Imagine 15 magical days along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. From Holland’s windmill-studded tulip fields to Germany’s fairy-tale castles, from the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal to the picturesque vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley, this epic voyage presents the highlights of Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Savor a decadent Sachertorte in a Viennese café and panoramic views of imperial Budapest—and along the way, discover the legend of the Lorelei, the ancient art of glassblowing, the music of Mozart and more. Guests who choose this voyage soon see why it is our most popular itinerary—and the new Viking Legend makes her debut here in 2009.
Inclusive Pricing
The price of this Viking River Cruises vacation includes all meals, shore excursions, 14 guided tours with tour headphones, entertainment and activities.
1 Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)
2 Amsterdam
This morning, get a city overview with a canal boat cruise past merchant houses and the Old Harbor, dating back to Holland’s Golden Age. Continue with a visit to the world-famous Van Gogh Museum, featuring works by the noted artist and his contemporaries. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
3 Cologne
Enjoy scenic cruising along the legendary Rhine. After lunch, tour Cologne and visit the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, sample Kölsch, Cologne’s signature beer. Enjoy free time and dinner aboard. (B, L, D)
4 Koblenz & Rüdesheim
Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping to visit Marksburg, the only Rhine castle never destroyed. Arrive in Rüdesheim late this afternoon. Free time, or take an optional minitrain ride to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. The evening is free to explore Rüdesheim’s famed Drosselgasse, a pedestrian-only street lined with pubs, restaurants and wine shops. Dine aboard or stay in town to experience local nightlife. (B, L, D)
5 Mainz
After breakfast, take a walking tour of Mainz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, chronicling the history of printing and featuring two of Johannes Gutenberg’s original Bibles. Enjoy free time followed by lunch aboard. Sail through the night to Wertheim. (B, L, D)
6 Wertheim
During your morning walking tour, experience life in a typical small German town. Stop in a bakery and a butcher shop, and learn about Wertheim’s glassblowing tradition. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to your ship for lunch and an afternoon glassblowing demonstration. (B, L, D)
7 Würzburg & Rothenburg
Tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, travel along Germany’s “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg. Set on a cliff above the Tauber River, Rothenberg features a turreted city wall and lovely Gothic and baroque architecture. Return to your ship for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)
8 Nuremberg
After lunch aboard, dock in Nuremberg. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, used in the 1930s as Nazi parade grounds, and see the Palace of Justice, site of the famous Nuremberg Trials. Return to the romantic Old Town area; see Elizabeth and St. James Church. Then walk down past the Albrecht Dürer House and Main Market Square. Or, join an optional World War II history tour including the Documentation Center Museum. Enjoy free time; depart just before dinner. (B, L, D)
9 Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg after lunch and tour this wonderfully preserved city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and tour St. Peter’s Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany’s oldest restaurant. Cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)
10 Passau & Linz
On this morning’s walking tour, see Passau’s narrow streets and Italianate architecture, and pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop’s stronghold. Then, listen to a concert on Europe’s largest pipe organ in St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Cruise through the scenic Schlögener Schlinge toward Linz, arriving during dinner. Tonight, explore on your own. (B, L, D)
11 Melk & Dürnstein
After lunch, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through dinner. You then have free time to explore Dürnstein. You can see Kuenringer Castle, or sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. (B, L, D)
12 Vienna
Ride along Vienna’s Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century, and visit one of the city’s spectacular baroque palaces. You will also see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)
13 Bratislava
Arrive early and embark on a walking tour of the Slovak Republic’s charming capital to see attractions like the medieval fortifications at Michael’s Tower, baroque Trinity Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. You also pass by several baroque palaces from the Habsburg Dynasty before you return to your ship for an afternoon of scenic cruising. Late tonight, arrive in Budapest. (B, L, D)
14 Budapest
The Danube River divides this Hungarian capital city into “Buda” and “Pest.” Explore both parts, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, stroll Fishermen’s Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard with the rest of the day to explore on your own. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
15 Budapest
After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Prague, Czech Republic, where you tour Old Town landmarks and Prague Castle. (B)
Viking Legend
We are proud to announce the launch of Viking Legend, which joins our European fleet carrying passengers on the popular Grand European Tour itinerary. Built to debut in 2009, this beautiful state-of-the-art vessel transports just 189 guests in deluxe staterooms with either French balconies or picture windows.
Note: Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy and include port charges. Limited singles are available, call for pricing. Early Booking Discount is not combinable with any other offer except Past Guest Discount and Refer-A-Friend Credit. Subject to availability and other restrictions may apply. See Terms and Conditions. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to correct or revise pricing or dates throughout the season.
Once you have paid in full for your trip, you are safe from any additional charges. Airfare increases, currency fluctuations, increased fuel surcharges, new government taxes—none of these will apply to you.
2010 Dates now available 2 for 1 cruise rates. $500 p.p. off airfares. Wine and internet included Now priced from $3,666 per person. Airfares from $595 per person For Early booking discounts call 800-640-4899 before May 28th 2009
With the decrease in the value of the dollar and the high price of fuel the cost of hotels and meals have doubled in European during the last three years. Savy travelers have come to understand that a river cruise offers the best value for a European Vacation. Accommodations, all meals on board and shore excursions are included in the price and some companies even include wine with dinner. Because of this, you do not have to live in fear of the $300 per night hotel bill, the $100 not so wonderful restaurant meal and the $10 cup of coffee with no free refills.
Many people believe that by dealing directly with the cruise line, they cut out the expense of a middleman. But when it comes to cruising, this is never the case. The cruise lines depend on travel agents to sell their product, and so it is the cruise lines who pay the agent's commission, not the customer. The lines also offer agents various extra incentives, bonus commissions and value-added perks, giving the travel agents more pricing leverage and the ability for us to offer you lower rates: There are many superb and well-trained travel agents, but there are not many who know as much as we do about river cruising.
Expert advice and prices always lower than the cruise lines. 800-640-4899
