10%

15 Days On The River

Viking Grand European Tour

By CHRIS OWEN

June 12^th, 2014

loving the river

Part of every Viking River Cruise is a guided tour at each port of call. Beginning our 1,100-mile journey, we started in Budapest, stayed overnight then sailed down the river Danube and into the Rhine, stopping along the way in Austria, Germany and The Netherlands, ending 15-days later in Amsterdam. Come along with me. Right now.

we came curious

Days One And Two

By bus, we traveled from the riverside to the heart of Budapest where we walked the streets on a guided tour that ended with free time to explore on our own.

BEAUTIFUL BRATISLAVA

DAY 3

Bratislava, Slovakia

going back to the 15th century

We sailed on the scenic river Danube through the morning, docking in Bratislava during lunch. On arrival, we embarked on a walking tour of Slovakia’s capital, set at the foot of the Little Carpathian mountains.

summer in vienna

DAY 4

Vienna, Austria

vienna by day

Viking Odin docked in Vienna early this morning. After breakfast, we set off on a half-day tour of one of Europe’s most elegant and romantic cities. Our English-speaking guide, originally from Minnesota took us by the magnificent Hofburg Palace and St. Stephan’s Cathedral, allowing ample leisure time before lunch. In the afternoon, many of us came back into the city to explore on our own while some went on an optional Schonbrunn Palace Tour.

passau in july

DAY 6

Passau, Germany

touring passau

We docked in Passau around breakfast time then went off on a walking tour through the heart of the city, stopping at the impressive Bishop’s Residenz, the 14th century town hall and St Stephen’s Cathedral where we enjoyed a concert played on Europe’s largest pipe organ. At the end of a hot day in July, we were glad to return to Viking Odin, where the crew greeted us with cool beverages and refreshing towels.

a city in bavaria

DAY 7

Regensburg, Germany

medieval regensburg

In Regensburg, we toured one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. stopping at St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Old Town Hall and 12th Century Stone Bridge, Germany’s oldest. Strolling through town at a leisurely pace, we enjoyed signature sausages on a roll with sweet mustard and German beer.

Historic nuremberg

DAY 8

Nuremberg, Germany

nuremberg embraces today

We arrived mid-day in Nuremberg and while some of our fellow travelers went on a World War II Historical tour, others of us enjoyed a city known for its handicrafts, toys and fancy metalwork. We stopped at the grounds where Nazi rallies were staged and admired the Imperial Palace as well as the abundant half-timbered houses close to the Market Square.

Main-Danube canal cruising

DAY 9

Bamberg, Germany

A stroll along cobblestone streets

Our day in Bamberg, Germany was preceded by a morning cruise through the Main-Danube canal, an engineering marvel that stretches 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main to Kelheim on the Danube. Once in Bamberg, the included walking tour took us deep into UNESCO World Heritage Site territory, with more than 2,000 buildings listed as historical landmarks.

the capital of lower franconia

DAY 10

Wurzburg, German

options on the river

In Wurzburg, we disembarked Viking Odin after breakfast for a half-day walking tour to the impressive baroque Bishops Residenz and spent time relaxing in yet another city, typical of those along the river; emanating from the city center where summer markets were bustling. In the afternoon, we might have taken an optional trip to Rothenburg, gone back out on our own in Wurzburg or stayed on the ship. I spent the afternoon not far from the river, enjoying the day.

a quick stop then on down the river

DAY 11

Wertheim, Germany

a fairytale town

Located as the meeting of the Main and Tauber rivers, Wertheim’s medieval townscape includes a marketplace, glassblowing studio, bakery and butcher shop along. That’s about it. But that’s plenty and the day ended too soon for we were off to explore the Magnificent Marksburg Castle and the city of Koblenz, subject of another gallery.

a great last stop in germany

DAY 13

Cologne

dom not the only game in town

The Kohlner Dom Cathedral in Cologne is indeed an engineering marvel on which construction began in 1248 and continued over seven centuries. But while the impressive structure dominated the Cologne skyline, the day was ours to do as we wished. Still, I was happy to be armed with the orientation provided by our tour before setting out on my own to capture these images.

a wonderful end to a fabulous experience

DAY 14

Kinderdijk, Netherlands

step back in time

I’ve been fond of the Netherlands for many years and always enjoy a trip to the land of windmills and wonderful cheeses. In Kinderdijk, we stopped for the day to shop, tour the windmills and walk the streets of the quaint riverside town, known in our family for the waffles.