Viking Celebrates Its 2024 European River Season with a New Danube River Itinerary
Today Viking is celebrating the launch of its 2024 river season in Europe with the deployment of its award-winning Viking Longship fleet. This fleet is designed specifically for European waterways, and carry just 190 or fewer guests on a variety of itineraries on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle and Elbe rivers.
Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking
Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking and he stated: “With its rich history, culture and scenic regions that are best explored by river, Europe remains our most popular destination.”
“As more curious travelers become familiar with river voyages as a seamless method for exploring, we are pleased to begin a new season on Europe’s iconic waterways.”
Winter is the ideal time for Viking guests to visit Europe as there are smaller crowds and easier access to landmarks. Guests wishing to enjoy Europe in wintertime can sail Viking’s new 10-day itinerary, Treasures of the Danube, which sails between Budapest and Passau, from December 2024 until early March 2025.
For guests who want to explore the Rhine River during the winter season, the 10-day Treasures of the Rhine itinerary is the perfect choice and sails between Amsterdam and Basel.
Viking’s European River Voyages
Here is a list of Vikings popular river itineraries in Europe which sail from March through December.
The Rhine Getaway is an 8 day, Amsterdam to Basel adventure in which guests see turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns, and the stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way guests have the opportunity to savor the region’s renowned white wines, as well as the culinary traditions of Alsace.
The Danube Waltz is an 8 day voyage from Budapest to Passau. Guests have an option to relax in a Budapest thermal bath, learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school, and enjoy Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Along the way guests can take in the Wachau Valley’s beauty, see lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau, and view daily monastic life up close on an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey.
Viking’s Romantic Danube is an 8 day trip from Budapest to Regensburg and guests on board cross the famous Chain Bridge, visit Budapest’s Castle District, and explore Göttweig Abbey. They will spend two days in Vienna, visit historic Salzburg, and visit medieval towns as well as grand cities.
Guests on board the Paris & the Heart of Normandy itinerary (8 days; Paris roundtrip) dock in the heart of Paris, where they can view the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty. Guests can take in the magnificent Normandy beaches, gaze upon Gothic architecture, and explore Giverny where Claude Monet lived and worked.
The Lyon & Provence itinerary (8 days; Lyon—Avignon) allows guests to create art at an Arles painting class, discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes d’Arles and the Pont du Gard, and visit the world’s largest Gothic palace at Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes. Other delights include French gastronomy such as local wines, truffles, and chèvre cheese.
Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary is a 10-day voyage from Lisbon to Porto that offers guests the chance to see first-hand the renaissance of Lisbon, and stroll two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal and Salamanca, Spain. The 10-day cruisetour includes a hotel stay in Lisbon and the added bonus of a visit to Spain.
On the Grand European Tour (15 days; Budapest – Amsterdam) guests visit a 900-year-old Rhine Valley castle, sample the food and wine of Austria’s Wachau Valley, learn the Viennese waltz, and relax in Budapest’s Café Gerbeaud. Viking’s most iconic itinerary traces the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland as well as the magnificent landscapes of Hungary.
Viking’s Very Special Christmas Voyages
Viking offers several holiday excursions including Christmas on the Rhine, an 8 day Basel to Amsterdam route. Christmas is in the air as you journey through storybook villages, try yuletide treats, and shop for handcrafted ornaments and unique gifts. Guests visit Cologne and have ample opportunities to engage in festive wine tastings and colorful markets.
The Danube Christmas Delights (8 days; Budapest—Passau) voyage offer s guests a chance to savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine, gaze upon the Wachau Valley’s beauty, and stroll through Central European cities where the region’s renowned Christmas markets will take your breath away.
The Christmas on the Seine (8 days; Paris roundtrip) itinerary offers guests the chance to explore Paris, France’s twinkling “City of Light,” as well as take in the snow-covered landscapes of Normandy’s countryside dotted with fairy-tale villages. At cheery Christmas markets guests can enjoy mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, and onboard festivities include regional dining specialties and seasonal treats.
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