Danube riverboat cruise – Budapest, Hungary – Sunday, July 6

Today’s program:

Excursion description: Architecture from across the centuries shines a light on the history of the Hungarian capital. Originally two separate cities, Buda to the west and Pest to the east offer incredibly different views on the culture of one of the liveliest cities in Eastern Europe. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city during a guided tour, including Heroes’ Square and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Andrássy Avenue and Buda Castle District.

These brilliant devices were provided in our cabins, which you use during the walking tours to be able to hear your guides without everyone having to crowd around them.

We loved our tour guide — “You can call me Charlotte,” she said. She’s in the purple dress in the last picture in this set. A few of my favorite things of this outing:

The Garden of Philosophers

Heroes’ Square

A few amusing things on the tour:


Late afternoon, we had a “Captain’s Reception” and then our “Port Talk,” which is when they tell you about the next port and everything going on there.

During the captain’s reception, we enjoyed champagne with an amuse bouche, and I treated myself with a change from bourbon and sodas to a treat from the Vodka Cocktail Collection. We had the most expensive, so all-inclusive drink package, so why not?


We had a most delightful dinner, sharing a table with new friends, Daniel & Michael. They’re from Seattle and they’re the first people we’ve met who create a list of dinner menus for the week like we do.

Each night for dinner, there is the full menu, along with a “chef’s recommendation” menu:

Bob and I both chose the chef’s recommendation this evening:


After dinner there was a “Name That Tune” game that I didn’t participate in, but Bob did. There were 3 parts to the game with the emcee playing a clip of music each time.

First round: You had to identify the song title and the artist (or band).
Second round: You had to identify a song that was being played backward.
Third round: You had to say if the song played sold more or fewer than 10 million records.

Bob’s team won, and they were presented a free bottle of spirits and some chocolate.


Leave a Comment