A Grand European River Tour

Kinderdijk, Netherlands

The Netherlands

Your voyage begins in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Spend the day with a stroll alongside its picturesque canals, participating in the bustling bike culture and exploring mammoth museums. Then board your river cruise vessel and continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinderdijk, a town best known for its ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. Explore the windmills by foot, bike or vintage barge and learn why the windmills were built, plus enjoy the opportunity to enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters before returning to the ship for handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor.

Burg Eltz, one of the most beautiful castles of Germany

Germany

With eight ports in Germany, your river cruise will enjoy a full tour of Deutschland in all its historic glory, from Germany’s largest cathedral in Cologne to the castles of Koblenz, the fairytale charms of Miltenberg and the palatial architecture of Würzburg. Sip on the famous smoked beer of Bamberg, embark on a World War II tour in Nuremberg and explore the preserved Medieval treasures of Regensburg. Arrive in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers, and set out for adventures exploring some of the area’s most famous sights, from the castle that inspired Walt Disney himself to the birthplace of Mozart and the iconic setting of The Sound of Music.

Benedictine Abbey, Melk, Austria

Austria

After a thorough exploration of Germany, you’ll also experience the stunning landscapes of Austria, beginning with the 900-year-old Benedictine monastery of Melk and the spectacular Wachau Valley. Explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region at a local winery. Continue on to one of Europe’s most romantic capitals in Vienna, with optional excursions to fully immerse yourself in Austrian culture. Delight in an enchanting evening of classical music by Mozart and Strauss. Enjoy a painting class at a private workshop within the world-famous Belvedere Palace, learn the Viennese Waltz, tour the boarding school of the Vienna Boys’ choir or step backstage at the elegant Spanish Riding School, home to the famous Lipizzaner Stallions.

Hungarian Royal State Opera House

Hungary

Your spectacular voyage concludes with the “Pearl of the Danube” in Budapest, Hungary’s famous capital city straddling the river. The once separate towns of hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest offer much to explore, from the elegant Andrássy Avenue, the Champs-Élysées of Budapest, to the Hungarian State Opera House, the monument-fringed plaza of Heroes’ Square and Buda’s towering hilltop castle complex, admiring stunning views over the Danube. Wander the maze of cobblestone streets and pathways, watching for the entrances to the underground labyrinth of caves that run beneath Castle Hill. Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace, see the beautiful Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion and stroll along quaint streets lined with charming coffeehouses.

Experience all these amazing moments about the Grand European Tour with Viking. Ask our travel agency for more details.

Contact one of our travel agents to plan your European river cruise vacation.