My Danube Story could have started as early as 2019 but due to the pandemic, I had to wait three long years before finally planning to begin my adventure in the Danube Region.
With high school friends, we won an Interrail pass when we turned 18 years old. We were planning to go to Central Europe, but, unfortunately, our trip got delayed by a few years.
When the time came, only my best friend and I, from that group of friends, were still willing to explore that region. We decided not to plan our trip too much in advance and take things as they come, going from city to city, to explore offbeat cultures, and from town to town, to explore the breathtaking nature the region has to offer.
We first departed from our secluded village in the Picardie region and headed to Paris. Subsequently, we embarked on a new adventure towards Vienna. We briefly stopped in Zürich where the water of the river Limmat is turquoise and limpid. Then, we hopped into a train to Austria’s capital city, crossing charming lakes and mountains. After a long journey and a night of tranquil slumber, my friend and I started exploring Vienna. We were stunned by the Baroque-styled architecture of the city and its atmosphere. Serendipitously strolling through the city, we unexpectedly stumbled upon the Danube River for the very first time. We marked the occasion by savouring an iconic Wiener Schnitzel, paired with a refreshing local beer by the water’s edge.
After immersing ourselves in this lovely city for a few days, we embarked on a train journey, destined to unveil the enchantment of Prague. We arrived early in the morning, greeted by the tranquil whispers of a waking city. The first light of dawn painted the sky on the monuments’ facades. Afterwards, we took a long and pleasant walk along the Vltava River, which was enlivened by a local market where we sampled traditional food. After visiting the city centre and its most well-known monuments from top to bottom, we paused at museums like time travellers, unravelling the Czech Republic’s captivating history. Each exhibit took us back in time, where the past intertwined with the world that we know today. We later enjoyed the capital’s nightlife and tasted what was to become our favourite delicacy of the trip: the TrdelnĂk.
Our voyage led us next to Budapest, the final chapter of our journey before going back home. During our short stay in Hungary, we witnessed a national festival and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere along the Danube, embraced by enchanting architecture. We grasped the capital’s cultural diversity in the Great Market Hall where food and smells intertwine. With our experience reaching its zenith, we embarked on a train homeward-bound, carrying the essence of our journey in our hearts.
We finally made it back to Paris, three weeks later, as if we had just left Paris the other day, with the yearning to set forth once more to explore the rest of the Danube Region, and perhaps to write a new chapter into our Danube story.
© Lucas DÉCORNE 2023-08-16