Viking Rhine Getaway 8 DAYS Amsterdam to Basel or reverse.
This itinerary gives you all the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 8 days. Explore the canals and museums of historic Amsterdam, tour Cologne’s Dom Cathedral, Koblenz’s Marksburg Castle and Heidelberg Castle and discover multicultural Strasbourg. An excursion through the lush landscape of the Black Forest complements your river cruise.
Welcome to Amsterdam. After boarding, enjoy free time and get acquainted with the city. Remain docked overnight. (D)
2 Amsterdam
This morning, take a tour of the Van Gogh Museum and see works by the famous artist and his contemporaries. Then, enjoy a cruise through this canal-laced city in a glass-topped canal boat. You will pass narrow merchant houses and the renowned “Skinny Bridge” and get a different perspective of this vibrant, multicultural city. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
3 Cologne
Cruise along the Rhine this morning, arriving just after lunch in Cologne. Disembark for your walking tour of this gem of the Rhine. Stroll through Old Town and pass St. Martin’s Church. Then, visit inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral. You then visit a local brewery and sample Kölsch, the hometown brew. Your evening is free to explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops. Dine aboard; depart late tonight. (B, L, D)
4 Koblenz & Rüdesheim
After breakfast, disembark for your tour of 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Return to your ship for lunch and sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine. Castles overlook the river from their hilltop locations.
Arrive in Rüdesheim this evening. After dinner, take a mini-train up the hill to tour Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, filled with self-playing instruments. Then, spend free time strolling the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine in one of the restaurants or wine bars. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)
5 Heidelberg
Enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise through the morning. Arrive in Mannheim during lunch and disembark for your tour. Take a motorcoach from Mannheim to Heidelberg where you 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 its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour from the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. Return to your ship in the early evening and have dinner aboard. You can explore Mannheim during tonight’s free time. (B, L, D)
6 Strasbourg
Your morning is highlighted by scenic cruising followed by lunch aboard. Arrive in Kehl in the early afternoon and disembark for your guided tour of Strasbourg. You will see the Place d’Austerlitz and the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore the old section of this French-German city. Return for dinner aboard and you have free time in the quaint city of Kehl tonight. (B, L, D)
7 Breisach
After cruising through the night you arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Board your motorcoach for 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 your ship in Breisach where you have free time before an early evening departure. Or, take our optional excursion to Colmar, a quaint Alsatian town. Your guided walking tour shows you the Maison des Têtes, Dominican Church and more. Dine aboard while you cruise on to Basel, arriving around midnight. (B, L, D)
8 Basel
After breakfast, disembark. (B)
For Early booking discounts call 800-640-4899
Fine Dining: This cruise includes 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, plus a welcome cocktail reception.
Inclusive Pricing: The price of this Viking River Cruises vacation includes all meals, shore excursions, 7 guided tours with tour headphones, entertainment and activities.
Restaurant
The restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise. Because it features panoramic windows, you will not miss any of the scenery while you are dining. It seats 198 guests at 29 tables which vary in size, accommodating 6, 8 or 10 guests per table. The dining room is open seating, so you are free to sit where you like—a great way to make new friends. The atmosphere is casual but elegant, with high-quality table linens, china, cutlery and glassware. The room has a stereo system for playing quiet music during meals.
Sun Deck
Enjoy sunshine and fresh air while you take in 360-degree views of the scenery as you sail past castles, towns, villages, trees and vineyards. Stand at the railings or relax in a comfortable deck chair—cushions are available. Some of the seating has a canopy for those who prefer shade. There is an access way from the Sun Deck to the bridge, as well as to the Library via staircase at the ship’s stern.
Observation Lounge/Bar
The Observation Lounge is a terrific place to meet old and new friends before and after meals. It boasts a large sitting area with chairs, small tables, sofas and a bar area with barstools. The Lounge has a projector and screen installed in the ceiling, so slides can be shown, and there is a stereo system and dance floor.
Launched in 2004, The vessel was specifically built to accommodate discerning American travelers and to maximize the comfort of your river cruise journey along the Rhine. Each of the 99 spacious outside staterooms has a private bathroom with shower, in-room safe, telephone, TV, hairdryer and individually controlled air conditioning. During your leisure time, enjoy the Sun Deck with breathtaking 360-degree views or relax over cocktails in the Observation Lounge. With a maximum of 198 passengers aboard and a dining room free of assigned seating, Viking Sun provides an intimate atmosphere where you can get to know your fellow passengers. And, you only have to unpack once because your floating hotel travels with you.
Call 800-640-4899 for sailing dates with base rates from $1,699- $2,499 per person
2011 Rates
Available Ships
Amsterdam to Basel
Basel to Amsterdam
Viking Helvetia
Mar 20; Apr 3, 17; May 1, 15, 29; Jun 12, 26; Jul 10, 24; Aug 7, 21; Sep 4, 18; Oct 2, 16, 30; Nov 13, 27; Dec 11, 27
Mar 27; Apr 10, 24; May 8, 22; Jun 5, 19; Jul 3, 17, 31; Aug 14, 28; Sep 11, 25; Oct 9, 23; Nov 6, 20; Dec 4
Viking Sun
Mar 27; May 8, 22; Jul 17, 31; Sep 11, 25; Oct 9, 23; Dec 4
May 1, 15, 29; Jul 10, 24; Sep 4, 18; Oct 2, 16; Nov 27; Dec 11, 27
Special Early Booking Discount savings reflected below; prices are per person. Plus receive $400 per person off roundtrip airfare and complimentary wine! Book and pay by July 31—details below. Ask for offer EBD
Pricing Category E from $1,156- $2,256 per person Category D from $1,556- $2,656 per person Category C from $1,756- $2,956 per person Category B from $1,856- $3,156 per person Category A from $2,056- $3,456 per person
Prices include port fees
Add all-inclusive roundtrip air & transfers
Mar-Apr
May, Sep-Dec
Jun-Aug
BROCHURE FARE
SPECIAL AIR
BROCHURE FARE
SPECIAL AIR
BROCHURE FARE
SPECIAL AIR
Boston, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
$1,195
$795
$1,295
$895
$1,595
$1,195
Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Raleigh, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington D.C.
$1,395
$995
$1,495
$1,095
$1,795
$1,395
Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle
$1,495
$1,095
$1,595
$1,195
$1,895
$1,495
Toronto
$1,395
$995
$1,495
$1,095
$1,795
$1,395
Vancouver
$1,595
$1,195
$1,695
$1,295
$1,995
$1,595
UPGRADE to Premium Economy air from $900 per person, or Business Class air from $2,900 per person.
With the decrease in the value of the dollar and the high price of fuel the cost of hotels and meals have doubled in European during the last three years. Savy travelers have come to understand that a river cruise offers the best value for a European Vacation. Accommodations, all meals on board and shore excursions are included in the price and some companies even include wine with dinner. Because of this, you do not have to live in fear of the $300 per night hotel bill, the $100 not so wonderful restaurant meal and the $10 cup of coffee with no free refills.Mike Davies
Many people believe that by dealing directly with the cruise line, they cut out the expense of a middleman. But when it comes to cruising, this is never the case. The cruise lines depend on travel agents to sell their product, and so it is the cruise lines who pay the agent's commission, not the customer. The lines also offer agents various extra incentives, bonus commissions and value-added perks, giving the travel agents more pricing leverage and the ability for us to offer you lower rates: There are many superb and well-trained travel agents, but there are not many who know as much as we do about river cruising.
