Viking Grand European Cruise - Amsterdam to Budapest - August 2023

Indulge all your senses on this 15-day journey spanning the best of Europe. This iconic itinerary traces the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland and the stunning landscapes of Hungary, with engaging encounters at every bend.
Equipment used:
DJI Mini 3 Pro (have since upgraded to a Mini 4 Pro) www.dji.com/mini-4-pro
Insta360 x3 (360° camera) - store.insta360.com/product/x3...
Insta360 Go 3 - store.insta360.com/product/go...
Music from Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
Editing is done on a Mac Studio with Final Cut Pro
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Day 1 - Amsterdam
02:12 Day 2 - Kinderdijk
03:39 Day 3 - Cologne
06:10 Day 4 - Koblenz
08:51 Day 5 - Miltenberg
10:13 Day 6 - Würzburg
11:38 Day 7 - Bamberg
13:50 Day 8 - Nuremberg
15:49 Day 9 - Regensburg
17:00 Day 10 - Passau
18:07 Day 11 - Melk and Krems
18:58 Day 11 - Wachau Valley
20:22 Day 12-13 - Vienna
22:57 Day 14-15 - Budapest

Пікірлер: 92

  • @user-md7se8yd9i
    @user-md7se8yd9i11 күн бұрын

    Fantastic video - very professional looking. We are taking this cruise next May. Can't wait!

  • @robinolson6786
    @robinolson678610 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much for the wonderful tour! Your voice was very calming and I.Loved it the music, Loved the photography and video also!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    10 күн бұрын

    You are too kind!! I really appreciate it

  • @valerieroberts8241
    @valerieroberts8241Ай бұрын

    Love Viking! They treat you very well and no changing hotels every other day.

  • @RengifoM
    @RengifoM5 ай бұрын

    We did the same tour in May 2023, it was amazing, we had the best time and also did great friends on board, we keep in touch weekly, because we live in different countries. Viking is a great company, crew was amazing with us, we were the only couple from chile and spanish spoken, but everybody did their very best effort to make us feel happy, and that did!!!

  • @MathewLauren
    @MathewLauren7 ай бұрын

    Wow absolutely loved your video! We are sailing the Rhine next year and are super excited!

  • @jimroberts7942
    @jimroberts79425 ай бұрын

    Excellent video, thanks, Jim

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    5 ай бұрын

    Appreciate it - working on more details for each stop but it is going slowly.

  • @broccanmacronain457
    @broccanmacronain4573 ай бұрын

    nicely done tour review. Thank you for sharing.

  • @elainemclean2957
    @elainemclean2957Ай бұрын

    Great video, thankyou

  • @DarthDaddy-cg6ro
    @DarthDaddy-cg6ro2 ай бұрын

    Thanks.

  • @DooWopKing2011
    @DooWopKing20114 ай бұрын

    Wonderfully narrated, informative, detailed video of a Viking river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much for the kind words!!

  • @judy8731
    @judy87314 ай бұрын

    I enjoyed your narrative very much. A great video. Thank you 👍

  • @TravelWithRickPruitt
    @TravelWithRickPruitt5 ай бұрын

    One of my favorite Viking River Cruise -=-= great video, well done thanks for sharing

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the comment! Glad you liked it

  • @user-gd5ru1uz1o
    @user-gd5ru1uz1o5 ай бұрын

    Well done ❤

  • @todds9746
    @todds97466 ай бұрын

    My wife and I are doing this cruise in June of 2025...Just in reverse. Starting in Budapest and ending in Amsterdam where we added 2 extra days. Looking forward to it.

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    6 ай бұрын

    I really hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Give the rain in Germany and Austria already this year, I hope you won't encounter the high water we experienced! Cheers!

  • @pamelawooden6012

    @pamelawooden6012

    5 ай бұрын

    We also did Budapest to Amsterdam. You’re going to love it!

  • @travellingpigs
    @travellingpigs9 ай бұрын

    Always interesting to see our home country from a different perspective! 👍👍We are looking forward to your detailed videos. Thanks for sharing! 😊😊🐷

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    9 ай бұрын

    There are so many great cities and villages - Bamberg and the Rauchbier is always a favorite - but so is Nürnberg with its rotbier! Appreciate the comments!

  • @jcat1977
    @jcat197720 күн бұрын

    Booked for European Sojourn Aug 2025. 21 days!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    20 күн бұрын

    Enjoy! I will be posting the first video on Vienna later today

  • @twiceshy3864
    @twiceshy38642 ай бұрын

    Thank you. We have been on this cruise so seeing your version brings back many great memories. Sadly our long-time cruise companions were hit by a drunk driver in August and she was killed. Now all we have are the memories of our wonderful vacations together. Carpe Diem!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    2 ай бұрын

    goodness - that is so sad, i am glad that this was able to bring back some fond memories

  • @n206ja
    @n206ja2 ай бұрын

    Leaving next week for the reverse course of the Grand European Cruise. After watching your video, we're even more excited to get there!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    2 ай бұрын

    I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!! Thanks for the note.

  • @JStevenSanders
    @JStevenSanders3 ай бұрын

    Nicely done. We’re doing the reverse cruise in May/June 2024. This was very helping. We encountered the attack bicycles in Amsterdam several years ago. We didn’t know bicycles had the ultimate right-of-way.

  • @pamelawooden6012
    @pamelawooden60125 ай бұрын

    Enjoyed your video! Thank you for sharing. We’ve taken the 15 day cruise but with Emerald Waterways. My favorite view was of Budapest at night. Just beautiful!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    4 ай бұрын

    I will be posting drone video from a night flight in Budapest a bit later.

  • @marissaromano6813
    @marissaromano6813Ай бұрын

    Thanks for your video. We’re doing this cruise in July next year. 😊

  • @42784rgb
    @42784rgb7 ай бұрын

    An excellent video from beginning to the end. The drone videos helped make it one of the best Viking river videos I’ve ever seen.

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks so very much - I will have some more drone videos from the Czech Republic and some more of Budapest

  • @TheMrmicroman123

    @TheMrmicroman123

    5 ай бұрын

    I’m only 11 minutes in, but am greatly impressed. We did the reverse cruise in June and most of my photos and videos are still sitting on my computer. I’m teaching myself (via KZread) how to turn them and ones from two upcoming Viking cruises into a pictorial story, hopefully similar to yours. Two questions - Did you do your own drone filming, and How much of your trip did you miss being a videographer? In any case, thanks. I’m enjoying our cruise backwards!1

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    5 ай бұрын

    @@TheMrmicroman123 Thanks for the note - I am glad you liked it! I have a drone (DJI Mini 4 Pro), an Insta360 x3 camera and a gimbal for my phone. So I do spend a lot of time filming, but I think it is an advantage as I really concentrate on the subject of the shots. About the only time I miss something is if it is a short stop and I want to find the perfect place and time for the drone - such was the case at Marksburg castle where I didn't have time to go in.

  • @tinplater
    @tinplater7 ай бұрын

    What a beautifully done video! We did this cruise in 2015 and it remains our favorite of four Viking cruises. When in Budapest highly recommend a visit to Gundel Restaurant. Historic with amazing art collection and authentic Hungarian cuisine.

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much - we really had a great time - sorry we missed the restaurant - we stayed right next to the opera house and had dinner before the opera right next door at the Callas Restaurant - which was great!

  • @maryannvangrevenhof8769

    @maryannvangrevenhof8769

    5 күн бұрын

    We also did this same cruise in 2015! We went in May and were on the Bragi longship.

  • @nicolepare1646
    @nicolepare16463 ай бұрын

    We are doing the longer river cruise Amsterdam to Bucarest with the pre Amsterdam stay for a total of 28 days. We are Viking enthusiasts, multiple cruises and a couple of River cruises so far. We love travelling with Viking - you get what you pay for. If you are looking for an inexpensive party cruise it’s not for you.

  • @happypenny2211
    @happypenny22112 ай бұрын

    ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @mariastone1615
    @mariastone16158 ай бұрын

    Thanks! We are taking this trip in May-June

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    8 ай бұрын

    That's great - if you start in Amsterdam, there still may be a few tulips left in late May

  • @valeriebishop561
    @valeriebishop5619 ай бұрын

    Enjoyed the ride along!!! Thank you! Do you find very good deals by booking late or last minute generally?

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    9 ай бұрын

    Actually, I think we got a pretty good deal with airfare and a full drinks package included. Unfortunately, we got the duck cabin (cause all we could see out the window was ducks!)

  • @flyshacker
    @flyshackerАй бұрын

    What a terrific and lovely video of your trip! We are considering this river cruise, and your video has really added to our excitement. Truly an outstanding job. Just enough detail, great shots, and you kept the story moving. But I have to ask if you brought a drone along for those aerial shots? I didn’t know if they would be allowed. Anyway, we subscribed to your channel, and we look forward to your videos of your other trips. Bon voyage!

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the aerial photos were with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. Since this drone is under 250 grams, there aren't quite as many flight restrictions but you should always check the local regulations. The DJI app provides some pre-flight checklists

  • @des668
    @des6682 ай бұрын

    I am tossing in between Viking and Emerald but I heard Viking is more relaxing for seniors while Emerald is for younger generation with more active excursions e.g. cycling. What do you recommend?

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    2 ай бұрын

    Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Emerald, but we felt right at home on the Viking cruise- nearly all were baby-boomers - we made some really great friends. Be sure to change up where you sit for dinner and you will meet some terrific folks!

  • @MissRubyRedsmoke
    @MissRubyRedsmoke2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for a lovely video. We are doing this trip April next year. How do you think the walking tours would be for someone with slight limitations?

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the kind words! All of the excursions are rated to indicate how strenuous they may be - also there is typically a leisurely group which may work well for you.

  • @johnpeacock7303
    @johnpeacock73033 ай бұрын

    We are doing this cruise in August 2024. I was wondering what to do in Koblinz??? Now it sounds like you get off the boat after dinner, go on one of the excursions and get back on the boat at Marksburg Castle for a daylight cruise down the river. So one way or another you’re in for a buss ride

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    3 ай бұрын

    Hi there, thanks. I did a video of Koblenz and Marksburg - it's here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/h2GC28SKZM63opc.html There are lots of bus trips - sometimes the boat will leave you off before the destination and you will bus there and sometimes the other way around - both happen in Koblenz

  • @sdelasab
    @sdelasab6 ай бұрын

    Excellent video - we are doing this exact same cruise in 2025!.... May I ask you what kind of drone you use for some footage?

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much - that was shot with a DJI Mini 3 Pro. It is under 250g so it bypasses many of the EU restrictions (certainly not all).

  • @munnsjf
    @munnsjf5 ай бұрын

    Are you using a drone for the aerial shots? If so, what kind, any issues w using it from Viking? Was it connected to your phone, and how was service. Thanks.

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks very much - that was shot with a DJI Mini 3 Pro. It is under 250g so it bypasses many of the EU restrictions (certainly not all). It was connected to my phone and when I flew it from the ship, I asked the Captain for permission and only when we were docked. (I have links to the equipment in the description).

  • @DeeDee-uc2uq
    @DeeDee-uc2uq3 ай бұрын

    We are doing the same tour in May 2024 (except in reverse: Budapest to Amsterdam). We do not speak any of the languages. Do you think that will be a problem for us?

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    3 ай бұрын

    Not at all!! If you are in budapest for a few days before you will be able to communicate but i don’t think as many folks speak english as the other countries but it shouldn’t be a problem

  • @DeeDee-uc2uq

    @DeeDee-uc2uq

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the info! We'll be in Budapest for 5 days before the river cruise so that's good to know. I'm working on Hungarian travel phrases but it's been a challenge for me. Italian was way easier. Thank again!@@travelsmartseniors

  • @valerieroberts8241

    @valerieroberts8241

    Ай бұрын

    You should at least learn how to say please and thank you in their language. Enjoy!

  • @douglasmckinley-sr1507

    @douglasmckinley-sr1507

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you for the fabulous tour. Two questions. 1) as most cruising is done at night is it worth paying extra for a balcony, or was bottom level OK? 2. How much did you have to pay to Viking that was up and above their published prices.. How much was “inclusive” and how much much was additional? Thanks

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for the kind words - we got a last minute deal on our cruise through USAA and everything except the optional excursions were included. We didn't mind the 'duck' cabin (where you could see the ducks). We spent very little time in the cabin - only sleeping!

  • @user-rm1rh9jl7u
    @user-rm1rh9jl7u22 күн бұрын

    voice is creepy....video is really boring

  • @travelsmartseniors

    @travelsmartseniors

    22 күн бұрын

    Thanks!!!!

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