One could argue that of those cities, Vienna is culturally the richest. After all, Vienna was the epicenter of classical music during the 18th and 19th centuries. On a Scenic Danube river cruise, guided walking tours dedicated to the city’s connection to great composers bring visitors to landmarks associated with artists such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Joseph Haydn, Franz Liszt, Gustav Mahler, and Franz Schubert. In fact, it was the Danube River, itself, that inspired Johann Strauss II’s famous waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube.”
Yet, for as many great composers who lived and drafted their seminal works in Vienna, no one draws more interest and more visitors every year than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The musical prodigy settled in Vienna as a teenager, and many protected buildings throughout the city immortalize key events in his life. A visit to the archives at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, for example, will reveal documents that mark Mozart’s marriage, the christening of two of his six children, and—ultimately—his premature death in 1791. Those wishing to visit No. 5 Domgasse, an apartment that was once home to Mozart (and the only one of Mozart’s many apartments known to still exist), will learn much more about the composer, as the building now operates as Mozarthaus, a museum dedicated to the artist. It was there at No. 5 Domgasse that Mozart composed many of his greatest works, including the Marriage of Figaro. And while thousands of people visit Mozart’s gravestone in St. Marx Cemetery, fans of the composer should also make a pilgrimage to St. Michael’s Church, which is where, during Mozart’s funeral service, portions of the composer’s Requiem were performed for the first time.
Besides Vienna, our luxury Danube river cruises also venture to the European gem that is Budapest. A cultural and historical hub, Budapest will take you on a journey of splendor, elegance and passion. From the city’s 14th Century Roman Catholic architecture, through to its indulgent thermal baths and spas, no Danube river cruise is complete without a visit to Budapest.