Table Of Content
One thing I liked about sailing with Viking is how leisurely the day to day pace is. I’ll admit I didn’t know too much about the country outside of Amsterdam and our guide was quite helpful to explain the history of the nation and the purpose of its many windmills. The castle was once home to the prince-archbishops of Cologne and is decked out in gold, marble and all-around extravagance. I particularly liked the massive entryway staircase which was gilded and made my mouth drop open when we turned the corner. We explored Marksburg Castle and wandered a bit on our own after. By afternoon, we reached Koblenz, a city set at the mouth of two rivers.
Viking River Cruises
These walls were designed by French architect Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban to help protect border outposts from invasion. You can’t make out the geometry of the walled city from the ground level, but you can explore the city streets and get some sense of their architecture. Viking allowed us to board the Hermod in the early afternoon, which gave us plenty of time to get acquainted with the layout of the ship. Our first dinner was served, and finally we were off in the early evening. We passed through our first of many river locks on this night, which is one of the most noteworthy aspects of a Rhine River cruise. The first half of this post is a review of the Rhine Getaway ports of call.
Viking River Rhine Cruise Review: Ports and Excursions
To see Cochem from another perspective you can take a guided bike tour along the riverbank or join an evening excursion celebrating the wine, music and legends of the Moselle. If you're taking your first vacation on the Rhine take a look at Viking's selection of eight day sailings. They're a great introduction to the region and will leave you wanting to come back for more. This river cruise gives you all the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 8 days. Take 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.
Best Viking River Cruises on the Rhine
Viking doesn’t offer an included tour here, so I explored on my own. However, since we docked in the late afternoon, time felt even more limited here than in Speyer. Discover Nordic wonders by sea, then tour highlights of the legendary Rhine River. From the seaside village of Skagen, Denmark, sail the North Sea to Amsterdam. Admire Cologne’s famous cathedral and tour Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
REVIEW: Viking Cruises,Treasures of the Rhine - Scottish Field
REVIEW: Viking Cruises,Treasures of the Rhine.
Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You can save money and get perks when you book with CruiseDirect. Rich with history, Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university, the ruins of a romantic Renaissance castle, and the world’s largest wine barrel. Learn about these sites and more things to do in Heidelberg, Germany today. Unfortunately, there are pickpockets in every big town and city. Minimize risks by only taking small amounts of Euros -- which you can easily obtain from ATMs on arrival if need be -- when you are out on shore excursions or walking around by yourself. Air fare offer applies to select gateways; air fare offer may vary across gateways and itineraries; call for details.
For a couple stops on the journey, boats running in opposite cities are docked together. Colleen Lanin, MBA, is the founder and editor Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways. She is an expert in family travel and travel for adults aged 18 to 88.
Day 6: Cologne, Germany
Cologne is known for its gothic cathedral and its unique Kölsch beer. It’s also the birthplace of the world’s first eau de cologne and home to some of the best shopping in the country. Rudesheim am Rhein is the picture of a quaint German town, filled with charming wine garden restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops peddling adorable Christmas treasures. Learn more about Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany before your cruise. After much deliberation, my husband and I selected the Rhine Getaway, an eight-day cruise on the Rhine River. Review my round-up of all the Viking River Rhine Cruise destinations below.
Stroll the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse; sample local wines at a quaint restaurant. Sail past hilltop castles along the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO Site, and look for Lorelei Rock. Stroll through Cologne’s Old Town and see the city’s famed Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO Site.
Viking Rhine River Cruise: Take a Grand Cruise Through Europe
As internet junkies, it was a bit stressful to have spotty internet during our Viking Rhine getaway. Though out of the ship’s control and likely common on river cruises on the Rhine, the internet (or lack thereof) was a bit of a bummer. However, the optional excursions are the ones that truly wowed us with their passionate guides and small group format. These tours really offer travelers an intimate chance to experience many of the cultural delights that Europe has to offer. It’s hard to not enjoy a luxury cruise on the Viking Eir, a longboat with 95 staterooms and four decks. Food is plentiful and cooked to order, and the German beer onboard is some of the best in the world.
Frankly, being on a spiral staircase for that long with only the occasional narrow gothic window was disorienting and dizzying. If you want to climb a church tower, I suggest going up to the top of the Notre-Dame in Strasbourg instead. As you leave Rüdesheim, the Rhine River goes from picturesque to spectacular. This day of voyaging through the Rhine Valley is the centerpiece of the entire trip.
My favorite part of our floor was the coffee & espresso bar to grab pastries and java any time of day. I helped myself to endless madeleines and double dark chocolate muffins. The ships are well designed to really maximize space and cabins feature a giant closet and tons of drawers to put away your clothes, should you wish to fully unpack. Everyone still has to be back on board at the same time, so for certain port stops, you would get much less time in town if you were part of the last disembarkation group.
No comments:
Post a Comment