May 7-14, 2017, I’ll be cruising from Amsterdam to Basel with Viking River Cruises. The eight-day journey promises plenty of castles and cathedrals as we cruise along one of Europe’s best-beloved rivers. We’ll also experience a wonderland of beauty and culture as we visit Strasbourg, with its rich culinary traditions of Alsace. On a visit to the enchanted Black Forest, we can join a guided coach tour or walk lush country trails to a farm. Viking River Cruises’ Rhine Getaway is a cruise of fairy-tale castles, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery.
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Here’s the description and other information about my Rhine Getaway cruise from Viking’s website.
DAY 1
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the van Gogh Museum next door.
DAY 2
Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
This morning we sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). We cruise through the night.
Cologne, Germany
Continue along the Rhine this morning; arrive in Cologne and disembark for a walking tour. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church, and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880. Explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops on your own. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until late evening.
Koblenz & Rüdesheim, Germany
Proceed along the Rhine, disembarking to tour the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Enjoy an onboard lunch as you marvel at this scenic passage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where castles overlook the river from their hilltop posts.
Arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars. Dine aboard your ship, or in town if you prefer. We depart after midnight.
DAY 5
Heidelberg & Speyer, Germany
Cruise through the morning as you enjoy breakfast and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a tour of Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then, visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from this hilltop post. Continue with a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates.
Rejoin your ship in Speyer this afternoon and take some time to look around. You dock in full view of the imposing Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design influenced Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Its soaring interior features graceful rows of sandstone columns and a large stained-glass window that was installed in the western facade during a later Gothic period.
Strasbourg, France
We dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. The afternoon is free to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the amiable little city of Kehl.
Breisach, Germany
Arrive in Breisach this morning, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach or choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar. Dine aboard and cruise on through the night.
DAY 8
Basel, Switzerland
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 2 nights in Lucerne. Enjoy the scenic landscape of the Swiss Alps with a view from your hotel, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Lucerne.
All This Is Included
- 8-day cruise visiting 4 countries & 10 ports
- Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 6 included shore excursions with local guide & headset
- Culture Curriculum®: enjoy a classical music performance; learn how to create your own Alsatian flammkuchen; observe a traditional glassblower; attend lectures on Germany’s current affairs & origins of Rhine River cruising
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- All onboard meals featuring regional specialties & always available American classics
- Welcome Cocktail Reception & Farewell Dinner
- Multiple dining venues with open seating
- Most al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers
- 24/7 specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- Organic herb garden
- River-view stateroom
- Room steward & twice-daily housekeeping service
- Evening turndown service
- Hotel-style bed with optional twin-bed configuration; luxury linens & pillows
- 40″ flat-screen LCD TV, with interactive programing
- Complimentary Movies On Demand
- Security safe
- Hair dryer
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB port
- Direct-dial satellite phone
- Refrigerator
- Bathrobes & slippers (upon request)
- Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirrors
- Glass-enclosed shower
- Premium Freyja™ toiletries
- Open-air walking track
- 24/7 Guest Services for special requests
- Port taxes & fees
- Airport transfers on date of embarkation/disembarkation with Viking Air program
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5 Responses
Thanks I will check them out. Online banks seem to be the way to go.
TD Bank was one, Fidelity is another, but required some fund shifting.I shifted during a promotion that awarded Delta miles dollar for dollar.
Doing similar itinerary on the River Queen at the end of July. Hopefully the rivers we will traverse will behave themselves.
If I may ask, what bank cards waive ATM fees? Mine do not. I am considering the Charles Schwab card, but getting it will involve some serious fund shifting. Main bank is Wells Fargo but they definitely do not waive ATM fees.
Hi Wayne,
The water is high now, about a meter above normal levels, according to the captain. So far, however, we are unaffected and it’s smooth sailing. As for cash, I withdraw from ATMs in Europe with a card that reimburses or waives ATM fees. How much will you need? If your guides have been as good as ours have been you will want to tip them a few euros for each tour, as well as a euro for the driver, so coins are handy. Plus, my credit card doesn’t always work in France (always does work in Germany) so having euros for coffee and snacks ashore is a good thing. But if need be, you could get by with only the coins for tips.
Hello Ralph, We are sailing on the Lif July 10 from Amsterdam to Budapest. What is the outlook right now for river levels? We are also wondering how much cash to take along per day and if we should get Euros here in Canada or use credit cards or ATM machines in Europe.