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 Rudesheim's Drosselgasse. On this itinerary you see a lot-without spending a lot of time.
Day 1 Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer 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 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
Continue along the Rhine this morning; arrive 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, cafes 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 late evening. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Koblenz & Rudesheim
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 Rudesheim 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 in town if you prefer. Ship departs after midnight. (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 western faceade 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 proceed 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
For more information call Toll Free: (877) 394-8130 and mention offer: #1031 OR, click a button below for quick, convenient online assistance.
The Viking Sky cruise ship has 75 total staterooms, including 62 deluxe cabins and 13 standard cabins. All are outside staterooms with windows that offer dramatic vistas of the countryside. Amenities include hotel-style beds, satellite television, telephone, shower/ bathroom, hair dryer, air conditioning and in-room safe.
The Viking Sky is a deluxe river ship that is designed to be both swift and versatile so passengers travel through the heart of Europe in big-ship comfort. The ships 150-passenger capacity ensures intimate and personalized service and because the Viking Sky can sail on a variety of rivers, it is ideal for longer itineraries.
The public areas include an observation lounge and a restaurant with panoramic windows, a sun deck that offers plenty of room to relax and watch the river pass by, a boutique, library, and swimming pool.
Viking Sky, is a sister ship to the Viking Danube. It received the Cond Nast Traveler Readers Poll Best Small Ship rating.
Click a button above or call (877) 394-8130 to get additional information from our Viking River Cruise Specialists.
NOTE: Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes and government fees are additional.
indicates reduced pricing that may be time sensitive with limited availability.
Not all special offers available in all Categories/Prices. Pricing in US Dollars unless otherwise specified. Availability and pricing is not guaranteed until booking and deposit received.
Click a button above or call (877) 394-8130 to get additional information from our Viking River Cruise Specialists.
NOTE: Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes and government fees are additional.
indicates reduced pricing that may be time sensitive with limited availability.
Not all special offers available in all Categories/Prices. Pricing in US Dollars unless otherwise specified. Availability and pricing is not guaranteed until booking and deposit received.
Sold Out - This category is no longer available on this date and no further reservations are being taken for this category.
Wait List - This category is no longer available on this date. However you may join a waitlist where you'll be offered this category/price as previous confirmed reservations are cancelled or changed. To guarantee travel on this date, you must reserve an available category AND waitlist your preferred category.
Guarantee - The cruise line will assign the specific stateroom, sometimes as late as the day of sailing. You are not able to select a specific stateroom or location. You are guaranteed a stateroom in the selected cateory and if all staterooms in the selected category sell out, you will be upgraded to a higher category.
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We are an affiliate of Andavo Travel, Members of Virtuoso - Specialists in the Art of Travel. The world awaits. Let us take you there. Call us toll free at (877) 394-8130.
indicates reduced pricing that may be time sensitive with limited availability.
Not all special offers available in all Categories/Prices. Pricing in US Dollars unless otherwise specified. Availability and pricing is not guaranteed until booking and deposit received.
