Viking River Cruise

Viking River Cruises European River cruises to Paris, Budapest featuring a Danube river cruise through Europe.

Viking River Cruises, the world’s leading river cruise line, announced the introduction of a brand-new itinerary along the Danube River in Eastern Europe for 2012.

Take a family European river cruise vacation on the Danube with Viking.

This river cruise encounters grand cities and quaint villages along the Danube River. You explore both sides of Hungary’s capital—traditional Buda and more cosmopolitan Pest and from Fishermen’s Bastion, watch the river divide this fascinating city.

Experience Vienna´s architecture and gracious culture, and tour riverside towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley.

In Germany, explore a baroque cathedral and stroll cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends, and understand why Strauss immortalized the Blue Danube in his famous melody.

Day 1 Budapest
Arrive in Budapest, Hungary´s vibrant capital on the Danube River. Take a stroll beside the Danube or in the Vaci Utca, a pedestrian thoroughfare featuring shops and cafes.

Day 2 Budapest
You begin with a panoramic tour of the Pest side of the city. Journey along Andrassy Avenue and see the 19th and 20th century mansions, National Opera House, and Parliament Building.

Walk up the hill to Fishermen´s Bastion and Matthias Church; enjoy brilliant views. Return to your ship for lunch as we set sail through the scenic Danube Bend, past the castle of Visegrad and the basilica of Esztergom.

Day 3 Vienna
Arrive in Vienna just after breakfast for your half-day city tour. See some of Vienna’s architecture, then ride along the Ringstrasse with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater.

You then see St. Stephan´s Cathedral. Shop along the Kartnerstrasse or take an optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace, home of Maria Theresa and summer residence of the Habsburgs. Dinner is served aboard and you may choose to complete your day in this City of Waltzes with an optional evening concert.

Day 4 Melk
After breakfast, sail through the Wachau Valley to the Benedictine abbey at Melk, and join a guided tour through this baroque architectural gem. See its elaborate frescoes and admire the library´s extensive collection of medieval manuscripts; enjoy the garden courtyard and the terrace’s Wachau Valley views.

Day 5 Passau
Enjoy midmorning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your walk along the town´s narrow streets takes you through the Old Town and past traditional houses.

You see the Oberhaus Fortress and visit the St. Stephan´s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe´s largest church organ.

Day 6 Regensburg
After breakfast, meet your guide dockside for a walking through the scenic town of Regensburg, one of Europe´s best-preserved medieval cities. See one of the largest 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. Take time to stroll the streets, shop or visit Germany´s oldest restaurant, the Alte Wurstküche.

This afternoon, enjoy a casual scenic cruising along the Danube River or take an optional Danube Gorge excursion. Travel by road to Kelheim and board a ferryboat to the Danube Gorge´s dramatic scenery and spectacular 400 foot chalk cliffs.

Visit Weltenburg Abbey, renowned for the dark ale brewed here by monks since 1050, then rejoin your ship in Kelheim in time for dinner aboard.

Day 7 Main-Danube Canal & Nuremberg
This morning, you sail through a number of locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube. Begun as Charlemagne´s dream in 793, it was completed in 1992 with 16 locks that raise the water level 1,332 feet.

Today it enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Arrive during breakfast in Nuremberg, Bavaria´s second largest city.

Your tour features the former Nazi parade grounds and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. You have a brief stop at the Court House before returning to the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls.

Your tour ends with a walk from the imperial castle grounds past the Albrecht Dürer House on your way to the Main Market Square with its elaborate Gothic fountain. Lunch is served aboard, but you have the rest of the day to explore—or, join an optional World War II history tour visiting the Documentation Center Museum.

Day 8 Nuremberg
After breakfast, your family will disembark to the airport for your return flight. Or, extend your family journey in another country with 3 nights in Prague. You will stay close to Prague´s Old Town and get a tour of the Prague Castle.

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