We recently returned from the Danube Waltz, Budapest to Passau in early September aboard the Viking Legend. The experience and scenery far surpassed our expectations. Our favorite highlights of the trip:
Budapest in particular is an absolute delight. The city is so much prettier than we expected it to be. The docking location is right at the base of the Chain Bridge, thus giving easy access to walk and explore the city, and that we did. There are so many truly beautiful, old, ornate, and well-cared for buildings and streets on both sides of Budapest. The pedestrian shopping zone is just a couple of blocks off the river. It contained numerous sidewalk cafes, courtyards, local shops as well as Hard Rock Cafe, and Harley Davidson. A bus tour is included in the itinerary. The running commentary of our guide and the stops were good, but I thoroughly recommend allowing extra days to explore this city and its surrounding area. We wished we had, and plan to go back to have the opportunity to do so, as we really only time to see a brief overview.
The optional excursion offered in Budapest of the Hungarian Horsemanship is great fun, with an added bonus of getting to see a little of the countryside on the way there.