Three European River Cruises to Book Right Now

Produced by Virtuoso with Viking

The Viking Tor gliding through Regensburg, Germany. The Church of Our Lady in in Nuremberg, Germany. The Niederwald monument in Germany's Rhine Valley.

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On Viking Longships, travelers can hop on and off to explore some of Europe’s greatest cities.

Charming markets, storybook villages, and straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale castles: Cruising down a European river grants travelers direct access to some of the Continent’s most bucolic of landscapes. Aboard a Viking river cruise, travelers can immerse themselves in vibrant cultural centers and picturesque landscapes while only having to unpack once.

“The world’s great cities were built along Europe’s rivers for their ease of transportation, which is why river cruising is so popular today,” says Virtuoso travel advisor Anne Scully. “You can cruise from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest on the Danube and visit all the great sights along the way. You can decide, are Nuremberg sausages better than those from Regensburg?” (For what it’s worth, Scully thinks they're equally incredible.)

Viking’s elegant and intimate ships feel just like a five-star hotel. The newest and largest river fleet in Europe, the 190-passenger Viking Longships feature a choice of all outside staterooms, river cruising’s first-ever two-room suites, expansive views from floor-to-ceiling windows, and al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers. Plus, the Viking Inclusive Value program covers just about everything – port charges, Wi-Fi, meals, lectures, onboard activities, and shore excursions – so all travelers have to do is relax and enjoy the journey.

Stroll the cobblestone paths in Strasbourg, France.

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Viking’s 2024 through 2026 Rhine, Danube, and Main River itineraries – which visit ports in Germany, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria – feature sailings brimming with wine tasting, visits to thermal baths, castle tours and more.  Viking takes care of all the logistics, upgrading the experience with rare after-hours access to world-class museums and private entry into some of these cities’ most captivating homes and palaces.

It's time to start getting excited about strolling down the medieval streets of Germany’s Bamberg, following the sounds of classical music in Vienna, or posing for photos on Budapest’s famous Chain Bridge. Here, three Viking European river sailings to book right now.  

Fisherman's Bastion is known for its panoramic views of Budapest.

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See the Heart of Europe on a Grand European Tour

Viking's most iconic route sails the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, meandering from the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland to the stunning landscapes of Hungary. The 14-night sailing aboard the Viking Longship makes stops in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Hungary, packed with excursions that include soaking in Budapest’s thermal baths at Széchenyi, pedaling along Bavaria’s Inn River, and visiting the Wiener Sängerknaben boarding school, home of the iconic Vienna Boys’ Choir. While in the Netherlands, travelers can explore the 250-year-old windmill park and then try a hand at cheesemaking. Departures: Multiple dates, March 2024 through December 2025.

Classic Rhine Valley scenery.

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Explore Castles & Cathedrals on a Rhine Getaway 

This seven-night Basel-to-Amsterdam voyage along the Rhine River takes travelers into the heart of Middle Europe, with calls at Breisach, Germany; Strasbourg,

France; Kinderdijk in the Netherlands and more. Discover the grand cathedrals, medieval towns, and historic cities of the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With no interior staterooms, all passengers are guaranteed river views from every suite aboard the Viking Longship. (All upper- and middle-deck staterooms have a full veranda or French balcony.) 

In Strasbourg, sample French and Alsatian flavors from food merchants and local chefs – a shopping excursion includes samples of regional specialties such as pralines, Kugelhopf cake, and locally sourced sausages. Then learn how to pair these and other delicacies with Alsatian and French wines under the tutelage of a sommelier. Finally, a local chef teaches travelers how to make Flàmmeküeche, a French-German flatbread traditionally topped with crème fraîche, bacon, and onions. Departures: Multiple dates, March 2024 through November 2026. 

The gardens at the Gloriette Palace in Vienna.

Viking

Sail to Charming Cities and Villages on the Danube

Travelers who wish to get acquainted with the "Blue Danube" won't be disappointed by Viking's seven-night sailing from Regensburg to Budapest, which includes five tours and spans three countries: Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Vienna, take a scenic drive to Schönbrunn Palace, learn the Viennese waltz, or take a relaxing ride on a horse-drawn carriage to the massive, Romanesque- and Gothic-style Saint Stephen's Cathedral. In Budapest, stroll by art nouveau buildings, hike to Castle Hill and see the Changing of the Guard at Royal Palace or visit one of the city’s many thermal spas. The best nightcap takes place on the top deck of the Viking Longship as you soak up the setting sun and views of the Chain Bridge. Departures: Multiple dates, March 2024 through November 2025.

Storybook villages, and fairy-tale castles await....

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