Rhine, Main, & Danube River Cruise

Day 1: Aug 9 Depart the USA for Budapest, Hungary
Flight departs from the East Coast to Budapest, Hungary. In-flight meal service, movies, and time to rest make the Trans-Atlantic flight go quickly.  [In-flight meal service]

Day 2:  Aug 10  Budapest
Upon arrival to the Budapest airport, you are met by your tour guide and transfer to the cruise vessel.  Embark on the Viking Pride and start exploring on your own before tonight's welcome cocktail party and dinner.  [B, L, D]

Day 3:  Aug 11  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 - 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.  [B, L, D]

Day 4:  Aug 12  Bratislava, Slovakia
After a scenic cruise we arrive in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.  An enormous castle, that sits 300 feet above the Danube, dominates this charming city.  On a walking tour through the city's historic Old Town you see the medieval fortifications of Michael's Gate, 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.  [B, L, D]

Day 5:  Aug 13  Vienna, Austria
Enjoy a city tour of Austria's lovely capital, showcasing the wonderful architecture of the Hapsburgs, including St. Stephan's Cathedral, Hofburg Palace, and the patrician buildings of the Ringstrasse.  Tour the Belvedere, a baroque palace complex, with its wonderful painted ceilings and art collection.  See 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.  [B, L, D]

Day 6:  Aug 14  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, which is dominated by its abbey.  Visit the Melk Abbey, an imposing 900-year-old baroque Benedictine monastery, built on a rocky bluff, 150 feet above the south bank of the Danube.  The historic abbey is one of the world's most famous monastic sites.  The abbey is noteworthy for its beautiful frescoes and gilded statues on the high altar, featuring St. Peter and Paul, to whom the church is consecrated.  [B, L, D]

Day 7:  Aug 15  Linz, Austria / Passau, Germany
Linz was founded by the Romans and is now the third largest city of Austria.  One of the city's attractions is the Hauptplatz (Main Square) which is surrounded by well preserved houses of rich merchants.  Explore the square, lined with its elegant shops and cafes, where you may want to sample the city's famed Linzer Torte.  Rejoin the ship and cruise to Passau, which is also called the three-river-city since it lies at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers.  Enjoy a walking tour through this enchanting city and listen to an organ concert played on Europe's largest pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral.  [B, L, D]

Day 8:  Aug 16  Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg was founded more than 2000 years ago.  Enjoy a walking tour through this wonderfully preserved city and visit its most important landmark, the Gothic Regensburg Cathedral dedicated to St. Peter.  Explore the city and see the Stone Bridge, a masterpiece of medieval engineering.  The oldest preserved stone bridge in Germany was built in 1135, over which the knights of the 2nd and 3rd crusade crossed on their way to the Holy Land.  You may want to visit Germany's oldest restaurant, the Alte Wurstküche (Historic Sausage Kitchen) for a taste of their delicious sausage.  [B, L, D]

Day 9:  Aug 17  Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg, with its pink sandstone buildings and half-timbered houses, is often associated with its Lebkuchen (gingerbread) specialties, the famous Nürnberger Bratwurst, the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas market), the toy industry, and the Nuremberg Trials.  Enjoy a coach and walking tour of Nuremberg and visit the Zeppelin Field at the former Reichsparteitagsgelände (where the Nazi rallies were held) and see the Palace of Justice, site of the Nuremberg Trials.  Enjoy free time to explore the city.  There is much to see, 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.  [B, L, D]

Day 10:  Aug 18 Würzburg, Germany / Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg
Würzburg is also called Bishops' City and is Franconia's center of wine production and marketing.  Tour the Bishops' Residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Board a motorcoach and travel Germany's " Romantic Road " to Rothenburg, well known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, with picturesque half-timbered houses, towers and fortified walls that can still be walked.  Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.  [B, L, D]

Day 11:  Aug 19  Wertheim, Germany
Wertheim is situated at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers and is dominated by its imposing castle.  A guided walking tour takes you through the narrow streets and introduces you to the city's glass blowing tradition.  Enjoy time to explore the local shops and markets where you may want to purchase one of the region's unique bottles of wine, called Bocksbeutel.  [B, L, D]

Day 12:  Aug 20  Mainz, Germany
Mainz is a university city located on the west bank of the Rhine River.  The city boasts a distinguished history and was home to Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the first mechanical printing press.  Visit the Gutenberg Museum, chronicling the history of printing and featuring Johannes Gutenberg's original Bibles.  You may also want to visit St. Stephan's Church, with its world famous stained-glass windows created by artist Marc Chagall.  [B, L, D]

Day 13:  Aug 21  Rüdesheim / Koblenz, Germany
Rüdesheim lies in the heart of the Rhine River wine growing region and is home to the famous Drosselgasse - a pedestrian-only street lined with taverns, restaurants and wine shops.  Take a mini-train ride and tour Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum which houses elaborate musical machines.  Rejoin the ship for a romantic cruise through the Lorelei Valley, the narrowest and deepest part of the Rhine River.  Legend tells us that Lorelei is one of the beautiful Rhine Maidens who lures ship navigators to their doom.  [B, L, D]

Day 14:  Aug 22  Cologne, Germany
Cologne is renowned for its landmark, the Dom, Germany's largest, twin-steeple cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Visit this magnificent structure, enjoy a walking tour of Cologne and sample a Kölsch, Cologne's signature beer.  Discover the city's vibrant heritage. You may want to try local specialties in one of the many restaurants or explore Cologne's fine shopping area.  Cruise through the night.  [B, L, D]

Day 15:  Aug 23  Amsterdam, Holland
Enjoy a scenic cruise past windmill-studded fields to Amsterdam, the capital of Holland, which has one of Europe's largest historic city centers with more than 7,000 registered historic buildings.  The city is comprised of 90 islands linked by more than 500 bridges and an intricate canal system.  Amsterdam is best seen by canal boat.  Cruise past merchant houses and the Old Harbor, dating back to the Dutch Golden Age, and visit the world-famous Van Gogh Museum, featuring works by the artist.  Tonight be a guest at the Captain's farewell dinner.  [B, L, D]

Day 16:  Aug 24  Amsterdam, Holland / USA
The day has arrived when you must say farewell.  Disembark and transfer to Schipol Airport for your return flight to the USA. [B, In-flight meal service]

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