Day 1 - Nuremberg Welcome to Nuremberg, Bavaria's second largest city. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship. * After boarding, you have free time to explore the city on your own - or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting orientated. (D)
Day 2 - Nuremberg & Main - Danube Canal Take a morning tour of historical sites of Nuremberg, ending at the Main Market Square in the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls. Here you encounter the first of our Christmas markets. Lunch is served aboard; you are free to return to the Christmas market or visit some of Nuremberg's many other attractions before we depart late this afternoon. Dinner is served aboard as we begin sailing through the locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal. The canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube, enables river travel from the North Black Sea to the Black Sea. Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Regensburg Enjoy scenic cruising through the morning, docking just after lunch. Meet your guide dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe's best preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest groupings of 13th and 14th century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. You also encounter the 12th century Old Stone Bridge, St Peter's Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. We finish our walk at Regensburg's lively Christmas market, where you can while away the afternoon, or take in other Regensburg attractions if you prefer - perhaps visiting the Alte Wurstkuche, Germany's oldest restaurant. Rejoin your ship for dinner and evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Passau Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town's narrow streets takes you through the Old Town and past tradtional patrician houses. During your walking tour you will experience artisans creating Christmas wreaths and gingerbread and enjoy a cup of mulled wine. We end our tour at the Passauer Christkindlmarkt, counting down the Advent at the foot of the magnificent baroque St Stephan's Cathedral. Enjoy some leisurely time this afternoon and explore the town or do some more shopping at the Christmas market. Be sure to try some delicious Gluhwein, Bratwurst and Lebkuchen! Your ship departs late this afternoon; dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Linz & Salzburg Today's activity is an excursion to the legendary Austrian city of Salzburg, known as the location for the film, The Sound of Music. Ride through the scenic Austrian countryside to Salzburg's Old Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and take a walking tour featuring the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Hohensalzburg Fortress just above the city centre. Take free time to explore Salzburg's narrow cobbled streets and colourful buildings and get lunch in one of the charming cafes; return aboard for dinner and remain docked overnight. (B, D)
Day 6 - Melk & Durnstein Sail along the Danube this morning, arriving at Melk after lunch. Join a guided tour through the ornate interior of a baroque gem of architecture - the Benedictine abbey at Melk. See its elaborate frescoes and admire the library's extensive collection of medieval manuscripts; enjoy the garden courtyard and the terrace views. This afternoon, take in the magnificent scenery of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We arrive in charming Durnstein with some free time to explore. Tonight, you have the opportunity to taste some of the area's local wines. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Vienna After breakfast, begin your half-day city tour. See some of Vienna's gracious architecture, then ride along the beautiful Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theatre. You then see St Stephan's Cathedral. After lunch aboard, the afternoon is yours to further explore this city on your own. Shop along the Kartnerstrasse or take an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, home of Maria Theresa and summer residence of the Habsburgs. This afternoon there is free time to explore or visit one of the city's Christmas markets; dinner is served aboard. Relax this evening or attend an optional concert of music by Mozart and Strauss. (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Vienna Today, celebrate Christmas Eve in the Austrian capital. After a festive breakfast, take a leisurely ride to the famous Vienna Woods, a tree-lined area of the lower Alpine slopes that inspired Johann Strauss to write his cheerful, lilting masterpiece, "Tales from the Vienna Woods." Lunch is served aboard. This afternoon you can see some of the sights of Vienna, decked out for the holidays, or do some last minute Christmas shopping. We remain docked in Vienna until after midnight; attend evening services if you like and enjoy a Christmas poetry reading on board. (B, L, D)
Day 9 - Esztergom Enjoy scenic cruising over breakfast this Christmas morning, then participate in a gingerbread cookie workshop. During lunch, arrive in the beautiful city of Esztergom, one of the oldest towns in Hungary. Travel to Visegrad for a spectacular view of the Danube Bend, then return to Esztergom for a tour of the basilica. The largest cathedral in Hungary, the basilica has a monumental altarpiece depicting the Assumption, an exquisite 16th century red marble Bakocz Chapel and a commanding view of the river. Return to your ship for Christmas dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Budapest Arrive in Budapest, Hungary's capital, just during breakfast. Take a panoramic city tour through the more modern "Pest" side of the city - journey along Andrassy Avenue and see the 19th and 20th century mansions, National Opera House, Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Stop in Heroes' Square to learn more about Hungarian history, then cross the Danube to Buda's Castle District. Walk up the hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church; enjoy brilliant views of the city below. Return to your ship for lunch and the rest of the day is yours to explore both sides of the city. A farewell dinner is served aboard. Take a stroll this evening if you like; we remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Budapest After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the airport for your return flight. * Or, extend your time in Budapest for 2 nights, so you can explore the city in greater depth. (B)
Note: Beacause this itinerary travels during Christmas, there may be sites and stores that close during the holiday period.
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
* Transfers are not included. Let us know if you would like help arranging your airport transfers.
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Nuremberg
Visitors to Nuremberg, a lively city with a medieval feel, will find evidence of its 950-year history at every turn. These legacies of the past also reveal much about the past and present of the German people. Here in Nuremberg, monuments to the city's inventiveness and its cultural self-confidence over many centuries stand in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a modern, dynamic urban centre.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 6kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Castle, City Wall, Zoo, Toy Museum, Verkehrs Museum, Old Quarter
Regensburg
Regensburg bills itself as "Germany's best-preserved medieval city." It's hard to argue with that description, at least when you're wandering through the Altstadt (old city) with its 13th to 15th Century houses or crossing the Steinerne Bruke (Stone Bridge), which has carried traders and touists across the Danube since the 1100s. Preservation may be Regensburg's most important industry after the BMW and Siemens plants in the modern suburbs. The medieval streets in the city center have been protected by strict laws since the 1970s, and the Bavarian state's conservation experts keep a close eye on all maintenance or renovation
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 78kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Medieval city centre, Historic Sausage Kitchen, Johannes Kepler Memorial House
Passau
Passau is not merely a transfer point but a destination unto itself. Life is easy-going and lived outdoors where street cafes and restaurants abound. Student life is vibrant and multifaceted. Guests can actively interface with young people from around the world over a Hacklbräu, Andorfer Weissbier or Passauer Löwenbräu brew in the beer gardens.
Country - Germany Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 100kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Bavarian Forest, Local Breweries, Danube River
Linz
Linz is a city of the third millennium. In and around the city, its Roman and medieval past slumbers. The opulence of the Baroque and the boldness of industrial architecture from the early 20th century are part of present-day life. Linz on the Danube is manageable, cosy, cherishes its traditions and, as the third biggest city in a small country, it is both metropolis and province, Central European crossroads and regional niche.
Country - Austria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 11kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Old Town, Linz Castle, Arts Electronica Centre, Brucknerhaus Concert Hall
Melk
Empress Maria Theresa said of Melk, "If I had never come here, I would have regretted it." The center of Melk is the Abbey and the Stiftskirche (the abbey church), some of the best examples of Baroque architecture anywhere in the world. The abbey library contains allegorical paintings by Troger on the ceiling while the Stiftskirche, has works by Rottmayr and Troger and is almost completely decorated in gold. Stand on the terrace of the abbey and view the river much as Napoleon did during the campaign against Austria so many years ago.
Country - Austria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 105kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Melk Abbey and Museum
Durnstein
One of the Wachau district’s most attractive villages is Durnstein, where the ruins of a castle - the Kuenringerburg - high up on a hill commands a superb view of the Danube as it winds through the valley. Stroll among the ruins and soak in the historic atmosphere of the castle where King Richard I of England was incarcerated in 1192. And after your journey into the past rejoin the 21st century and sample some of the splendid local wines in one of the local taverns.
Country - Austria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance to Airport - 95kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Kuenringerburg, Wachsu Wine District
Vienna
Vienna is known worldwide as a city of music. Quality orchestras and ensembles are its seal of excellence. Along with well-established ensembles for contemporary music classical music continues to play a vital role, as made evident by the City of Vienna Concert Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, amongst others. The Vienna Academy, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Women's Chamber Orchestra are dedicated to tradition and modern music alike. International artists are a great gain to cultural life in Vienna.Vienna's cultural life is multi-faceted. You have the choice of 50 theatres, four opera houses, two stages for musicals, 100 museums and numerous theatre, music and dance festivals. The museum quarter with its baroque facade is home to one of the biggest cultural districts in Europe.
CountryAustria Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 15kms Currency -Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Hofburg Palace, Vienna Opera House, Spanish Riding School, Prater Park, Danube Tower, Vienna Zoo
Esztergom
Esztergom is one of the most historic towns in Hungary. Throughout the rich history of our town, times of bright kings, significant events, rich palaces and churches were followed by the massacre of vicious battles, the raids of Tatar and Turkish hordes – devastation, followed by reconstruction.The history of the town accumulates the history of the whole country. There is not a single decade in the millenial Hungarian history without reference to Esztergom's name.
Country - Hungary Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 50kms Currency - Forint (HUF)
Places of Interest Maria Valeira Bridge, Varhegy, Great Moravian Castle
Budapest
Budapest possesses a rich and fascinating history as well as a vibrant cultural heritage. Recognizing the unique value of its traditions it has managed to maintain its magic and charm, and is rightly known as the Queen of the Danube. It has also been called the City of Spas, as there are a dozen thermal baths complexes served by over a hundred natural thermal springs.
Country - Hungary Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 14kms Currency - Forint (HUF)
Places of Interest Ecseri Flea Market, Royal Palace, National Gallery, Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum, Fisherman's Bastion, Statue Park
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Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises itineraries journey along the rivers of Europe and Russia, allowing you to explore fascinating destinations up close and in comfort.
Better than an ocean cruise or bus tour, our river cruises show you the best of Europe from the large cosmopolitan cities to small quaint villages.
So come aboard, unpack just once, and see it all. Spend your time exploring Europe, not getting to it, and enjoy the best of Europe with Viking River Cruises.
A river cruise with Viking River Cruises is the best way to see the real Europe up close and in depth. Explore the best of Europe from an intimate perspective, spending your time being there, not getting there.
Unlike a bus tour where you spend more time on the bus than actually seeing the country, or a hotel-hopping trip where you constantly pack and unpack, Viking River Cruises offers you fine food, great service and scenic cruising along Europe's great rivers.
Viking River Cruises visits at least one port a day on virtually every itinerary and you can explore small villages off the beaten path that are inaccessible via an ocean cruise. Docking in the heart of town, you'll have more to time to see the cities, not just travel to the cities. You'll experience ever-changing riverside scenery as well as local nightlife when your ship overnights in port.
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Viking - Europe River Cruises
To visitors, Europe is a colorful world of picturesque landscapes, legendary rivers, lush vineyards and hilltop castles. As you travel through Europe with Viking River Cruises, its rich history is arrayed before your eyes—Roman ruins, magnificent monasteries, hallowed universities, rural villages and sophisticated cities, and a vibrant collage of food, music, dance, costumes and languages recalling thousands of years of human history. Traveling with Viking River Cruises gives you the opportunity to experience and learn about all these aspects of your cruise destinations. Throughout history, each great European river has played a crucial role, carrying goods and passengers from city to city and country to country. Today’s river cruises continue this proud tradition. The Rhine River, the Seine River, the Danube River, the Elbe River—their very names evoke a timeless beauty and grace. Viking River Cruises excels at giving travelers an authentic European experience on land and by river. Take one of our unforgettable river cruises along a legendary European river; these waterways cover the entire Continent, from the North Sea through the heart of Europe to the Black Sea. Enjoy natural wonders on our river cruises, like Austria’s Wachau Valley and Germany’s Rhine Valley—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—and engineering marvels like the Main-Danube Canal. Hilltop castles, lush vineyards and gorgeous countryside are right outside your ship on our European river cruises. Experience Europe’s legendary history, contemporary life and bright future for yourself.
Viking River Cruises ships cruising the waterways of Europe are listed below. Click on the ship name for details about each specific ship.
