Viking River Cruises

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Avignon

   France

   

   Avignon's Palais des Papes — a fortress-palace of staggering medieval ambition where seven successive popes held court for seventy years — still dominates this Provençal city's skyline, its limestone bulk enclosing frescoed chapels and vast ceremonial halls that once shaped the destiny of Christendom. In July, the city transforms for the celebrated Festival d'Avignon, Europe's premier theatre gathering, turning every courtyard and cloister into a stage. Year-round, the beautifully preserved historic centre offers world-class Rhône Valley wines, refined Provençal cuisine, and the beguiling spectacle of the Pont Saint-Bénézet stretching halfway across the river. Lyon and Marseille are each accessible in under ninety minutes by TGV.

2. Day 2

   Arles

   France

   

   Arles, the most important city in Roman Gaul after Lyon, wears its history with casual magnificence: a first-century amphitheatre still hosts bullfights beneath open skies, and the haunting Alyscamps necropolis — once among the most prestigious burial grounds in the Western world — lines a poplar-shaded avenue with ancient sarcophagi. Yet Arles is equally celebrated as the city that intoxicated Vincent van Gogh, who produced over three hundred works here in fifteen fevered months; the Fondation Vincent van Gogh now honors his legacy in beautifully renovated rooms. Spring and autumn are ideal, with the Camargue's flamingo-filled wetlands just minutes south. Lyon is two hours north by TGV.

3. Day 3

   Avignon

   France

   

   Avignon's Palais des Papes — a fortress-palace of staggering medieval ambition where seven successive popes held court for seventy years — still dominates this Provençal city's skyline, its limestone bulk enclosing frescoed chapels and vast ceremonial halls that once shaped the destiny of Christendom. In July, the city transforms for the celebrated Festival d'Avignon, Europe's premier theatre gathering, turning every courtyard and cloister into a stage. Year-round, the beautifully preserved historic centre offers world-class Rhône Valley wines, refined Provençal cuisine, and the beguiling spectacle of the Pont Saint-Bénézet stretching halfway across the river. Lyon and Marseille are each accessible in under ninety minutes by TGV.

4. Day 4

   Viviers

   France

   

   Viviers is one of France's most beautifully preserved medieval secrets — a cathedral town of barely four thousand souls perched on a limestone spur above the Rhône, serving as an episcopal seat since the fifth century when its bishops chose this formidable rock over the declining Roman city below. The Romanesque bell tower, vaulted passageways, and Renaissance townhouses of the haute ville form an ensemble of extraordinary architectural coherence, virtually unaltered since the seventeenth century. River cruise guests arriving from Lyon or Avignon typically spend languid afternoons exploring these narrow, time-suspended streets, best visited in spring or early autumn when Rhône Valley light is at its most golden.

5. Day 5

   Tain L’Hermitage

   France

   

   Tain-l'Hermitage is the beating heart of the northern Rhône wine country, a compact town whose steeply terraced granite hill has yielded some of France's most majestic Syrahs and finest Marsannes since the Roman era. The revered Hermitage hill — its legend entwined with a thirteenth-century crusader hermit — rises directly behind the main street, and the great wine estates of Jaboulet, Chapoutier, and Ferraton offer some of the Loire Valley's most memorable cellar tastings. Autumn harvest season brings the vineyards to their most photogenic golden glory; spring and summer offer ideal touring weather along the Rhône cycling routes between vines and river.

6. Day 5

   Vienne

   France

   

   Vienne is a historic French city on the Rhône, 35 kilometres south of Lyon, where an exceptionally preserved Roman temple and a thirteen-thousand-seat ancient theatre anchor a rich cultural landscape spanning two millennia. Visitors should not miss the Temple of Augustus and Livia and a gastronomic pilgrimage to La Pyramide, the restaurant that redefined modern French cuisine. The ideal season is late June through July, when the Jazz à Vienne festival transforms the Roman theatre into one of Europe's most atmospheric open-air concert venues, and the Rhône Valley vineyards reach their luminous peak.

7. Day 6

   Lyon

   France

   

   Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône — a geographic destiny that made it the capital of Roman Gaul, a Renaissance silk-trading powerhouse, and, by contemporary consensus, the undisputed gastronomic capital of France. The UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon preserves Europe's finest concentration of Renaissance architecture, its labyrinthine traboules — secret passageways threading through courtyard after courtyard — offering endless discovery. Paul Bocuse's legacy lives on in the city's constellation of bouchons, where quenelles de brochet and tablier de sapeur are served with the straightforward confidence of a city that has never needed to prove its culinary supremacy. Lyon rewards a visit in any season, with the Festival of Lights in December being particularly magical.

8. Day 7

   Lyon

   France

   

   Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône — a geographic destiny that made it the capital of Roman Gaul, a Renaissance silk-trading powerhouse, and, by contemporary consensus, the undisputed gastronomic capital of France. The UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon preserves Europe's finest concentration of Renaissance architecture, its labyrinthine traboules — secret passageways threading through courtyard after courtyard — offering endless discovery. Paul Bocuse's legacy lives on in the city's constellation of bouchons, where quenelles de brochet and tablier de sapeur are served with the straightforward confidence of a city that has never needed to prove its culinary supremacy. Lyon rewards a visit in any season, with the Festival of Lights in December being particularly magical.

9. Day 8

   Burgundy

   France

   

   Burgundy is the birthplace of French gastronomy and home to some of the world's most celebrated vineyards, where UNESCO-listed climats produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of unmatched refinement. Must-dos include tasting along the Route des Grands Crus, savoring boeuf bourguignon and Époisses cheese, and visiting the Hospices de Beaune. September's harvest season offers the most atmospheric vineyard experience.

10. Day 8

    Basel

    Switzerland

    

    Basel, where Switzerland, France, and Germany converge at the Rhine's northward bend, hosts a concentration of world-class art institutions that rivals any city its size on earth — the Kunstmuseum alone, the world's oldest public art collection, could occupy days, and Art Basel each June draws every name that matters in the contemporary art world to this compact, elegant city. The Rhine itself is the city's great social artery: in summer, locals jump in with waterproof bags and float downstream, a tradition as charming as any museum. Spring through autumn is ideal for outdoor exploration; Paris is just three hours by TGV and Strasbourg a mere twenty minutes by train.

11. Day 9

    Breisach

    Germany

    

    Breisach am Rhein clings to a volcanic hilltop at the French-German border, commanding the Upper Rhine crossing that made it one of the most fought-over towns in European history — a past the Romanesque-Gothic Münster St. Stephan surveys serenely from its commanding heights. Today peace reigns, and Breisach's true gift is its position as a gateway to three celebrated wine regions: the German Kaiserstuhl, producing some of Germany's finest Spätburgunder; the French Alsace, just across the Rhine; and the rolling hills of the Baden wine country to the east. Visit in autumn for harvest season across all three regions simultaneously. Freiburg im Breisgau, the Black Forest's graceful capital, lies twenty minutes east.

12. Day 10

    Strasbourg

    France

    

    Strasbourg is one of Europe's great border cities, its Franco-German soul etched into every half-timbered façade of the UNESCO-listed Grande Île and every turret of the soaring rose-sandstone cathedral that reigned as the world's tallest building for over two centuries. As the seat of the European Parliament and home to the European Court of Human Rights, this sophisticated Alsatian capital savors outstanding Riesling and choucroute garnie with equal Continental pride. The city dazzles year-round, though December's legendary Christmas market — among the oldest in Europe — transforms its medieval squares into an enchanted winter spectacle.

13. Day 11

    Speyer

    Germany

    

    Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany, rises from the Rhine plain with a skyline dominated by its magnificent Romanesque Imperial Cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage site and the burial place of eight Holy Roman Emperors. The adjacent Jewish Quarter, also UNESCO-listed, preserves a medieval synagogue and mikveh of extraordinary rarity. The Technik Museum houses one of Europe's most celebrated collections of historic aircraft, including a full-sized Space Shuttle replica. The surrounding Palatinate wine country produces fine Riesling and Pinot Noir. Spring and early autumn offer the most agreeable conditions for exploring this quietly remarkable city.

14. Day 11

    Rudesheim

    Germany

    

    Rüdesheim am Rhein, a jewel of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, is where Germany's most storied wine river cuts through vine-terraced slopes and medieval castle ruins. The pedestrianised Drosselgasse laneway — beloved since the Romantic era — hums with wine taverns pouring the region's celebrated Rieslings, crisp and mineral from the slate soils. The Niederwald Monument surveys the river from the heights, reached by cable car above the vineyards. Day trips by boat unlock Bacharach, Boppard, and the legendary Lorelei rock. September's harvest festivals transform the entire valley into a convivial celebration of the vintage.

15. Day 12

    Middle Rhine

    

16. Day 12

    Koblenz

    Germany

    

    Koblenz stands at the Deutsches Eck — the German Corner — where the Moselle river pours into the Rhine in a confluence so geographically commanding that the Romans built a fortress here in 9 BC. The result is a city of exceptional Rhine Gorge scenery, with the formidable Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of Europe's largest, crowning the opposite bank and reachable by gondola for panoramas that stretch across three river valleys. A Rhine wine tasting at one of the city's historic Weinstuben, followed by a stroll through the Altstadt's baroque squares, is the definitive Koblenz afternoon. The finest weather arrives April through October, with the Rhine in Flames fireworks festival in August being particularly spectacular.

17. Day 13

    Cologne

    Germany

    

    Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral, six hundred years in the building and still the city's defining monument, is the inevitable starting point — but this ancient Rhine city rewards exploration well beyond its iconic silhouette. The Romano-Germanic Museum reveals the city's Roman foundations, while the Chocolate Museum on the riverbank offers a distinctly sweeter history lesson. Cologne's famed Kölsch beer culture thrives in the old town's traditional brew-houses, where one round follows another in centuries-old wooden halls. The city is welcoming year-round, though the legendary Christmas markets (November–December) attract visitors from across Europe.

18. Day 14

    Waal & Merwede

    

19. Day 14

    Kinderdijk

    Netherlands

    

    Kinderdijk is the Netherlands at its most mythically Dutch: nineteen historic windmills standing in solemn formation along a web of drainage canals that have held the North Sea at bay since the eighteenth century. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, this South Holland polder is not merely a postcard — it is a functioning testament to centuries of hydraulic engineering, with several mills still operated by resident millers. Cycling the canal-side paths at sunset, when the reflections of the windmills shimmer in perfect stillness, is an unforgettable experience. Kinderdijk can be visited year-round; spring brings tulip fields nearby, while winter mists lend an atmospheric grandeur.

20. Day 15

    Amsterdam

    Netherlands

    

    Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canal ring — a concentric web of seventeenth-century merchant houses and arching stone bridges — remains one of the Western world's most perfectly preserved Golden Age cityscapes, best explored by bicycle or canal boat at a pace that lets the city's genius reveal itself slowly. The Rijksmuseum's collection of Rembrandt and Vermeer masterpieces is essential, while the Anne Frank House offers one of Europe's most profoundly moving historical encounters. Spring brings the iconic tulip season; summer fills the terraces of the Jordaan district. Schiphol Airport makes Amsterdam a seamless gateway to the entire European continent.

Cabin Categories

French Balcony- Cat C & D

Balcony

135 sq ftMax 2C

Stateroom size: 135 sq ft River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door to create a French balcony Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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French Balcony- Cat C & D

Balcony

135 sq ftMax 2D

Stateroom size: 135 sq ft River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door to create a French balcony Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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Veranda Stateroom- Cat A & B

Balcony

205 sq ftMax 2A

Stateroom size: 205 sq ft River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a full-size veranda Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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Veranda Stateroom- Cat A & B

Balcony

205 sq ftMax 2B

Stateroom size: 205 sq ft River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a full-size veranda Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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Standard Staterooms- Cat E & F

Outside

150 sq ftMax 2E

Stateroom size: 150 sq ft River-view stateroom with half-height picture window Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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Standard Staterooms- Cat E & F

Outside

150 sq ftMax 2F

Stateroom size: 150 sq ft River-view stateroom with half-height picture window Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 40" flat-screen Sony TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Queen or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+4

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Explorer Suite- Cat ES

Suite

445 sq ftMax 2ES

Suite size: 445 sq ft River-view suite with private wraparound balcony offering 270-degree views off the spacious, separate sitting room & floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door, known as a French balcony, in the sleeping quarters Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Two 40" flat-screen Sony TVs with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers Early check-in (no later than 12 PM) Complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, laundry service, room service (during breakfast) & shoe shine service Private airport transfers in Europe Welcome champagne; mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily); daily fruit plate Binoculars, coffee brewer & cashmere blanket

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableSuite Benefits+8

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Veranda Suite- Cat AA

Suite

275 sq ftMax 2AA

Suite size: 275 sq ft River-view suite with full-size veranda off the spacious, separate sitting room & floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door, known as a French balcony, in the sleeping quarters Hotel-style bed 79 in x 63 in (with optional twin-bed configuration); luxury linens & pillows Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Two 40" flat-screen Sony TVs with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX, National Geographic & more 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror Premium Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers Bottled water replenished daily Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping Space under bed for storing suitcases Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers Early check-in (no later than 12 PM) Complimentary laundry & shoe shine services Welcome champagne; mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily); daily fruit plate Binoculars

Queen or Twin ConfigurationLounge AreaShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableSuite Benefits+6

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