Visit all the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 8 days. In Germany, see the many charming castles commanding the riverbanks as you sail by, and tour both Marksburg Castle and the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Admire Cologne, the jewel of the Rhine, with its awe-inspiring Dom, and experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Also, explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks, encounter multicultural Strasbourg in France, and take part in the inviting nightlife in Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse. On this itinerary you see a lot—without spending a lot of time.
Day 1 Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam. 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. If your arrival schedule permits, your Program Director can organize a trip to the Anne Frank House. (D)
Day 2 Kinderdijk
Sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample some of the many handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Cologne
Cruise along the Rhine this morning; you may choose to take part in a lively discussion of German culture on board. Arrive midmorning in Cologne and disembark for a walking tour. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church, and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction was begun in 1248 and which was only completed in 1880. Explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops on your own—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until midnight. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Koblenz & Rüdesheim
Proceed along the Rhine, disembarking to tour 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Lunch aboard as you enjoy this scenic passage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where castles overlook the river from their hilltop locations.
Arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars—dine aboard or stay in town if you prefer. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Heidelberg & Speyer
Cruise through the morning enjoying brunch and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a journey to Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates.
Rejoin your ship in Speyer this afternoon and take some time to look around. You dock in full view of the imposing Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design was highly influential upon Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Its soaring interior features graceful rows of sandstone columns and a large stained glass window installed in the westwerk during a later Gothic period. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Strasbourg
Dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. The afternoon is free to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures—fabulous churches, medieval covered bridges, beautiful parks and some lovely Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the quaint little city of Kehl. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Breisach
After cruising through the night you arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before an early evening departure. Or, choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar, or an optional walking tour of a working vineyard. Dine aboard while you cruise on to Basel, arriving around midnight. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Basel
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 nights in Lucerne. Enjoy the scenic landscape of the Swiss Alps with a view from your hotel, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Lucerne. (B)
The following meals are included: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.
Special early booking discount savings reflected below. Also receive $1,000 per couple off air, and complimentary wine with dinner. Offers expire July 31, 2009—ask for offer EBD.
Mar 20; Apr 3, 24; May 8, 29; Jun 12, 26; Jul 10, 24; Aug 7, 21; Sep 11, 25; Oct 9, 30; Nov 13, 27; Dec 11
Mar 27; May 1; Jun 5; Aug 14; Nov 6, 20; Dec 4
Viking Sun
May 9; Jun 20; Aug 1; Sep 12; Oct 24; Dec 5
May 2; Jun 13; Jul 25; Sep 5; Oct 17; Nov 28; Dec 12
Receive $1,000 per couple off roundtrip air prices—see savings below. For greater comfort, upgrade to Business Class or Premium Economy air—call for details.
Add all-inclusive roundtrip air & transfers
Mar-Apr
May, Sep-Dec
Jun-Aug
BROCHURE FARE
SPECIAL AIR
BROCHURE FARE
SPECIAL AIR
BROCHURE FARE
SPECIAL AIR
Boston, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
$1,095
$595
$1,195
$695
$1,495
$995
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Orlando, Miami, Minneapolis, Raleigh, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Washington D.C.
$1,295
$795
$1,395
$895
$1,695
$1,195
Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle
$1,395
$895
$1,495
$995
$1,795
$1,295
Call 800-640-4899
Fares are per person, based on double occupancy and include port charges. Limited single pricing is available; call for details. Offers listed above are valid on new bookings only as of April 1, 2009 and expire July 31, 2009; must request offer code EBD at time of reservation and pay in full by offer deadline. Complimentary wine package included with cruise purchase; international air does not have to be purchased to receive cruise offer. The 2-for-1 pricing applies to cruise portion only; 2-for-1 pricing, air discount and wine package are considered a single offer and are not combinable with any other offer except Past Guest and Referral Rewards travel credit. Offers and fares are subject to availability and additional restrictions may apply. Additional fuel surcharges may be applied. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to correct or revise pricing or dates throughout the season.
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
