Day 1Prague
Welcome to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. Transfer from the airport to your hotel.* After checking in for a 2-night stay, enjoy free time to explore this beautiful city—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented.
Day 2Prague
This morning, tour this “City of a Hundred Spires.” A guided walk takes you through Old Town to the famed Charles Bridge. Then, travel to Hradcany for a guided tour inside Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure; see the Town Hall’s intricate 15th-century Astronomical Clock, spend some time in historic Wenceslaus Square or discover the city’s Jewish heritage in the Josefov Quarter. (B)
Day 3Nuremberg
Travel to the Bavarian city of Nuremburg and take part in a city tour where you will see the former Nazi parade grounds and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. You have a brief stop at the Court House before returning to the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls. Finish with a walk from the imperial castle grounds past the Albrecht Dürer House on your way to the Main Market Square with its elaborate Gothic fountain. (B, D)
Day 4Bamberg
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 5Würzburg
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 6Heidelberg
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 7Rüdesheim
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 8Cochem
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 9Bernkastel & 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 10Trier, Luxembourg & Paris
Disembark in Trier this morning. Travel to Luxembourg where you visit the American Cemetery and pay homage to the many soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. See the city of Luxembourg on a guided city tour and get lunch before continuing to Paris. Arrive in Paris, the romantic capital of France, and check in to the Le Méridien Étoile (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Your evening is free to explore and dine on your own. (B)
Day 11Paris
Today’s tour begins with a drive along the Champs Elysées, past the Arc de Triomphe to the world-famous Louvre. The remainder of the day is free to see more of Paris—visit a museum, explore Montmartre or take a moonlit cruise along the Seine River. (B)
Day 12Paris
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your trip with 2 additional nights in romantic Paris. (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.