Angela Rippon’s River Cruises - Episode 2

Salzburg

At the beginning of episode two, we join Angela as she disembarks her Scenic Space-Ship in Brandstatt, which she describes as “a quieter alternative to bustling city ports”. She ventures to Salzburg for a masterclass in Mozart. Here, she is met by an expert local guide, Roman, at the most apt meeting place –  in front of the Mozart statue in Mozartplatz.  

“He was like The Beatles of his day.”  

Roman’s enthusiasm matches Angela’s as he regales her with fascinating facts on a tour of Salzburg Cathedral. It was here that Mozart was appointed court organist in 1779, a role he held for approximately two years, during which he composed 17 epistle sonatas for the organ – a masterpiece of Baroque design. As they peruse the 17^th-century halls, they see the bronze baptising basin where Mozart was christened, engraved with biblical scenes and held up by four copper lions.  

They continue on a walk through the city, discussing the illustrious musical heritage of Salzburg. Angela relishes a deeper connection to the streets, noting that his legacy is what entices millions of tourists to the city. That, and the city’s delicious ‘Mozartkugel’ chocolate, invented in the city in 1890. She tries these “little balls of chocolate heaven”, made with sweet pistachio marzipan, hazelnut nougat, and dipped in dark chocolate.  

“Do you all have wives?”  

As she walks through World Heritage-listed Mirabell Gardens – surrounded by a geometric display of golden leaves, she meets an accordion player and schuhplattler dance group from the city’s folk culture association. As ever, she’s eager to give it a go and understand the steps of this traditional dance – a key part of Bavarian heritage.  

She discovers that the dance was traditionally performed by men to attract a partner, before choosing one of the group for herself, who affectionately nicknames her ‘Angy’. Playfully shrugging off her coat and limbering up, she joins them for an impressive performance. The warm exchange beautifully reflects the locals’ welcoming spirit and their great pride in preserving their heritage.  

Regensburg

“What glorious weather we’re enjoying here on our grand tour of Europe via the Danube River… as we cross over from Austria into Germany”.  

Next up on Angela’s ‘grand tour’ is the Bavarian city of Regensburg. As she crosses the 12th-century Stone Bridge, she once again gushes over the majesty of the Danube as it splits into three beneath its 15 arches. We enjoy a little history lesson as she explains the bridge’s importance to the city as a major commercial centre for Germany.    

Walking through the ancient cobblestone streets, she describes Regensburg as something straight out of a storybook. Admiring the pastel-coloured buildings and soaring Gothic spires, she unexpectedly comes across a hatmaker’s shop she remembers visiting more than ten years ago on her last trip there. 

“In the blink of an eye, I am propelled back to an era that would have been much more familiar to my grandfather”. 

She meets Melanie, the milliner of ladies' hats. With the shop to herself, she’s in her element, surrounded by every colour, shape, and style – including a very famous hat worn by actor Johnny Depp when he played the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.  

With 15,000 hats on display, Angela tries on a selection to find her perfect fit. From a chic navy fedora to a more playful magenta hat with an angled brim – “bit cheeky, bit cheeky” she says, as she poses for the camera.  

All that exploration really builds up an appetite, so off she goes to visit the ‘oldest restaurant in the world’ on the banks of the Danube. Dating back to the 12^th century, this restaurant fed the bridge builders, sailors, and workers for hundreds of years before it was bought by the family who has owned it ever since. The Wurstkuchl, or Sausage Kitchen, has a secret recipe they use for their pork sausages, served with mustard and sauerkraut for a truly authentic taste of Bavaria. And of course, Angela is very eager to taste their wares for herself – with all the trimmings.  

“Like so much on the Danube, everything is interconnected because if it weren’t for the river, you wouldn’t need a bridge. If you weren’t building a bridge, you wouldn’t need somewhere to eat, and if there hadn’t been somewhere to eat in the 12^th century, I wouldn’t be enjoying this rather lovely sausage in the 21^st century”.

Nuremberg

“This is the waterway of Europe, connecting cultures, connecting people, economies. So it’s probably one of the most spectacular things to do on a river cruise.” – JJ, Cruise Director.  

As Angela soon discovers, the magic isn’t only in the destinations – en route to Nuremberg, Scenic Amber navigates the Main-Danube canal, and as it does so, Angela joins Cruise Director JJ on the Sun Deck to discuss the importance of this engineering marvel – the highest point on earth reached by commercial ships.  

As the ship approaches the lock, excitement builds with the guests on board, who make their way to the Sun Deck to witness the captain steer the ship with fine precision. Taking 30 minutes, this three-stage process really does highlight the magnificence of human engineering and the innovation of Scenic Amber, custom-built to give guests such once-in-a-lifetime experiences.   

On the other side, she reaches Nuremberg, a place that she recognises as having varying significance over the centuries. From being the medieval heart of the holy Roman Empire and the 20th-century symbol of Nazi ideology, to a rebuilt post-war city of peace and human rights.  

Accompanied by a small group of fellow Scenic guests, Angela joins a guided walking tour of the city’s main sights, strolling along its ancient cobbled streets and soaking up the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, which allows plenty of time to explore at a relaxed pace. An innovative earpiece keeps the guide’s commentary crystal clear every step of the way, ensuring they never miss a moment of fascinating insight. 

As Scenic Amber glides towards Bamberg, guests spend their time enjoying the ship’s elegant lounges, open-air spaces, dining venues and wellness areas, making the most of every moment on the water. In the ship’s main restaurant, seasonal dishes are served perfectly complemented by sommelier-selected wines – the perfect setting for making lifelong connections with newfound friends, as the ever-changing scenery drifts peacefully by.

Bamberg

“I’ve been spoiled with another of Europe’s well-preserved UNESCO-listed cities, bursting with the most exquisite medieval and Baroque architecture.” 

The next morning, Angela wakes up in her sumptuous suite on board Scenic Amber – the most perfect of settings for a truly revitalising sleep in her Scenic Slumber Bed. As she gets ready for yet another spectacular day of exploring, we learn that the ship is docked centrally in the Bavarian town of Bamberg, her final stop on her exploration down the Danube.  

Another UNESCO site to tick off her bucket list, Angela notes that docking so close to the city makes exploring on foot easy. “ I tell you what, sensible shoes are the order of the day in these places, don’t even think about bringing heels or stilettos here”. 

We enjoy another lovely history lesson from Angela, told with her usual passion and vigour as she stands by the spectacular 1400s town hall, standing as strong as it did the day it was built, and a significant monument to the proud people of Bamberg and their independence.  

Of course, Bavaria is known for its beer, so it would only be right for Angela to taste some of the region’s finest with those who know it best. She meets a guide and beer connoisseur, Stefan, at the Schlenkerla tavern, where they are served a selection of smoked beers by brewmaster Martin. Open since 1405, the tavern has been refining its skills and selling its wares for over 600 years. Here, she learns the technique of making smoked beer before trying it herself. As a self-proclaimed beer novice, she enjoys the conversation and the thrill of the unknown. While she doesn’t seem too keen, this lovely interaction is a fitting way to end her time here, once again highlighting the kindness and passion of locals.  

But there’s one stop left – Stefan urges her to visit an old apothecary-turned-tea shop, for a brew more suited to her tastes. She searches through the old medicinal cabinets in search of a memento. Her souvenir of choice? Liquorice tea, a historical specialty dating back to the 16^th century.  

“So many of the communities are so historic and yet that history manages to rub along very comfortably alongside the needs of 21st-century communities… and the Danube has seen it all.”