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However, cruising through the Rhine Gorge the next day made up for it. Sailing past all those castles was the highlight of this cruise. I assume that most people flew out of Amsterdam within a day or two of ending the cruise. However, we stayed for five extra days in Amsterdam and met up with a few more family members there! I had mixed feelings about this bustling Dutch metropolis, which I’ve written about in a separate blog post.
Discover Rhine Getaway
Smaller markets along the way include Rudesheim, where you can stroll down the colorful Drosselgasse street and try the town's warming coffee laced with local brandy. You can choose to start or end the 12-day Paris to the Swiss Alps itinerary with two days in the French capital or the largest Swiss city of Zurich, nestling on a shimmering lake. A comfortable motor coach transfer will take you to and from your Viking ship.
Post-Extension: The Best of Norway & Scenic Train
If you are flying in from the U.S. on a first time river cruise it is well worth getting Viking to book the air and advise you of the best flight timings. If you enjoy city breaks then Viking's 12-day Cities of Light sailing is the cruise for you. Wherever you are, Viking ships dock in the heart of each city so the sights are on your doorstep.
The Viking Cruise Ship
After pouring over the many options for cruises in Europe outlined on the Viking website and studying the photos and videos, we ended up selecting the Rhineland Discovery cruise. That being said, we were thrilled when we received an unexpected offer from Viking River Cruise. This was our chance to try a certain ease of travel and to see what it’s like to experience a trip with guides and planned meals. If you want more relaxed, casual food with perhaps a table for just 2, the Aquavit upstairs is a great alternative.
Great Food
In any case, don’t end up disappointed – travel insurance will help when you need it most. What I really liked was that there’s no pressure to stay with the tour. You’re free to start with the tour and slip away if you find a restaurant you like or somewhere you want to linger (although it’s nice to let the guide know so they don’t wait for you). Another advantage to booking airfare through Viking is they also include round trip transfers. So I recommend booking airfare through Viking (after doing a price comparison on your own, of course). It seems the company has relationships with partner airlines and is able to typically find flights cheaper than you can do on your own.
What's it Like Taking a Winter River Cruise in Europe? - Cruise Critic
What's it Like Taking a Winter River Cruise in Europe?.
Posted: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
While you're here, why not try one of our easy recipes filled with eclectic ingredients? Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world. As full-time travelers and influencers, we usually travel slowly with a week or even a month in each location.
11 Best Things to do on a Rhine Cruise - Cruise Critic
11 Best Things to do on a Rhine Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Sample flavors of the Alsace region, explore Frankfurt, one of Europe’s high-powered business hubs, and visit lesser-known historic towns in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Turreted castles and a fascinating history exude a rich tapestry of medieval charm. Viking's eight-day Christmas on the Rhine cruise between Amsterdam and Basel includes time in Cologne which has seven Christmas markets. A giant twinkling Christmas tree forms the centrepiece of the most famous one held in front of the city’s landmark cathedral.
If you want a great view, Viking offers an optional tour that takes you all the way to the very top! I had already been to Cologne on a previous trip so instead, we opted for a palace excursion. We wandered mostly on our own, ducking into gelato shops and chocolate stores while enjoying the colorful, medieval feel.
Day 5: Rhine River Castles & Koblenz, Germany
Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the amiable little city of Kehl. Cruise through the morning as you enjoy breakfast and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a tour of 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 this hilltop post.
You truly pass one castle every few minutes once you enter the Rhine Gorge. Our cruise Program Director also provided a running commentary on all of the things we were seeing as we sailed by. There’s something incredible about seeing these archaic stone structures from various angles as you move along the water.
We weren’t sure what to expect from the room even though we had looked at various YouTube videos for a sneak preview. Our room turned out to be downright spacious with a comfortable bed, a full range of movies available on-demand and wonderful bathroom products that got replenished on a daily basis. We were pleasantly surprised by the room’s private balcony with a table and chairs for two, which made it feel even more spacious. What a treat it was to not have to worry about luggage for twelve straight days! This may not seem like a big deal, but it was a game-changer for us. Cruising the Rhine River with Viking River Cruises is a popular option for exploring Europe in style.
We saw so much that we felt like we were on a Black Forest road trip, if only for the day. Viking offers many excursions on its Rhineland Discovery cruise, many of which are at no additional cost for participants. The free Viking tours are good – mostly slow-paced walking/bus tours with lots of information and minimal pressure. The entire ship is airy and light-filled and despite it being a small river ship, it feels more spacious and open than some large cruise ships. They have a handy map to show the journey along the Rhine River and make it easy to see what your options are each day. If you happen to pick an optional that conflicts with an included tour or a different optional tour, the website lets you know immediately.
Also unlike many other cruises or guided tours, almost everything was included, which made it feel like a truly relaxing vacation. Recently, I sailed on my first Viking River Cruise up the Rhine River to explore Switzerland, Germany, France and The Netherlands on their classic ‘Rhine Getaway’ river cruise. Also consider adding a pre- or post-cruise extension to your sailing to make the most of your time in Europe. If you are flying in from North America a pre-cruise stay will also help you get over any jet lag and board the riverboat in the best possible shape for the vacation ahead. A lesser-known stop on the Rhine on this Viking river cruise is Speyer.
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