Grand European River Cruise
Rhine, Main & Danube River Tour
August 7 - 21, 2011
From Budapest to Amsterdam
Day 1: August 7 – Budapest
Arrive in Budapest and embark on the Viking Europe. Get settled in your outside river view stateroom before tonight's welcome cocktail reception and dinner. The ship remains docked overnight.
Day 2: August 8 – Budapest
The Danube divides Budapest into two distinct parts - Buda, the traditional imperialistic part of the city, and
Pest,
the more modern part. Explore both areas on this morning's city tour, starting with Pest's National Opera House and historic Heroes' Square. In Buda, visit the Castle Hill and stroll the massive Fishermen's Bastion around Matthias Church, recognized by its graceful spires. The afternoon is yours to enjoy. You may want to visit the Buda Castle, or walk across the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge or Elizabeth Bridge, two of many bridges, connecting the two parts of the city. Tonight experience Hungary's Gypsy culture at dinner.
Day 3: August 9 –
Bratislava, Slovakia
After a scenic cruise we arrive in Bratislava, the charming capital city of Slovakia, which is dominated by an enormous castle, situated 300 feet above the Danube. On a walking tour through the city's historic Old Town you see the medieval fortifications of Michael's Tower, the baroque Trinity Church, and gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. You also pass by several baroque palaces from the Hapsburg Dynasty before you return to your ship. 
Day 4: August 10 –
Vienna, Austria
Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Austria's lovely capital, showcasing the wonderful architecture of the Hapsburg Monarchy. Ride along the Ringstrasse which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th centry and see Vienna's world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan's Cathedral, andHofburg Palace. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the balance of the day as you please. You may want to tour the Belvedere, a baroque palace complex, with its wonderful painted ceilings and art collection or visit the monument built in honor of the famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a citizen of Vienna until his untimely death.
After dinner you may want to enjoy a classical concert.
Day 5: August 11 – Dürnstein, Austria / Melk Abbey
Medieval Dürnstein, a picturesque village in the Wachau Valley, is encircled by vine-clad hills. 
Walk the town and see the Kuenringer Castle on a hill high above town, where King Richard the Lion-Hearted of England was held captive by Duke Leopold the 5th after their dispute during the Third Crusade in 1193. Return to the ship and continue cruising through Austria's wine growing region to the quaint village of Melk with itsimposing abbey, a 900-year-old baroque Benedictine monastery, built on a rocky bluff, 150 feet above the south bank of the Danube. The Melk Abbey is one of the world's most famous monastic sites featuring Austria's finest Italian baroque architecture.
Day 6: August 12 – Passau, Germany
Cruise through the Schlögener Schlinge, a sort of hairpin turn in the river, before arriving in Passau, also called the Three-River-City since it lies at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube.
Take a guided walking tour through Passau's narrow streets and pass the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th century fortress that served for centuries as a bishop's stronghold. Later, enjoy an organ concert on Europe's largest pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral. 
Day 7: August 13 – Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg, a wonderfully preserved medieval city, was founded more than 2000 years ago. The large city center with buildings dating back to Roman times is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour and discover many 13th and 14th century patrician houses and see thesplendid Gothic St. Peter's Cathedral. Walk across the oldest preserved stone bridge in Germany, which the knights of the 2nd and 3rd crusade crossed on their way to the Holy Land. This afternoon you may also want to stop at Germany's oldest restaurant, the Alte Wurstküche (Historic Sausage Kitchen) for a taste of their delicious sausage.
Day 8: August 14 – Nuremberg,Germany
Nuremberg, with its pink sandstone buildings and half-timbered houses, is often associated with their famous gingerbread and bratwurst, the Christmas markets, their toy industry, and the Nuremberg Trials. Enjoy a coach and walking tour of Nuremberg and visit the Zeppelin Field where the Nazi rallies were held in the 1930s, and drive past the Palace of Justice, the site of the Nuremberg Trials. Walk past the Albrecht Dürer House and see the Main Market Square. There is much more to explore, such as the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) and the city's prominent landmark, the imposing Kaiserburg, a 12th century imperial palace, where all the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire stayed at various times during their reign.
Day 9: August 15 – Bamberg, Germany
Explore Bamberg's medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the magnificent 11th century cathedral and the very picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take time to enjoy Bamberg on your own and perhaps sample some of the town's distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning aboard.
Day 10: August 16 – Würzburg, Germany
Würzburg is also called the Bishops' City and is Franconia's center of wine production and marketing. Attend an interesting presentation about the European Union and tour Würzburg's Bishops' Residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may want to take an optional excursion along Germany's "Romantic Road" to picturesque Rothenburg with its half-timbered houses and turreted city wall. Sail through the night to Miltenberg.
Day 11: August 17 – Miltenberg, Germany
Spend time in Miltenberg, situated under a steep wooded hill crowned by a castle and stroll the town's square with its half timbered houses and sculptured fountain. During a live demonstration on board ship, learn about the region's glassblowing tradition. Continue sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region.
Day 12: August 18 – Koblenz, Germany & Middle Rhine
Enjoy a romantic cruise through the Lorelei Valley, the narrowest and deepest part of the Rhine River. Legend tells us that Lorelei was a beautiful Rhine Maiden who lured ship navigators to their doom. Stop in Koblenz to visit the Marksburg. It is the best preserved castle on the Rhine since it was impregnable to medieval invaders.
Day 13: August 19 – Cologne, Germany
Continue your scenic cruise past hilltop castles and enjoy a lively discussion about German culture before arriving in Cologne, renowned for its landmark, the Dom, Germany's largest, twin-steeple 
cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit this magnificent structure and discover the city's vibrant heritage. You may want to try local specialties or sample a Kölsch, Cologne's signature beer, in one of the many restaurants.
Day 14: August 20 – Kinderdijk, Holland
Cruise through the night to Kinderdijk, Holland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you tour this fascinating network of windmills and other ingenious flood management technologies. While cruising past windmill studded fields to Amsterdam, enjoy an afternoon of sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard) and sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a juniper liqueur. Tonight you're a guest at the Captain's farewell dinner.
Day 15: August 21 – Amsterdam, Holland / USA
The day has arrived when you must disembark and say farewell to Europe.
Tour includes:
15-Day Cruise from
River-view stateroom
Welcome Cocktail Reception and Dinner
Professional, English-speaking tour guides
Old-World Highlights
Glassblowing demonstration
Culture Curriculum
Life and Works of Mozart
Dutch sjoelen (table shuffleboard)
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