Danube in Depth with Ljubljana & Zagreb
On May 3, we embarked on our spectacular Scenic River Cruises vacation: Danube in Depth with Ljubljana and Zagreb. Like any great adventure, our trip started with a small detour due to low water levels on the Danube, which meant the ship couldn’t make it to Nuremberg. Instead, we began our journey in Vilshofen aboard the lovely Scenic Jasper, an elegant 164-passenger ship that quickly became our floating home for the next part of our adventure.
One of our unforgettable stops was the fairytale town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic — a place so charming we’ve now visited twice! We were last here in 2018, and I’m happy to report it was just as magical the second time around. With its winding cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and stunning castle views, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this gorgeous town.
Another memorable stop was in Spitz, Austria, where we tackled the hike up to Ruine Hinterhaus. The climb included some seriously challenging stairs through the old castle ruins, but the views were absolutely worth it. We finished the day exploring the quaint and picturesque town of Krems.
We also enjoyed a fabulous day in Vienna, which remains one of my favourite European cities. This was my third visit, and every time I’m reminded just how elegant, pristine, and breathtakingly beautiful Vienna truly is. We started the day with what our guide jokingly called an “ABC Tour” — Another Bloody Church! Of course, we were kidding… we absolutely love these incredible historic buildings and thoroughly enjoyed wandering through the city while soaking up its beauty and history.
The perfect ending to our Vienna experience was a private concert by the Viennese Imperial Orchestra at the stunning Palais Liechtenstein, complete with special performances by members of the Viennese ballet company. It was truly magical and one of the many incredible Scenic Freechoice inclusions that made this trip so special.
Next came Budapest, another one of my favourite cities. We experienced our first rainy day of the trip, but fortunately, the weather quickly cleared and we were still able to enjoy a wonderful day exploring the sights. After wandering the city on foot — including admiring the majestic Parliament Building — we treated ourselves to a unique ice cream shaped like a rose.
That evening, we were treated to one of the most spectacular moments of the cruise: a nighttime sail past the illuminated Parliament Building and the iconic Chain Bridge. Seeing Budapest glowing at night from the river was absolutely unforgettable.
Once our cruise came to an end, we began the final phase of our journey: a land extension through Slovenia and Croatia. Our first stop was Ljubljana, Slovenia. I’ll admit, it took a little time for this city to grow on me, but after spending two days wandering through the charming Old Town, I completely fell in love with it. Its riverside cafés, pedestrian streets, and relaxed atmosphere made it a wonderful place to slow down and explore.
From Ljubljana, we took a day trip to one of the most spectacular places we’ve ever seen: Lake Bled. This stunning Slovenian resort town sits in the foothills of the Julian Alps along the shores of glacial Lake Bled. Perched high on a cliff overlooking the lake is the 11th-century Bled Castle, home to a museum, chapel, and historic printing press. In the center of the lake sits the iconic island church — thePilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria — complete with its steep staircase and bell tower. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and since it’s only about an hour from Ljubljana, I highly recommend visiting if you’re ever in the area.
The final leg of our adventure brought us to Zagreb, Croatia. While Zagreb itself was lovely, the highlight of our stay was undoubtedly a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park. As Croatia’s oldest and largest national park, it features 16 interconnected lakes and more than 1,000 waterfalls. It truly felt like stepping into another world. Unfortunately, this was the first day of truly nasty weather, but after being blessed with incredible conditions throughout the rest of the trip, we certainly couldn’t complain.
All in all, it was a spectacular journey through seven countries filled with breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, unforgettable experiences, and wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
