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15 days/14 nights, March–November
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Viking Spirit
Viking Pride
Viking Danube Prices and Dates Wind your way through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. The scenery includes Holland’s windmill-studded fields and Germany’s fairy-tale castles, with cultural highlights that include Vienna and the imperial beauty of Budapest.
SUMMARY
This voyage from Amsterdam to Budapest explores the Rhine and Main Rivers and travels along the Danube as it winds its way through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Slovakia to Hungary. Cruise from Holland’s windmill-studded fields past Germany’s fairy-tale castles and through the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal. Then sail past the vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley as you travel to Vienna. Continue along the blue Danube to experience the magic of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, and finally, view the imperial beauty of Budapest.
The bicycle is Amsterdam’s most popular means of transportation.
The Grand European Tour is a 15-day/14-night cruise with fares from $2,699. You’ll sail aboard a ship designed to maximize scenery viewing with panoramic windows, a sun deck and river-view, outside cabins. Our onboard meals, prepared by European chefs, include a choice of entrées, regional specialties and traditional favorites. You’ll also enjoy a traditional Franconian lunch in Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved medieval city, and a Hungarian farewell dinner. These and all onboard meals are included in your cruise fare.Our English-speaking guides will take you to famous landmarks as well as hidden gems. Highlights include a tour of Holland’s premier art museum, the Van Gogh Museum, as well as a walking tour of Cologne and visit to its grand Gothic cathedral. Step back in time as you stroll the cobbled streets of charming towns and see traditional half-timbered houses. Explore the local culture as you taste the region’s fine wines, discover the artistry of glassblowing and enjoy Bavarian and Hungarian folkloric entertainment.
Itinerary
Day 1 AmsterdamCommence your journey in this colorful city Welcome to Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. We’ll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own. Dinner included. Day 2 AmsterdamGlide through a labyrinth of famed canals 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. Return to your ship for lunch and cruise through the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 3 CologneA lively atmosphere, an ancient backdrop 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 4 Koblenz, RüdesheimHalf-timbered houses on cobbled streets Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine. Eat lunch aboard; late this afternoon take a mini-train ride in Rüdesheim to tour Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum which houses elaborate musical machines. The evening is then yours to explore Rüdesheim’s famed Drosselgasse—a pedestrian-only street lined with pubs, restaurants and wine shops. Dine aboard or you can stay in town to experience local nightlife. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 5 MainzHome to father of the printing press After breakfast tour Mainz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, chronicling the history of printing and featuring Johannes Gutenberg’s original Bibles. Enjoy free time followed by lunch aboard. Sail through the night to Wertheim. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Note: Schedules and activities are subject to change depending upon river water levels, port accessibility and weather conditions. Tours often include walks over cobblestones, steps and uneven ground; for passenger safety and enjoyment, we recommend you be in good physical condition to participate fully in all tours. For safety reasons, sun deck access may be limited during times of high water levels/low bridge clearance and during the Main-Danube Canal transit. Day 6 WertheimDiscover the traditional methods of glassblowing in a private demonstration During your morning walking tour, learn about Wertheim’s glassblowing tradition. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore local shops and markets. Return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon glassblowing demonstration. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 7 Würzburg, RothenburgExplore a baroque palace and a medieval city After breakfast, tour Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, take a motorcoach ride along Germany’s “Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, with lunch in a local restaurant. Dine aboard; evening cruising. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 8 NurembergStep back in time to remember World War II After lunch aboard, dock in Nuremberg. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field and see the Palace of Justice, site of the WWII Nuremberg Trials. Or, join an optional WWII history tour visiting the Documentation Center Museum. Enjoy free time; depart just before dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 9 RegensburgWander along charming, narrow streets Arrive in Regensburg after lunch and tour this wonderfully preserved city. 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 10 Passau, LinzHear Europe’s largest pipe organ & see romantic Linz On this morning’s walking tour, see Passau’s Italianate architecture. Then, listen to a concert on Europe’s largest pipe organ in St. Stephan’s Cathedral.† Arrive in Linz during dinner. Tonight, explore on your own. You may want to sample the city’s famed Linzer Torte. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. †Passau organ concert not available after November 1. Day 11 Melk, DürnsteinPicturesque villages, hilltop castles & a famous wine town After lunch, visit the baroque 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 where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1193. Or, sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 12 ViennaSpend a day in the “City of Waltzes” Ride along Vienna’s Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. Then tour the baroque Belvedere Palace and view its collection of Austrian art. You’ll 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. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 13 BratislavaTour historic Old Town—a local favorite After an early arrival, you 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 Hapsburg Dynasty before you return to your ship for an afternoon of scenic cruising. Late tonight, arrive in Budapest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 14 BudapestExplore ancient “Buda” and modern “Pest” 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Day 15 BudapestAfter breakfast, disembark and we’ll take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Budapest, where you’ll be centrally located within Buda’s Castle District and minutes from the Chain Bridge. Breakfast included. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction. Port sequence, tours and times may vary. *Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. |
