European Sojourn

Day 1 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the van Gogh Museum next door. (Dinner)

^{* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.}

Day 2 Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

This morning we sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return on board for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses andjenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. We cruise through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Cologne, Germany

Begin your day with a morning tour of Cologne, Germanys fourth largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martins Church and see the Dom, Germanys largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Colognes atmospheric waterfront, or perhaps join an optional excursion on which you ascend to the Doms roof for up-close views of the cathedrals architecture and birds-eye vistas of Cologne. Afterward, return on board for dinner. Alternately, you may set off on an optional excursion to explore Colognes spirited beer culture, samplingKlsch, a light, crisp beer brewed only in Cologne, and enjoying abrauhausdinner. After, return to your ship for a late evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Koblenz, Germany

Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After your tour, continue cruising this stunning stretch of the Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Lorelei Rock, which marks the rivers narrowest point and is named after the legendary Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their demise. Lunch and dinner are served on board your ship. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Miltenberg, Germany

The morning is spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region, home of the actual Snow White. During our sail, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the regions glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration. After lunch, we stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses and Germanys oldest inn. Join our walking tour that concludes with free time for you to explore. We sail through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Wrzburg, Germany

This morning, you may choose to join an optional full-day excursion along Germanys picturesque Romantic Road to Rothenburg, with its turreted city wall and impressive Gothic and baroque architecture. Upon returning to Wrzburg, enjoy a tour of the Bishops Residenz, one of Germanys largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rejoin your ship for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Bamberg, Germany

Sail through the morning; after lunch we visit Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. Take some free time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the towns distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Nuremberg, Germany

After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s; then see the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. Alternately, you may take an optional World War II tour that includes the illuminating Documentation Center Museum. After lunch, spend free time exploring Nurembergs Old Town. Or, join an optional tour to discover the secret network of underground bunkers where priceless art was hidden in wartime. We depart just before dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Regensburg, Germany

Arrive in Regensburg midday. After lunch, tour this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peters Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wrstkche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germanys oldest restaurant. Alternately, you may choose to disembark this morning and drive with your guide to Munich for an optional full-day tour of this cultural and historic city, rejoining your ship in time to enjoy dinner on board before our evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Passau, Germany

Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the towns narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. Admire the New Bishops Residence and see the impressive baroque St. Stephens Cathedral; its ornate interior is home to the Europes largest church organ. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own. Alternately, set out this morning with your guide to enjoy a full-day optional tour of picturesque Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and setting ofThe Sound of Music. We depart just before dinner and cruise through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11 Melk, Austria

After breakfast, visit the abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austrias finest Italian baroque architecture. Rejoin your ship; cruise through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, you have time to explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate, or take an optional excursion to a local winery to sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 Vienna, Austria

Today we tour the Austrian capital of Vienna. Ride along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. See some of the citys baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephens Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Return to your ship for lunch. The rest of the day is yours to further explore. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Alternately, you may choose to join an optional excursion to see the famed Lipizzaner Stallions; or, express your creativity and create a lasting keepsake at an optional art workshop inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13 Vienna, Austria

Enjoy a day at leisure in Vienna. Perhaps see an unrivaled collection of Old Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts, or visit the Albertina. Maybe ride the Riesenrad, the worlds oldest Ferris wheel. Alternately, you may join an optional tour to Schnbrunn Palace, the Versailles of Vienna, or enjoy a Viennese waltz lesson as well as visiting the palace during a full-day optional excursion. A cup of coffee or tea and a slice of exquisite Sachertorte are a must for any afternoon in Vienna. Later, rejoin your ship and sail for Budapest. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14 Budapest, Hungary

The Danube River divides Hungarys capital city into the once separate towns of Buda and Pest. Explore both sides, starting with Pests National Opera House and historic Heroes Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermens Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch on board your ship, with the rest of the day to explore on your own. Alternately, choose one of our optional excursions designed to allow you to delve deeper into the history, culture and cuisine of this fascinating city. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15 Budapest, Hungary

After breakfast, disembark for a final free day in Budapest to explore a museum; do some shopping; ride the innovative, efficient metro; visit one of the Art Nouveau spas, or see the Great Synagogue and Jewish Quarter. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Enjoy a final evening in the bustling Hungarian capital. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 16 Kalocsa, Hungary

Arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary this morning and take a guided city tour visiting the town center followed by a short organ concert at St. Joseph Church. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return on board and enjoy your lunch during departure. Dine on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 17 Osijek, Croatia

Wake up in Vukovar and have breakfast before your excursion to the Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs; now, Vukovar is revered for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return on board for lunch and enjoy free time before an early-evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 18 Belgrade, Serbia

Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a stately park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch on board your ship before you have free time to explore Belgrades gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums. Dine on board your ship or experience some of Belgrades nightlife. We depart very late this evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 19 Golubac, Serbia

Sail to Golubac this morning and enjoy an included tour of the Golubac Fortress and admire sweeping views over the Danube. You may also choose to join an optional tour; explore Europes first settlement from the Stone Age, or take an invigorating hike to Djerdap National Park. Rejoin your ship in Donji Milanovac for lunch. This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europes most dramatic natural wondersa spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Take in your Program Directors commentary about the region and scenic points of interest as you sail toward your next port. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 20 Vidin, Bulgaria

Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin, and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortresss amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian tsars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch on board your ship; then you have free time to explore Vidins city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the citys once-grand synagogue. We depart during dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 21 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgarias former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. See Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Continue your venture to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church, with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Return to your ship for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 22 Bucharest, Romania

Disembark in Giurgiu and set off by motor coach to Bucharest for a day of exploration. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a tour of Romanias lovely capital city. See the citys wide boulevards, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Arch of Triumph and the Palace of Parliament. Visit the outdoor Muzeul Satului, otherwise known as the Village Museum, where authentic dwellings from all regions of the country have been relocated and reassembled, including rural cottages, farmhouses and water mills. After your tour, proceed to your hotel and enjoy a final evening in Bucharest. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 23 Bucharest, Romania

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Bucharest and Transylvania. (Breakfast)