Located in Central Europe, the Danube River is the continent's second longest river. Spanning 10 countries and flowing for almost 2,000 miles the river becomes the perfect backdrop for an amazing European cruise. The Danube basin was the site of some of the earliest human cultures. The river was part of the Roman Empire's Limes Germanicus and the Romans often used the river Danube as a northern border for their empire.

There's plenty to do and even more to see as you travel along a part of the trans-European waterway. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee and strudel in the mornings as you learn about Hungarian history and soak in the old world panoramic views of Budapest. See some of Vienna's gracious architecture, and then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. In Melk, sail through the stunningly scenic Wachau Valley to the Benedictine abbey at Melk, and join a guided tour through the ornate interior of this baroque architectural gem.

The journey continues as you spend the day in Passau and see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephan's Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, listen to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe's largest church organ. In Regensburg see the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter's Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. Walk the streets, shop or visit Germany's oldest restaurant, the Alte Wurstküche.

Set sail with Viking River Cruises for various dates in June, July and September. Don't forget about Viking River Cruises' Thanksgiving cruise dates throughout October and November. If you'd prefer to celebrate the Christmas season abroad, sail during various dates throughout December in both 2012 and 2013. Viking River Cruises offers two itineraries in 2012 and 2013 – The Romantic Danube, which sails for eight days from Budapest to Nuremberg, and the Danube Waltz, which sails from Passau to Budapest for eight days.

Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, and Uniworld River Cruises offers various dates throughout the months of June, July, August, September, October and November. With over 30 Danube River cruise options in 2013 and 25 options left in 2012, Avalon Waterways has the perfect option. Varying in length from 4 days to almost 30 days you will be sure to find exactly what you're looking for.

If you're looking to discover Europe in a new way, perhaps a relaxing river cruise down the Danube River is just what you need. Taking a European river cruise introduces you to a variety of different cultures, countries and languages in just a matter of days. Begin your exploration today!

Cruising down a river is seemingly the best way to explore. You can journey to the heart of many great cities with ease aboard a Viking River Cruise riverboat; a vessel specifically designed to sail with ease through restricted areas of the world. You'll end up spending "less time getting there and more time being there."

When larger cities were developing around the world, they were concentrated around waterways – they were literally built with river access in mind. With Viking River Cruises, you'll sail directly into the heart of many destinations, stepping right off the boat into the center of town. "Viking vacations range from eight to 23 days along Europe's Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Saône, Rhône, and Elbe Rivers; Russia's Volga and Svir; Ukraine's Dnieper and China's Yangtze. Many voyages, including those in China, Egypt, the Mekong region and some in Europe, are 'cruisetours,' which include both hotel stays and river cruising."

Travel with ease aboard your intimate Viking River Cruises vessel. Rivers offer smooth sailing so there's no concern about motion sickness. "Unpack just once and enjoy scenic cruising on wide, smooth rivers instead of enduring extensive bus rides or long days at sea without scenery." The intimate atmosphere is worth mentioning as well. The ships accommodate between 120 and 260 guests, so it's easy to make new friends. Also, there's no waiting in long lines to embark, disembark or have a meal.

Viking River Cruises are all-inclusive — the price includes accommodations, onboard meals, most shore excursions and cultural activities. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are usually not included but special offers sometimes include wine with onboard dinners. The focus is on the river and the ports of call, onboard activities are minimal but all itineraries include at least one shore excursion per day.

Aboard a Viking River Cruise, you're likely to see "fairytale palaces, towering gorges carved through millennia, tiny villages nestled in the still preserved beauty of the landscape" and more. The breathtaking scenery is constantly changing and is viewable throughout the entire ship – panoramic windows and 360° views from the sun deck make that possible.