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The included Viking tour served as a brief introduction to the riverfront and Kölner Dom, the city’s massive iconic cathedral. After that, we had the rest of the day to explore on our own. However, the optional excursions are the ones that truly wowed us with their passionate guides and small group format.
Day 2: Breisach 🇩🇪
Our family group enjoyed game nights and musical performances, but you could also attend things like a glassblowing demonstration or a Q&A session with the captains of the ship. Now that you’ve seen the itinerary for the Rhine Getaway, the second half of this post will include some information about the actual cruising experience on Viking. I thought the main sanctuary of the cathedral was stunning, but I actually didn’t really like climbing the church tower. The views from the top were fine but not as stunning as some of the other panoramic views I saw on this cruise (e.g. in Breisach or Strasbourg). More importantly, the climb is essentially one long spiral staircase – with visitors going both directions on it! Frankly, being on a spiral staircase for that long with only the occasional narrow gothic window was disorienting and dizzying.
Viking Christens 8 New Ships To Kick Off River Sailing Season - Forbes
Viking Christens 8 New Ships To Kick Off River Sailing Season.
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I'd just add that everyone in the cabin has to buy the package even if your partner doesn't drink. It does not make sense that they would shuttle you to any other airport. Finally if you are a wine drinker or a cocktail maven, do take the silver package.
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That being said, we were thrilled when we received an unexpected offer from Viking River Cruise. Needless to say, it was an offer that we couldn’t refuse. This was our chance to try a certain ease of travel and to see what it’s like to experience a trip with guides and planned meals.
If you want to climb a church tower, I suggest going up to the top of the Notre-Dame in Strasbourg instead. Strasbourg is a fascinating city that’s much larger than Breisach. Due to its location on the Rhine, Strasbourg has a unique mix of French and German cultural elements.
Neuf-Brisach is a sleepy little French town that is surrounded on all sides by a visually stunning series of fortified walls. These walls were designed by French architect Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban to help protect border outposts from invasion. You can’t make out the geometry of the walled city from the ground level, but you can explore the city streets and get some sense of their architecture. If you’re wondering how we made it to Basel, we flew from Chicago into Zürich and then booked a private car transfer.
The landscape here is so pretty, and one of the highlights of this visit was being able to see the inside of a mill. All in all, a short visit to Kinderdijk was a great way to wrap up our final full day on the Viking Hermod. In all honesty, the Rhine (which turns into the Waal) is less scenic in the Netherlands than it is in Germany. You’re no longer surrounded by hills, vineyards, and castles.
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Just want to clarify that even if you do not purchase the SSBP you still have access to all spirits and wine and beer on their extended list, you just pay per drink.
Night Jewels Of The Rhine & Glacier ExpressDetails
As such, the Hermod was already passing through Utrecht by bedtime. We docked at Amsterdam very early in the morning on our final day. As you leave Rüdesheim, the Rhine River goes from picturesque to spectacular.
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I escaped my river cruise for a Black Forest adventure by bike.
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These tours really offer travelers an intimate chance to experience many of the cultural delights that Europe has to offer. It’s hard to not enjoy a luxury cruise on the Viking Eir, a longboat with 95 staterooms and four decks. Food is plentiful and cooked to order, and the German beer onboard is some of the best in the world. Coffee flows all day long on a Viking river cruise ship, and the crew’s main mission is to make everybody happy. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.
Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Every time I've been on a cruise departing Basel we've flown into Basel Airport. Those on a pre-cruise extension may fly into another airport. One thing I really loved about this cruise was that there were lots of fun optional activities onboard the ship in the afternoons and evenings.
It’s also home to a number of European Union institutions, although the Viking itinerary doesn’t include any tours to these government offices. We love pizza, coffee, fine dining, wine, street food and cocktails. In other words, we eat and drink everything at all price points. Check out our comprehensive food travel guides loaded with real-life photos and insightful pro tips. While you're here, why not try one of our easy recipes filled with eclectic ingredients? Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website.
All prices shown above are per person based on double occupancy. Of course, you could always eat at local restaurants while you’re exploring the cities along the Rhine. We did that once or twice, but the food on the ship was so delicious that I rarely wanted to pass it up. The Netherlands is a small country, and Kinderdijk is only about 95 kilometers (59 miles) away from Amsterdam.
Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. Note Basel airport is not in Switzerland and it has two exits from the baggage hall. Make certain you take the Swiss exit or you'll be in France.
I really would’ve preferred a little more time in fewer stops. If I could offer one suggestion to Viking, I’d say either choose Speyer or Rüdesheim am Rhein, and spend the entire day there. However, cruising through the Rhine Gorge the next day made up for it.
The vineyards, villages, and castles of the Middle Rhine are undoubtedly the river’s most unique offerings. I assume that most people flew out of Amsterdam within a day or two of ending the cruise. However, we stayed for five extra days in Amsterdam and met up with a few more family members there! I had mixed feelings about this bustling Dutch metropolis, which I’ve written about in a separate blog post. Viking offered a short included tour, then we had about an hour or so to explore on our own. There are some other interesting churches a little further inland, or you could check out the many side alleys that branch off of the Maximilianstraße.
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