viking tours grand european

Viking Grand European Tour: The Ultimate Guide

If you are planning to book your Viking Grand European Tour 15 day cruise, look no further. This comprehensive guide will give you all the information to have the best cruise possible.

One of the best features of this fifteen day itinerary is that you get both a Danube River Cruise and a Rhine River Cruise, all in one. Viking offers a plethora of European itineraries to choose from, but I am biased and will say this one was fantastic.

There are so many wonderful stops along the rivers and so much history and beauty to see in each port. What is even better is that each day brings something new.

Passau, Germany

As a seasoned ocean cruiser, I did not know what to expect on a river cruise, but I am so glad I got to go on one. There are not many similarities between ocean and river cruises but they all have their special qualities.

I think what I found to be one of the best incentives of the smaller river cruise was that you never got lost among the people. All the staff know who you are, they know what you like and don’t like, if you have allergies, etc. The staff is superior on Viking and they are going to make sure you have the best trip you could ask for.

Cruising The Danube

Viking Grand European Tour: Know Before You Go

Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz

• deciding on an itinerary – for the Viking Grand European Tour 15 day cruise, we opted to go Budapest to Amsterdam but you can go Amsterdam to Budapest as well. We chose this route specifically because of a desire to have more time in Budapest to explore the city more in depth
• choosing a room – I can’t stress enough that having a balcony room is the best way to go. You spend a lot of time on the rivers and you can easily sit on your balcony and watch all the cute towns, castles, and so forth pass you by. Grab a wine and watch the sun go down or a coffee and watch it rise
• tables are shared during dining and this is an excellent way to meet new people and make new friends on board. You do not have to sit in the same spot everyday and are free to dine around. We sat in every section available to try all the servers during our Viking Grand European Tour
• there is a coffee, tea and water bar that usually has baked goods like cookies or muffins available
• in Budapest – Hungarian goulash
• in Vienna – sachertorte, schnitzel and strudel
• in Germany – pretzels, sausage, beer, and sauerkraut
• in The Netherlands – stroopwafle
• after you book log in to “ MyVikingJourney ” – set up your account so that you can access your itinerary, book excursions, find documents and make sure everything is done prior to boarding, see the ports, add enhancements for your trip, and much more
• booking excursions – it is said that excursions fill up before departure, and I did notice that some were full months before. You can book them right in your MyVikingJourney account online, including the free ones, and you will be set to go
• cruise information – Viking will send out luggage tags and a book with all your cruise info in it well before the cruise starts. In the book you will find everything you need to know about the ship, port guide with tours, and questions you may have, etc
• since we came into Budapest early, we had to get to the river on our own. In the booklet that Viking sends out before your cruise, it shows where the boat should be. It is in one of three spots on the Danube close to each other. There is a number and email address you can contact if need be
• embarkation – getting to the dock was easy and when we arrived we walked onto the ship with our luggage where one of the staff took it to our room. We checked in and made it to our room within minutes. Since there are no scheduled tours the day of, we went back out into Budapest to explore on our own
• dress code – casual. Most of your time is out in ports exploring and you want to be comfortable, especially on cobblestone and uneven terrain in older buildings. For dinner you are free to get dressed up but it is not the rule
• Because I needed to be able to work while I was away, I brought my WiFi hotspot to use while I was out in ports and it worked perfectly.
• currency – how much to bring and where to exchange: there is not an ATM on board, and thus you should bring cash with you. I brought $400 Euros and that was plenty. I was able to use my Visa in many of the ports as well for shopping or extra dining
• additionally, we tipped our housekeeper and servers for going above and beyond
• I did not extend my trip in Amsterdam because I was short on time, but I have also been to the city before. If you get a chance to see the Amsterdam tulips , I highly recommend it. The W Hotel in Amsterdam is also a wonderful luxury property with easy walking access to attractions.
• purchase insurance – travel insurance is a necessity to protect you and your trip as you never know what could happen
• example: we had arranged to go directly to the airport. Our luggage was due outside our door at 8:30am and our ride was there at 9:30 am. We were take to the airport in Amsterdam and Viking staff on the ground helped with our bags and checking in for our flights.
• elevator – there is an elevator on board. The only floor it does not go to is the very top deck
• 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports in each room – you do not have to pack converters if you do not want to. I packed a power bar because I have so many items that need to be charged and wanted to make sure we had plenty of outlets available
• things that are not on board – medical services, a store for toiletries, medications, room service, spa
• laundry – this service is available on board and priced very nicely! We did not pack for cold weather and it was cold and rainy a lot of our trip, so we needed to have our warmer wear washed a few times. It was always back same day or within 24 hours
• shop on board – there is a small shop in the reception area that sells items like jackets, fleeces, postcards, napkin holders, books, etc
• postcards – you can buy stamps from the front desk AND they will mail out your postcards for you
• first floor is all rooms
• second floor is rooms, reception, the store, and the restaurant
• third floor is rooms, the lounge, library, coffee and tea stations, Aquavit Terrace
• fourth floor is the rooftop and you will find a walking track, shuffleboard, putting green, herb garden, and smoking area
• when the rooftop closes for a portion of the trip, they bring smoking to the third floor on the balcony
• viking daily – each night your housekeeper will leave  Viking Daily in your room that includes all the information you will need to know for the next day. You will find information on the port, what time each tour departs, places of interest in case you opt not to take tours, if there are buses provided by Viking into the city center, meal times (a few times it was different), weather, arrival and departure, if there is evening entertainment, a daily nautical term, “on this day” in history section, and so much more
• daily printed newspaper headlines from a variety of countries
• complimentary water and umbrellas during tours
• motion sickness – i rarely felt the boat move unless we were in locks, but even then, it was not anything like an ocean cruise. It would be a small movement or so and then we would carry on. I barely felt the ship move at all when we were cruising down the river
• language – all staff and tour guides spoke in English
• quietvox for tours – in your stateroom there is a quietvox for each passenger to take on tours. It comes with a left earphone only (bring headphones if you have trouble hearing on your left side) and when you meet with your tour guide they will activate it so that you can hear them on your tours

Viking Grand European Tour: Life on Board

This was one of the most asked questions I received from my viewers. To be honest, you spend about 50% of your time in ports exploring and the other 50% on board eating meals, sleeping, showering, and utilizing free time.

I purposely booked my tours on top of each other to maximize my time in ports. If there were days where i could do a morning and afternoon or even an evening excursion too, I almost always did it. By doing this, I cut some of my time on board down in favor of seeing more of the cities.

However, life on board is just as you would expect. Lots of eating, hanging out with fellow passengers, playing games, watching sunrise and sunsets, relaxing with a cocktail, reading books, watching TV, walking laps on the rooftop – you could really do anything.

I would highly recommend taking it easy on board and enjoying your down time. Its a very nice experience to go out into ports each day and learn about the places you visit and then have a wonderful place to come home to with cooked meals and friendly faces. A lot of people talked about their day and the excursions they went on or self exploration.

Everyone on board was very friendly, staff included. It becomes more of a friend atmosphere because the group is so small and you are together for fifteen days.

Staterooms:

The Viking Baldur offers 95 staterooms over five categories to include: 2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, and 25 Standard Staterooms.

Veranda Stateroom

During our time on board our Viking Grand European Tour, we stayed in a Veranda Stateroom, room 221. Here is what was included in our room:

• size was about 205 square feet
• full size veranda offering river views and floor to ceiling glass doors
• king size bed or option for two twins
• reading lights for each side of the bed
• 2 nightstands with drawers
• vanity area with mirror and outlets
• additional sitting chair in room
• 40″ TV programmed with a location map, movies and TV shows
• 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
• telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control
• private bathroom with heated flooring, glass shower and anti-fog mirror
• premium Freyja® toiletrie
• spacious wardrobe and drawers
• twice daily housekeeping
• water replaced daily
• robes and slippers available upon request

We found our room to be of good size for this adventure through Europe. We opted for the two twin beds and slept pretty well each night. When we arrived, we unpacked our suitcases and they fit easily under our beds as to not take up any of the space in the room. The closet and drawer space was plentiful for our needs and we even had room to spare.

Welcome Gift From Viking

The bathroom was a nice size for a cruise room. Our housekeeper cleaned it twice a day, leaving us fresh towels and toiletries when needed.

Everyone on board our cruise was watching “Downton Abbey.” Viking was kind enough to put the entire series on the TV for everyone to binge watch during their trip. I could overhear conversations about the show throughout the cruise and everyone seemed to love it.

We had the BEST housekeeper! He brought us snacks when we requested them and he was just the sweetest.

Viking Grand European Tour: Dining on Board

Dinner Table

One thing that I really loved about the dining on board this Viking cruise was the consistency in dining times, knowing what to expect and the always changing regional menus.

Available 24/7 are two coffee and tea stations outside of the lounge. You can help yourself to a variety of teas, coffee drinks, flat and sparkling water, and there was usually pastries, cookies or something of that nature in the baskets to snack on. Often, the pastry chef would make baked goods that were local to the region. I remember when we were in Kinderdijk stroopwafles were made and they were the absolute best!

Breakfast was essentially the same everyday. From 6-11 continental breakfast was available on the Aquavit Terrace and a buffet and sit down hot breakfast was available in the dining room from 7-10am. The breakfast menu never changed and included items like french toast, eggs Benedict, pancakes, etc. The buffet always had an omelette and egg station, hot meats, breads and pastries, yogurts, fresh fruits, and so much more.

French Toast

Lunch went from about 1230-2pm each day on board and was a buffet style plus a menu. You could mix and match items from the buffet and the menu.

On the buffet you would find build your own salad items, a new pasta station everyday, fresh fruits, side items and salads, etc. The menu was different each day (with the exception of the cheeseburger and hot dog always being available) and always had items like soup, sandwiches, burgers, etc.

Additionally, you could get dessert everyday at lunch and it was new everyday. Lunch was actually my favorite meal on this Viking Grand European Tour. I loved how creative chef was with the soups and pastas!

Salad Bar Toppings

Dinner started at 7pm almost every single night and went until about 9pm. Everyone pretty much came between 7-730.

At 715 there would be a few tables available in the Aquavit Terrace for dining that had the same menu as the restaurant. Dinner was a sit down meal where one side of the menu never changed and offered items like salmon, chicken and steak. The other side of the menu had a daily regional offering (for wherever we were) and other chef selections.

Stroopwaffle Dessert

Plum Dessert

Aquavit Terrace

There was one night on board where there was a dinner buffet of German and Austrian food and the entire dining room was set up so fun. Some of the staff was dressed in traditional clothing, tables were set up with pretzels and charcuterie. beer was being passed, and everything was so perfect. Don’t miss this fun event on board.

Things to note about dining:

• there is no dress code
• tables are shared in 6+ seating arrangements
• you do not have to sit at the same table for every meal
• meal times are fixed and you can find them each day on the Viking Daily
• beer, wine and soft drinks are included in your lunch and dinner. Additionally, if you find a local wine in port that you love, you can bring it with you to a meal and there is no corkage fee
• bread and butter is on the table for lunch and dinner each day. Chef mixes it up so you get to try a variety of breads and rolls

Wines at Lunch and Dinner

One thing I don’t want to leave out is how fantastic the servers are. We made a point to sit in every server groups section just to get to know the staff a little bit. By the end of the cruise everyone knew us by name and our preferences for beverages and food at each meal. The staff does a really great job at getting to know you and what you like/don’t like – which is pretty impressive since they turn the boat over twice a month.

On one of the last nights on the ship the chef let everyone take a quick tour of the kitchen so they could see how all the magic happens behind the scenes. I highly recommend stepping in briefly just so you get a feel for it.

Downtime on the Viking Grand European Tour:

While each day brings a great new adventure on this Viking Grand European Tour, you will have downtime each day to relax and get ready for the next day. I would say to approach this trip with excitement for exploration but also appreciation for the slow relaxation. Some days in ports you could be on a tour for just 2 hours and leave, which gives you a lot of time back on board.

One of the many highlights of the Viking Baldur was the rooftop deck. There was a walking deck, shuffleboard, putting green, herb garden, and plenty of seats both covered and uncovered to watch the world go by on the river. I would strongly argue the sunrise and sunset views were the best and should not be missed.

Additional items on board:

• board games
• computer center
• seating areas to hang out
• lounge with a bar
• TV pre-loaded with movies and TV shows
• occasional nightly entertainment (music, glass blowing, etc)

Seating Area

I would highly recommend bringing a book or two to give yourself something to do when you are not out exploring. There is a small library but they may not have what you want. Personally, I brought books and card games. I even got some other guests to play cards with us when we were sailing.

During the downtime on board when you are sailing to your next port, you will go through many locks. A lot of them are overnight but you will see some during the day too.

Viking Grand European Tour: Itinerary

On this 15 day Viking Grand European Tour, there are 12 ports of call that the Viking Baldur stops in and offers excursions. On the last day of the itinerary, you can go home, or stay in the city the boat docks in. With this itinerary you are essentially getting two cruises in one as you experience both a Danube River Cruise and a Rhine River Cruise. Viking does offer more than one ship that does this itinerary and it goes both ways. For our itinerary we went Budapest to Amsterdam, but it is also offered Amsterdam to Budapest as well. Below is the itinerary we were on:

• Day 1: Embark in Budapest, Hungary – boarding and overnight
• Day 2: Budapest, Hungary
• Day 3: Vienna, Austria – arrive in the evening
• Day 4: Vienna, Austria – full day in port
• Day 5: Scenic cruising Wachau Valley AND Melk, Austria
• Day 6: Passau, Germany
• Day 7: Regensburg, Germany
• Day 8: Main-Danube Canal AND Nuremburg, Germany
• Day 9: Bamberg, Germany
• Day 10: Wurzburg, Germany
• Day 11: Wertheim, Germany AND Scenic Cruising: Main River, Spessart
• Day 12: Middle Rhine Scenic Cruising AND Koblenz, Germany
• Day 13: Cologne, Germany
• Day 14: Scenic cruising Waal and Merwede AND Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
• Day 15: Disembark in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Each day when the ship docks in a new city, before you get off the ship there are things you should get at the front desk:

• your personal badge – which lets the staff know you are not on the ship. You turn this back in when you get back. This is how they know who they are missing.
• a card that gives you a letter and a number (example: 20H) this lets you know what tour you are on. A lot of days there are many tour guides and buses and this helps you to stay with your guide and on the right boat.
• maps are often available of the cities at port with highlights that include: popular attractions, post offices, restrooms, taxi, etc.
• bottled water is available before you leave each day before your tour.
• umbrellas are available each day before your tour.

Danube River Cruise: Ports of Call

Viking Baldur in Port

Many great stops were were on this Danube River cruise portion of the trip. Below are the stops and tours that were available. Please note that some of these may be seasonal and excursion offers may change. I am just putting them out there to give you an idea of what to expect.

You will spend the first 2 days in Budapest . On the first day you will be allowed to check in on the ship at 3:00pm local time. There are no excursions offered on the first day but you are free to roam the city as you wish. I recommend booking tickets in advance to see the Hungarian Parliament inside and visiting the most beautiful cafe: New York Palace Cafe.

Parliament at night

Since the boat does not leave on the first night and does leave the second day during the day, for to hours in the evening the boat will leave dock and cruise past Parliament so that you can see it all lit up from the Danube. I found this to be a wonderful first night on the boat.

Hungarian Parliament

On the second day in Budapest it is a full day, so you will see options for morning, afternoon and night. You can book tours during all three slots, just make sure there is no overlap. Here are the tours offered:

• Panoramic Budapest (Included tour) – this is a bus and walking tour of the city
• Hungarian Horseman – on this tour you will travel to horse country and experience a farm and horsemanship

Dohány Street Synagogue & Jewish Budapest – exploration of Budapest’s Jewish History 

Budapest Thermal Bath – this is a must do while in Budapest. The city is famous for its baths. *We did this tour and I HIGHLY recommend it. This is a great way to really relax before the trip gets full ahead.

• Grand Market: Taste of Hungary – this tour is an exploration of Budapest’s Grand Market Hall

Budapest Castle Hill City Hike – on this tour you will visit Castle Hill, walk across Chain Bridge, ride the funicular, Royal Palace, Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion, and finish at Grand Market Hall

Life Behind the Iron Curtain – take a ride in a Trabant and explore the communist past of the city 

Thermal Bath Excursion

Schönbrunn Palace

You will arrive in Vienna in the late afternoon and stay about a day and a half in the city exploring. I highly recommend a Vienna City tour of sorts – whether you book all or some excursions through Viking, this city should not be missed.

Day one of Vienna excursions:

Mozart & Strauss Concert – visit the Vienna Residence Orchestra for a special concert 

Day two of Vienna excursions:

Panoramic Vienna (included tour) – this tour of the city is included with your cruise and you will learn about the Hapsburg dynasty, marvel at the gorgeous architecture and see the Hofburg Palace, Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Vienna State Opera concert hall.

• Schönbrunn Palace – On this tour, visit the magnificent home of the Hapsburg Dynasty, built to rival the sprawling Château de Versailles in France.
• Imperial Vienna – learn the Waltz, have a glamorous lunch and stroll the grounds at Schönbrunn Palace

Heurigen Dinner – enjoy a Heurigen Dinner and experience this years wine at a local vineyard 

Behind the Scenes at the Lipizzaner Stallions – visit this Spanish riding school and see world-famous Lipizzaner stallions!

• Frolic to the country side for the Salzburg Sound of Music tour .

**Seasonally there are some great Austrian Christmas markets !

Melk is a shorter destination visit with only two tours offered on this Viking Grand European tour.

Melk Abbey (included tour) – you will see this masterpiece of Baroque time soaring above the Danube. Spend your excursion exploring this landmark. 

The Abbeys of Göttweig & Melk – explore both Abbey’s on this tour. This includes Melk Abbey and Göttweig.

Melk Abbey Ceiling

Melk Abbey Library

Melk Abbey Staircase

Passau is the first of the beautiful cities in Germany you will explore on this Viking Grand European Tour and is one of Bavaria’s oldest cities. Passau Germany is bursting with color and exploration.

• Passau Walking Tour and Organ Concert (included tour) – you will meet your guide for a walk through Passau and your tour ends at St. Stephens Cathedral where you will see an organ concert with Europe’s largest pipe organ.
• Salzburg Highlights – if you are interested in the movie “The Sound of Music” then this tour is for you!
• Hike The Passau Hills -this is an exploration of the city of three rivers by foot – it is a demanding activity
• Bavarian Cruise & Baroque Town of Sharding – you will visit sharding by bus for a walking tour and then board a boat for a cruise on the Inn River with pretzels, cheese and beer. Please note you need to cross a small suspension bridge to get to the boat and there is an unpaved path and stairs to get aboard the boat. We assisted many guests and others were willing to help as well. **Our boat was running late due to locks so our tour guide took us up to the top of the Fortress for the most magnificent views of Passau.
• Bavaria by Bike – this is a demanding 2.5 hour bike tour
• Passau Flightseeing – soar above Passau in a private chartered plane and see the city and rivers below

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe.

• Regensburg Walking Tour (included) – this is a 1.5 hour walking tour that will show you the Old Stone Bridge, a stroll through the city and learn about the history. **We abandoned the tour about half way through because we saw cuckoo clocks in a window and decided to go shopping.
• Munich Highlights – this 8.5 hour tour takes you to the Bavarian Capital
• Sausage Making Class – this 4 hour class will teach you to make weisswurst!

Nuremburg was one of my favorite stops on the Viking Grand European Tour but also holds a lot of dark history around WWII.

• Nuremburg Through History (included tour) – this 4.5 hour tour is both driving and walking. You will see where Nazi rallies were held and the Nuremburg trials. Then you will visit the old city that is still enclosed by its walls (of which you can walk up to)
• Surviving the War: Art in Nuremburg – this easy 3 hour tour showcases the underground chambers were art was stored during the war. Additionally you will go to the old town for more exploration.
• Nuremburg and World War Two – some of the places you will visit on this tour include: Zeppelin Field, Congress Hall and Courtroom 600 where the Nuremburg Trials took place.
• Gingerbread Making Class – learn to make this delicious treat that the locals have been making since the 14th century!

Bamberg was one of the most colorful towns we visited on the Viking Grand European Tour. We took the included walking tour and eventually just walked about 5 miles on our own exploring the city and grabbing sausages for lunch.

• Bamberg Walking Tour – this 4.5 tour of the city is a moderate activity with a lot of walking. The medieval city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and full of shopping, restaurants and charm. You will have free time to explore on your own.

Dining in Bamberg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

This was my favorite port on the Viking Grand European Tour and we opted to take the day tour to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. I cannot recommend this tour enough!! The town is just stunning.

• Wurzburg Residenz and Walk (included tour) – this is an included tour of the former residence of the Wurzburg prince-bishop. **Please note, no cameras are allowed in side.
• Rothenbur ob der Tauber – toted as “Germany’s most beloved town” this day trip does not disappoint! This is an 8.5 hour tour that includes lunch, a walking tour and plenty of free time for shopping and self exploration
• Hike the Wurzburg Hills – this demanding activity leads you to Marienberg Fortress and gives impressive views over the city

Schloss Mespelbrunn – Modern Aristocracy Tour

Wertheim is such a charming city to explore.

• Wertheim Walking Tour (included tour) – this 1 hour tour is a great introduction to this charming city
• Modern Aristocracy – fairy-tale castles and 21st century royalty. This 8 hour tour gives you privileged access to two German castles, a visit to Miltenburg and the most delicious lunch in Germany! We did this tour on the Viking Grand European Tour and loved it.
• Wertheim Castle Hike – this demanding activity is a hike to the top to Wertheim Castle that offers sweeping views of the city below.
• Wertheim by Bicycle – this 16 mile bike journey takes you through Tauber Valley from Wertheim to Freudenberg

Rhine River Cruise: Ports of Call

Koblenz 

We actually did not take a tour in Koblenz, but instead took the cable car that was right outside the boat up to the Fortress. Riding the cable car up you can see “Germany’s Corner” where two rivers converge. You can see the Rhine River and the Moselle River. Then we walked the city for about an hour and had a small meal in town.

• Marksburg Castle (Included Tour) – this is the ONLY castle on the Rhine Valley that was never destroyed! Note that this is a demanding activity as the bus will only take you so far and then you need to walk up the rest
• Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – the fortress you can see set up high on the hill across from the boat. On this three hour tour you’ll be able to explore the fortress and see incredible views of the city
• Moselle Wine Tasting – on this tour you will explore small villages and see where some of the best Rieslings in the world come from

Cologne 

Cologne is the very last stop in Germany on this Viking Grand European Tour and it felt least like all the other cities we had been to. I was starting to get used to all the cobblestone and medieval architecture with Christmas shopping galore. But alas, Cologne is a fine city!

If you opt not to take any tours, you can go to the city in your own or the boat had buses taking people in to the old city a few times throughout the afternoon for self exploration and shopping. Additionally the boat was docked in a great spot by the bridge and many just walked across.

You could also get a taxi very easily to or from the boat.

• Cologne Walking Tour (Included Tour) – this tour lasts two hours and has a heavy focus on the Gothic cathedral
• note – you can do both the included tour and this tour as they do not overlap
• Top Of Cologne – this is a tour I WISH we had time for. You will go to the top of the Cathedral and you can see the city and Rhine River from above
• Cologne’s Beer Culture Dinner – you will visit three brew houses and enjoy Kolsch from them all

Kinderdijk 

Molly and Millie

The last and final stop on this Viking Grand European Tour, Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. The city is known for its 19 windmills that are from the 18th century, some of which are still lived in.

This is a very short stop and you do not have to take a tour here if you do not want to. The boat docks directly across from the path where the windmills are. There are a couple souvenir shops on the grounds if you are looking for postcards, trinkets, stroopwafles, etc.

• Kinderdijk Windmills (Included Tour) – this walking tour located directly across from where the boat docks, last two hours and explores this UNESCO site
• Kinderdijk Windmills and Dutch Cheese Making – on this tour you will visit the windmills and a farm to see how cheese is made
• Kinderdijk Windmills by Bicycle – this is the same as the walking tour except you will be on a bike
• Kinderdijk by Vintage Barge – hop on board a 125 year old restored cargo vessel and see the windmills from the water. This tour also stops at the oldest windmill on site and you get a tour of the grounds and to go inside

Viking Grand European Tour: Packing Tips

While the rooms are comfortable and offer generous storage space, I would highly suggest not over packing. Pack just enough or for 3/4’s of your trip and plan to have laundry done on board. We brought two big suitcases, a carry on suitcase, and two bags. All of our luggage fit under the bed.

Currently I am traveling with Bespoke luggage from Globe-Trotter . I love the design elements of the Trolley Case and found it easy to pack, carry-on, the style is very luxurious and the suitcase is sturdy. Since the suitcase is hard side, I put all my electronics and all the breakable items I bought on the trip inside to get home. This worked out really well because I was nervous about breaking the glass items, but I knew they would be safe in there.

Here are my top packing tips:

• it rained nearly everyday, so bring a rain coat and layers to be safe. We did not expect this, but weather happens. If you end up underprepared like we were, no worries, there is a small store on board with some clothing items and laundry service is very affordable and quick on the return (within 24 hours)
• pack all your electronics, medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on in case there is luggage delay for some reason. You will want to have easy access to things you need should your luggage not arrive on time.
• but also pack 1-2 other pairs of shoes in case something goes wrong with the ones you are wearing and/or like variety
• bring a camera to capture all the wonderful memories you are going to make. Believe me when I say, what you are going to see on this trip is magnificent!
• bring a first aid kit and any medications you take or may need as there is not any available on board. I brought band-aids, Tylenol, Motrin, antibiotic cream, etc
• binoculars for looking at high perched castles along the rivers and birds
• bring a book or something to entertain yourself at night or on longer days cruising

Souvenirs to Buy on Your Viking Grand European Tour:

Before I left on this trip I did not plan to buy anything but that quickly changed. When I arrived in Germany I KNEW I had to have a cuckoo clock… and so started the shopping ..

• cuckoo clock in Germany
• ornaments from Kathe Wohlfahrt (found in some of the Germany ports)
• stroopwaffles in Kinderdijk
• hummel in Germany

I really enjoyed my Viking Grand European Tour and so did my best friend. I think taking a trip like this is the best way to see multiple cities without having the hassle of having to pack, repack, get new hotels, and drive everyday somewhere new.

The overall goal of a cruise is to introduce you to many places and let you decide where you would like to spend more time. For me, I fell in love with Budapest, Vienna, Rothenburg ob de Tauber, Regensburg, Bamberg, Miltenberg, and Nuremburg. I would absolutely LOVE to come during the holidays and to explore their Christmas markets and see more of the stuff I didn’t get to on this trip. Everyone says the Christmas markets are magical.

Because the ship has less than 200 guests on board, you get to know everyone in some way because the Viking Grand European Tour is 15 days long. Whether its by dining with them, being on tours with them or just in passing on the boat. I think this is a fantastic way to get to know people with like minded interests and to make long lasting friendships.

If you are on the fence about booking a Viking River Cruise, I think you should book it. I say try everything once, twice if you like it. I know this will not be my last Viking Cruise.

Wertheim, Germany

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Disclosure: I was a guest of Viking River Cruises, as always, opinions are entirely my own. 

The rooms look awesome and the meals look even better. Fabulous. If you cruise you may as well do it right. Viking definitely does it right. Fabulous post!

Planning on this trip in 2020. Appreciate your post on this trip….helped confirm that this is the one we need to do! Thanks!

Thanks for reading! You are going to have a good time.

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15-Day Viking Cruises Grand European Tour Itinerary

Out of all the river cruise itineraries in Europe, the ultimate is probably the Grand European Tour, which runs between Budapest and Amsterdam. Dan and I had fallen in love with river cruising during our Rhine River cruise , so when Viking River Cruises invited us to review their Grand European Tour, we couldn’t resist. Five countries in two weeks, without changing hotels? Share it all with our readers? Heck, yeah!

Cruise days are full, so I kept a daily river cruise journal along the way. Our 15-day cruise became a series of stories that will tell you what you can expect every day and what you can do in each cruise port. There are articles about every stop on our river cruise itinerary. You’ll find the links throughout this article.

What happens on a river cruise?

We’ve only been on two Viking river cruises so far, and the daily routine is generally similar. Every port of call begins with a guided tour of the city (included), after which you have leisure time to do whatever you fancy until the ship sails.

As for the lunchtime meal, some passengers return to eat on the ship. Others, including ourselves, prefer to stay in town and buy their own noontime meal. In our opinion, few things can match ordering local food in a local restaurant with local patrons. To us, it adds another layer to the experience of being in another culture.

At some stops, you may be able to join an additional tour. These special interest Viking excursions usually have a limited appeal, so they charge a nominal additional fee to cover the cost. It’s a creative way to keep the basic price low, yet still add extra value to passengers. (Note: For the 2015 season, prices ranged between 29 and 64 euros per person.)

One thing about this cruise itinerary: Be prepared for a lot of scenery, culture, UNESCO sites, history and food. If you enjoy things like this, you will really enjoy the river cruising experience.

Viking Grand European river cruise itinerary

To give you a sense of the river cruise route, here is a map of our ports of call.

Now, let’s get started on the Viking Grand European Tour itinerary! 😀

Days 1 and 2 – Budapest, Hungary

Day 1—welcome aboard.

The recommended check-in time for a Viking river cruise is 3 pm. Travel schedules being what they are, Viking provides a light buffet lunch for passengers who can’t help arriving early. You can read about the first day on a Viking cruise here.

The first Grand European Tour activity happens mid-afternoon. It’s an unofficial guided walk around the area to help battle jet lag, should you be arriving the day of the cruise. You’ll also have plenty of time to explore the area and pick up a few authentic souvenirs of Budapest.

Our Program Director promised that our first dinner on board would be special, and it was. They offered a traditional Hungarian menu, accompanied by local wines and beers. Many people don’t know that Hungary has 22 wine regions and produces a number of excellent vintages. Tokaj and Bulls Blood are probably the best-known wines, and Hungary’s Tokaj wine region is so phenomenal that it is a bona fide UNESCO site.

If Hungarian food isn’t your thing or you need to selective about what you eat, no worries. They can accommodate many special diets and every menu includes a few familiar options, like grilled salmon and steak.

ⓘ TIP: If you enjoy good wine, pick up some local vintages along the way to enjoy with dinner. Unlike some river cruise lines, Viking doesn’t charge a corkage fee.

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Day 2—Tour Budapest

Your first full day in Budapest begins with a morning tour. From Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square, we crossed over the Danube to the Buda side of the river. Oour tour took us along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. We also had some free time to explore before returning to the ship for lunch.

Your afternoon options are varied. Would you like to explore Budapest on your own or join an optional tour? Your choices are:

• Dohány Street Synagogue and Jewish Budapest (tour highlighting Budapest’s colorful Jewish past and present)
• Spa Experience (Budapest is famous for its therapeutic thermal waters and has the spas to prove it)
• Hungarian Horsemen: Lazar Equestrian Park (trip to see a horsemanship exhibition).

The second evening in Budapest began with a Welcome Reception. Consider it an official opportunity to chat with your Program Director and traveling companions.

The evening departure results in some phenomenal photographs. Evening cruising through Budapest on the Danube is spectacular. See our Budapest photos here.

Days 3 and 4 – Vienna, Austria

Viking has updated their itinerary since our cruise, dropping a day in Bratislava in favor of two days in Vienna. As much as we enjoyed Slovakia’s capital, we left Austria’s capital feeling as though we hadn’t seen enough. Props to Viking for listening to passenger feedback and adding more time for visiting Vienna.

The Historic Centre of Vienna is a UNESCO site and there is plenty to see. We did see some of the city’s baroque architecture on our morning tour. Our guide made sure we saw the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s Cathedral and Hofburg Palace, among other things.

Many of our fellow passengers spent the afternoon exploring Vienna on their own. If you do that, make sure to set aside some time to relax in one of Vienna’s traditional coffee houses, just as the locals do.

We chose to take the optional afternoon tour to Schönbrunn Palace. It is called the “Versailles of Vienna” due to its massive size (1,441 rooms!), and it qualifies as a UNESCO site as well.

After dinner, we were treated to a classical concert (think Mozart and Strauss, not classic rock) performed by a Viennese orchestra. That’s another optional tour; no need to endure it if you’re not a fan.

Day 5 – Wachau Valley + Melk, Austria

Most cruising is done overnight, unless it’s through a picturesque area. This morning we enjoyed some scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley, heart of Austria’s wine country. The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems, and is of such unsurpassed beauty and historic importance that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The crown jewel of Melk is its abbey, an incredibly ornate 900-year-old Benedictine monastery. It features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Melk Abbey also has wonderful frescoes, as well as a library that holds an extensive collection of medieval manuscripts.

Day 6 – Passau, Germany

Passau is a town that lies where the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers meet. Our guided walk along the town’s narrow streets took us through Old Town and past many traditional patrician houses. Lying at the confluence of three rivers, Passau often experiences flooding, and one of the sights is where previous floods have left their mark.

We also saw the New Bishop’s Residence and the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. If you arrive at noon, you can be treated to a special noontime concert on Europe’s largest church organ (17,000 pipes).

Then, free time to explore Passau on our own.

Day 7 – Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg is a wonderfully preserved medieval city. It’s full of medieval architecture, dark and narrow lanes, and strong fortifications, and that’s what makes it a UNESCO site.

We had a chance to tour the town’s market, city hall and the splendid St. Peter’s Cathedral, discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses, and see ancient Roman, Romanesque and Gothic buildings.

Day 8 – Nuremberg, Germany

Our morning was spent on board, cruising to Nuremberg, Germany. Our program director offered a morning talk about the European Union, but Dan and I skipped it. We sat on our private stateroom balcony, sipping coffee and watching the passing scenery.

The afternoon options included a walking tour of the Old Town area. Highlights were the Albrecht Dürer House and Main Market Square. We drove by Zeppelin Field (the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s) and the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials.

World War II buffs can take an optional tour of the Documentation Center instead.

Day 9 – Bamberg, Germany

We spent the morning cruising through the 106-mile long Main-Danube Canal and passing through some of its 16 locks. Charlemagne first thought of continuous river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea in 793, but it took until 1992—a whopping 1200 years—to actually accomplish his dream.

Once arriving in port, we were taken on a walking tour of Bamberg’s medieval city center. Bamberg has a magnificent 11th-century cathedral. However, it’s best know for its picturesque city hall, built on a tiny island in the middle of a river.

When our guide released us to explore this UNESCO site on our own, a few of us asked for one final stop. Schlenkerla is a historic brewpub in Bamberg, Germany and is renowned for its smoked Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier.

Germany’s Franconia region may be known for its wine, but Bamberg is famous for its distinctive, smoke-flavored beer. Truth be told, I enjoy smoky flavors so much that visiting the brewery is my favorite memory of Bamberg.

Day 10 – Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg + Würzburg, Germany

Most passengers spent the day in Wurzburg. but we joined Viking’s optional Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The motorcoach ride was scenic, but it was drizzling and hard to see through the wet windows.

Rothenburg is a medieval town with charming half-timbered houses, a turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. It ranks among one of the most picturesque in all of Germany. If you have a camera, you should really consider taking this tour.

After a traditional German lunch in a Rothenburg restaurant, we returned to Würzburg. The town is best known for the Bishops’ Residenz. One of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces, the palace is also a UNESCO site.

It’s over-the-top elaborate, and hard to believe someone actually lived like this.

We had another delicious dinner on board. Viking had planned an evening glassblowing demonstration afterwards, but nope. The cruise director had to postpone it at the last minute because the glassblower missed the ship.

Day 11 – Wertheim, Germany

Wertheim is located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. It’s a typical, small German town, with roots that date back to the 7th century. Wertheim is renowned for its glassblowing tradition.

Our walking tour included a visit to the historic marketplace and our guide pointed us to glassblowing studio that we could visit. Many passengers spent their free time in glass shops buying souvenirs. Dan and I preferred to leave the main drag and explore the old town’s 1100-year-old back streets. (You can see our photos here. )

Down time in the afternoon. Time to relax on the sun deck with other passengers and watch the scenic vineyards of Franconia sail by. Dinner included some of the area’s wines.

Tonight, we finally got our glassblowing demonstration. He was quite entertaining and kept us all laughing, especially when he drafted audience participants. The whole evening was super fun!

Day 12 – Upper Middle Rhine Valley + Mosel River + wine tasting + Koblenz

This morning was all about hilltop castles along a stunning stretch of the Rhine River. It’s so special that the Upper Middle Rhine Valley has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There were plenty of oohs and aahs on the Sun Deck as we passed the dozens of castles and vineyards along its banks.

This was our second time in the Rhine Gorge and we enjoyed it just as much. The views are incredible and the associated commentary is fascinating!

The ship stopped in Braubach for a tour of one-of-a-kind Marksburg Castle. This castle is in perfect shape; it’s the only Rhine fortress that has never been destroyed. Definitely a must-see.

As we had seen the castle on our previous Rhine River cruise, we opted to join a couple dozen other passengers for the optional Moselle wine tour. Our route took us along along the Mosel River, which offers a landscape of terraced vineyards punctuated here and there by typically German towns.

After stopping to stretch our legs at a very scenic overlook, we continued on to a Mosel winery. They took us into the inner sanctum of wine production and showed how they produced their wines. Then, of course, we sampled a few of their best.

Our ship docked in Koblenz until late evening. This is the picturesque town where the Moselle and Rhine converge. We ran into a group of crew members in town. They were enjoying a few hours off and invited us to join them.

Always inquisitive, we took the opportunity to ask about working for Viking. We figured they could speak frankly since we were off the ship, and we were right. Seems a few of them have worked for other river cruise lines or on ocean liners. Consensus: Viking has high standards, and they treat their employees better than the other companies did. Isn’t that wonderful?!

Day 13 – Cologne, Germany

Cologne is Germany’s fourth largest city. Our morning walking tour through Old Town passed St. Martin’s Church, the Renaissance city hall and the remnants of an ancient Jewish mikveh (a ritual bathhouse). Our tour ended at the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rest of the day was free to enjoy Cologne. I made sure we went to the Chocolate Museum….

The Captain’s Farewell Reception was a blast – we had a “Taste of Germany” buffet dinner, complete with live oompah music. The crew dressed up in German costumes to give it an especially festive air.

And being that it was a buffet, the chef made sure to come over to help us figure out which dishes were on our diet. (We had mentioned it once, at the beginning of our cruise, and the entire staff never needed to be told again. They kept it in mind every time we ordered.)

After dinner, we joined the optional Prost! Tour so we could experience Brauhaus culture and drink Cologne’s famous Kölsch beer. We’d done it on our Rhine cruise and it was just as fun this time.

• Read more: One Day in Cologne

Day 14 – Kinderdijk, Netherlands

We sailed along the Rhine all morning. and Viking had plenty of activities to keep us entertained. We enjoyed sampling Dutch cheeses and jenever (a distilled juniper liquor), and trying our hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard).

After lunch, we docked in Kinderdijk (UNESCO!) for an afternoon tour. This is a fascinating experience, both for the photo ops and the opportunity to learn about windmills first-hand. We had done this on our last cruise, and the best part was climbing into a working windmill to explore its mechanisms and living quarters.

If you’re claustrophobic, have mobility challenges, or have already visited a real Dutch windmill, there’s an alternate tour. Passengers who would prefer an alternative can join a tour to watch Dutch cheese making. Holland is famous for Edam, but the cheese farm we visited specializes in Gouda.

Of course, the best part was sampling the many varieties in their shop….

We enjoyed a final dinner on board and our last evening together as we cruised on to Amsterdam.

• Read more: See Dutch Windmills and Cheese Making in Kinderdijk

Day 15 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Our cruise ship docked sometime after midnight. We left late and could have one last enjoyable breakfast, once again with local breads, cheeses and other specialties.

No Amsterdam tour is included on the itinerary (even though its canals are yet another UNESCO site), and I assume that’s because most people have planes to catch. If you wish, you are welcome to join the next round of passengers on the afternoon walkabout.

Or you can do what we did and spend more time in Amsterdam . There’s a lot to enjoy in the city: neighborhoods, restaurants, museums and exciting nightlife.

Even if you don’t do anything else, be sure to take a canal cruise! It’s ranked as the best things to do in Amsterdam for a reason. This tour is especially popular.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

We can recommend two hotels from personal experience:

• Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel — a short walk from Centraal Train Station.
• Bilderberg Garden Hotel — a bit further out and in a quieter location.

Both are quite nice and near a tram stop.

Note: As is common in the travel industry, Dan and Linda were provided with a complimentary cruise package for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced coverage, AWSI believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see the Disclosure page.

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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25 thoughts on “15-day viking cruises grand european tour itinerary”.

I like your philosophy of never wasting a day in life. Bamberg is certainly a top place to spend one. Nice post.

Thanks, Stuart. That cruise sure kept us busy – we didn’t waste a moment!

What is the best month to travel on the europe ?

We went in early June, but September would be nice as well, and daylight is still long enough. We prefer spring and fall, when school is in session and there are fewer tourist crowds.

It seems a nice tour and honestly, I would like to follow this itinerary. Thanks for sharing this post and on a very honest note, I got much information about the European cities and countries.

Glad it helped.

Thanks for the information, we are taking the Budapest to Amsterdam trip end of July on the Viking Modi. looks like Bratislava, Slovakia is no longer part of itinerary

Well dang, Larry & Maggie, you’re right! Instead, you get an extra day in Vienna. As much as we enjoyed our time in Slovakia, that seems like a fantastic trade-off. We were left longing for more with our single day in Vienna.

Come to think of it, we’ve seen day trips to Bratislava from Budapest online, and trains run regularly. Should be easy for one to fly in a couple of days early and see it as well.

Thanks for letting us know!

We are taking this cruise in June 2018 and reading your day to day journal is helpful in terms of what to expect each day. Thank you for sharing your adventure, it makes me even more excited about our trip.

You are more than welcome. We know you’ll have so much fun! (Do you mind if we admit to the tiniest bit of envy? We’d love to take that cruise again.)

I’ve seen comments about long bus rides at each port to get to the sites. Was that your experience on the Grand European Tour?

Well, yes and no. We docked in town at most of the Rhine and Danube stops. Those towns developed around the rivers, so naturally, ports are centrally located. Most of the trips that required bus rides were for towns on the Main Canal, because it was constructed recently and to preserve infrastructure and homes, they had to build it where space was still available.

The rides didn’t seem particularly long to us, though. Our guides gave us interesting orientations and we had wonderful scenery to enjoy on the way. (We napped and chatted on the way back.)

This itinerary looks pretty awesome. I had no idea the tours were quite so long and you get to see so many awesome places! I’d love to go on one of these cruises one day!

If you do go, you’ll be amazed. The staff is remarkable, the tours are excellent (and free), and the small passenger capacity makes it an intimate experience you will never forget.

You should go! River cruises are a fabulous experience. We can’t recommend them enough.

A Viking cruise is on our bucket list; thanks for the info. All the places look amazing. Now you have made me want to go even more.

I know what you mean. We want to take the Nile and Mekong cruises next.

Thank you so much for sharing your adventures. This has been very helpful because I will be cruising from Amsterdam to Budapest in April.

How did you pack all you needed in a carry-on and a back-pack? I would love to be able to do that.

Hi Bette, thanks for your question. Actually, I’ve been pondering writing a post about this.

In a nutshell, we always carry our valuables (camera and electronics) on board with us in our backpacks. The biggest keys to packing light are to:

• wear your clothes multiple days (just not in a row!)
• coordinate your clothes with a neutral color (I chose colorful tops and scarves, black sweater, skirt and slacks)
• hand wash your clothes when needed (we packed only 7 days’ worth of underwear)
• limit your shoes (I had walking sandals, sneakers and ballet flats, all black)
• bring travel size toiletries and leave the ones that hotels provide at home.

Enjoyed the information your post included. We are scheduled to take this cruise in July 2018 and you gave me a concise idea of what to expect each day. Also greatly appreciated your ideas on packing–this cruise will require different items than on a big ship in the Caribbean!

Thanks for the feedback! We’re so glad our post was so helpful. I hope our other posts for each destination were as useful and informative. 🙂

I am curious how you got permission to take pictures inside the Schönbrunn palace and the Milky Abbey. We were told it was absolutely not possible to take pictures while inside.

The only part of Melk Abbey that is off limits to photographers is the library. As for Schonbrunn, they forgot to tell our tour group that we couldn’t take photos until we had already taken shots of that one room. So we stopped.

I would love to do one of these river cruises and have been enjoying the posts taking note of how our small family of 3 would fare on such a cruise.

I think river cruises are best when children are old enough to appreciate sightseeing and history. Most little ones have far too much energy for a ship of that size and need more room to run and play.

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Grand European Tour Amsterdam to Budapest

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Traveled in March 2024

Places You’ll See

• Explore Amsterdam's famous museums
• Tour Kinderdijk's historic windmills
• Visit Cologne's iconic Dom cathedral
• See Marksburg Castle on the Rhine
• Attend an organ concert in Passau
• Introduction
• Day 1 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Day 2 Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
• Day 3 Cologne, Germany
• Day 4 Koblenz, Germany
• Day 5 Miltenberg, Germany
• Day 6 Würzburg, Germany
• Day 7 Bamberg, Germany
• Day 8 Nuremberg, Germany
• Day 9 Regensburg, Germany
• Day 10 Passau, Germany
• Day 11 Melk, Austria
• Day 12 Vienna, Austria
• Day 13 Vienna, Austria
• Day 14 Budapest, Hungary
• Day 15 Budapest, Hungary

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• PS Peter · 15th May 2024 Staff were incredibly helpful and couldn’t do enough. Food was just ok but lacked imagination. I fell ill and stayed much of the time in my cabin, so found the tv entertainment VERY lacking, dated and uninteresting compared to what one might experience... Show more Trip date: April 2024
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• Wednesday 28 May, 2025 Wednesday 11 Jun, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Tuesday 3 Jun, 2025 Tuesday 17 Jun, 2025 English Viking Gefjon Not available in your region
• Thursday 5 Jun, 2025 Thursday 19 Jun, 2025 English Viking Vali Not available in your region
• Friday 6 Jun, 2025 Friday 20 Jun, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Saturday 7 Jun, 2025 Saturday 21 Jun, 2025 English Viking Bragi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 11 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 25 Jun, 2025 English Viking Egdir Not available in your region
• Sunday 15 Jun, 2025 Sunday 29 Jun, 2025 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Tuesday 17 Jun, 2025 Tuesday 1 Jul, 2025 English Viking Ve Not available in your region
• Wednesday 18 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 2 Jul, 2025 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Thursday 19 Jun, 2025 Thursday 3 Jul, 2025 English Viking Tir Not available in your region
• Friday 20 Jun, 2025 Friday 4 Jul, 2025 English Viking Mimir Not available in your region
• Saturday 21 Jun, 2025 Saturday 5 Jul, 2025 English Viking Skadi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 25 Jun, 2025 Wednesday 9 Jul, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Sunday 29 Jun, 2025 Sunday 13 Jul, 2025 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Tuesday 1 Jul, 2025 Tuesday 15 Jul, 2025 English Viking Gefjon Not available in your region
• Wednesday 2 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 16 Jul, 2025 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Thursday 3 Jul, 2025 Thursday 17 Jul, 2025 English Viking Vali Not available in your region
• Friday 4 Jul, 2025 Friday 18 Jul, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Saturday 5 Jul, 2025 Saturday 19 Jul, 2025 English Viking Bragi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 9 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 23 Jul, 2025 English Viking Egdir Not available in your region
• Sunday 13 Jul, 2025 Sunday 27 Jul, 2025 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Tuesday 15 Jul, 2025 Tuesday 29 Jul, 2025 English Viking Ve Not available in your region
• Wednesday 16 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 30 Jul, 2025 English Viking Lofn Not available in your region
• Thursday 17 Jul, 2025 Thursday 31 Jul, 2025 English Viking Tir Not available in your region
• Friday 18 Jul, 2025 Friday 1 Aug, 2025 English Viking Mimir Not available in your region
• Saturday 19 Jul, 2025 Saturday 2 Aug, 2025 English Viking Skadi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 23 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 6 Aug, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Sunday 27 Jul, 2025 Sunday 10 Aug, 2025 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Tuesday 29 Jul, 2025 Tuesday 12 Aug, 2025 English Viking Gefjon Not available in your region
• Wednesday 30 Jul, 2025 Wednesday 13 Aug, 2025 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Thursday 31 Jul, 2025 Thursday 14 Aug, 2025 English Viking Vali Not available in your region
• Friday 1 Aug, 2025 Friday 15 Aug, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Saturday 2 Aug, 2025 Saturday 16 Aug, 2025 English Viking Bragi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 6 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 20 Aug, 2025 English Viking Egdir Not available in your region
• Sunday 10 Aug, 2025 Sunday 24 Aug, 2025 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Thursday 14 Aug, 2025 Thursday 28 Aug, 2025 English Viking Tir Not available in your region
• Friday 15 Aug, 2025 Friday 29 Aug, 2025 English Viking Mimir Not available in your region
• Saturday 16 Aug, 2025 Saturday 30 Aug, 2025 English Viking Skadi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 20 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 3 Sep, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Sunday 24 Aug, 2025 Sunday 7 Sep, 2025 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Tuesday 26 Aug, 2025 Tuesday 9 Sep, 2025 English Viking Gefjon Not available in your region
• Wednesday 27 Aug, 2025 Wednesday 10 Sep, 2025 English Viking Lofn Not available in your region
• Thursday 28 Aug, 2025 Thursday 11 Sep, 2025 English Viking Vali Not available in your region
• Friday 29 Aug, 2025 Friday 12 Sep, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Saturday 30 Aug, 2025 Saturday 13 Sep, 2025 English Viking Bragi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 3 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 17 Sep, 2025 English Viking Egdir Not available in your region
• Sunday 7 Sep, 2025 Sunday 21 Sep, 2025 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Tuesday 9 Sep, 2025 Tuesday 23 Sep, 2025 English Viking Ve Not available in your region
• Wednesday 10 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 24 Sep, 2025 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Thursday 11 Sep, 2025 Thursday 25 Sep, 2025 English Viking Tir Not available in your region
• Friday 12 Sep, 2025 Friday 26 Sep, 2025 English Viking Mimir Not available in your region
• Saturday 13 Sep, 2025 Saturday 27 Sep, 2025 English Viking Skadi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 17 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 1 Oct, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Sunday 21 Sep, 2025 Sunday 5 Oct, 2025 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Tuesday 23 Sep, 2025 Tuesday 7 Oct, 2025 English Viking Gefjon Not available in your region
• Wednesday 24 Sep, 2025 Wednesday 8 Oct, 2025 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Thursday 25 Sep, 2025 Thursday 9 Oct, 2025 English Viking Vali Not available in your region
• Friday 26 Sep, 2025 Friday 10 Oct, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Saturday 27 Sep, 2025 Saturday 11 Oct, 2025 English Viking Bragi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 1 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 15 Oct, 2025 English Viking Egdir Not available in your region
• Sunday 5 Oct, 2025 Sunday 19 Oct, 2025 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Tuesday 7 Oct, 2025 Tuesday 21 Oct, 2025 English Viking Ve Not available in your region
• Wednesday 8 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 22 Oct, 2025 English Viking Lofn Not available in your region
• Thursday 9 Oct, 2025 Thursday 23 Oct, 2025 English Viking Tir Not available in your region
• Friday 10 Oct, 2025 Friday 24 Oct, 2025 English Viking Mimir Not available in your region
• Saturday 11 Oct, 2025 Saturday 25 Oct, 2025 English Viking Skadi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 15 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 29 Oct, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Sunday 19 Oct, 2025 Sunday 2 Nov, 2025 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Tuesday 21 Oct, 2025 Tuesday 4 Nov, 2025 English Viking Gefjon Not available in your region
• Wednesday 22 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 5 Nov, 2025 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Thursday 23 Oct, 2025 Thursday 6 Nov, 2025 English Viking Vali Not available in your region
• Friday 24 Oct, 2025 Friday 7 Nov, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Saturday 25 Oct, 2025 Saturday 8 Nov, 2025 English Viking Bragi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 29 Oct, 2025 Wednesday 12 Nov, 2025 English Viking Egdir Not available in your region
• Sunday 2 Nov, 2025 Sunday 16 Nov, 2025 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Tuesday 4 Nov, 2025 Tuesday 18 Nov, 2025 English Viking Ve Not available in your region
• Wednesday 5 Nov, 2025 Wednesday 19 Nov, 2025 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Thursday 6 Nov, 2025 Thursday 20 Nov, 2025 English Viking Tir Not available in your region
• Friday 7 Nov, 2025 Friday 21 Nov, 2025 English Viking Mimir Not available in your region
• Saturday 8 Nov, 2025 Saturday 22 Nov, 2025 English Viking Skadi Not available in your region
• Wednesday 12 Nov, 2025 Wednesday 26 Nov, 2025 English Viking Gymir Not available in your region
• Sunday 16 Nov, 2025 Sunday 30 Nov, 2025 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Friday 21 Nov, 2025 Friday 5 Dec, 2025 English Viking Vili Not available in your region
• Sunday 3 May, 2026 Sunday 17 May, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Wednesday 6 May, 2026 Wednesday 20 May, 2026 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Sunday 17 May, 2026 Sunday 31 May, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Wednesday 20 May, 2026 Wednesday 3 Jun, 2026 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Sunday 31 May, 2026 Sunday 14 Jun, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Sunday 14 Jun, 2026 Sunday 28 Jun, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Wednesday 17 Jun, 2026 Wednesday 1 Jul, 2026 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Sunday 28 Jun, 2026 Sunday 12 Jul, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Wednesday 1 Jul, 2026 Wednesday 15 Jul, 2026 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Sunday 12 Jul, 2026 Sunday 26 Jul, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Sunday 26 Jul, 2026 Sunday 9 Aug, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Wednesday 29 Jul, 2026 Wednesday 12 Aug, 2026 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Sunday 9 Aug, 2026 Sunday 23 Aug, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Wednesday 12 Aug, 2026 Wednesday 26 Aug, 2026 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Sunday 23 Aug, 2026 Sunday 6 Sep, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Sunday 6 Sep, 2026 Sunday 20 Sep, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Wednesday 9 Sep, 2026 Wednesday 23 Sep, 2026 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Sunday 20 Sep, 2026 Sunday 4 Oct, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Wednesday 23 Sep, 2026 Wednesday 7 Oct, 2026 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Sunday 4 Oct, 2026 Sunday 18 Oct, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Sunday 18 Oct, 2026 Sunday 1 Nov, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• Wednesday 21 Oct, 2026 Wednesday 4 Nov, 2026 English Viking Vidar Not available in your region
• Sunday 1 Nov, 2026 Sunday 15 Nov, 2026 English Viking Baldur Not available in your region
• Wednesday 4 Nov, 2026 Wednesday 18 Nov, 2026 English Viking Lif Not available in your region
• Sunday 15 Nov, 2026 Sunday 29 Nov, 2026 English Viking Magni Not available in your region
• 139 Other Unavailable Departures

What our customers ask about this tour

The docking address will be provided to travelers before departure to ensure smooth transfers.

Yes, accommodations can typically be arranged for additional nights based on availability.

Onboard purchases are made in the local currency of the destination. Please check the currency exchange options available.

You can compare rates, but the best way to get accurate pricing is to inquire directly with us for any potential discounts.

Details about embarkation will be sent to you approximately 30 days before departure.

Yes, additional excursions may be available for booking. Please check your itinerary or inquire for details.

While certain components can be customized, most tours follow a set itinerary to provide the best experience.

Various payment methods are accepted, including credit and debit cards. Please check the website for detailed options.

Dining reservations are not typically necessary on board, but checking the app for dining options is recommended.

Yes, your luggage will be managed during transfers, making your journey more seamless.

Good to Know

• Currencies € Euro Austria, Germany and Netherlands Ft Forint Hungary

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Austria, Germany and Hungary. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Hungary. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Hungary. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 12th January 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 12th January 2025, a minimum payment of €0 is required to confirm your booking with Viking Cruises. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 125 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• The following cards are accepted for "Viking Cruises" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Viking Cruises. Please familiarise yourself with the Viking Cruises payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Viking Grand European Tour 15-Day River Cruise Review

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I was more than ready for this Viking Grand European Tour 15-day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Lee Oliver, our Viking Lif river ship Program Director, greeted us at the gangway with a warm “Welcome Aboard!” 

Those two words were like music to my ears. Maybe not Bartok or Liszt but music nonetheless.

Budapest , Hungary, on the beautiful and sometimes-blue Danube , has so much to experience.

A mid-afternoon boarding gave guests plenty of time before dinner to explore this spirited yet somewhat austere city, either on their own or with a Viking tour excursion.

Viking River Grand European River Cruise Review

In the course of two-weeks, we would cruise on three rivers; the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers. Along the way, Viking Lif  had 12 scheduled cruise ports to visit before docking in Amsterdam. A couple of port tour excursions offered day trips to other nearby ancient towns, and I highly recommend those options. Here’s our itinerary.

Grand European Tour Itinerary

• Day 1:    Budapest, Hungary
• Day 2:    Budapest and Bratislava, Slovakia
• Day 3:    Vienna, Austria
• Day 4:    Melk, Austria
• Day 5:    Linz, Austria and Passau, Germany
• Day 6:    Regensburg, Germany
• Day 7:    Nuremberg, Germany
• Day 8:    Bamberg, Germany
• Day 9:    Wurzburg, Germany and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
• Day 10:  Wertheim, Germany
• Day 11:  Koblenz, Germany
• Day 12:  Cologne, Germany
• Day 13:  Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
• Day 14:  Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Getting to Budapest by Train

As a solo traveler and someone who doesn’t fly, it was a challenge to figure out how to get to Budapest. After one night in Munich, Germany, it was an eight hour train ride to Budapest.

In First Class on trains in Europe, you’ll find many English-speaking passengers from North America. It was easy to strike up conversations with fellow travelers and the eight hours quickly passed.

With the help of Viking reservations, I pre-reserved a driver to meet me at Budapest’s historic Keleti station.

Within 30 minutes of pulling into the station and getting into the taxi, I was on board Viking Lif , met our program director and settled into my cozy cabin. Our Viking Grand European Tour was about to begin.

RELATED:   How to Take the Train to Budapest for a River Cruise

Day 1:  Viking Lif Embarkation

By the time I arrived at the ship in the late afternoon, other passengers had already unpacked and were mingling about the vessel. They had enough time for a short city tour and were enjoying cocktails in the lounge. 

I had about an hour to get acquainted with my cabin and Viking Lif river ship before the first pre-dinner meeting.

At 6:30pm, it was time to head to the lounge, meet the other guests and attend the informative yet brief review of our river cruise itinerary. Though the meeting was necessary and very informative, I really looked forward to tonight’s dinner. 

All I ate on the eight-hour train ride from Munich to Budapest was a bowl of Hungarian Goulash. No complaints…the goulash was very good and of course, very appropriate!

READ NEXT:  Getting to Budapest for Viking Grand European Tour Embarkation

It was a balmy autumn night that beckoned tourists and locals alike to stroll along the banks of the Danube late into the evening. I was tired but excited to finally have a chance to walk across Budapest’s historic Chain Bridge. 

Camera in hand, I must have crossed the Danube four or six times, snapping photos of the warm yellow bridge lights, couples strolling arm in arm, and the magnificently illuminated state buildings that line the riverfront.

Finally, it was time to call it a night. Tomorrow, our Grand European Tour river cruise would begin with a full day of sightseeing before we even got underway.

READ MORE:  In-Depth Review of Embarkation Day in Budapest

Day 2:  Touring and Tasting Budapest

If being chatty at breakfast isn’t your thing, there’s the option for a very relaxing breakfast buffet at Aquavit Terrace every morning. It’s also a good way to plan your morning time if you have a 9:00am or even earlier tour departure. This was usually how my day started; quiet, comfortable, and a cappuccino in hand.

By 8:15am on our second day in Budapest, passengers heard the first warning announcement for our city tour departure.

Know Your Tour Departure Time

Here’s how it’s done on river cruises. You know your tour departure time, say 9 A.M. At 8:45 A.M. over the PA system, you’re given a 15-minute heads-up for the tour to leave. 

Then you hear a 5-minute warning for your motor coach departure. The tour departure time that’s posted is not when you should walk out of your stateroom. It’s actually when the bus departs. I’ve had to run to catch the bus on more than one occasion.

Today’s complimentary morning tour was your basic European city overview; historic places, medieval churches, political hotspots of yore. In the scope of four hours, we would either drive by, stop to view or exit the motor coach to stretch and take photos. 

Highlights of Our Budapest Tours

Morning tour of budapest.

Our motor coach drove across the Chain Bridge to Buda side of the Danube. This is the hilly side of the city where many of the most beautiful building are located.

Views from the Buda side of the river…

Fishermen’s Bastion, built between 1895 and 1902, the beautiful towers and covered terrace weren’t built to defend the territory but to provide unparalleled views of the city. We had ample time to wander along the terrace and up to the Neo-Romanesque designed towers. This is the prime photo op location for sweeping vistas of Budapest.

Back aboard Viking Lif in time for lunch. As there would be on every day of the cruise, you can choose from two lunch venues; The Restaurant with table service and a buffet or in Aquavit for a café lunch, buffet-style. Most days, I chose Aquavit Lounge.

Afternoon Tour on the Pest Side

Budapest jewish and hungarian history.

I signed up for the optional 2:00PM Dohány Street Synagogue and Hungarian Jewish Museum tour. The motor coach let us off just a short walk to the synagogue. Part of the intrigue was seeing the small shops, bars and cafés in what was once the Jewish Quarter, or Ghetto.

Built in the Moorish Revival style between 1854-1859, it is the largest synagogue in Europe. In addition to the main synagogue (Great Synagogue), inside you’ll find the Hungarian Jewish Museum, the Graveyard and the Memorial.

The Weeping Willow memorial is in the courtyard behind the synagogue. On its leaves are inscribed the names of 30,000 Holocaust victims. The father of actor Tony Curtis, Emanuel Schwartz, funded the weeping willow memorial. 

The courtyard was named Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who managed to save thousands of Jews from going to concentration camps.

Stopping for a Slice of Budapest’s Finest

After a stop at a small shop for a Hungarian pastry called, “Flódni”, we boarded the bus to head back to the ship. We returned just in time for Cocktail Hour.

Tonight was the official “Welcome Aboard” toast by Captain Marcin and Hotel Manager Eve. One sparkling wine down and just before dinner, we had our next day’s briefing. Next port going north on the Danube would be Bratislava, Slovakia.

READ MORE:  Top 10 Things to See in Budapest

Day 3:  Bratislava, Slovakia and Funny Little Men

I woke up to see that we were underway, gently cruising along the Danube towards our next port, Bratislava , Slovakia.

Following breakfast and before we’d arrive, a mandatory safety drill was held. Warm autumn weather quickly drew everyone to the top deck and the drill took all of 15-20 minutes.

Afterwards, many of us stayed and either walked laps or settled into a lounge chair. With a mid-afternoon arrival into Bratislava, the day would be relaxing and informative. 

Program Director Lee led an enrichment talk about Vienna coffeehouses (where to go and what to eat) and a background about Austrian-born composer Wolfgang Mozart.

Locals have a great sense of humor as can be sensed when you try to find all the bronze statues. When I was in Bratislava, I counted eight almost human-size funny little men bronze statues. How many will you find?

Day 4:  Vienna, Austria

This wasn’t my first visit to this medieval city. From the beautifully baroque Schönbrunn Palace to a peek at the Spanish Lipizzaner Horses, Vienna has something surprising or magnificent around every corner.

I decided to pass on the complimentary morning motor coach tour of the city and get some writing done. One thing to note about Vienna, river cruise ship dockage is usually too far to walk to the city center. It is walkable but most people opt for a bus into the city and some will then walk back to the river ship.

Too good to pass up, I signed up for the Chef’s Tour to the Farmer’s Market (Naschtmarkt). A bit of walking, two subway trains and we were smack in the middle of a working-class neighborhood and a several-blocks-long farmer’s Market.

After a couple of hours, we were back on the subway, walked two blocks through Mexikoplatz and past St. Francis of Assisi Church and we were back on Viking Lif …in time for cocktails, of course. But not much time to spare. 

Not-to-Miss Evening in Vienna

I had signed up for the optional ($) Viking excursion tour to a concert hall for a Mozart and Strauss concert. Every river cruise line offers this but I had never done it. There would be an early dinner on board and then leave on the motor coaches before 7pm for the concert hall.

The concert hall was beautifully Baroque. We were all packed in on folding chairs like sardines in a tin though not as smelly. The performances were excellent with most of the music and singing were familiar classical pieces. 

If you have a chance to book a shore excursion that includes a concert in Vienna, I highly recommend it.

Afterwards, everyone was really quiet on the motor coach back to the ship. It had been a busy, long day from one end of the city to another.

When we arrived back to the ship, we were greeted with a special Viking Grand European bedtime treat: goulash soup in Aquavit Restaurant. The gorgeous bowl of soup and a fresh-baked crunchy roll accompanied me back to my cabin. Within an hour, I was asleep. One more port in Austria tomorrow.

Day 5:  Melk, Austria

All that glitters is mostly gold.

Melk is a curiously monastic community with the resplendent gold Melk Abbey high on a hill overlooking the Danube. Cobblestone street wind through town, leading to the Abbey’s grand entrance. Monks from the Abbey stroll through town and work in the Abbey as they have for more than 900 years.

Plan to spend about an hour inside the Abbey. You can walk up to the entrance or take a motor coach to the top of the hill.

The baroque interior is dazzling, the library has over 80,000 medieval manuscripts and several hidden doors. Leave time to step outside for a sweeping view of the city and Danube below. 

It’s a pleasant stroll over a little bridge back to the river ship, or take the motor coach again. The town is lovely with cafés and small boutique shops.

With a “Be back on board” at 3:45pm, we were welcomed with an Austrian apple strudel-making demonstration. Then the habitual cocktail hour, daily port briefing and the slow walk into the dining room. Another satisfying multi-course dinner and off to bed.

Every night on the river cruise there’s entertainment in the lounge. So far, we’ve had the onboard musician at the keyboard and dancing, Slovakian folk dancing show and the goulash event. With days so busy, evening entertainment has been kept to a minimum. I think Viking knows that we’d be exhausted.

READ NEXT:  Viking Adds New Pre- and Post-River Cruise Options

Day 6:  Passau, Engine Issues and a Slight Detour

Surprise! We were informed last night that Viking Lif was having engine trouble and we’d not make it to dock in Passau. Instead, Viking Lif would tie up in Linz. So at 8:15am, (it was a really early wake-up!) passengers boarded Viking’s motor coach for a full-day nine-hour tour.

Sadly, one man had to see a doctor in the nearest town so he and his wife had to stay in Linz. I was working under deadline to file a story, so a 9-hour day in motion put me into panic. 

Viking’s Program Director, Lee, made similar arrangements for me so that I could spend the day writing instead of touring. I was so incredibly happy when I found out I would have a hotel room for the day in Linz and would get a full day’s writing done.

Even the light drizzle didn’t stop anyone from walking in the city center. After my friend’s doctor appointment, the three of us met for lunch and a walk through town. Linz is one of the most non-touristic larger cities I’ve visited in Europe. It’s very charming. And I’ll bet it’s even lovelier during the holiday/Christmas market season.

At 5:00PM, a white minivan arrived and the three of us were off to meet Viking Lif , fully repaired at the shipyard in Linz. All the other passengers were on their way back from Passau. And we all arrived in time for cocktail hour, daily briefing and another very nice dinner in the dining room.

Onward to Straubing, Germany! Almost halfway through our Viking Grand European Tour. Tempus Fugit.

Day 7:  Regensburg, Bavaria – Germany

This was one of those years in central Europe when the rain seems to never stop. Germany and France had seen flooding at the end of summer and rivers were swollen and overflowing their banks. 

As we made our way up the Danube, I started to watch the water’s edge. I knew from past river cruises, if I saw tree trunks submerged and debris quickly flowing past us, it meant trouble.

With high water, river ships cannot fit under the dozens of ancient bridges. Locks get stuck. But Viking Lif made its way to Straubing and by 2:00pm, we boarded the motor coach for the short ride to beautiful medieval Regensburg.

I was so glad Regensburg was included on this Viking Grand European Tour. It’s among my favorite places in Europe. This is the oldest city on the Danube and dates back to the year 179.

While the Dom St. Peter Gothic Cathedral is one of the grandest in all Bavaria and worth a visit, I always head to the Alte Würstküche, meaning, “Old Sausage Kitchen”, it’s the oldest restaurant in Germany.

The restaurant is usually packed with tourists throughout the summer but this rainy October day, I had no problem getting my own indoor table. Once you’ve finished your beer and extras, take a walk across the Old Stone Bridge. Built between 1135 and 1146, it was the bridge used by the knights on the second and third Crusades to the Holy Land.

Danube Begins to Look a Little Ominous

What I saw from Regensburg Old Bridge didn’t look too good. I’d been on enough floods on the rivers in Europe to recognize the inevitable.

The Danube was rushing past us downstream heading towards the Black Sea, its terminus. Trees were submerged. The water was creeping up to the lower levels of the medieval buildings.

While we were in Regensburg, Viking Lif sailed from Straubing to Regensburg to meet us. This was a chance for passengers who simply yearned for a quiet day onboard to just cruise.

Back onboard with time to freshen up before the daily briefing. But tonight, the meeting took a sudden twist. The Program Director proceeded with an (un)expected announcement.

To paraphrase, Lee said, “Pack your bags, we’re changing river ships in the morning”. It was a very busy evening for everyone. 

We would disembark with our carry-on luggage the next morning at 8:30 AM in Deggendorf, then board a bus to meet sister ship, Viking Skadi, in Nuremberg. Our Viking Grand European Tour was about to take a twist.

Day 8:  Changing Ships and a Detour

A visit to an extraordinarily bizarre monument.

With our luggage taken off the ship and loaded onto buses, we only had to bring along our carry-on bags. 

I had been through this river ship shuffle three times in the last few years so I knew what to expect. River cruisers seem to roll with the punches. There’s nothing you can do when there’s a flood or a drought except board a bus and change ships.

Viking had a really good plan on the way to Nuremberg. Driving through Bavaria en route to Nuremberg, we stopped at Walhalla, Germany’s monument to its native Germanic language politicians, scientists, artists and other distinguished people over the centuries. 

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Danube river, Walhalla looms on the horizon bearing a striking resemblance to the Parthenon in Greece.

By 11 AM we were back on the bus leaving Walhalla, heading to our next ship. 

How River Cruise Ships Deal With Floods

To explain how this ship shuffle works, our original river ship, Viking Lif, couldn’t go any further upriver – the water was too high to let Viking Lif go under the next bridge. Viking Skad i, on its way south from Amsterdam, couldn’t get past Nuremberg for the same reason. 

Thus, each ship would swap passengers and bus everyone to the other ship. Then the ships do a U-turn and continue on the route of the original river ship. Everyone would end up at their scheduled port. Viking had this ship exchange experience down to a science.

We had reached the half-way point of our Grand European Tour. Where did that first week go?

READ MORE ABOUT:  What exactly happened on this ship-shuffle day

I divided my Viking Grand European Tour river cruise into two parts. 

This is part one; Budapest to Nuremberg. Click the link below to continue onto our  second week; Nuremberg to Amsterdam.

CONTINUE READING : WEEK 2 ABOARD VIKING SKADI – NUREMBERG TO AMSTERDAM

Thank you for reading the first half of my Viking Grand European Tour. Spoiler alert:  Seven more days of cruising, castles, culture and cuisine.

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Tauck Adds Six New European River Cruises for 2024

Hi Gary, Thank you for your comment and for reading my article. I think I did this cruise in 2018. The last two years were a wash for sure. Nothing has changed with the itinerary, unless it is a last minute decision. Viking still advertises for their Grand European Tour so I think my article is very reliable to help readers decide to try this amazing trip. Viking did a great job, especially when you consider the unexpected ship change. Thank you again for taking the time to write. I hope you have the opportunity to try this cruise.

Hi Ruth, Thank you for writing and taking the time to read my post. As you saw, this river cruise was with Viking and it was wonderful. I also recommend AmaWaterways, Avalon and Uniworld for these longer cruises – they also carry fewer passengers.

While a suite isn’t necessary, it does give you more space. But similar to ocean cruising, in my opinion, as long as I can open a door for fresh air, a balcony or french balcony on a river cruise is fine…and less expensive. Whichever line you choose, have a wonderful river cruise. Thanks again for your comment.

When did you take this cruise? It looks like a great cruise.

This is the River cruise I’ve been wanting to do..I’m just undecided which company to go with. This seems very busy to get everything in. I also wanted a suite room but maybe that’s not necessary. Your article is very informative especially about the changing of boats due to water issues..I’ve always wondered how that would work.

Hi Terry, Thank you, too, for reading my article and your comment. Much appreciated!

Most interesting thank you

Comments are closed.

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Updated on August 17, 2022 by Sherry Laskin

• Expeditions
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• Budapest to Amsterdam
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Grand European Tour

• From $6,299
• 12 Guided Tours
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• Budapest to Amsterdam Amsterdam to Budapest
• Day 1 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Day 2 Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
• Day 3 Cologne, Germany
• Day 4 Koblenz, Germany
• Day 5 Scenic Sailing: Main River, Spessart
• Day 6 Würzburg, Germany
• Day 7 Bamberg, Germany
• Day 8 Nuremberg, Germany
• Day 9 Regensburg, Germany
• Day 10 Passau, Germany
• Day 11 Melk, Austria
• Day 12 Vienna, Austria
• Day 13 Vienna, Austria
• Day 14 Budapest, Hungary
• Day 15 Budapest, Hungary

Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

Kinderdijk is a village community in the Alblasserwaard province. This corner of South Holland, part of the scenic Waal and Merwede regions, has long been shaped by Rhine Delta waters. Kinderdijk is most known for its 19 remarkably preserved 18th-century windmills. The charming hamlet is located amid low-lying polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea by the power of the windmills and enclosed by embankments, or dikes. This legendary place calls to mind the 1865 novel Hans Brinker , in which a heroic boy plugs his finger into a ruptured dike.

Scenic Sailing: Waal & Merwede

Sail the bucolic waters of the Rhine, deep into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta, as classic Dutch landscapes unfurl all around. Flat farmland, charming windmills and svelte poplar trees line the shores, and vast tracts of land stretch in all directions, growing all manner of bounty, from tomatoes to tulips. Gaze upon Friesian cows and tidy villages with their neatly laid farmhouses and marvel at how much of this land was reclaimed from the sea, with the aid of traditional windmills and the construction of dikes.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Kinderdijk Windmills

See the picturesque Dutch countryside and the original technological marvels of historic Kinderdijk.

Kinderdijk Windmills by E-bicycle

Cycle through the grasslands of Kinderdijk and see the 19 historic windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kinderdijk by Vintage Barge

Go beyond the usual visitor experience on a Viking exclusive boat tour and visit the oldest Kinderdijk windmill.

Kinderdijk Windmills & Dutch Cheese Making

See the picturesque Dutch countryside as you explore The Netherlands’ world-famous cheeses and windmills.

Historic Gorinchem on Foot

Learn about Holland’s water defense system during a walking tour of Gorinchem.

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Honest Review of the Grand European Viking Cruise: 15 Days from Budapest to Amsterdam

• By runawaywidow
• July 11, 2023

30 Comments

Viking is a brand we have heard over here in the states as a luxury river and ocean cruise line that caters to adults as the minimum age on board is 18 years old. This adult only business appealed to us as empty nesters and having experienced crowded pool areas filled with happy kids, was something I really looked forward to. Many cruises are available on European rivers, but this 15 Day Grand European Viking Tour seemed to have everything we wanted.

The river cruise ships are smaller and accommodate approximately 180 guests. The food is very good and service was exceptional. The waitstaff know your name within a day or so and the cabins are cleaned twice a day. I definitely felt spoiled on this trip.

The small ship has pros and cons. Four of the days on our cruise, the top level called the sun deck was closed. The captain and crew warned us if the river was too low it could scrape the bottom and we would need to switch ships mid-cruise. Another scenario could be the water is too high and we can not get under the low bridges.

For those several days where the bridges were low, no one was allowed on the sundeck. The ship does not have a gym or pool. The sun deck has a small walking trail, putting greens, shuffleboard and chairs for lounging which is especially nice if your room does not have its’s own private balcony. The only other places to spend time on the ship outside of the state rooms are the lounge or a few chairs in the library and self-serve coffee station.

Tipping is taken from your account after you begin your trip at $20.00 per day per person. At the end of the trip, many of the guests gave an additional envelope to certain staff that made a positive impact on their vacation. One thing I was not prepared for was daily tipping the tour guides on each shore excursion. It is good to have small amounts of Euros handy to tip guides, who sometimes are volunteers, depending on the length and satisfaction of the tour.

Before the trip, Viking sends you information about the different shore excursions. Each day one guided tour is included but you do have the option to sign up for additional excursions for an additional cost.

Day -1 – Budapest

We arrived to the ship around 3:00 pm via bus from a 3 day extension in Prague. We were welcomed and given keys to our third floor balcony room where we spent the next hour unpacking. Plenty of dresser and night table storage as well a spacious closet and large space under the beds to store suitcases.

We explored the nearby streets and the big market which was closing just as we arrived at five o’clock. Back on the ship we enjoyed our first diner with appetizers, bread and butter, a main course and dessert. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages are included with meals. The silver spirits package is available for unlimited wine and cocktails at an additional cost.

After dinner we chose to stay in and visit the Lounge for an after dinner drink and music from Robert the piano player. Some people took the Budapest by Night additional excursion.

Day – 2 – Budapest

We enjoyed a great breakfast with options for omelets, eggs benedict, pancakes and French toast, assorted fruits, pastries and more on a buffet. We took the four hour included Panoramic Budapest bus tour first through the modern flat side of the city Pest and then across the Danube River to the hilly side called Buda.

The bus stopped at the top of the Castle District so we could walk through Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion. We returned to the ship for lunch and then Pete and I took the excursion to Budapest Thermal Baths.

Viking provided us with two bags filled with slippers, a towel and a white terry cloth robe. We were assigned a special cabin to lock our belongings in and then given a few hours to enjoy the varying temperature pools and hot tubs in and outside the neo-baroque palace. The thermal baths claim to have all sorts of therapeutic restorative powers. We honestly found the pool to be very crowded and the water not too hot but I enjoyed seeing the place.

At 5:30 pm it was all aboard as the Viking Modi (our ship) departed North toward Vienna. We joined guests for the port talk before dinner from our program director to find out about the excursions available in Vienna. Then dinner, some time on the sun deck for scenic sunset cruising along the river and then music in the lounge before heading to our state room to watch a movie on our high definition TV.

Day 3 – Vienna – Austria

Today was one of the longest days at sea since we did not arrive in Vienna until 7:00 pm. The scenic river ride, meals and presentation on coffee and the coffee houses of Vienna kept us entertained.

Dinner was earlier this evening and many of the passengers took the optional excursion to a Mozart & Strauss concert in Vienna in the evening. We opted to explore on our own. We walked to the nearby subway station and took a train to St. Stephens Cathedral. The organ music delighted us as we stood in awe of the immense arches and impressive chapels and artwork. On our way to the souvenir shop across the street it started to rain thus ending our evening adventure. We easily found our way back to the ship and called it a night.

Day 4 – Vienna – Austria

A full day in Austria started at 9:00 am with the three and a half hour included Panoramic Vienna tour. A bus drove us into the city where our guide then led us past the Ringstrasse boulevard to the elegant public buildings and museums, the Hofburg Palace and to St. Stephens Cathedral where we were given to the option to spend the afternoon on our own and return to the ship by subway, or meet back for the bus ride to the ship in one hour. We came back on the bus to have lunch and then get ready for our optional afternoon excursion.

At 2:15 pm we boarded a bus to the “Behind the Scenes at the Lipizzaner Stallions” located at the world-famous Spanish Riding School near the Hofburg Palace. This tour is a thrill for anyone who loves horses. Our guide took us past the outdoor training ring, the tack room, a courtyard, into the opulent baroque indoor hall where the horses perform and finally into the stables.

We were asked not to touch the horses and there was not a show although some people were surprised about that. We ended the tour by having a coffee and cake in a nearby coffee shop attached to one of the museums before boarding the bus back to the boat.

That evening some people took an additional excursion out for dinner while those of us who stayed in discovered that the attentive waitstaff was more than willing to bring over additional appetizers or main courses if we could not make a decision. The food was always very good. At 11:30 pm everyone was back on board and the ship left for our next stop.

Day 5 – Melk Abbey- Austria

Our morning involved a scenic sailing with commentary from our program director. At 12:30 we arrived after lunch and boarded buses to Melk Abbey, the only excursion this day. We broke into small groups and a guide walked us through rooms filled with artifacts and medieval manuscripts.

The view from the terrace of the valley and the Danube river is breathtaking and we enjoyed wandering through the colorful church and wooded gardens before leaving the Abbey and joining the bus in a new location up the river. This evening our director provided us with a German language lesson followed by music from the onboard musician.

Day 6 – Passau – Germany

After breakfast we arrived in Passau at 9:00 am for a two hour walking tour around the city surrounded by three rivers. Our local guide regaled us with stories of the horrific floods and how the townspeople all came together for the clean up. We walked past the town hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and looked up at the impressive Bishop’s Residenz on the hill. We had some time for shopping and exploring but since we did not book an additional excursion, needed to be back on the ship at 2:30 pm.

One of the excursions that appealed to me was an all day visit to Salzburg, Austria. This would cost about $500 for both of us and entail a two hour each way bus ride, tour of the city and seeing some of the “Sound of Music” locations. When I backpacked in Europe during one summer of college, I did that Sound of Music tour in Salzburg so decided to skip it this time, otherwise I would have gone.

Day 7 – Regensburg – Germany (Munich)

Since we are scheduled to see many small river towns on this cruise, I did opt for a big day trip to Munich. We left at 8:30 am and were gone for 9 hours. The two hour bus ride included a stop at the BMW show room for a rest stop with free toilets – quite the big deal. Our guide gave us a tour around the streets of Munich near the New Town Hall and the famous Glockenspiel (clock).

We dined for lunch in the Ratskeller but only had a choice of two meals. I would rather have found a better place to eat like the famous Hofbrau house that we did walk through on our tour – if I only knew then… For the amount of money we spent on this excursion, the meal should have been better. After lunch, we had free time, but since it was Sunday the stores were all closed. This is a law in Germany. Turns out it was a huge Pride festival with bands and DJs on every street, lots of people in rainbow colored outfits and just a big old party. Fun to witness as well.

Day 8 – Nuremberg – Germany

Sometime during the night our ship moved to the city of Nuremberg. The captain is quite busy getting our boat into these narrow locks (68 total on our trip), sometimes fitting in with another ship to the side of us. The water level would raise inside the lock which I assumed was because we were going upstream. One of these days mid-trip, our captain announced all future locks would now be bringing us lower to the river since we crossed the “continental divide”. It was also around this time of the trip that the staff began to worry that the Viking Modi (our ship) may not make it due to water levels in the river. We would then need to pack and be bussed up river to a different ship with new staff, that would be annoying to say the least.

In the meantime we gathered our water bottles, and audio receivers with earpieces from the staterooms and joined the 9:00 am three hour tour of Nuremberg. The bus picked us up and took us past Zepplin Field, the former Nazi Rally Grounds, as well as the Congress hall built to copy the Roman Colosseum and the Palace of Justice where the Nazi war trials took place.

Off the bus, our guide took us to the castle and Old Town and then we walked into the square where we could shop for Gingerbread and more before the bus came to pick us up again. Additional tours were popular for history lovers to delve more into history and World War ll.

Day 9 – Bamberg – Germany

Our included tour of the day was a walking tour in this medieval picturesque city famous for their smokey flavored beer. We look the option of the leisure tour due to some leg soreness from walking downhill on cobblestones the day before. This was a nice option and we saw the quaintness of this town with the river and mill. We had about one hour to shop or try their famous beer so we did a little of both before heading back to the bus and our ship.

Day 10 – Wurzburg – Germany

After a lovely breakfast on the ship we joined our same group of folks to visit the former residence of Wurzburg, the prince-bishop, and take a walking tour of the Old Town. Apparently, this beautiful building had been bombed during World War ll but underwent extensive reconstruction and shows incredibly ornate rooms, a stunning 6400 foot fresco on the ceiling and English-style gardens. We left the group and walked into the town to see the beautiful church, do some shopping and have a glass of wine on the bridge as recommended since this part of Germany boasts it’s wine, not it’s beer.

Day 11 – Wertheim – Germany

Arriving at 9:00 am we once again took the included excursion for a walking tour of the town. Some folks opted to ride bicycles along the river for 16 miles to our next stop which was great for people craving some rigorous exercise. Our volunteer guide showed us around a small village telling stories and once again showing us flood line marks, the danger of living near a river. We enjoyed some time to explore the shops and even a castle ruin on the hilltop before our 1:00 pm departure.

By this time on our cruise, we started to notice quite a few people coughing, wearing masks and bringing meals back to the staterooms. We started feel a bit rundown and complained of sore throats as well. With no doctor on board, we stopped at a local apothecary to get some medicine to alleviate the symptoms. We also opted to skip touring the next day.

Day 12 – Koblenz – Marksburg Castle

Our ship arrived in Koblenz at 2:30 for a tour of the inside of Marksburg Castle. After resting up, we rallied for dinner and a delightful cake with the waitstaff singing “Let me call you sweetheart” at our table for our 4 year anniversary thanks to the request of our new friends. The staff on Viking and the people you meet along the way really make this trip so good.

Day 13 – Cologne – Germany

We arrived in Cologne at 9:00 am for our morning walking tour. Viking provided us with umbrellas as it was our first really rainy day for a tour. The bus drove us into town where our guide walked us down the historic streets lined with Roman walls and all sorts of medieval history.

Our guide led us to the grand Cologne Cathedral which started being built in 1248 and was continued in stages over the next 600 years. Every cathedral has to have relics, or human remains of saints. It was interesting to see the golden crate claiming to hold relics of the three wise men who visited Jesus when he was born.

Feeling soggy, we took the bus back to our ship for lunch. With a change of clothes we got ready for an added excursion “Cologne’s Beer culture and dinner”. In Cologne, people drink only Kolsh brand beer from small 7-ounce glasses in an effort to keep it cold.

Our entertaining guide Carol took us to where the locals go. It was Saturday night and everyone was out since the rain had stopped. We had a yummy dinner in a local brauhaus and stopped at a few rowdy and crowded establishments before returning to our ship. This was a fun excursion to blend in with the locals, sort of.

Day 14 – Kinderdijk – Netherlands

At 2:00 we arrived in Kinderdijk ( pronounced kinder- dike) to explore the windmills currently being used to manage the water because much of the Netherlands’ land is below sea level. Families rent out windmills to live in and we were invited to visit one that is set up as it would have been, back in the day. Lots of explanations about the technical workings of a windmill enlightened us as we eagerly headed to the gift shop and then back to our ship for the final evening on our ship together.

Day 15 – Amsterdam – Netherlands

At 8:00 am we needed to have our bags packed and outside our staterooms so they could get the rooms ready for the new guests arriving that afternoon. We enjoyed a last breakfast and said a fond goodbye to the staff and our new friends. Viking arranged smooth departures to airports, hotels and the three day extension many chose to take. Since we had done the 3-day-extension to Prague, I only booked one night in Amsterdam. I chose an interesting luxury hotel called The Toren in the center of the city, just around the block from Anne Frank’s house.

Fortunately they let us check in upon arrival at 11:00 am so we dropped off our bags and headed over to Anne Frank’s house. Having read her diary as a kid and actually visited her house on my backpacking trip in in college, I didn’t get tickets to see the inside of the house again. But we had just watched the show “A Small Light” on Hulu and when I saw the house they hid in for two years, all I could imagine was the Nazi truck that took them away just a few months before the war ended.

We enjoyed our final day in Europe walking around the beautiful canal streets and dodging the 600,000 bicyclists with a delicious dinner near our hotel.

Our flight home was early but he driver picked us up at as scheduled and took us the 30 minute drive to the airport for our flight home. We loved our trip and are already considering where to go next.

Final 3 things to remember.

• Small amounts of money for tour tipping.
• On board laundry is expensive, bring enough clothes or something easy to wash in the sink.
• Food is plentiful but exercise not so much, so pace yourself.

Hope this helps you plan for your next big adventure. Let me know where you are going next.

DISCLOSURE: I did not receive a free trip or any benefits from Viking – this is my own blog and my review of the Grand European Tour Viking cruise. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Sounds nice but exhausting…thanks for the blog!

Thanks for reading. Yes, they kept us busy but it was great to see so much!

Leaving today for this trip in reverse…thank you for the extra info !

You’re welcome. Thanks for reading and enjoy!!!

My friend is looking at the Italy one for his 60tn with us all joining

What a great idea. That sounds like a really fun time!!

Wonderful article. Thank you.

Thank you!!

We love going on cruises as well, but have yet to try a river cruise. Have you tried both? Which one do you prefer? Thank you for including a photo of the room… Is there another of the restroom? 🙂

I love cruising too. It’s so nice to just unpack once. The river cruise ship is smaller and everything more low key but that is nice too. The bathroom is pretty spacious and has a heated floor but I don’t have any photos. I would do either one again. Depends on the destinations. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

I’ve never (yet) been on a cruise. Thank you for taking us along with you. I loved experiencing this vicariously!

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. River cruises are a lot different from ocean cruises but both fun in different ways. We really enjoyed our trip.

Thanks for your wonderful daily blogging on your trip. We are in the middle of planning the same trip but going from Amsterdam to Budapest. Is there any difference in going from North to South vs South to North?

I don’t think there’s much of a difference. I wanted a balcony room which is why we chose the trip we did. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

I’ve never been on a river cruise. This European itinerary looks amazing.

There are so many different river cruises but this one we really enjoyed. Thanks for reading.

Very nice post and something to consider in the future. I have never been on a proper cruise, only on overnight ferries and smaller launches. Do you hear the engine a lot in the cabins? Is there a lot of vibration from the engines? It’s what didn’t let me sleep on overnight ferries in the past. Love the idea of a cruise in principle but dislike the big cruise ships, so 180 guests on board sounds like a good size.

Thank you for the review! We are doing this cruise this year and fun to read your experiences

Wonderful!! Thanks for reading and enjoy your trip!

Gorgeous photos of absolutely delightful locations. Thanks for sharing!

Oh thanks so much. I love taking photos when I travel and love sharing them with others too!

This is awesome, interesting cruise, i would love to try this experience this year. Longest curise we had is 7 days.

This was the longest one for me too but was really nice being pampered a little longer than a week. I’d do it again. Thanks for reading

What an excellent review, and I am blown away by the architecture. So sorry you had to miss a day of touring due to feeling icky! Thanx for sharing

Thanks for visiting. It was a great trip and so much amazing history to admire.

Thank you for your article! Really appreciate the pictures! Do you think early April would be okay? What month was your trip?

Thanks for reading. We went mid June. April could be cooler but rather that than too hot.

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Very good write up! We are scheduled for this exact trip May ‘25. Curious about the 5 days that the upper deck is closed due to low bridges! Are we typically off the ship? Is there anywhere to be outside? We don’t have a balcony….as of today, anyway!😆 Thanks for the info!

Exciting. It’s a great trip. Everyday you can get off the ship to explore. There are shared public areas and one spot in the front past the dining room to be outside. Have fun!

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Runaway Widow

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Pursuing the path of the Vikings on a tour through Eastern Europe

We have had a long-term passion for history and decided to act on it once again by booking a cruise titled “In the Wake of the Vikings,” with who else but Viking Ocean Cruises (Woodland Hills, CA; 866/984-5464, www.vikingcruises.com/oceans ) ! It sailed a portion of the world we had not experienced and was rich in Norse history.

Beginning in Bergen, Norway, our September 2018 cruise crossed the North Atlantic, stopping in the Shetland Islands; the Faroe Islands; Iceland; Greenland, and the Canadian ports of L’Anse aux Meadows, Saguenay and Québec before concluding in Montréal.

Since the cruise was only two weeks in length, we decided to book a land tour to precede it that included parts of Europe the Vikings had fought or settled in, enabling us to travel to several more countries we had not yet visited.

The land tour was arranged for us by Bestway Tours & Safaris (Burnaby, BC, Canada; 800/663-0844, bestway.com ) , with whom we had previously traveled. This trip began in Russia and went on to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic (Czechia). It was 17 days in length, and while it was not a history tour per se, it allowed us to experience the vastness of the Viking conquests and trade routes as well as appreciate the landscape and cultures of the people who call these lands home today.

Our trip began with an Aeroflot flight from Los Angeles to Moscow. After an efficient clearance through Customs and Immigration, we were met by a tour representative for our transfer to the Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel for a welcome drink and dinner. The hotel is located near Red Square and was a perfect location for walking around downtown.

Our room looked out on a famous architectural feature of Moscow — one of the Seven Sisters — a Stalinist-era, Gothic-style skyscraper. Lighted at night, it was a spectacular sight.

The tour began the next day at Red Square, which is dominated by St. Basil’s Cathedral and the massive red walls of the Kremlin. We visited the Armoury Chamber, with its exquisite collection of Fabergé eggs, and watched impressive drills and parades presented by the Presidential Regiment on Cathedral Square. (These are held every Saturday and are well worth dealing with the crowds that come to watch.)

We then boarded a tour bus and were driven along the River Moskva (Moscow River), passing the Baroque Novodevichy Convent, the Presidential Palace and other significant sites. The tour felt rushed to us, but that may have been because we had been to Moscow before and had seen these sites at a more leisurely pace over a few days, getting a more in-depth look at this great city.

The next morning, we went by coach to Sergiev Posad, a small town approximately 47 miles northeast of Moscow. Founded in the 14th century, it was the religious capital of Russia and is still a place of pilgrimage.

It is renowned as a center of period art and architecture and is an important religious site, serving as the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church. Within the old walled city are the fairy tale-like blue and golden domes of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, one of the most beautiful and important Russian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Together with the Cathedral of the Assumption and a 17th-century church honoring the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner, Sergiev Posad affords visitors a vibrant and spiritual experience that should not be missed when visiting Moscow and its environs.

St. Petersburg

Giving up our coach for the day, we took the high-speed train to St. Petersburg, a 4-hour scenic journey across more than 435 miles of Russian landscape. One can only wonder at those intrepid early Viking explorers who ventured out from their homeland across this challenging environment.

While early settlement was sparse in the area, beginning in the 8th century Swedish Vikings led the Scandinavian expansion there and became leaders of the Rus, a multi­ethnic group who traded with the Byzantines and Arabs. The proximity to Scandinavia also enabled the Vikings’ fearsome fleets to repeatedly raid the coastal areas of what is now Northern Europe, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, where our journey would be taking us next.

Every navigable river that we crossed had been a route of plunder, exploration or trade for the Vikings. Looking at the landscape through this historical lens provided a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the people now occupying this area.

Over the next three days, our tour took us to St. Petersburg’s Palace Square; Senate Square, with its monument to Peter the Great as well as St. Isaac’s Cathedral; Smolny Cathedral; the Field of Mars; Nevsky Prospekt, and the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Of course, no tour of this city would be complete without a visit to the Winter Palace and its world-famous Hermitage Museum, which contains more than three million works of art. Several years ago, we had visited the Hermitage as part of a cruise on the Volga River, and we were excited to go back.

Much like the Louvre in Paris, the Hermitage’s collections are impossible to visit or absorb in a day. Masterpieces by da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, Titian, Rubens, Goya and the French Impressionists made for an almost overwhelming encounter.

Another experience that we really enjoyed was returning to ChaCha (chacha.spb.ru) , a Georgian restaurant near the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, just off Nevsky Prospekt. Their food and wine were still delicious, and we were treated like old friends — a perfect way to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary!

Bestway Tours had tailored the tour to our specific needs, and other travelers were able to join or leave the tour after specific segments were completed. We added several new travelers in St. Petersburg before journeying by coach to Estonia.

Stopping at Immigration at the Russian border, we were fortunate that the crossing was uneventful, as often, the Russian border authorities require vehicles to be unloaded and luggage checked. The drive took most of the day, but it was enjoyable.

Upon arriving in Estonia’s capital of Tallinn, we checked into the Sokos Hotel Viru , which was spartan but centrally located for easy walking around the city.

Tallinn’s Old Town is a UNESCO Site and deservedly so. Walking along the streets was like stepping back into the 14th century. And we didn’t pass up the opportunity to sample the wares inside the Kalev Chocolate Shop, established in 1806.

That afternoon we boarded our coach and drove to Riga, the capital of Latvia. No passports were needed between the two countries, since both are in the Schengen Area.

Riga is the largest capital in the Baltic States and is a very attractive city. The medieval streets of the Old Town, a World Heritage Site, are almost storybook. Riga also has one of the finest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe.

Our guided sightseeing in Riga began with a coach tour for an overview of the city, but Riga is a city best seen while walking — and walk we did! Spanning the 13th to 18th centuries, the churches, Presidential Palace, Powder Tower, Great Guild Hall, Cathedral Square and House of the Blackheads were inspiring and represented the medieval and Renaissance delight that is old Riga.

While there were many places to choose from for lunch, most were tourist venues offering hamburgers or pizzas. We wanted Latvian food, and it was a bit ironic that there were comparatively few restaurants in the Old Town where we could get it.

We finally found Domini Canes (dominicanes.lv) , a restaurant with a nice, upscale menu using local ingredients. It was located on the main square of old Riga and had outside dining available.

Appetizers consisted of oven-grilled chestnuts and green beans in a tomato sauce; a salad of greens with grilled shrimp, and scallops in “mashed swede” (rutabaga puree). Our main courses were halibut with five beans in a cream sauce and pork with mashed swede and spices. (Dishes average € 7- € 15, or $8-$17, each.) Accompanied by a glass of wine, the meal was outstanding and the ambience, memorable.

After breakfast the next day, we left Latvia on our way to Lithuania. We drove by coach through the countryside, with a stop to cross

the border and another at Sˇiauliai’s Hill of Crosses, containing more than 100,000 crucifixes and religious items placed in remembrance of loved ones. Situated on a hill surrounded by grassland, it was very impressive and touching.

In the early afternoon we arrived in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and checked into the Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel , an impressive property in the center of the city. Dinner was at the hotel, and we must say that the included meals on this tour were good but not great. While claiming to be authentic, they were hotel fare — more like a buffet than what you’d get in a local restaurant.

In a new country, we always try to eat some of our meals at locally recommended restaurants to enhance our culinary and cultural experiences. The temptation to not miss included meals is always there, but we would have had fewer enriching culinary experiences had we done that.

After a coach tour the next morning, we walked through the Old Town area of Vilnius, another World Heritage Site. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, with its spectacular boat chandelier; the Vilnius Castle Complex; Vilnius Cathedral; the Presidential Palace, and Vilnius University were all included in our walking tour.

Care had to be taken while walking, since many of the streets were cobblestone and brick and could be uneven.

Our local guides in all three Baltic States were good at allowing time for the group members to wander while keeping to a schedule, and all were knowledgeable about the sites we were visiting.

For readers who may be planning to visit Lithuania, don’t miss the herring with onions and tomatoes or the Lithuanian catfish. Ah, the joy of local fare!

The drive to Warsaw, Poland, the next day took eight hours, including a stop for lunch before crossing the border. The countryside was quite lovely, with green, grassy fields and rows of corn.

We crossed the Vistula, Poland’s largest river, once a major point of access for the Vikings into what today is Eastern Europe. Because the drive was rural, it was easy to get a feeling for those early Viking incursions.

Our coach tour of Warsaw began the next day with a stop at the Frédéric Chopin Monument, an impressive sculpture in Royal Baths Park. Both the monument and the beautiful grounds of the park were well worth the stop.

Next was the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which sits on the site of the former Jewish Ghetto of Warsaw. Its impressive modern architecture belied the tragic history that was presented inside.

This is a “must stop” when visiting Warsaw. It’s not fun or enjoyable, but it is enlightening and enriching.

Our walking tour of Warsaw’s Old Town was fun. We walked Castle Square and into the courtyard of the 17th-century Royal Castle itself.

Most of the architectural features have been reconstructed because all of Warsaw was demolished by the Germans after an uprising by the local inhabitants during WWII. The Nazis made an example of the city through the total destruction of its buildings and the annihilation of much of its population.

Saint John’s Cathedral, the reconstructed 14th-century mother church of the archdiocese of Warsaw, with its beautiful stained-glass windows; the Old Town Market Square and the “Warsaw Mermaid” sculpture at its center; the imposing Barbican, constructed in the 16th century to protect the city (though it was no match for evolving artillery), and the statuary looking down on Old Town Square from the building rooftops rounded the sights in wonderful Old Town Warsaw.

Of course, what would a visit to Warsaw be without sampling a lunch of Polish pierogis with local beer on the Old Town Square?!

Off to Kraków tomorrow.

Late August was a perfect time for travel in Eastern Europe, as the weather was warm, with cool evenings, and the rain, minimal. Our first stop along the way to Kraków was Częstochowa and the Jasna Góra Monastery. This site is known for its Black Madonna painting, but the entire monastery was beautiful.

Next were visits to the haunting Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camps. Since most ITN subscribers know well the horrors of these camps and the more than one million Jews executed there, suffice it to say that a personal visit to view the actual confines and the exhibits depicting the indescribable cruelty that occurred during the Nazi occupation was sobering.

After our visit, we entered Kraków and checked into the Mercure Stare Miasto , where we were offered a free cell phone for use while we were there. (We’d received the same at our Mercure hotel in Warsaw.)

After breakfast the next day, we began with a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter, walking the main sections of the district, which also included a portion of Kraków’s original medieval city wall. On the main square was the synagogue where Steven Spielberg spent time formulating scenes for his movie “Schindler’s List,” which we highly recommend viewing for those planning a trip to Poland.

Lunch was on our own, and we had a recommendation from one of our guides for a restaurant he enjoys when he is in Kraków. The Kuchnia Staropolska U Babci Maliny (Grandma’s Kitchen) was difficult to find, even though it was not far from the Old Market Square. Located down a covered alley, across a small courtyard and within a wooden building, our only clue to the exact location was a carving of an old grandmother on a wooden signboard outside the front door that we had been told to look for. We would have never found it without detailed directions.

It is a “cash only” restaurant, so it was back out to the square for an ATM!

The old wooden entrance reminded us of photos of American speakeasies. Once inside, we could see that the diners were all locals. Fortunately, they did have one menu in English, and we were rewarded with an outstanding Polish lunch with beer. (Dishes average 18-30 zlote, or $5-$8.)

Later, we took a tour of the Wieliczka Salt Mine. At over 700 years old, it was one of the oldest and largest working salt mines in Europe until it stopped production in 2007.

The tour required quite a bit of walking, but the displays, magnificent sculptures and a chapel that can hold 400 people — all carved out of salt — provided a remarkable experience.

The next morning we were off to Prague, Czech Republic.

Our drive from Kraków to Prague took all day. We arrived in time to check in at the Angelo by Vienna House , which was quite nice, and change for our included dinner at the Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa’s Aquarius Restaurant , a Michelin-recommended restaurant close to the American Embassy. Rather than local, the food was Italian, but it lived up to its reputation.

The next day, our tour took us to the Royal Palace, Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, which dominates the city’s landscape. The view down from the castle was nothing short of spectacular, as it overlooked the city below.

Prague’s Old Town Square was much like those in the three Baltic capitals we had visited, the main difference being the large crowds in Prague versus the relatively sparse number of people in a capital such as Riga.

For a lunch on our own, we picked the White Horse Prague (Staroměstské náměstí 20), both for its menu of local fare and for its ambience. The indoor dining was located downstairs in an elegant 12th-century wine cellar, which was quite fun. The food and beer were excellent.

Our meal, consisting of salads, one salmon entrée and one pork and a shared bottle of wine, cost about $80.

After lunch, we walked back out into the square and tried a local dessert, trdelnik , pastry dough wrapped around a tube and baked on the spot over hot coals; this one was filled with ice cream. (Try it!)

The Verardos’ journey continues next month as they board their Viking Ocean Cruises ship.

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