Day 1Nuremberg
Fly to Nuremberg. Transfer from the airport to your ship.* Once on board, you can relax, explore a bit on your own—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. Dinner is served and we set sail this evening. (D)
Day 2Bamberg
Arrive early in Bamberg, founded in 902. Bamberg’s Old Town area is so beautifully preserved that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour past baroque patrician houses, then take time to explore or perhaps sample the town’s famous locally brewed smoky beer, Rauchbier. Lunch aboard before we depart this afternoon and begin cruising through the 106-mile-long Main-Danube Canal. Comprising 16 locks, the canal goes from Bamberg on the Main to Kelheim on the Danube. (B, L, D)
Day 3Würzburg
Disembark in Würzburg, a Franconian wine town, and tour the Bishops’ Residenz, a beautiful baroque palace with many paintings and frescoes. After lunch on board, enjoy some free time in Würzburg—or you may choose to participate in an optional excursion to the charming medieval town of Rothenburg. Back on board, dine and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 4Heidelberg
Arrive in Miltenberg during breakfast, then disembark for a full-day excursion to Heidelberg, an ancient city that is home to Germany’s oldest university. Tour the imposing red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, originally built in the 12th century but twice destroyed by lightning. A guided walk through Heidelberg’s Old Town and marketplace is included, as is lunch is in a local restaurant. Return to your ship at dinnertime; we sail through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 5Rüdesheim
Enjoy morning cruising along the mighty Rhine River and a delightful introduction to Rüdesheimer coffee. Arrive in Rüdesheim midafternoon; your tour features the Niederwald Monument, high above the river. You have time at leisure to enjoy the restaurants, bars and shops that line Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dine aboard and remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 6Cochem
Cruise this morning through the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine, lined with castles on both sides. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch aboard, arrive in the quaint Moselle town of Cochem. Take a walking tour of the city and visit imposing Reichsburg Castle. Dine aboard; you can take an evening stroll if you like before we lift anchor. (B, L, D)
Day 7Bernkastel & Trier
After breakfast, an optional guided walk through the 700-year-old town of Bernkastel is available, replete with narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses. Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy lovely, unspoiled scenery as we cruise along the Moselle River toward Trier. We arrive late afternoon and will have time for a tour of Germany’s oldest city. See the wonderfully preserved Roman Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. Dine aboard. We remain docked here tonight so you may wish to take an evening stroll in town. (B, L, D)
Day 8Trier
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*For 2012, transfers are not included. Let us know if you would like help arranging your airport transfers. For 2013, airport transfers are included if Viking air offer is purchased and flight arrival or departure date coincides with cruise/tour start or finish date only.