
2 minute read
Europe along the
from 2013-01 Sydney (2)
by Indian Link
elcome to your home for the next 12 days,” says Jerry, the ship’s hotel manager as we enter the attractive River Duchess for a grand European odyssey from Romania to Austria, along the Danube. However, in no time at all we discover that while the overall ambiance is perfectly homely, the level of comfort, accommodation, food and personal treatment of every guest is princely. Perhaps this unique blend of ‘homely and princely’ differentiates river cruises from big ocean cruisers where the sheer size and guest-numbers in thousands takes away the intimate touch.
The size of river cruising vessels is much smaller because of the need for mooring through lochs and under low bridges. They typically carry less than 200 passengers, a size manageable that offers a very personalised and pampering service in a casual and sociable atmosphere. In recent times, a large class of travellers prefer this instead of swimming pools, casinos, a multitude of restaurants and outsized crowds as are found in ocean liners.
On the water
The River Duchess is one of Uniworld’s newly remodelled plush boutique ship which can accommodate 134 guests in her 63 state rooms and 4 suites, all elegantly designed with amenities that can be expected in any luxury hotel. Public areas include a restaurant, a well-stocked and reasonably priced bar, library, fitness centre, laundry and a 24-hour attended reception. Staterooms have beds handcrafted by Savoir of England draped in high-thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, while en-suite marble bathrooms are stocked with L’Occitane en Provence bath and body products.
Though Europe has many navigable rivers, faring along the 2872km long Danube is pretty popular among travellers as this second longest river of the continent has on its shores, a plethora of European brilliances to experience and enjoy. After originating in the Black Forest region of Germany, the Danube flows through nine countries before emptying into the Black Sea in Romania. Edged by rolling hillsides, lush vineyards and medieval castles, this waterway has long been the inspiration of music, novels and poems.
WLegendary destinations line its banks, continuing on to centuriesold towns and riverside vistas, and one can rejoice in the beauty and variety of architectural styles found in different regions. It is the only river in the world that shares boundaries with four country capitals –Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade, each of which in its own right is historically significant and architecturally stunning, demanding tourist’s attention. Our cruise was called the ‘Imperial Capitals of Europe’, which has scheduled itineraries both up and downstream, takes a grand journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders and kings through Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, as well as touches all the four before-mentioned capital cities.

Sensational sightseeing
After a brief sightseeing tour of Bucharest, the eclectic capital city of Romania, we board our ship at Giurgiu on the Romanian side of the Danube and begin a crusade of discovery, something new greeting our eyes as we throw open the curtains of our stateroom each day.
On the first morning we find our ship anchored at Rousse, a small Bulgarian township located opposite to Giurgiu on the other side of the river. This old fashioned settlement is famous for its 19th century neo-Baroque style architecture. After a generous buffet breakfast, we savour some of the sights before taking on a scenic coach drive to Veliko Tarnovo, where the majestic ruins of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire’s fortifications, located on the top of Tsarevets Hill are impressive. From there we head off to the town of Arbanassi, well-known for its stone houses and the UNESCO listed 17th century built Nativity Church, before returning to our ship almost at dusk. In between we have lunch at a Bulgarian