Cruise Buzz

Bavarian rivers rendezvous via Viking River Cruises

Welcome to Passau: the launchpad for our 7-day Christmas Markets cruise on Viking.

The week I will be reporting live from Viking Skadi as she calls on towns along the Danube River. Today we are in Passau, Germany.

Walking tour of Passau – Dreiflüssestadt City on Three Rivers.

Situated at the confluence of the Danube, Ilz and Inn Rivers, cruise passengers on Viking Skadi were treated to a walking tour of the city. Since most people came from North America (and were tired), the slow-paced orientation of the city was a good way to explore. I enjoyed walking around (in the rain) and learning about the history of the city while searching out the neighborhood Christmas market in the square near the cathedral.

I took the Viking River Cruises transfer from Munich airport and arrived just in time for dinner and a briefing by the hotel team about how to enjoy a river cruise. Our river boat overnighted and guests had ample time to rest before setting off on an included tour of Passau’s Old City.

After the walking tour, guests could stay in town or walk around the Christmas market on their own. I enjoyed a ½ meter sausage with mustard to kick of my cruise before heading back to Viking Skadi to get out of the rain for a bit.
St. Steven’s Cathedral and Church Organ

Located on Passau’s highest point, the cathedral is easy to locate. Cruise guests just need to look for the green onion-dome like structure.

 

Passau Christmas Market

The aroma of Christmas is in the air at the Passau Christmas market.   The market is set against the imposing backdrop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of Passau’s  Old Town. Look for the Domplatz and you will find the market.

The fun thing about river cruising is that cruise guests are free to roam about on their own. Since the boat is docked right in the heart of the city, cruisers can use the ship as a base and then set about on foot to enjoy the town.