Thank you all for your great knowledge and help. I am planning a trip which includes a Riverboat Cruise down the Danube, I am going to be staying two extra days in Vienna. The Riverboat has an optional excursion to Schonbrun Palace , I am thinking I can do that on my own for less.
We will be taken on a tour of the major highlights, and to a couple of the Christmas markets..
The first day I am there we must be off the boat at 8 am I am wondering if it would make sense to be taken to the Airport to drop off my suitcase and then to take the train back into Vienna, with my overnighters for my next two days..Or just take a taxi and drop my luggage at the hotel Can I pre book a taxi to take me to the airport,,after?
As well where might I be able to purchase an additional suitcase if I so needed it due to my holiday purchases...
It was suggested that I take the train to Bratslava for lunch while I was there? Is this do able in the winter as easily as in the summer months...
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Firstly I must say that a Riverboat Cruise down the Danube in winter (if possible) would NOT be my idea of a good time. The countryside can be quite drab in winter, is often misty and you would not want to spend much time on a cold deck trying to see it!
If you have very limited time in Vienna why would you consider taking your suitcase all the way to the airport and coming back? Take it to your hotel with you.
The trains to Bratislava run in winter just as in summer so it%26#39;s doable. But I%26#39;m not sure it%26#39;s worth doing. Bratislava is like a very mini Vienna with similar architecture and sitting on the same cold, grey winter Danube. It%26#39;s diverting enough to visit for half a day in summer if you%26#39;ve lots of time to spare, but hardly so when you%26#39;ve so little time. You would get an equally good lunch in Vienna for the same price (much less if you include the train fare) so why bother? Vienna will easily fill all your time!
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Norman I appreciate your thoughts, about not cruising in December, I am a hardy Canadian Prarie girl and although I would hardly suggest that you come to the Canadian Praries in the Winter there is beauty in this whole earth at all times of the year, perhaps its not the natural beauty but the beauty of the people that will shine during the pre Christmas season. I will take your advice about not going to Bratslava, I had only received it as a suggestion.
How far are the cruise docks from the center of the City as I have booked a room at the Pension Pertschy.
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Jeannie, there are a couple of locations where boats dock. Does your itinerary mention whether it%26#39;s Reichsbrücke/Handelskai or Nussdorf?
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They have not supplied that information to us as of yet, its kind of like a mushroom being kept in the dark, its Uniworld and boat is the River Countess if that helps at all...
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You could email Uniworld and they%26#39;ll tell you:
info@uniworld.com
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looks like you%26#39;re taking the Nürnberg to Vienna cruise. http://www.uniworld.com/itinerary.asp?id=196
I do not agree with Norman regarding the time of year - every season has it%26#39;s beauty, and I can attest to the winter wonderland you possibly might see on this cruise.
I have driven this route many times, and while the %26quot;winter wonderland%26quot; usually meant snow and ice on the road, the magic, crossing the Danube, with all trees covered in ice crystals, was never lost on me.
I also found a winter drive through the Spessart forest quite enjoyable - so by all means, continue to think positive, and you will have a great time.
Christmas markets in Germany and Austria are lovely, and the more snow, the better. Don%26#39;t miss out on the %26quot;Glühwein%26quot; and the delightful Christmas cookies.
Enjoy Passau - it offers a lot to do and see.
I do agree, save the trip to Bratislava for another time, Vienna has much to offer.
An extra trip to the airport would in my opinion waste too much time; take it all with you and perhaps consider how much you really need.... -:)
But if you must, there are stores for luggage:
Marks and Spencer, Mariahilfer Strasse 52
Ringstrassen Galerien Kärntner Ring 5-7 (found Tumi and Victorinox)
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Your boat most probably docks at the DDSG Ship station at the Reichsbrucke. This is an easy taxi ride to the city center.I recommend you look for a hotel in the center to be near all the holiday activities. Cost depending on hotel location perhaps 15 euro.
The taxis can come directly to the boat landing making your transfer with luggage very easy to the hotel you choose.
I think it is much easier to just take luggage with you to the hotel rather than taking time and cost to leave it at the airport.
You can easily arrange a dedicated taxi transfer from hotel to the airport with an agency such as
www.airportdriver.at
for a suitcase - good selection at Steffl - a city center department store at Karntner Strasse 19 - this a quick 6 minute or less walk from Stephansdom in a pedestrian zone with many shops. Usually good prices.
I think luggage is on the main floor toward the rear.
You can easily do Schonbrunn Palace on your own.
As you mention probably much cheaper too.
You can spend all the time you wish, the Christmas market too just in front of the Palace is very festive.
www.schoenbrunn.at
Also a restaurant there if you get hungry.
You can make a self guided tour using a supplied audio guide in english.
You may stop at Durnstein on the way toward Vienna for an organ concert.
If there December 5 and 6 , they have a small Christmas market- some home made things by the school children too and always some warm punsch.
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All I can say is that I%26#39;ve been in Vienna perhaps half a dozen times in early/mid December and only once did I see the snow and ice which would be regarded as a %26quot;winter wonderland%26quot;. You certainly cannot rely on the Danube%26#39;s surroundings and the Vienna area for fairybook winter scenery to anything like the same extent that you can in the Alpine areas.
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I was reminded of this posting today as I was walking along the Danube River.
As often found mainly in winter months, it is a dark foggy day. It seemed like that weather found often in winter.
While some may comment the Danube of this area is a winter wonderland of snow, ice etc. this is not really correct. I wish to offer this so tourists making this route for a Christmas cruise will not be unhappy expecting more.
While I know the Danube mostly from Vienna up stream to the vicinity of Linz and not far from the german border, I wish to give a proper look to the winter scene to be encountered on the way Nurnberg- Vienna.
You will rarely see snow or ice cover in this area near to the River.
One must realize that it has a low altitude ( towns Malthausen -Grein about 250 meters altitude for example).
The influence of the river further moderates the temperature and assists to quickly melt the very infrequent snow that gets to the ground.
While the villages still look much the same in winter, the wine gardens and forests are a relatively drab brown color.
Living very close to the danube in the Wachau area, I think we had a little snow for about 2-3 days last winter.
Certainly the fine old towns, villages, various castles and beautiful Churches and Christmas markets encountered on the way make up for any lack of extra perfect winter white scenery and it is still a wonderful way to spend this time of year.
Just do not expect an alpine wonderland of snow and expect most probably some cloudy days.
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Coming from a part of Canada where I have to shovel way to much snow some winters, I can say its not the Snow I am going for its the adventure,and the markets... and what ever else I can see, thanks for your help.
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