A European river cruise has long been on our bucket list and in the fall of 2009, became reality.  Due to the recession in the travel industry, Viking Cruises offered a half price deal, and we chose a 7 day excursion from Nuremberg to Budapest.  Flying first to Prague for three day side trip, we then boarded the Viking Europe.  In late September we enjoyed wonderful weather slipping down the river, pausing lock to lock, and strolling through beautiful, medieval towns along the Danube.  We missed the tourist congestion of summer but still enjoyed mid 70 degree weather!

For breakfast and dinner we joined most of the passengers (maybe a hundred) in the dining room and were never disappointed.  Not an overwhelming amount of food, but healthy choices and quality menus.  Lunch was usually in a local restaurant or at a table on a cobbled street at each stop.  Optional tours were set up for us along the way, and not to be missed!  War damage is all but invisible and the historic towns carefully restored.  An Australian and a Canadian couple we met made our trip just perfect!  We draw attention to them later...