

Welcome to Budapest, capital of Hungary. Transfer to your ship from the airport.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or do a bit of exploring. Tonight, return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (Dinner)
* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.Today we visit highlights of the hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest sides of the city, starting with Pest's National Opera House and historic Heroes' Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch on board your ship; the rest of the day is yours to explore the city. You may choose to join us on an optional excursion to experience the thermal springs, restorative natural spas whose waters locals have bathed in for centuries. Or, perhaps select another of our optional excursions designed to allow you to delve deeper into the history, culture and cuisine of this fascinating city. Return to your ship for dinner and evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Enjoy a day of scenic cruising along the beautiful Danube toward Vienna. As we sail, perhaps join this morning's German language lesson to learn a few key words and phrases. You may also choose to attend an afternoon presentation on Viennese coffee houses. We arrive early this evening. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the city's baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Alternately, you may wish to join us on one of the day's optional excursions, perhaps touring Schönbrunn Palace, the "Versailles of Vienna,” visiting the Spanish Riding School's famed Lipizzaner stallions, or celebrating a local tradition this evening at a high-spirited Heurigen dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria's finest Italian baroque architecture. See its wonderful frescoes and admire the comprehensive collection of medieval manuscripts in its library. Rejoin your ship and cruise through dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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 Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. Admire the New Bishop's Residence and see the impressive baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral; its ornate interior is home to the Europe's largest church organ. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own. Alternately, set out this morning with your guide to enjoy a full-day optional tour of picturesque Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting of The Sound of Music. We depart just before dinner and cruise through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter's Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Würstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany's oldest restaurant. Alternately, you may choose to disembark this morning and drive with your guide to Munich for an optional full-day tour of this cultural and historic city, rejoining your ship before our evening departure. Cruise through dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Cruise the Main–Danube Canal this morning. Or, instead, disembark for a short drive to the center of Nuremberg and use your free time to explore until lunchtime. After lunch, venture out on a tour of the city. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s, and see the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. See the Old Town area as you walk past the Albrecht Dürer House and Main Market Square. Alternately, you may choose to join an optional afternoon World War II tour including the illuminating Documentation Center. Dinner is served on board your ship before we depart late this evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Continue along the Main–Danube Canal this morning, arriving in Bamberg in early afternoon. Enjoy a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and sample some of the town's distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, tour Würzburg's Bishops' Residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or, you may choose to disembark this morning to experience an optional full-day journey along Germany's picturesque "Romantic Road” to Rothenburg, with its turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship for dinner and an evening glassblowing demonstration. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wertheim is located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. During your morning walking tour, experience life in a typical small German town. Stop in a bakery and a butcher shop, and learn about Wertheim's glassblowing tradition. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to your ship for lunch. Alternately, depart this morning on an all-day optional excursion that offers a rare glimpse into noble life, enjoying Privileged Access visits to two very different castles: Schloss Mespelbrunn and Schloss Löwenstein. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, we cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine; this stunning stretch of the river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river's narrowest point; the rock is named after a legendary Rhine Maiden who lured sailors to their demise. This afternoon, we'll stop to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. Rejoin your ship in Koblenz and dine on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Begin your day with a morning tour of Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin's Church and see the Dom, Germany's largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Cologne's atmospheric waterfront, or perhaps join an optional excursion on which you ascend to the Dom's roof for up-close views of the cathedral's architecture and bird's-eye vistas of Cologne. Afterward, return on board for dinner. Alternately, you may set off on an optional excursion to explore Cologne's spirited beer culture, sampling Kölsch, a light, crisp beer brewed only in Cologne, and enjoying a brauhaus dinner. After, return to your ship for a late-evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
We sail along the Rhine during the morning hours. Admire scenic views and enjoy a morning of enjoyable Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. This afternoon, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Disembark for an afternoon 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 a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Board your ship for departure and dinner. Arrive in Amsterdam around midnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 additional nights in Amsterdam; take time to explore the city's neighborhoods, museums and exciting nightlife. (Breakfast)
* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.15 Days 12 Guided Tours / 4 Countries
Daily Shore Excursions: 12 included guided tours
Port Charges: Included on all itineraires
I like Viking. I am already booked for 3 more future cruises.
Delightful trip with wonderful staff. Was a trip of a life time and hope I can go again
The agent that put our trip together was outstanding. Complete knowledge and understanding of the Viking Cruise policy and procedures. She was very helpful when a couple of minor issues came up with Viking and she quickly helped us resolve them. Would definitely book another trip through Affordable Tours.
The Viking River Cruise, European Grand tour, was exceptional. The cruise staff were wonderful, attending to every detail once we boarded the ship to arrival at the airport for our return trip home. The staff that greeted us at the airport upon arrival needs training. They did not actually greet us. They were in a cluster talking among themselves and the Uniworld rep directed us to them. We then stood around for 45 minutes without a rep telling us what was happening. I finally went to find out what the delay was. They then told us three people were missing luggage so we had to wait for them.
Our first Viking river cruise was an excellent experience. Well-organized itinerary, friendly and hard-working staff, delicious and plentiful food and beverage choices, and customer service orientation assured us of a positive and happy vacation.
This was our first cruise and we chose river cruise because of small number of guests and proximity to land. Viking Skirnir Tour director met us on the dock in Amsterdam, welcomed us and assured us Viking would care for us the entire trip. Every staff member from crew, housekeeper, waiters, chef, etc always addressed us and were there to please. The included tours were excellent. The French balcony room 270 was small, but comfortable. The sliding glass door enabled us to open, enjoy the views and the cool river breezes, and even touch the walls of the 68 locks traveled through from Amsterdam to Budapest. The upper deck was enjoyable for relaxing, or walking around 12.75 times for 1 mile of exercise. There were adequate seating, but not all covered. We did experience unseasonably warm temperatures and only 1 day of rain. The cafe for relaxed dining was nice for lunch. The main dining room was fantastic for all 3 meals. The Chef and his staff prepared 5 star meals every night for dining with 3 choices as well as some standbys as steaks if you preferred. The desserts were to die for. I wish he and his staff would come to my home. My only negative was the upper deck had to be closed around 5 days as we proceeded on Main River where there were many LOW bridges. There was a bar area with sofas and comfortable seating which was available whether you had drinks or not. There was a daily review by Tour director of the day and the upcoming activity along with the Chef describing your upcoming meal. Yum, Yum, Yum. Your daily included tours were separated into various groups to accomodate smaller tours and always one for gentle tour for those requesting. The tour ended on Sunday night with a river cruise of Budapest city lights where everyone was on upper deck celebrating an OUTSTANDING experience of a lifetime.
Vacationing has never been easier or cheaper with the help of a dedicated travel consultant from AffordableTours.com
Find your perfect trip on our website and simply request a free quote. Need to speak to a live person? Call us 7 days a week at 1-800-342-0019. No robots here!
Your personal travel consultant will reach out and be your point of contact for your entire travel experience from start to finish. Did we mention you'll be working with an award winning team? Sweet!
Because we're one of the largest sellers of travel, we're able to give you a discount on your vacation package. No one beats our prices!
Knowing you got the best deal, all that's left is for you to pack your bags and enjoy your vacation!
Darlena, Thank you for being so helpful during our booking and marvelous Viking Grand River Tour. All of the material in our travel package was spot on with the step by step explanations. You always returned my call promptly. We will recommend your services on our next Viking trip. Respectfully, Alan