Activities & Entertainment
This trip is rated Easy
Many of your river cruise's included sightseeing tours involve walking — occasionally on cobbled or uneven streets, or along unpaved vineyard paths. If you wish to extend your walks, your Cruise Director or local guide can suggest scenic routes nearby. At the same time, there is plenty of time to relax aboard ship, and should you wish to forego any activity, you are always at liberty to do so. For the fullest enjoyment of this trip, we recommend that you be in reasonably good health, and able to walk at least a mile unassisted.
Onboard Cooking Classes
Enjoy the 5-star dining onboard Vantage river ships? Get ready to learn all the tricks of the trade and enjoy face time with our world-class chefs when you sign up for complimentary onboard cooking classes in our Captain’s Clubs. Depending on the season and region you’re sailing, you’ll be treated to hands-on presentations spotlighting local produce while the chef whips up main dishes and savory soups, followed by a delightful tasting session. Held during lunch- or dinnertime, depending on your sailing schedule, these meals will replace those served in the main dining room. Each cooking class meals comes with food for thought, too — the conversation of fellow passengers in an intimate group of just 25.
Cycle along the Rhine, Main, & Danube
The Danube Bike Trail is perhaps the most famous cycling route in Europe, and with good reason. You can cycle from Germany all the way to the Black Sea, through majestic scenery along well-marked, well-maintained, and mostly traffic-free paths. Your Deluxe river ship has complimentary bicycles on board for use during your free time; just speak to your Cruise Director or Concierge to reserve one. In various ports along our route — such as Budapest, Kalocsa, Belgrade, and Ruse — you can rent bicycles at an additional cost (should those on board be unavailable). Click the links below for maps of the many safe pathways open to cyclists. Your Cruise Director can point you in the right direction, which includes the routes below and those from www.bikemap.net.
Please note that cycling tours are on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to weather conditions. They will operate for your safety at the discretion of your Concierge or Cruise Director.
Maps
View the Biking Route Map: Cycle to Ada Island along the River Sava
Length: 11 miles
Difficulty level: Easy & flat
Enjoy a scenic bicycle ride through Belgrade and take in one of Europe’s oldest cities from street level. Your bike tour will include a ride along the River Sava to Ada Ciganlija, a recreation area with a lake commonly nicknamed "More Beograda" ("Belgrade's Sea”). On the way to Ada Island, you will see the Branko’s Bridge, Gazela Bridge, Railway Bridge, Belgrade Fair, and the famous Ada Bridge.
View the Biking Route Map: Budapest: Picturesque round trip
Length: 9 miles
Difficulty level: Medium & flat
This route will show you the most magnificent sites of Budapest, including Freedom Bridge, Chain Bridge, and the Hungarian Parliament Building. From your ship, head to the Green Bridge (Freedom Bridge); make sure to take a look at the Market Hall on your way, an excellent example of late 19th century architecture. Then head toward the heart of the city for a glimpse of the largest synagogue in Europe before continuing on to Margaret Island, a favorite recreational area of the locals. After, cross the Danube to the Buda side, where you’ll enjoy photo opportunities of the Parliament Building. Then, continue toward the Freedom Bridge, where your ship is docked on the other side.
View the Biking Route Map: Vienna: Leisure & relaxation area of Vienna: Danube Island
Length: 8 miles
Difficulty level: Medium & flat
This bike tour is the perfect opportunity to explore spots where local Viennese go to relax. You can extend this route as far as you wish. Once off the ship, cross the Danube on Friedrich’s Bridge. Then, simply follow the marked paths on the island (either left or right). Along this bike route, you’ll enjoy panoramic sights of sky scrapers. The lower scrapers belong to the seat of the United Nations in Vienna.
View the Biking Route Map: Passau: Along the beautiful Ilz River
Length: 12 miles
Difficulty level: Medium & few up & downhill
As the smallest contributory of the Danube in Passau, the Ilz River originates in the Bavarian Forest along the border area of the Czech Republic and Germany. Just a few miles outside of Passau, the scenery will take on a pastoral feeling; the bike path winds gently along a small river with many opportunities for pictures. The riverside is also a natural habitat for breeding birds and beavers, which you may spot during your ride. More adventurous bikers may enjoy bringing a swimsuit along for a dip in the mountain water. The return is downhill.
View the Biking Route Map: Regensburg: Walhalla memorial hall
Length: 14 miles
Difficulty level: Medium & flat
Walhalla is one of the monuments built in the second half of the 19th century all over Germany to commemorate the unification of the Germanic states The path is mostly flat and leads you along scenic Danube, partly. At the end, you’ll need to go uphill for approximately half of a mile to get to the site, but the views from the site and surrounding area are well worth the trip.
View the Biking Route Map: Cologne: “The Best View” path
Length: 5 miles
Difficulty level: Easy & mostly flat
Enjoy some of the most scenic cycle paths of the iconic Rhine River through Cologne-Deutz. You’ll have the best view of the magnificent Cologne Cathedral & Hohenzollern Bridge, the busiest railroad bridge in the world.
Let Us Entertain You
Throughout your European river cruise, you’ll enjoy local arts and entertainment both on shore and aboard ship. For example, an organ concert and an orthodox choir performance will enliven your visits to Kalocsa, Hungary, and Ruse, Bulgaria. And for your listening and dancing pleasure while aboard your Deluxe European river ship, you’re invited to enjoy a range of hand-picked local entertainers and events, including a performance of your favorite Broadway hits from Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, and more; a string concert by 4 Virtuosos; a Viennese party night featuring dance lessons from a professional dance troupe; and a ballet history of the waltz. On Movie Night, you can leave your dancing shoes behind and relax with a good flick.
