This year marks 100 years since the opening of the Panama Canal. That got me thinking of another watery man-made wonder; the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. 106 miles long, it was completed in 1992 and connects the three rivers in its name, forming one continuous waterway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. As you can imagine, that makes for a truly epic river cruise and a number of lines offer itineraries travelling the length of this epic waterway. But let’s just suppose there were other canals linking other rivers and I could continue my journey even further? How far across Europe and Russia could I get, how many countries would I visit and what would I see?
The Netherlands is a natural place to start my journey, as the Dutch Waterways eventually flow into the Rhine. After exploring the delights of Amsterdam, and perhaps taking a canal journey around the city to see the sights and get me in the mood, my voyage would begin. I’d pass through Kinderdijk, a World Heritage Site which is home to a great number of the country’s iconic white windmills. Once on the Rhine, I’d enter Germany, the second country on my journey. I’d make sure I stopped off at Cologne to visit Germany’s largest Cathedral the Dom, before entering the Middle Rhine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its stunning natural beauty.
Still in Germany, I’m onto my third river (if you count the Dutch waterways) – the Main. Thirsty from my travels, I’d be sure to call at Miltenberg, where the oldest inn in Germany can be found and the Wurzburg, home of the Bishop’s Residenz – another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany’s largest Baroque palaces.
Now we reach the part of my journey which wouldn’t have been possible 20 years ago, as
I’ve just joined the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal at Bamberg (Left). Here, I’ll visit the medieval city centre and 11th Century cathedral, before travelling to Nuremberg, where I can visit the Palace of Justice, site of the Nuremberg Trials, and the city’s beautiful Old Town.
Regensburg is my first port of call as I join river number four – The Danube. It’s a not-to-be-missed medieval city which is also home to Germany’s oldest restaurant. From there, I’ll travel to my third country – Austria, where I’ll visit its architecturally stunning capital Vienna, home of one of the world’s most famous opera houses. From there it’s Bratislava, capital of country number four, Slovakia. Here I’ll be sure to explore the medieval Michael’s Tower and the Gothic splendour of St Martin’s Cathedral.
The Danube passes directly through the capital of my fifth country, Hungary.
There will be so much for me to do in Budapest, but I’ll be sure to visit Heroes Square, Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion before I leave. Country number six on my journey is Croatia, where I’ll visit its fourth-largest city Osijek, which has a wealth of history to explore, then it’s onto Belgrade – capital of the seventh country I’ll see – Serbia. Here I’ll explore the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress and perhaps take in the views from the Tower of Sibinjanin.
I’m now entering the lower Danube area and I’ll pass through the beautiful narrow gorge that is known as The Iron Gate on my way to country number eight – Bulgaria. Here I’ll likely take an excursion to the country’s former capital Veliko Tarnovo. After that, it’s onto the final port of the Danube stretch of my so far completely possible river journey – Bucharest. It’s the capital city of country number nine on my voyage and there’s some great historical buildings to explore, such as the Antim Monastery and the Palace of Justice.
My epic river journey continues in part two…
By Simon Brotherton
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