Viking River Cruises

Heart of Germany

Itinerary Overview

Sail through tranquil landscapes and cozy wine villages of Germany, past impressive vineyards and imposing hilltop castles. Some of Europe’s most treasured sights can be found here as you explore the lands and lore along the banks of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. You’ll take a mini-train ride through Rüdesheim, tour Cologne’s majestic Gothic Cathedral and walk the cobbled streets of Heidelberg, with its famous castle and its massive wine cellar. And in Eltville, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Eberbach Monastery, which highlights the Romanesque church and old monks’ quarters. We’ll also take you on a scenic ride through the Rheingau, one of Germany’s oldest and best-known wine regions.

What's Included

• 7-night cruise with river-view, outside cabin onboard deluxe Viking Pride
• 7 tours with private, English-speaking guides: Heidelberg;Mainz/Gutenberg Museum; Rüdesheim/Music Museum; Koblenz; Cologne/ Cathedral visit /brewery visit; Moselle River excursion; Eltville /Eberbach Monastery
• All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
• Private motorcoach for all coach excursions
• Welcome Cocktail & Farewell Dinner
• Old World Highlights: Port lectures by your knowledgeable Cruise Manager, printing press demonstration, medieval cultural enrichment of Eberbach Monastery and visits to seasonal Christmas markets
• Individual port guides for on-your-own exploring
• Onboard currency exchange services
• All port charges included

Ship

Detailed Itinerary

Frankfurt is inundated with museums and the city throws more money at the arts than any other European city, which helps bring in novel exhibitions to any one of its museums. One can also head to the old market square and survey the reproduction of medieval buildings that can only give one a glimpse of the architectural riches lost during World War II.

Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university town situated in the lush greenery of the Neckar Valley just east of the Rhine. Known as the cradle of the German Romantic movement, it also boasts beautiful baroque architecture. Heidelberg is most famous as the site of the imposing ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a magnificent red sandstone building perched 330 feet above the river and former home of the Palatinate princes until it was partially destroyed by fire in the 17th century.

Located in the heart of the Rhine wine region, Mainz has played many historic roles. Due to its favorable location on the mouth of the Main River and being close to the mouth of the Nahe River, Mainz gained economic and political strength. Under Roman rule, it served a key part of the Roman Empire's northern defenses and during the Middle Ages, it served as a major trade center. Later, Mainz became home to printing pioneer Johannes Guttenberg. Learn more about the invention of the printing press with a visit to the World Museum of Printing or enjoy the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Historical River Navigation. Visit beautiful St. Stephen's Cathedral featuring Chagall's world-famous stained-glass windows or enjoy a local wine in a cozy tavern.

Rüdesheim - Mini-train & Music Museum tour; free time; Christmas market*

Located on the Rhine River, Rüdesheim is the chief center of the Rhine wine industry. The famed Drosselgasse, a tavern-lined, cobblestone street, attracts locals and visitors alike. Half-timbered medieval houses, narrow streets, and old inns give the town the flavor of the Middle Ages. Visitors to the town may wish to see the 9th century Bromserburg, the oldest castle on the Rhine or Seigfried's Mechanical Music Museum housing one of the world's largest collections of self-playing instruments.

Set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Koblenz is filled with traditional German elegance and charm. Founded more than 2,000 years ago, it has grown to become the business and cultural center of the Middle Rhine Region. Its cobblestone streets, ancient market square and medieval churches remind tourists of yesteryear, although reconstruction has given the city a spacious, modern appearance. Highlights include the Residenz Schloss (Princes' Electoral Palace), one of Germany's best examples of neoclassic architecture, and the Ehrenbreitstein, Europe's oldest fortress.

An intriguing mix of old and new, Cologne's Roman heritage is evident from the city layout and ancient ruins that lie scattered through the town. Cologne's modern plazas and the Hohe-Strasse, a pedestrian-only shopping zone, provide shopping, lively bars and enticing German restaurants. The world-famous Eau de Cologne toilet water is manufactured here. Of particular note is the city's 14th century Dom Cathedral, the largest in Europe, and a stunning example of the height of gothic artistry. Spared Allied bombing during World War II, the Cathedral's lacy spires are visible from miles around, and the stained-glass windows exemplify the craftsmanship of medieval artisans.

Kloster Eberbach, near Eltville, is a former Cistercian monastery that was founded in the twelve century. For about six centuries monks lived here ascetically in a serenely beautiful valley, in magnificent buildings but without heating. Then in 1803 forced secularization handed the property to the Principality of Nassau and currently it belongs to the Federal State of Hessen, which uses the buildings mainly for a museum and a wine institute. Eberbach is the largest single vineyard in Germany.

Mainz - Evening free time

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$214 per person per night

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$328 per person per night