tinydancer

Departing on our river cruise tomorrow, just having realised that not all the tours are included, but must be booked as optional extras. If you have experience with the following specifics, I'd love to hear your suggestions. When not doing the option, there is free time or a tour of the port city included. We are in each port one night only:

Amsterdam - Van Gogh museum EUR29
Regensburg - Weltenburg Abbey & Danube Gorge EUR39
Passau - Salzburg EUR64
Vienna - (a)Schonbrunn Imperial Palace EUR44 (b) Royal Waltz Concert EUR49
Bratslava - Schlosshof EUR39

hetismij

It costs €14 to go into the van Gogh museum and if you take tram a couple of euros for that too.
The main advantage probably of the tour being offered is that you won't have to queue to go in, and transport is probably direct from the boat terminal to the museum.
Given the heat here at the moment no queuing may well be a advantage.
Only you know if you are interested in the museum. If not you could happily spend you day wandering around the city, take a boat trip around the canals, maybe visit the Vondelpark, and just enjoy summer in Amsterdam.

You may decide you like Amsterdam enough to want to return for a longer stay, in which case the van Goghs will still be there, and who knows maybe even the Rijksmuseum will be fully open!

HappyTrvlr

We took the metro/underground, station is a block away from the boat dock, to the Schonbrunn Place, got there before the bus tour and paid a fraction of the cost of the bus tour.We traveled all over Vienna this way.The boat crew gave us directions and seemed pleased that we were doing this.
Also, we went to the Spanish Riding School on our won, right in the center of the old part of the city.

tinydancer

hetismij, thank you for your reply. I think we agree with you, and a canal trip and city tour are included.

molker

For the places I know on your list - do things on your own

example

Schonbrunn Palace

Palace admission including an audio guide costs 12,90 euro.
A full 24 hour public transport ticket in Vienna costs less than 6 euro.

With a single transfer on the UBahn you can go from near your boat dock at the Reichbrucke to nera Schonbrunn Palace
This allows you flexibility of time to see what you wish in your own pace - not be rushed -
example is a nice carriage museum at the Palace - most never see it but an interesting view of royal life .

Use U-1 to U-4

info on Schonbrunn

www.schoenbrunn.at

Palace gardens are beautiful and free

Vienna transport system

www.wienerlinien.at

Much to see and do in the city center - many sights near to each other and an easy walkvisit enjoy the famous pastry and watch the world.
Famous cafes to

for info
www.wien.info

Numerous tourist concerts about Vienna in the summer.
Most are over priced for the quality supplied.
Not worth the time or money.

Schlosshof is actually in Austria - a short way from Bratislava
a completely restored summer palace- interesting gardens , small cafe , restaurant.
Bratislava is not really an overly interesting city - but has a small city center - 1/2 day and you have seen everything- depends on your likes-
for certain you can google for the schlosshof website and have a look to see if it interests you.

Salzburg is a good distance from Paasau- check the time you actualy have in the city before commiting - but Salzburg worth a visit if you have some time there.

tinydancer

HappyTrvlr, Molker, thank you too so much! Very good and useful advice. We only have one day, but we will make the most of it, and try not to take the 'optional' tour, but go on our own instead.

suze

I'm no expert on the subject, but were I in your shoes I'd research tranportation from where you dock, get a street map for each city, and wander around on my own for the alloted time each day. It's not about the cost, I'm just not big on being lead around to one particular place by a tour guide.

Lolo12

Passau is a very interesting city by itself. I would wander the streets and check out the churches etc. The cathedral is one of the most beautiful I have seen. If you cross over the bridge there are wonderful little side streets to look at, although it is fairly quiet. There is a nice promenade along one of the rivers that will probably lead to your boat.
The city is at the confluence of 3 rivers and very easy to navigate on your own. I would save Salzburg for another time when you have much more time.

Regensburg you can also do on your own - but don't miss the cathedral.