an art expert to appreciate the benefit of seeing an original Picasso on board a river ship at your leisure, versus lining up in Amsterdam to see one in a museum. 

Uniworld river ships hold around 120 guests (versus as many as 190 guests on similar sized competitors’ vessels).  Fewer passengers means not only better service, but it also allows space for amenities on the ship like a spa, a pool, a fitness center, self-serve laundry facilities, and extra passenger space in lounges, restaurants and other public areas. 

Privileged Access:   Imagine seeing Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, or busy museums before or after hours, when you’re not competing with thousands of others.  Uniworld offers this.

Cruise & Rail:  Take a river cruise in Northern Italy, and then jump on a luxury train for a ride through the Balkans to finish in Istanbul.  Or maybe you want to follow up your Italian cruise with a rail trip through Switzerland and Austria to Budapest.  

Rivers of the World:   This is as close as you get to World Cruise on the river.  This 50-night trip takes you to all the major rivers in Europe, and to Egypt.  You are escorted throughout your journey, and your luggage is moved for you between ships. 

Here are some examples of Uniworld Cruises

Venice & Northern Italy for 7-nights

• Visit Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia.
• Optional extensions to Milan, Rome, Athens OR Athens/Santorini. 
• 2024:  Departs Sundays in October from $3499
• 2025:  Departs Sundays April – October  from $3509

Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n  

India:  Ganges River Cruise for 13-days between New Delhi and Kolkata

• Few countries simultaneously fascinate and frighten travellers as much as India, so why not visit it in comfort while still being exposed to the things that make this country so unique.
• Visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal), Kolkata, Cruise the Ganges, Kalna, Matairi, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Khusbagh,, Mayapur, Chandannagar.
• Includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and internal flights. 
• 2024:  Departures in November from $8599
• 2025:  Depart January 13 for $6559.  Depart October or November from $7379

Amazon Headwaters round-trip from Lima for 11-days

• 7 nights sailing on the Amazon and 3 nights in Lima. 
• Your ship, the Aria Amazon , only holds 32 guests, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows in every suite, offering unparalleled views of this pristine part of the world
• Have lunch with a family in Lima, visit a remote Amazon village, shop at a local market, take a skiff ride at night to view nocturnal creatures, visit local artisan and craft markets, and more. 
• 2024: Depart November 13 for $13,499
• 2025: Departures January, February, or May through November from $11,699
• Optional extensions to Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

Uniworld also sails on all the major river in Europe – I just features some of their more unusual destinations above. 

UNIWORLD is offering a 10% Early booking discount for 2025 departures.  If you want to see ALL their itineraries, here’s the link:  https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us  

Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

WINDSTAR YACHT CRUISING – 10% OFF

We can get you 10% off any Windstar fare between now and the end of September.  This is NOT available on direct bookings or anywhere else.  Here are a few examples:

Mediterranean including the Corinth Canal for 8-nights

• Visit Istanbul, Myrina, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Santorini, the Corinth Canal, Delphi, Athens
• 2024:  Depart October 4 from $4789*
• 2025:  Depart April 11 from $5211.

Caribbean round-trip from San Juan for 6-nights

• Visit St. Maarten, Charleston, Gustavia, Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.
• 2024:  Nov 3 or 16 from $2782
• 2025:  Nov 2, 9, 16 from $3222

Iceland round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-nights

• Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
• 2025:  July 7 from $4522

Tahiti round-trip from Papeete for 7-nights

• Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahini.  Remember this tropical paradise is only 2 hours past Hawaii, and has a fraction as many tourists. 
• 2024: November 28, December 5 or 12 from $2999
• 2025:  March 20 from $3999

*Prices include all taxes and fees, all drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

If you’re looking for incredible scenery, and something not too far from home, consider taking one of these world-class RAIL vacations:

Rockies to Red Rocks for 7-nights round-trip from Denver

• Start in Denver, board the train to Glenwood Springs, continue on the train to Moab for 3-nights where you can do excursions to Arches NP (hiking, E-biking, golfing, horse back riding, fishing, WW rafting, and much more), then board the train again for the journey back to Denver.
• Saturday departures in May from $4481

Canadian Rockies for 9-nights round-trip from Vancouver

• Visit Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper.  People fly in from all over the world to experience cosmopolitan Vancouver, and the incredible scenery between there and Banff National Park.  
• Departures in April 2025 from $5474

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Are You “Affluent”?:   https://pamperedcruiser.com/travelling-with-the-affluent/   DESTINATION: Australia / New Zealand :  https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-to-visit-australia-new-zealand/

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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help!  Click here  or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

My mission is to help my clients accomplish the dream experiences on their travel-related 'bucket lists'.   Often, that includes a small ship cruise.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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Douro River Cruise: Our Review of Uniworld’s Trip Through Portugal’s Top Wine Region

What to expect on a river cruise through Portugal's most storied wine region

By Heidi Sarna

September 6, 2024

Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com , a guide to small-ship cruising .

The Douro River starts in north-central Spain and zigzags some 500 miles into Portugal before eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, the curving, rock-lined river cuts through a landscape characterized, above all, by its connection to generations of winemaking.

A cruise along the Douro provides not only a chance to encounter medieval fortress towns and sample the region's renowned port and other wines, but also to appreciate, as you travel along the waterway, the sheer beauty of the surrounding hillsides covered in a patchwork quilt of vineyards along with cork oak, olive, and fig trees.

I recently spent a week aboard Uniworld’s  SS São Gabriel , a luxury ship launched in 2021 for the exclusive purpose of cruising Portugal’s Douro River Valley. Journeying 250 miles round trip from Porto, the ship accommodates up to 100 passengers and is just 262 feet long. To fit into the five lock chambers along the route, all ships on the river are about half the length of boats plying other European waterways like the Rhine and Danube. 

It's easy to make friends among the small contingent of passengers as you take day tours or mingle in the ship's lounge at happy hour and at mealtime in the open-seating restaurant. Among the most high-end river cruise lines operating in Europe, Uniworld offers all-inclusive fares covering meals, drinks, gratuities, and daily excursions.

Douro River Cruise Excursions: Vineyards, Medieval Towns, and So Much Port

Armed with personal VOX listening devices, Uniworld passengers on walking tours go on included visits to vineyards, museums, and medieval cathedrals. Some guides are Uniworld tour staff members—our cruise manager, Ricardo, was a passionate and knowledgeable lecturer, superior to his more junior colleagues—while at other times local guides do the honors.

Certain excursions start within strolling distance of the ship, though most require a 20- to 60-minute bus ride on winding roads with breathtaking views of the countryside. 

The overriding themes of onshore activities: Portugal’s winemaking history and the legacies of ancient Romans, Moors, and Jews. I greatly enjoyed the Douro Museum , housed in an 18th-century restored warehouse in Régua . The experience includes an illuminating lecture from a local winemaker and a fascinating video showing old footage of the Douro before the locks were built in the 1930s. Back then, the landscape would get superdry in the summer and flood wildly at other times.

The film shows grape pickers carrying huge 100-pound baskets on their backs in the scorching heat, breaking up shale rock by hand to make the soil habitable for grape growing, and loading traditional wooden rabelo cargo boats with wine to transport from the vineyards to the coast.

Also on the itinerary is a visit to the ornate Our Lady of Remedies chapel, set beautifully at the top of a long Baroque staircase in Lamego . Another we day we traveled to Castelo Rodrigo , a medieval fortress town in the hills above the river valley. 

On a sweltering day later in the week, guides led us through the hillside vineyards of Croft's Quinta da Roêda . A bus tour across the border to Salamanca, Spain , involves a guided stroll through the old quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the 18th-century Plaza Mayor and the massive New Cathedral dating from the 1500s.

With some free time to spare, climb the 200 steps of Salamanca's Scala Coeli (“Stairway to Heaven” in Latin) at the 17th-century Jesuit church and school for sweeping views of the city.

Just about every tour during the cruise includes an opportunity to taste Portuguese wine—often port. Pace yourself or you might get tired of the sweet fortified stuff after a few days. 

Moored in pretty Porto for half a day at the beginning and end of the cruise, you'll have time to explore that coastal city, too. Among the highlights are the winding, cobbled streets of the historic Ribeira district, the famous golden interior of the Church of São Francisco , and the grand São Bento train station. 

While in the city, Uniworld's São Gabriel ship occupies a prime river-facing spot (not sandwiched between other riverboats) with views of Porto's red-tiled roofs, fortress-like Porto Cathedral , and double-deck Dom Luís I Bridge .

Uniworld's Douro River Cruise: Onboard Amenities, Meals, Staterooms, and Service

Uniworld’s décor is chic, with lots of local touches. The São Gabriel has flooring inspired by Portugal’s famous ceramic tiles, polished wood in chevron patterns, and seating with rich fabrics.

Elegant staterooms are designed in shades of teal and champagne with light woods. You'll find tufted headboards, fresh flowers, and Portuguese tiles worked into the marble-clad bathrooms.

Suites on Deck 3 are spacious—ours had 220 square feet—while cabins on the two lower decks are a compact 156 square feet apiece.

A pair of butlers are on hand to indulge suite guests’ whims and fancies—say, pre-dinner prosecco and potato chips delivered to your room—but even if you're staying elsewhere on the ship you can expect efficient and friendly service from the mostly Protuguese staff (shout-out again to our cruise manager, Ricardo, who wears many hats with aplomb). 

The ship's bright, welcoming restaurant features open seating with tables for two, four, and six. Owing in part to the large windows in the space, the dining area doesn't feel as cramped as on some other riverboats.

Breakfast and lunch are served at the buffet. At midday, standouts include a delicious salad with shrimp and pineapple, another salad combining tropical fruit with hearts of palm, and Portugal's beloved  francesinha sandwich (thick white bread with ham, sausage, steak, and lots of cheese). At dinner, try the cod with chickpeas and turnips.

During lunch and dinner, choose from two different easy-drinking red and white wines from Douro Valley winemakers such as Assobio and Porrais. On our cruise, the ship’s sommelier went from table to table, enthusiastically detailing each bottle's attributes.

Evening entertainment in the ship's lounge may range from flamenco (which isn't Portuguese) to the melancholy folk music known as fado (which very much is). A '70s-themed dance party one evening was popular on my cruise; likewise for dancing under the stars up on deck.

During the day, onboard activities will keep you busy with cooking demos (pick up pointers on how to re-create the Portuguese custard tarts known as pastéis de nata ), more port tastings, and lectures about Portugal’s politics, history, and culture. 

The outdoor wading pool up on deck is a great place to cool off and chat with new friends while gazing at the views. There is also a gym and mini spa.

Overall, drawbacks are few. Space is tight in those cabins down on Decks 1 and 2, with some passengers saying there's barely enough room to get around the bed. And other guests have griped that service at dinner can be slow. But that's about it in the complaints department. 

All-inclusive Douro River cruises operated by Uniworld start at $4,949 per person. For more information, go to Uniworld.com . 

Other lines offering similar itineraries include Tauck and AmaWaterways , the two lines most similar to Uniworld with regard to price and quality. Viking ,  CroisiEurope —  and Avalon Wateways  all have Portugal trips as well. 

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Home Page › Our tours › Themed tours, cultural heritage tours › Moscow Jewish Heritage Tour

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Moscow Jewish Heritage Tour

Today Moscow is the home of more than 250 000 Jews, six Synagogues, several Jewish universities, a number of Jewish community centers, history museums and many educational organizations.

Jewish Moscow tour gets you acquainted with the Heritage of Jews residing in Russia and the capital before the Revolution, in Soviet epoch as well as modern Russia.

10:00 – meet your guide at the hotel lobby or any other place upon your request

10:30-11:30 Choral Synagogue (metro station: Kitay Gorod)

Read more… »

12:00- 13:30 Lubavichi Synagogue (metro station Tverskaya, Pushkinskaya )

Our next spot is Lubavichi Synagogue on Bolshaya Bronnaya street

The Chabad Lubavich Synagogue holds regular services which are mostly in Hebrew. You will find the establishment quite pleasing.

The tour is conducted by Spielberg journalist Svetlana, who interviews survivors of the Holocaust and works for Spielberg organization and Moscow synagogue. If you have time , we will be happy to show you the movies in English about Sobibor survivors. During the tour, you also will have a chance to talk to locals Jews who survived Soviet time in Moscow and experience new Jewish life in Moscow.

13:30-14:00 –Lunch break in Synagogue cafeteria

15:00- 16:00 Tour of JCC (+ Jewish medical center, Charity center, Kosher grocery store)

Next we will visit JCC ( Jewish community center) in Marina Roscha and museum of Tolerance and Jewish history.

JCC in Marina Roscha is a place that never rests, with multiple daily services, two kosher restaurants (one meat, one dairy), and a plethora of educational and social programs. The community is an eclectic mix of Russian Jews, both religious and secular, with a large number of Israelis and Anglos. JCC contains Orthodox synagogue, gym, dating club, concert hall, exhibitions of Jewish painters, etc. The neighborhood also has kosher grocery stores, publishing house, Jewish medical center called after Rambam, Charity center. You will have chance to see all the services provided by JCC and talk to local Jews who are happy to share their impression about their life in Russia after the USSR.

17:00-18:00 Museum of Tolerance and Jewish history (entrance fee is 400 RUB)

Our next stop is museum of Tolerance and Jewish history . http://www.jewish-museum.ru/en/timeline

The main goal of the Jewish Museum & Tolerance Center is to establish a creative, interactive platform for dialogue between different cultures.

Visitors with a couple of hours to spare are able to gain an intriguing overview of the Museum, but its innovative format is designed to provide whole families with an enjoyable and stimulating full day out. There is a Library, Museum Shop, Research; Centre, Conference Halls, Children’s Centre and Kosher Café, and the Museum will also stage temporary exhibitions and joint projects in conjunction with leading institutions from around the world.

Both youngsters and adults will be encouraged to discuss the relationship between different cultures and individuals.

Blending history, culture, education and the latest technology within a unique architectural setting, the Museum is set to become one of Moscow’s key cultural landmarks.

18:00 – back to hotel Tour cost: 200 USD

Day 2. 10:00 – meet your guide at the hotel lobby or any other place upon your request 11:00-12:30- Tour of the Museum of the Jewish History

Museum of the Jews’ History  (Dimano metro station) http://www.mievr.ru/page.html?id=25&lang=ENG

For the most part in our Museum the history of the part of Jewry that had fallen under in the power of the Russian crown after three partitions of Poland is represented. In everyday life culture, religious traditions, language, customs this group was genetically connected to Ashkenazi Jews – the European Jewry. This is the name of the Jews, migrated to Poland from Germany and North France in the Middle Ages. As Fate willed, they became the subjects of the Russian Empire, but they weren’t given any rights even the right to freedom of movement. The region of their traditional habitation that used to play an important economic role in the days of the Poland’s independence, became a distant province of Russia – the Pale of Settlement .

Today the exposition of the Museum may be conditionally divided on two parts: – traditional culture – prevalent forms of community existence, education, charity, particular features of everyday life, observance of religious directions, “sacred service” (decorating synagogues and religious items); to this part it should be needed to ascribe the collection representing traditions and culture of non Ashkenasi Jewish Communities to this part of the exposition; – historical processes – mutual relations between the Jews and the society and authorities, the Jewish contribution into economy, culture and science development, a Jewish experience of land utilization and an attempt of creation of Jewish Autonomy in the USSR.

13:00-13:30 Coffee break 14:00-16:30 Victory Park with Holocaust memorial + Holocaust Memorial Synagogue

The Holocaust Memorial Synagogue   is a synagogue located on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow. It was built in 1998 to complement an Orthodox church and a mosque that are also part of the outdoor museum dedicated to Russia’s victory in World War II .

The building of the Temple of the Memory on Poklonnaya Gora, a flat hill in the West of Moscow, between the Setun River and another hill, was constructed and opened on September 1998 in Boris Yeltsin ‘s presence. The construction of the Temple of Memory was financed by the Russian Jewish Congress – a non-profit charitable fund and the largest secular organisation of Russian Jews. The Temple of memory architect was Moshe Zarhy (Zarhy Architects) from Israel. In the Holocaust Memorial Synagogue there is a hall with a balcony, the offices for the rabbi and a library. An exhibition about history of the Jewish people and the Holocaust was located in the building. The building is also used as a museum. The interior of the building was designed by Frank Meisler , too. Meisler created wall sculptures showing Jerusalem, the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Five Books of Moses.

17:30 Back to Hotel

The most popular Jewish souvenir to take home is Jewish Matreshka doll.

Tour cost: 200USD

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Russian River Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

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Russian River Cruises fleet

Ms pyotr velikiy, ms mustai karim, scenic tsar, viking akun, viking ingvar, ms general lavrinenkov, ms lunnaya sonata, viking truvor, ms yuri andropov, ms zosima shashkov, ms crucelake-lebedinoe ozero, ms leonid sobolev, ms mikhail sholokhov, review of russian river cruises.

CruiseMapper's "Russian River Cruises" hub provides detailed information on ships, itineraries, tours and prices on cruises along rivers and lakes in Russia. Here you'll also find concise info on the largest Russian cruise companies, including Vodohod , Mosturflot , Infoflot , Doninturflot-Orthodox , Imperial River Cruises Russia .

In the "Fleet" section you will find an extensive list or Russian cruise ships. By following each ship link you will find the ship's review, deck plans, scheduled itineraries and cruise pricing information. Live ship tracking is also provided on a digital map. It shows the vessel's current location, cruising speed and course.

In the "Itinerary" section you will find maps and day-by-day scheduled activities planned by Europe's largest cruise companies, also operating in Russia via chartered riverboats.

Volga River Cruises in Russia

Volga river cruising in Russia places you in another time. The longest and largest river in Europe stretches from Ivan the Terrible to Catherine the Great. Today, live along the central artery of Russia looks like it always has - the villages, the churches, the people, just like an old painting you have seen in a gallery.

The Volga flows through central Russia into the Caspian Sea and is often called the national river of Russia. 11 of the 20 largest cities of the country, including the capital Moscow, are in Volga's watershed. Some of the world's largest reservoirs can be found along the river, which has a symbolic meaning in Russian culture, referred to as Mother Volga (Volga Matushka) in Russian folklore and literature.

Explore the land of the Tsars while sailing down the historic Volga river, typically between Moscow and St Petersburg , the traditional homeports (of embarkation and debarkation). Tour landmarks are the Red Square and Kremlin in Moscow, the Hermitage and Catherine Palace in St Petersburg.

Once unthinkable as a cruise vacation destination, Russia is today more accessible than ever, with stops along its largest European lakes and rivers. For river travel lovers accustomed to European itineraries, the Russian experience will be quite different. Russia has a special feel of uniquely designed riverboats. Built to handle larger lakes (Lake Ladoga for example, is the largest European freshwater body of water), these vessels usually feature larger size and capacity (up to six decks), deeper draft, and most of them are refurbished instead of being newbuild.

The itineraries offered are activity-intensive in Moscow and St Petersburg, with long periods of cruising and less ashore time in the middle. Smaller "Golden Ring" cities (so named due to their historic significance) are full of icon-riddled monasteries and Orthodox churches. Most cruise lines hire local experts and fill the days of sailing along the river with lectures on country's history, cooking demonstrations and language lessons.

Most of the tours offered by the companies sailing along Volga River are identical, so customers choosing between the different itineraries should look at how the river ships spend the time within Moscow and St. Petersburg. Some lines have their guests stay onboard, which can be as far as 1 hour out of both cities. Others put their clients up at hotels near the center of the city, with several meals at customer's expense.

Compared with other river routes, Russia features a short season, between early May and late October, with high season in June (known as White Nights because of the endless daylight), July and August. Even if the weather is chilly, there are some advantages to sailing early or late: you'll beat the crowds which can make a visit to the Hermitage a bear. Most Russian museums lack air-conditioning, and while the climate is generally temperate, in the summer Moscow often experiences high humidity heat waves.

Remember to think about your Russian visa at least 2 months before your voyage, to have enough time to fill out the paperwork, including a lengthy online application. And don't forget that the Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Even in the cities, you'll rarely find signs in English, so learning some letters and a few phrases will help you get around.

Doninturflot-Orthodox Cruise Company

Orthodox Cruise Company operates a fleet of USSR-design large river ships and serves mainly foreign tourists. The parent company Doninturflot (established in 1992) is the shipowner and manages the fleet.

• Doninturflot started operations with the ships MS Maxim Litvinov, MS Mikhail Sholokhov and MS Sergei Dyagilev.
• Since 2002, Docturflot charters Akademik Glushkov (currently MS Igor Stravinsky) owned by OOO Rosflotinvest.
• In 2004 was acquired MS Anton Chekhov from Yenisei River Shipping Company (Russia).
• In 2006 were acquired MS Peter Tchaikovsky and MS Ivan Bunin from the Moscow-based cruise shipping company "Passenger Port".
• In 2008 was bought MS General Lavrinenkov from "Ukrrechflot" (Ukraine).
• In 2011 was bought MS Marshal Koshevoy (from Ukrrichflot, Ukraine) but in April 2013 the ship was sold to Viking Cruises (now operates as Viking Akun ).
• In 2016, was purchased MS Tikhi Don from the UK-based Grand Circle Travel company. In 2017, the ship started operations for Orthodox Cruise Company serving international tourists.

Imperial River Cruises Russia

"Imperial River Cruises Russia" was founded in 1992 and operates on inland waterways in both Russia and Ukraine. Company's chartered ships navigate on the rivers Volga, Don, Neva, Svir, Dnieper (also on the Danube) and the Russian lakes Onega and Ladoga.

The most operated itineraries are between Moscow and St Petersburg (visiting Uglich, Kostrom, Yaroslavl, Goritzy). Specially designed itineraries visit Vladimir, Suzdal, Zagorsk, Solovki Island. Also offered are itineraries Moscow-Volgograd and Moscow-Rostov, roundtrips from Kiev, and even grand voyages connecting two seas - Baltic and Black. Also offered are themed cruises - especially on food and music, with live performances by grand orchestras and choirs.

Imperial River Cruises Russia has an exclusive partnership with "Orthodox Cruise Company" - one of Russia's largest tour operators. As their names suggest, both companies target mainly foreign tourists - booking in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia. Ships' capacity varies between 180-250 passengers. English (or German) speaking licensed tour guides are provided on all excursions. The daily onboard entertainment program offers live musical performances, folk shows, enrichment lectures.

Russian river cruise deals

• Departure port (dock/berth), check-in, boarding and landing times are indicated on the company's website and on passenger boarding passes. Ship's exact departure time is clarified on the website the day prior departure.
• Kids discount ticket prices are offered for children up to 14 years of age (14-yo including), the age being fixed on departure day.
• Kids from 2 to 5 years of age (5-yo including) travel free of charge, but without providing an additional bed (if there are no free beds in the cabin). Shore excursions are also free of charge.
• Toddlers (kids under 2) travel free of charge, but the bed, food, and tour services are not provided. Extra beds in staterooms (baby cribs, cots) are not available on the ship.
• TWIN (double cabin) single supplement rate is 75%.
• Ticket prices are inclusive of 3 meals a day. Onboard dining includes Breakfast (buffet style, drinks - cocoa, milk, juices, hot-cold dishes), Lunch (buffet style) and Dinner (waiter-served, 1 Starter, 1 Main course (choice of 3 / meat-fish-vegetarian), 1 Dessert (choice of 2 or fruits). Water in pitchers is always provided. Tea/coffee is served.
• On embarkation day and disembarkation day (at the end of the voyage) meal times depend on landing times. If a land tour coincides with a meal time (lunch), passengers are provided with complimentary food at a local restaurant (cafe) or given "dry rations".
• Ticket price inclusive onboard events are Welcome Aboard ("bread and salt" ceremony), Welcome Cocktail (complimentary 1 glass of champagne or juice per person), "Tea Ceremony" (with traditional pies), "Vodka Show" (blini and vodka tasting), Cocktail Party (once per cruise, complimentary 1 cocktail per person), Captain's Dinner (gourmet menu, once per cruise), mulled wine or ice tea (weather-depending / upon returning from excursions), complimentary Coffee Station (coffee, hot water, packed tea, milk, cocoa, cookies), 1 bottled water (0.33l pp per day in cabins). Tickets are also inclusive of foreign language speaking guide services, onboard entertainment (language class, singing lessons, live music, nightly dancing music, Wheelhouse tour).
• Complimentary excursions are detailed in the ship's cruise itinerary program. Optional tours are available for onboard booking. For excursion services, foreigner passengers may be charged with additional fee pp per day (varies by cruise tour length).
• Cruise tickets don't include land transfers (excepting foreign travel agency bookings), beverages and snacks (in onboard bars-lounges), phone calls, sauna visits, optional excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, personal spendings. Ticket prices include 18% VAT.
• Smoking on the ship is allowed only in designated areas (marked with "Place for smoking" signs). Smoking is prohibited in all interior spaces and on open decks (except at designated areas).
• On most ships are available health gymnastics and morning exercises (led by a certified physician/ship's doctor), oxygen cocktail, dietary food.
• On most ships are provided (free of charge) the following medical services - emergency medical care (assistance required for sudden acute illnesses, conditions, exacerbation of chronic diseases), measurement of blood pressure and body temperature, primary treatment of wounds.
• Boarding starts 2 hours prior to departure. All passengers must be boarded at least an hour prior to departure. Late passengers missing their cruise tour are not refunded.
• Russia's main river cruise departure ports are Moscow , St Petersburg , Astrakhan , Nizhny Novgorod , Perm , Samara , Kazan , Volgograd , Rostov-on-Don , Saratov .

Russian cruise ships

Currently, in Russia is operated a huge fleet of over 200 river cruise ships. All these vessels were built during the USSR (Soviet Union) times, roughly in the period between 1950-1990. Depending on class and series, these boats differ in terms of size, equipment (different engine designs), passenger capacity, onboard facilities and venues, cabins (types and number). Amenities additionally differ by shipowner (cruise company).

All these old-design Russian ships were completely refurbished and rebuilt for their new shipowners, Some of these ships are operated (via partnerships or under charter) also by foreign companies (like Viking, CroisiEurope, Uniworld, AMAwaterways, Grand Circle, Nicko). During their multi-million-dollar drydock refits, vessels passenger capacities were considerably reduced to improve travel comfort and safety.

Most boats are of the following classes:

• "Rossiya" (Project 785, 36 vessels built 1952-1958)
• "Baykal" (Project 646, 15 units built 1953-1956)
• "Rodina" (Project 588, 49 vessels built 1954-1961)
• "Oktyabrskaya Revolyutsiya" (Project 26-37, 14 units built 1957-1962)
• "Dunay" (Project 305, 47 vessels built between 1959-1964)
• "Kuybyshev" (Project OL400, 9 units built 1975-1983)
• "Vladimir Ilyich" (Project 301, 22 vessels built between 1975-1983)
• "Dmitri Furmanov" (Project 302, 27 vessels built between 1983-1991)

Regardless of their age, all these motor ships undergo regular drydock refurbishments , machinery and safety checks, scheduled repairs (including annual surveys). Drydocks are every 5 years and include repairs, hull inspection, propulsion-steering inspection, general maintenance works.

Each ship is equipped with life-saving appliances (lifeboats and rafts) in amounts exceeding the boat's max passenger and crew capacity. Each cabin is equipped with lifejackets with illustrated instructions in several languages. All ships are equipped with modern fire-fighting systems. Crew and staff are experienced and highly professional certified employees.

Itinerary of Russian River Cruises

CruiseMapper's "Russian River Cruises" itinerary section provides information on itineraries and ports of call offered by the largest Russian and European river cruise companies - Vodohod, Viking, Uniworld, Scenic, CroisiEurope. Each foreign company has a partnership with a local company and operates as a joint venture one or more Russian ships.

For detailed itinerary information (routes) visit our pages of the following departure ports - Saratov , Volgograd , Samara , Perm , Nizhny Novgorod , Cheboksary , Rostov-on-Don ,  Kazan , Astrakhan , Moscow , St Petersburg .

Volga River cruise ports highlights

• St Petersburg (Russia's second-largest city - after Moscow) was built by Tzar Peter the Great in 1703. It is located in the Neva River delta (Gulf of Finland's east coast). Saint Petersburg includes the territories of more than 130 islands interconnected by over 300 bridges. The city has a huge number of cultural and historical sights, architectural landmarks, museums, magnificent palaces (Russian Tsars' former residences), grand parks, wide avenues, bridges, numerous monuments. Among its most famous tourist attractions are the Hermitage museum (housing over 2 million pieces of art). Two days is never enough to see everything in this remarkable city. However, passengers will usually visit the Hermitage, admire the city's 19th-century architecture during a canal cruise tour, take in a cultural performance, visit one of the Versailles-style palaces in St. Petersburg's countryside (Pushkin or Peterhof).
• Moscow (Russian Federation's capital and largest city) was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. The city was destroyed several times - by the Mongolians, Napoleon, the Nazis. The heart of the city lies in the Red Square, which contains Lenin's Tomb, St Basil's Cathedral, and GUM Department Store. Kremlin's red walls also border the square. Inside the fort are the Armoury (containing the Faberge eggs) and 9 onion-domed churches. Art-fans can seek out Pushkin Gallery or see a show at Bolshoi Theatre.
• Yaroslavl is one of the Golden Ring cities of Russia, and the largest city to visit during the middle of your Volga cruise. The town is famous for its gorgeous churches. It also offers several pedestrian-only streets full of shops and cafes, as well as a lovely embankment used as a park.
• Uglich has a provincial setting. It was found in the 10th century and was a scene of some of medieval Russian history's most remarkable events. Here were exiled the Ivan Terrible’s 7th wife and her son Tsarevich Dmitry. Soon after, Tsarevich was mysteriously murdered here. Soon after, a dedicated to this event church ("Church of St. Demetrius on the Blood") was erected. Within the Uglich Kremlin walls is the town's oldest building - "Prince’s Palace". Other attractions are St. John’s Church and the Transfiguration Cathedral.
• Astrakhan was founded at the end of the 13th century and is located on the Volga's left bank. Port’s activities extend 100 km downstream and over 300 km upstream along the river. The city is a major trading center and its main business is freight shipping (coal, timber, salt, food, industrial products). Astrakhan is not linked to the railroad network. Cargoes are transferred by floating cranes from river ships to seagoing vessels.
• Goritsy is a small village on River Sheksna, famous for its Resurrection Convent, At approx 4 ml (7 km) from Goritsy is Kirillov - a pilgrimage site with many historical and architectural monuments. Among those are the Kirillo-Belozerski monastery, Ferapont monastery (UNESCO site), 12 churches, 25 civil monuments.
• Kizhi Island (Lake Onega) is located approx 70 km (40 ml) to the northeast of Petrozavodsk. The island has two onion-domed churches. Also here is the 17th-century-built 22-domed church - constructed without using a single nail. Its "Church of the Transfiguration of our Savior" and "Church of the Intercession" were rebuilt several times and are preserved in their original 17th-century design.
• Mandrogi (Mandroga) is a small village on the Svir river recently created as a tourist attraction. It features small wooden log cabin houses. Its “town of masters” is a market for hand-made Russian art craft, including paintings, painted wooden dolls, embroidery, pottery. Other attractions are the elk nursery and the quail farm, horse-riding tours, food tasting (pastry), vodka tasting (museum of Russian vodka).
• Kostroma is also one of the Golden Ring cities, and once was one of Russia's 3 largest cities - after Moscow and Yaroslavl, It is located at the confluence of the rivers Volga and Kostroma. Among the attractions are the St Ipathy monastery, an open-air museum (traditional wooden architecture- izbas, mills, churches are gathered in one place).
• Kizhi is famous the whole world over. It has become the symbol of the grandeur of unique Russian culture. Visiting the Kizhi Islands gives a great chance to appreciate the enchanting medieval atmosphere and get acquainted with the customs and free spirit of men living in a spacious area with a rigorous climate
• Kazan. The largest port in the Volga basin, it transships cargoes transported by water alone or by water and rail. The port receives coal from Kuznetsk Basin for Kazan's heat and electric power plant, food and industrial products, and ships out products of city's enterprises and Siberian timber. The port includes Tsentral’nyi, Kama, and Volga cargo areas, as well as a number of landings, the biggest of which is Naberezhnye Chelny and Chistopol’. The basin of the Tsentral’nyi Cargo Area and passenger area are protected by a breakwater.
• Novgorod (Nizhniy Novgorod) is an ancient stronghold founded by Gran Prince Yuri as a frontier post, is now the 5th largest city of Russia as well as one of the main centers of river tourism in the country. In the 19th century, Nizhniy became the trade center of the whole state as it was the place of the biggest fair in the Russian Empire. A proverb of that time says: "Moscow is the heart of Russia, St. Petersburg is its head, and Nizhniy Novgorod - its pocketbook". The city was renamed "Gorky" in Soviet times, in honor of the writer Maxim Gorky, born there. Until 1990, Nizhniy Novgorod was “closed” to foreigners as USSR protected its military secrets. Nizhniy Novgorod is included in the UNESCO list of 100 cities constituting world cultural and historical value.
• Samara - during the Soviet period the city was named Kuybyshev, in honor of the Soviet party figure Valerian Kuybyshev. The shortest ways from Central and Western Europe to Kazakhstan, Siberia, and Central Asia run through Samara. The city has a rich cultural heritage: Alexey Tolstoy spent his childhood and youth there. Maxim Gorky started his literary career in the city - he worked in "Samara Newspaper". The Czech writer Yaroslav Gashek also worked in Samara, during the Civil war. Famous artists like Ilya Repin, Ivan Ayvazovsky, Vasily Surikov, lived in the city. During the Great Patriotic War, the Seventh Symphony of Dmitry Shostakovich was performed in Samara for the first time.
• Tver - the White Trinity Church (1564) is the sole ancient monument of Tver as in 1763, there was a great fire after which the city was rebuilt in Neoclassical style. There are also a lot of buildings of Catherine the Great. Tver State University is highly rated in the region. In 1931, Tver received the name Kalinin, in honor of the Soviet leader Mikhail Kalinin. The city was occupied by the German army in 1941. Only 2 months later it became the first big city in Europe liberated from the occupation.
• Ulyanovsk is located on the right bank of the Kuibyshev Reservoir. Port's activities extend 90 km downstream and 100 km upstream along the Volga. The port unloads mineral construction materials, food, and industrial products for the cities of Saransk and Uljanovsk, and ships out coal from Kuznetsk Basin, automobiles, foodstuffs. Its passenger area was rebuilt in 1969 and includes a large number of landings, the biggest being Melekess and Sengilei. The basin of the port of Ulyanovsk is protected by a breakwater.
• Saratov (founded in 1590) is the capital city of a huge province that as size equals the territories of Albania, Belgium and Switzerland combined. In the late 19th century, Saratov became a center for industry and trade, Among the city's attractions, are Moskovskaya street (Europe's longest straight street), one of Europe's longest bridges (2,8 km long), children’s theater, puppet theater, Russia’s oldest circus, musical conservatory, beaches, Art Galleries, Lipki Park, two large casinos.
• Volgograd (currently Stalingrad) was founded in 1589. This is a major port and shipping hub linking Donets Basin with the Urals and Upper Volga Region. It ships grain, coal, food, and industrial products upstream and receives mineral construction materials and timber. The port’s districts are situated within the cities of Volzhsk and Volgograd (Tsentral’nyi). Kamyshin is the biggest landing belonging to the port. Among Volgograd's attractions is the Mamayev Hill with numerous sculptures devoted to the WW2 victims and topped with the world’s largest freestanding statue “Mother Russia” (height 52 m / 171 ft). Adjacent is the "Museum of the Defense" (war artifacts, weapons, uniforms).

All ships listed here operate on Russian waterways. To this long list should be additionally added the following boats, which are currently listed in the fleets of their own companies:

• Scenic Tsar (company Scenic Cruises )
• River Victoria (company Uniworld )
• Viking Rurik , Viking Akun , Viking Helgi , Viking Ingvar , Viking Truvor (company Viking Cruises )

Viking River Cruises in Russia - Itinerary "Waterways of the Tsars"

Viking's itinerary is named "Waterways of the Tsars" (13-day cruise) inclusive of:

• all transfers and port charges
• Riverview stateroom
• 10 guided tours (audio headsets provided)
• all onboard meals (including 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners, Welcome Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner)
• complimentary beverages (wine, beer, and soft drinks with all dinners and lunches)
• complimentary Wi-Fi
• visiting four UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• enrichment events (onshore live music and dance performances), onboard Russian language lessons, history-themed lectures, Russian cooking workshop, Russian tea time).
• Viking's Russian cruise fares are between USD 5,100 - 5,600 PP. Prices are inclusive of international airfare from 30 USA airports.
• Airport transfers (meet & greet) are included only when flights are purchased through Viking Cruises.

Optional (additionally priced) extensions are:

• (pre-cruise) 2-night Moscow hotel package (Radisson Royal Hotel or similar), with included 2 breakfasts, Moscow Subway guided tour, Viking host services.
• (post-cruise) 3-night Helsinki hotel package (Radisson Blu Plaza or similar), with included 3 breakfasts, guided walking tour, Viking host services, train travel (St Petersburg to Helsinki), all hotel and ship transfers.

Itineraries are two: northbound (Moscow to St Petersburg) or the reverse southbound (St Petersburg to Moscow).

• (Day 1) Moscow arrival, airport to ship transfer, onboard dinner
• (Day 2) half-day Moscow tour (Bolshoi Theater, Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, GUM Department Store, Moscow Metro)
• (Day 3) free time full-day Moscow touring, or an optional morning tour to Tretyakov Gallery Russian fine art museum). Other optional tours are in the afternoon (Cosmonaut Museum, Jewish Moscow) and in the evening (Moscow by Night).
• (Day 4) Moscow tour to Kremlin (Tsar’s Canon, Tsar’s Bell, 2 cathedrals), scenic Moscow Canal cruise (after lunch) as the ships departs the city.
• (Day 5) Uglich arrival (after lunch), disembarkation for a guided walking tour (Kremlin of Uglich, Church of St Dmitry on the Blood, tea at a local family home), before dinner departure
• (Day 6) Yaroslavl arrival in the morning, guided tour (covered food market, handcrafted souvenirs shopping), free time, ship lunch, departure.
• (Day 7) Kuzino morning arrival, tour to Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery (guided walk- wooden chapels, Assumption Cathedral, museum), children’s school, ship lunch, afternoon departure.
• (Day 8) Kizhi Island (Lake Onega cruising) afternoon arrival, walking tour (Open Air Museum of Architecture- wooden houses, windmills, churches, Preobranzhenskaya Church), evening departure.
• (Day 9) Mandrogy (Svir River cruising) afternoon arrival (Vodka Museum, handmade Russian craft shopping, optional banya / Russian bathhouse visit, optional tour (matryoshka doll making workshop), Lake Ladoga cruising to Neva River.
• (Day 10) — St Petersburg (Neva River cruising), early morning arrival, onboard breakfast, guided tour (Winter Palace, Hermitage Museum), onboard dinner and evening live Russian ballet performance.
• (Day 11) St Petersburg tour to Pushkin district (Catherine Palace), ship lunch, city tour (St Isaac’s Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Nevsky Prospekt), optional evening folklore performance.
• (Day 12) free time St Petersburg touring (optional morning tour to Peterhof Palace, optional afternoon kommunalka tour, optional St Petersburg canal cruise from), onboard lunch and dinner.
• (Day 13) St Petersburg - onboard breakfast, ship disembarkation, ship to airport transfer for the return flight.

Uniworld Cruises in Russia - itinerary "Imperial Waterways of Russia"

The 13-day long itinerary is named "Imperial Waterways of Russia" and operated by the ship River Victoria. Uniworld's Russian cruise fares range between USD 5,200 and 9,900 PP (depending on cabin category.

• Day 1 – Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport arrival, ship transfer, embarkation)
• Day 2 – Moscow (city tour, metro tour, Arbat Street) - Bolshoi Theatre, Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, Russian lunch included, onboard Captain’s Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner
• Day 3 – Moscow (Kremlin, Armory Museum)
• Day 4 – Moscow (leisure day)
• Day 5 – Moscow Canal and Volga River cruising to Uglich (walking tour)
• Day 6 – Yaroslavl (Lake Rybinsk cruising) - city tour
• Day 7 – Goritsy (Lake Onega cruising) - monasteries, St Cyril of the White Lake Monastery, Children’s Arts and Crafts,
• Day 8 – Kizhi Island (Lake Onega cruising) - Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture
• Day 9 – Svir River cruising to Mandrogi, Lake Ladoga cruising - Mandrogi walk tour (picnic lunch)
• Day 10 – St Petersburg (city tour, canal cruise, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, ballet performance at Alexandrinsky Theatre)
• Day 11 – St Petersburg (Catherine Palace, Pushkin Park)
• Day 12 – St Petersburg (Winter Palace - Hermitage Museum, Captain’s Farewell Reception, Gala Dinner)
• Day 13 – St Petersburg (disembarkation, transfer and return flight).

Scenic River Cruises in Russia - itinerary "The Imperial Wonders Of Russia"

The itinerary is operated by Scenic Tzar and named "Imperial Jewels of Russia". Its duration is 15-day, along Volga and Svir rivers. Scenic Cruises deals are inclusive of:

• Scenic Enrich - handcrafted, Scenic passengers exclusive tour experiences (private shows, family meals prepared by local hosts)
• Scenic Sundowners - exclusive cocktail events
• all onboard meals (including complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunches and dinners)
• onboard doctor
• onboard entertainment
• in-cabin room service
• Wi-Fi internet (Mac mini infotainment system via the cabin's TV)
• all gratuities
• Scenic's Russian cruise fares are USD 11,500 PP.

Day-by-day itinerary info: Day 1 (Moscow), Day 2 (Moscow, Sundowners canal cruise), Day 3 (Moscow - Kremlin), Day 4 (Moscow - Cosmonaut meeting), Day 5 (Moscow - Tretyakov Gallery), Day 6 (Uglich), Day 7 (Yaroslavl - city tour), Day 8 (Goritsy - Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery), Day 9 (Kizhi Island - Church of Transfiguration), Day 10 (Mandrogi - Museum village), Day 11 (St Petersburg - Hermitage), Day 12 (St Petersburg - Peterhof Palace), Day 13 (St Petersburg - Private Ballet performance), Day 14 (St Petersburg - canal cruise), Day 15 (return flight).

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Budapest, Hungary

Hotels in Budapest near River Cruise Terminal

Accommodation close to port, in city centre, Viking ships, …

Stay close to the Danube River

Budapest in Hungary is one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Europe. Sitting on the River Danube , it is a popular destination for river cruise boats. Budapest, like Hungary, was shaped by many forces over the centuries and displays an eclectic mix of architecture, with riverbanks that have World Heritage protected status.

You will find much of the visible skyline is 20th century but on your cruise visit, look below this to find the past.

Plenty of hotels can be found located not far from the cruise dock.

If you want to extend your visit in Hungary before or after your river cruise , you will find accommodation deals for all budgets near your terminal (Mahart – International Passenger or Drava Street Port), from hostels and cheap pensions to 5 star hotels. Do some research first to get the best deals.

More expensive hotels are located near Castle Hill . There are excellent value hotels near Matthias Church and cheaper hotels in Pest . Wherever you stay you will get deals that put you near both the centre of the town and your port terminal. Many hotels have spacious rooms and Wi-Fi, as well as their own restaurants, serving a taste of Hungary. They will all have en-suite facilities and TV’s.

Look out for deals that include breakfast or other meals. Higher end hotels often have good deals on offer, especially at different times of the year.

Bestsellers

Continental Hotel

Deluxe 4 star property set at the former site of Hungaria Bath in downtown Budapest near the metro line.

Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center

Popular accommodation in the center of Budapest close to public transportation.

Corinthia Budapest

One of the most luxurious 5 star hotels in Budapest. Located in the city centre on the Grand Boulevard.

Vessels dock at various piers within close distance of the city centre

Docking Locations – Pier

Cruise boats arriving in Budapest dock on the PEST side of the river , a few minutes away from city centre hotels. Ships tie up at Belgrad Rakpart Port ( Mahart – International Passenger or Drava Street Port ) usually between the Liberty (Szabadság) and Chain (Széchenyi) bridges. There are plenty of docking positions. One of the main operators is Viking River Cruises . The Viking Pier located between the Elizabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge. The port and terminal of Belgrad Rakpart is in Pest and here you can step straight off your cruise ship into the heart of Budapest . River cruise boats dock at the port and terminal in Budapest all year round. From the Spring Festival, through the huge Sziget Rock Festival in August to Christmas markets in Vorosmarty Square, there is always something happening.

Buda on the West bank

Budapest spans the River Danube. Many beautiful wrought-iron bridges link the two sides.

In Buda, on the West bank, a funicular takes you up to Castle District hanging above the city. Medieval courtyards and cobbled streets make this a pleasant area to explore.

Visit the famous Matthias Church, where Emperor Franz Josef was crowned to the strains of Liszt’s music. Climb the 700 centuries old ramparts to be rewarded with magnificent views over both the River Danube and the River Pest.

Pest on the East bank

Pest, on the East bank, is more modern with a buzzing nightlife. The Vaci Utca shopping precinct is traffic free and lined with boutiques and jewellers, a great place to look for deals in souvenirs.

The Old Jewish Quarter is here, but little remains other than the Great Synagogue, with its Hall of Heroes, Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Room. The State Opera House, elegant villas with gardens and expensive shops line Andrassy Street. Here you can enjoy a coffee in Franz Liszt Square or Heroe’s Square.

Young children will enjoy Varosliget Park, where they can run around the lake and feed the ducks. Nearby is the famous Hungarian Circus and one of the oldest zoos in the world. Whilst in Budapest try some of the stews of Hungary, such as goulash.

Goulash is heavily flavoured with Hungary’s national spice, paprika. For elegant coffee and torte step into Gerbeaud. This looks much the same as it did 150 years ago, with its polished wood and chandeliers.

Nearest Airport

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (IATA : BUD) is the main international airport, formerly called Budapest Ferihegy International Airport. The airport is situated approx. 10 miles or 16 km from the downtown area hotels and the cruise piers. You can easily travel to Budapest city center by public transport (metro). Taxi’s, AirportShuttle Mini-Buses and regional buses are also available. Ferihegy train station, which is the nearest railway station, can be reached by bus. trains operate from Ferihegy to and from the Nyugati railway station in central Budapest Hungary.

web : Budapest Airport

Some Cruise Facts

The currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint.

Hungarian is the official language of Hungary, but many people in Budapest speak some English.

Tourist Information

web : budapest.com

River Cruise Lines

Several cruise lines offer itineraries and schedules to/from Budapest. Popular destinations include Vienna in Austria on the Danube , Passau in Lower Bavaria and Nuremberg on the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal in Germany . Some longer voyages end in Amsterdam Holland .

Avalonwaterways , Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways , Scenic Cruises , Uniworld and Emerald Waterways .

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