Hi there,
We're driving from Munich to Prague to Vienna, Budapest and then to Croatia. We'd like to take a
3 to 4 hour boat cruise in the day. May also do a night one too. I'm wondering where the most beautiful short cruise might be - we'll probably only want to do one during our trip unless there's a couple of "must do's" in these areas.
Many thanks for your help,
Eileen
I can only give you info on Prague. The only cruise on the Vlatava I have done is. The Venice of Prague tour.
http://www.prague-venice.cz/
a bit sedate for my liking but ok for the money and it lets you see the main sites from the river.
there are companies that do a variety of boat trip with and without meals, this link will give you some ideas.
http://www.prague-boats.cz/
what you actually see on these trip I really don't know bit I doubt they will give you much more that the Venice of Prague tour.
You could also take the Boat to the Zoo (Trojka castle is also there) and walk back through Stromovka park to the city or indeed take the bus from the Zoo to Holesovice and the metro back from there.
they also offer some other alternatives that may be of interest.
http://www.praguesteamboats.com/river-cruises-to-prague-zoo
[Edited] Budapest is a popular choice, whether you do an evening cruise to view the city from the water or take a longer ride along the Danube bend. Or from Vienna, you can train to Melk, boat to Krems and return to Vienna by train. See also https://www.brandner.at/en/liner-cruises/timetable-fares/ and current discussion at https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/danube-cruise-from-vienna.
Nothing beats the view when you enter Budapest on the water,. That's why Viking Cruise Lines shows that segment of their cruises in every advertisment; and disproportionately so compared to the rest of the cruise.
So, I would do the 45 minute cruise from Szentendre to Budapest during the day and then an evening dinner cruise in Budapest, as not even the lights of Paris or Prague compare to the lights of Budapest as seen from the Danube. Or you can simply admire the view from your dinner table at an outdoor cafe on the embankment.
