Viking’s Christmas river cruises offer the best of Europe’s medieval castles, cathedrals, and storybook towns, with festive Christmas markets in every port.
I was a guest of Viking River Cruises, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Table of Contents
- 1 Viking Christmas River Cruises
- 2 European Christmas Markets
- 3 The Rhine Getaway: A Christmas Markets Travelogue
- 4 Map It!
- 5 Day 1: Basel, Switzerland
- 6 Day 2 (AM): Breisach, Germany
- 7 Day 2 (PM): Colmar, France
- 8 Day 3: Kehl, Germany/Strasbourg, France
- 9 Day 4: Heidelberg and Speyer, Germany
- 10 Day 5: Castles of the Upper Middle Rhine
- 11 Day 5: Koblenz
- 12 Day 5: A Taste of Germany
- 13 Day 6 (AM) : Cologne Christmas Markets
- 14 Day 6 (PM) : Top of Cologne
- 15 Day 7: Kinderdijk
- 16 Day 7: Dutch Cheese Maker Tour
- 17 Day 7: Last Evening
- 18 Day 8: Amsterdam
- 19 More Viking Content on Backroad Planet
- 20 We Would Love to Hear From You
- 21 Pin this Post!
Viking Christmas River Cruises
NOTE: This is a long form, photo-intensive post intended for readers who want to cruise vicariously, as well as travelers seeking detailed information before booking a Viking Christmas river cruise of their own.
It is no secret that I love Viking river cruises.
Our Viking content on Backroad Planet includes some of our most popular posts, especially our 24 Viking River Cruise Insider Tips and Top 11 Viking River Cruise Ship Amenities posts.
As a Viking fan, I heard about their European Christmas river cruises long before I had the privilege of doing one. I learned that most of these holiday cruises follow the same routes and itineraries as Viking’s standard river cruises, the main difference being that sailings during the holiday season allow passengers to experience Christmas markets simultaneously.
European Christmas Markets
Christmas markets are a European tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. These street markets held during the four weeks of the Advent season originated in Germany and have spread across the continent. Typically located in town squares, vendors set up stalls to sell not only seasonal decorations, but also handcrafts, regional foods, confections, mulled beverages, and everything under the sun!
Viking cruisers who enjoy the holiday season will revel in the sights, sounds, and smells of these festive celebrations in virtually every port. The only difficulty will be choosing how to budget time between Viking’s outstanding excursions and time spent in the markets.
But then, that’s a good problem, and hopefully my experiences and suggestions will help future cruisers decide what will work best for them.
The Rhine Getaway: A Christmas Markets Travelogue
A summer Rhine Getaway from Amsterdam to Basel was the first Viking river cruise Jerry and I booked. Unfortunately, on the first day of the cruise while touring the windmills at Kinderdijk, I started seeing black spots in my right eye, and a a grey veil began rising in my field of vision. The amazing Viking staff kicked into action and made arrangements for medical appointments the next day in Cologne. Long story short, I learned that the retina in my right eye had detached and torn, and it was best that I be evacuated back to the USA for surgery, essentially ending our Rhine Getaway.
You can hear the full story by listening to Backroad Planet on “This Week in Travel” Podcast #196.
I had no clue at the time that I would experience redemption a couple of years later on a solo Rhine Getaway, this time from Basel to Amsterdam with the added bonus of travel during the Christmas markets season.
Although each Viking cruise offers different experiences, I elected to present Viking Christmas river cruises as a travelogue of my personal itinerary and excursions on the Rhine Getaway, in order to present an authentic cruise experience.
Note: Itinerary destinations and excursions are the same on upriver and downriver cruises, but the arrival times in port and excursion times may vary.
Map It!
Map Credit: Viking Cruises
Day 1: Basel, Switzerland
The city of Basel is situated in northern Switzerland on the border with Germany and France.
My connecting flight to Basel arrived late in the day, so I missed both of the pre-cruise guided walks through town. After checking-in aboard the Viking Eir, I connected with another travel writer and we set out for a self-guided walk through Basel in the waning daylight. Even though we only had a couple of hours to walk through town before dinner, we were still able to visit several key sites in town.
Leaving ship, we followed the course of the Rhine toward the Marktplatz, stopping to admire the 1905 Mittlere Brücke bridge rebuilt at the site of the original river crossing in 1226. The Rhine River in Basel is a popular swimming location, but since it was early December we decided to forego a refreshing dip.
Basel Town Hall (Rathaus)
The Basel Town Hall (Rathaus) is the most prominent structure on the Marktplatz. Construction began on the red sandstone building in 1504 and reached completion in 1904. I would love to have taken a tour of the historic building if I had arrived earlier.
Basel Minster Cathedral
The Basel Minster cathedral is another stunning red sandstone structure. Built between 1019 and 1500, this dual Romanesque-Gothic Catholic church became a Reformed Protestant church in 1529. Dutch theologian and philosopher Erasmus is buried here.
Basel Christmas Markets
As night fell, we detoured through the Basel Christmas markets. The sights and smells of fresh salmon smoked on an open fire, fresh raviolis, olives, and cheeses all served as the perfect appetizer for dinner onboard the Viking Eir. There would be time to sample Christmas market delicacies later in the week.
St. John’s Gate (Tower)
We returned to ship by way of St. John’s Gate, one of three remaining gates built as part of Basel’s medieval fortifications between 1356 and 1398.
Day 2 (AM): Breisach, Germany
The Viking Eir cruised through the night, and we awoke on Day 2 in the port city of Breisach. The Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s Church is the dominating feature atop this basalt rock outcropping on the Rhine.
Black Forest Tour
The included morning excursion was a 4-hour tour through Germany’s Black Forest. The figure-8 route took us through rolling meadows and mountainous woods, the legendary setting of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
Hofgut Sternen
Hofgut Sternen is a historic inn and conference complex located in the Black Forest village of Breitnau. High-profile historic figures such as Marie Antoinette, Napoleon, Goethe, and Mendelssohn have all been guests here. Busloads of tourists descend on this remote destination to experience traditional glass, cuckoo clock, and Black Forest cake demonstrations.
The commercial aspect of Hofgut Sternen is fine, but what truly makes the visit worthwhile is its scenic and historical setting.
Black Forest Village
Notable buildings on the property include the 1148 St. Oswald’s Chapel, the reconstructed historic tollhouse, and the abandoned bathhouse.
Ravenna Viaduct
The Ravenna Viaduct, a stone arched bridge for the Höllental Railway, spans the Ravenna Gorge above the historic village.
In 1945, retreating German forces blew up the three middle pillars of the 1927 bridge, but reconstruction was completed in 1948. Alas, the local Christmas market beneath the viaduct was not open during our morning visit.
Ravenna Gorge Hiking Trail
The most active, yet relaxing part of our visit to Hofgut Sternen was the Ravenna Gorge hiking trail. This meandering path across bridges and around mountain walls leads to a lovely waterfall and gives an immersive view of the iconic fir trees that populate the Black Forest. I kept an eye out, but never spotted Hansel and Gretel nor Little Red Riding Hood.
Day 2 (PM): Colmar, France
In the afternoon I joined the 4-hour Medieval Village of Colmar tour.
Colmar is the birthplace of sculptor Auguste Bartholdi whose most famous work is the Statue of Liberty. A quarter-scale replica of this American icon welcomes visitors to Colmar from its commanding position in a traffic roundabout. A freedom protest was in progress at the site as our coach pulled into town. I thought it only appropriate.
With its half-timber frame houses, majestic churches, and winding cobbled streets, the medieval village of Colmar is a setting straight out of a child’s storybook.
Touring Colmar at Christmas with my friends Rachelle Lucas from The Travel Bite and her husband Pete Wallace made for a perfect afternoon adventure.
And glasses of vin chaud rouge, a warm mulled red wine popular in the Alsace region of France, made the experience even sweeter.
The Terre Neuve Haute Alsace organization was present during the Christmas Market with several of their lovable dogs. I assumed these furry friends were the Alsatian breed because of our location in the Alsace region. Imagine my chagrin while researching this post and learning that Alsatians are the French equivalent of German Shepherds, and these dogs were in fact, Newfoundlands.
There is nothing like gazing through the window of a boulangerie, a French bakery, aside from savoring a warm sample.
The Viking Eir was a welcome sight after a full day exploring Germany’s Black Forest and the French village of Colmar.
Day 3: Kehl, Germany/Strasbourg, France
We arrived at the port of Kehl, Germany, on the east bank of the Rhine the next morning. But directly across the Pont de l’Europe bridge on the west bank was our true destination, the UNESCO World Heritage Grande Île historic city center in Strasbourg, France.
Perhaps I should not be making comparisons, but to me Strasbourg was Colmar on steroids. The quaint canals, half-timbered houses, and medieval towers totally transported me back in time.
Strasbourg holds the title as the Christmas Capital of Europe and its Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik, is the oldest in Europe dating to 1570. One of the Christkindelsmärik traditions is erecting a 100 ft. tall Christmas tree in Place Kléber, the largest square in the city center.
The busiest Christmas market in Strasbourg was in the public squares surrounding the Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral.
The Strasbourg Cathedral is an eye-catching example of Gothic architecture due to its iconic single spire completed in 1439. This 426 ft. tower makes the cathedral the tallest medieval structure in Europe. It is believed the second spire was never built due to a variety of reasons, including lack of funding and unstable ground. No matter. The building’s asymmetrical appearance sets it apart from other European cathedrals, making it a symbol unique to Strasbourg.
The tolling of the cathedral bells added a lovely touch to our Strasbourg Christmas market experience.
Roasted chestnuts are more than just a holiday song lyric. Some people claim not to be fans, but I love the fragrance and flavor of this seasonal treat.
Sweets and treats populate storefront windows at local patisseries and boulangeries, and it is impossible to resist stopping at a streetside cafe for a coffee and croissant or a hot toddy to warm the soul.
We also sampled vin chaud blanc, the white version of the traditional warm mulled wine.
While enjoying Strasbourg Christmas markets, I recommend budgeting time to walk the streets beyond the UNESCO city center.
Before dinner, a small group of travel writers decided to take a walk on the Passerelle des Deux Rives (Bridge of the Two Banks) across the Rhine, stopping midway to take pictures on the river border between Germany and France.
We spotted the Weisstannenturm Tower in the distance and climbed to the top for an amazing 360° view of Strasbourg and Kehl.
Day 4: Heidelberg and Speyer, Germany
The Viking Eir arrived at the port of Mannheim during the early morning hours. After breakfast, we boarded coaches for an included 6-hour excursion to historic Heidelberg, Germany, located on the Neckar River, a tributary of the Rhine.
We began our tour at the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a fortress abandoned more than 300 years ago by a line of Palatine princes.
The castle’s storied past began in 1214, and it met its demise after a second lightning strike damaged it beyond repair in 1764. Its position on the Königstuhl hillside provides sweeping views of old town Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the countryside beyond.
The largest wine barrel in the world resides in a room beneath the castle. This ancient cask was made from 130 oak trees and at one time held 50,000 gallons of wine. Not to intentionally mislead anyone, but as I recall, the wine cask pictured above is actually not the largest one. There were too many people standing in front of that one to get a clear photo.
After the tour, we boarded the coach for a short drive down to the town of Heidelberg. The view of the castle from below provided an additional perspective of its dominating presence through the centuries.
Visiting Heidelberg’s Christmas markets on a Monday morning was a refreshing break from the packed markets on the weekend. Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386, a well-respected learning institution to this day.
We had a lot of fun exploring around the Old Bridge Gate, especially with the monkey sculpture. This modern work created in 1979 looked to me like a character out of The Lion King, but there are stories about Heidelberg’s bridge monkeys dating to the 15th century. Legend says that the mirror in the monkey’s hand serves as a reminder that no one person is better than the other. A fine lesson in equality, methinks!
The food fragrances wafting through the morning air caused my tastebuds to get the better of me and I succumbed to three German Christmas market delicacies: cheesy spätzle, a traditional egg noodle dish; reibekuchen, an oniony deep-fried potato pancake; and raclette, a wheel cheese of Swiss origin melted and scraped as a topping for potatoes or bread. I was in cheese and potato heaven!
Our coach carried us to rejoin the Viking Eir at the port of Gernsheim where it had sailed during our Heidelberg excursion. Some guests enjoyed an optional evening excursion to dine in nearby Rüdesheim.
Day 5: Castles of the Upper Middle Rhine
One of the main reasons Jerry and I booked our first Viking Rhine Getaway cruise was to see the castles of the Middle Rhine. Even though that trip came to an abrupt end, we were eventually able to experience this on our Grand European cruise a year later.
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well it should be, with its cultural, historical, and scenic qualities. This 65 km stretch of the Rhine between Rudesheim and Koblenz is the perfect setting for an excursion that does not require leaving the ship. All you have to do is head up to the Sun Deck for a narrated tour.
The first time we cruised the Middle Rhine was in the bright sun of summer. This time it was on a freezing December morning. At times my fingers were so cold I thought they might break off, but that was a minor inconvenience to this majestic experience. I enjoyed sharing the tour with Teri Didjurgis of Blue Sky Traveler and Julie Cohn of A Cork, Fork, & Passport.
The misty morning gave the castles an otherworldly appearance, and I was grateful to have experienced the tour in two seasons.
More than 40 castles line both banks of the Upper Middle Rhine, most constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries. They belonged to noblemen and robber barons who exacted tolls on ships transporting goods along the river.
A geographic feature of the Upper Middle Rhine is the 433 ft. high Lorelei Rock located at a bend in the river near the town of St. Goar. This site, according to legend, is where a lovely maiden would lure sailors to their deaths with her song. You might want to bring along a pair of binoculars to view the statue of the mythological songstress near the bank.
All of the castles, whether restored or in ruins, lend their unique personalities and stories to the river valley. My favorites include Stolzenfels, Rheinfels, and Pfalzgrafenstein, a former toll station situated on a river island.
Do not miss the included excursion to Marksburg for an up-close-and-personal tour of a stunning hilltop castle that, although damaged by American artillery fire in 1945, was never destroyed. Marksburg also offers an incredible panoramic view of the Rhine often seen in Viking commercials.
Tip: If you plan to capture quality photos of the castles, a zoom lens is a must.
Day 5: Koblenz
The town of Koblenz is located at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. You will know you have arrived when you spot the massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on one bank, a statue of Emperor William I on horseback at the conflux point of the rivers, and dual strands of cable cars spanning the two banks.
As the Viking Eir did a 360° turn to position for docking, I spied my veranda neighbors Mike Faust from CLIA and his mom Joni Romito, both of whom became my treasured friends during our cruise.
Because I had toured Marksburg Castle when Jerry and I did the Grand European cruise, I joined Mary Quincy and Kael Rebick, two photographer friends and Instagram sensations, for a walk around Koblenz. We toured the Christmas markets and enjoyed an American guilty pleasure.
The winter day that had begun so cloudy and cold had cleared, and the historic town of Koblenz, dating to the year 8 BC, offered the perfect setting for photography during the golden hour at day’s end.
Day 5: A Taste of Germany
The evening of Day 5 was a special occasion with Viking’s famed A Taste of Germany dinner. We returned to the ship to see crew members decked out in traditional Bavarian dirndls and lederhosen, and we found our tables to the soundtrack of a live Oom-pa folk band.
We stuffed ourselves on a bountiful buffet of German delicacies such as pork knuckle, sausages, and sauerkraut. Passengers also had the opportunity to tour the ship kitchen. Wine, beer, and schnapps have flowed freely that night.
Before bedtime, in honor of Nikolaustag and Krampusnacht, we were instructed to leave our shoes in the hallways outside our cabin doors. If we were good, St. Nicholas would leave us presents, and if we were bad, the Krampus (Bad Santa) would leave us sticks.
Day 6 (AM) : Cologne Christmas Markets
This would be my third time visiting Cologne with Viking. The first time we visited, Jerry and I did the 2-hour included walking tour in the morning, but spent the afternoon making the rounds with eye doctor appointments. The following year, we split up to do our own thing. Jerry checked out the Chocolate Museum and the House of 4711 Eau de Cologne store, while I toured the Romano-Germanic Museum.
This time, I set off to explore Cologne’s Christmas markets with my travel bud Jennifer Weatherhead Herrington from Travel & Style Magazine, her husband Justin, and two of our wonderful Viking hosts.
We found Cologne’s main Christmas market similar to other markets we had visited, yet on a much grander scale. Many of the structures looked like permanent buildings rather than temporary vending booths.
All of the traditional Christmas market treats were there to tempt our tastebuds, including reibekuchen, nougat, and glühwein, the German version of warm, spiced wine served in a collectible mug.
The quality of holiday decor in the Cologne Christmas market elevated the experience to a new level.
I could not stop taking pictures, and had a blast experimenting with the portrait mode (bokeh/depth effect) on my iPhone 7 Plus.
Day 6 (PM) : Top of Cologne
It goes without saying that Cologne’s most iconic feature is its Gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline from a prominent location on the Rhine. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, construction on the Kölner Dom began in 1248 and was finally completed in 1880. The most renowned of its many treasures is the golden Shrine of the Three Kings, a reliquary said to contain the skeletal remains of the three wise men who brought gifts to honor the Christ Child.
I am not a fan of heights, but I jumped at the opportunity to do the optional Top of Cologne tour in the afternoon, and I am so glad I did. The experience made this my favorite Viking excursion ever!
We began the Top of Cologne tour by ascending to the first level in an elevator used by the restoration crew.
This level offered impressive up-close views of the building’s flying buttresses and the intricate web of maintenance scaffolding. Even though construction on the cathedral was completed in 1880, preservation of historic structures never ends.
A 104-step spiral staircase carried us up the next level to a narrow interior porch between the two towers.
This frame of reference gave an extended view through the nave all the way to the altar, as well as closeup views of stained glass windows.
A second exterior elevator took us up another level, giving us views of the Gothic cathedral’s intricate stonework from a whole new perspective.
The attic area above the cathedral’s vaulted ceiling revealed both the historic and modern framework that holds the building together. Check out the size of that wrench!
Our second outdoor walk took us through an exterior passageway around the apse, offering expansive views of the Christmas market below, the cathedral towers soaring above, and the Rhine River as far as the eye could see.
Photo Credit: Teri Didjurgis
It think it is safe to say I was in my glory . . . .
The upper interior levels of the cathedral house some of the church bellworks, a detailed model of the cathedral, and a wealth of artifacts not currently on display to the general public.
The final and perhaps most rewarding destination on our tour required one more climb up a spiral staircase. We emerged through a rooftop door onto an observation deck beneath the dome of the transept tower. This is not to be confused with the south tower that is open to the general public.
Words cannot describe the breathtaking views of Cologne at sunset from this rare vantage point. Is there any question why the Top of Cologne tour is my favorite Viking excursion?
Note: The Top of Cologne excursion is offered with limited availability. If it is an option on your cruise, jump on it!
Day 7: Kinderdijk
Kinderdijk, Netherlands, is the final port on the northbound Rhine Getaway route and the fifth UNESCO World Heritage site on the 8-day itinerary. The nineteen Dutch windmills built on this site between 1738 and 1740 make up the largest concentration of windmills in all of Holland.
When visiting for the first time, I recommend that you take the included 2-hour Kinderdijk Windmills excursion.
Day 7: Dutch Cheese Maker Tour
It was near the end of the windmills tour, the first time Jerry and I visited Kinderdijk, that I started seeing black spots in my right eye. It was the first indication that our initial Viking cruise might not reach completion. Our return to Kinderdijk one year later while on the Grand European cruise was redemptive to say the least. Now, on my third visit, I had good reason to smile.
This time, I opted for the optional 2.5-hour Dutch Cheese Maker excursion. Our small group walked down to the bank of the Lek River, boarded the Waterbus ferry, and transferred to a waiting coach. We then drove through the Dutch countryside to a family-owned farm near Ouderkerk.
We began our tour in the small dairy barn, where the cheese-making process begins.
The host farmer met us inside one of the production buildings for an introduction to the craft of making Gouda cheese, followed by a tasting and tour of the various stages of cheesemaking from culturing through aging.
The tour concluded with another outside walk around the various farm buildings and a visit with Borus the pig.
Note: Viking partners with various Dutch cheese-makers for this excursion, hence the omission of naming the farm from our tour.
Day 7: Last Evening
Last evenings on Viking cruises are always bittersweet . . . the joy of celebrating a wonderful journey with fellow travelers, but the sorrow of ultimately having to say goodbye.
One of our Backroad Planet readers contacted us recently while planning her first river cruise. “As a solo traveler I am hoping that people are friendly and willing to allow me to hang out with them, ” she said. I assured her that she would make lots of friends on her Viking cruise who would welcome her to join them on excursions and during cocktail hours.
As a travel writer, I am blessed to journey frequently in the company of colleagues, but I always meet new people on every Viking cruise such as Joni and Mike, and Carolyn Scott-Hamilton from The Healthy Voyager.
Many of the people I have met on Viking cruises remain my friends to this day.
Day 8: Amsterdam
We awoke on Day 8 with the Viking Eir ported in Amsterdam, the final day of our Rhine Getaway Christmas markets cruise.
This time I did not add on any post-cruise travel days, although I highly recommend that you do, especially if this is your first time in the city. Viking offers several pre-and post-cruise extensions, or you can design your own.
Amsterdam is one of our favorite international cities, and first-timers should take advantage of its many attractions, including a boat tour through its intricate canal network, visits to its many museums such as the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and of course its colorful Red Light District.
A great alternative when the lines are long at the Anne Frank House is the Corrie ten Boom House in nearby Haarlem, home of the esteemed Holocaust rescuer who gained renown in The Hiding Place book and movie.
More Viking Content on Backroad Planet
Learn more from our first-hand experiences sailing with Viking Expeditions, Rivers, and Oceans at the links below.
Viking Expeditions
- Explore the World with Viking Expeditions: An Insider’s Guide
- The Viking Great Lakes Explorer: An Expedition Travelogue
Viking Rivers
- 24 Viking River Cruise Insider Tips
- Top 11 Viking River Cruise Ship Amenities
- 4 New Viking Mississippi River Cruise Routes Announced
- Portugal in Panorama: A Viking “River of Gold” Annotated Photo Gallery
- European Panoramas: A Viking “Grand European” Annotated Photo Gallery
Viking Oceans
- Viking Ocean Cruises: A Guide for Planning a Voyage of a Lifetime
- Viking Ocean Cruises to Norway & the UK: An “Into the Midnight Sun” Travelogue
- 18 Reasons to Cruise the Mediterranean on the Viking Star
- The Viking Sun Embarks on the Inaugural World Cruise
We Would Love to Hear From You
We enjoy dialogue with our readers, especially when they share off-the-beaten-path destinations and useful travel tips. Have you ever taken any of the Viking Christmas river cruises? If so, we would love to hear about your experience. We invite you to leave your comments and questions below, and we always respond!
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Retired from a 35-year career as a middle school teacher, Howard enjoys spending his time on anything that includes mountains, waterfalls, dachshunds, gospel choirs, books, restored classic movies on Blu-ray, HDTV, autumn, sandhill cranes, hot springs, Florida springs, rain and other gloomy weather, log cabins, cracker shacks, abandoned sites, unearthed history, genealogy, museums, documentaries, To Kill a Mockingbird, scenic and historical sites, castles, cathedrals, the Civil War, cold sheets, National and State Park Passports, quotes, the Rambos, Dionne Warwick, Steely Dan, Doobies, Diet Pepsi, Fish City Grill, anything Apple, all things British, Jesus, and lists. And on a random note, Howard is a fourth cousin once removed to Truman Capote.
We are thinking of a Christmas Tour on the Rhine in 2022. Does Viking contact you or list their Christmas Tours, or how do you find which tours are the Christmas Tours? Thank you
Hi Patrick! The types of tours for each port are listed on the Viking website when researching or booking cruises. After the cruise is booked, you will be sent a link to log in to My Viking Journey to select your included and/or optional excursions. You can’t go wrong on a Viking Christmas Rhine Getaway. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Howard, thank you for your quick reply for the Christmas tours on the Rhine. I have NOT been able to find any information on the Viking website for the Christmas tour dates (maybe I am looking at the wrong thing). I thoroughly enjoyed your account and pictures (Love pictures). Thank you again!
Hi Suzanne, and thanks for your kind words! I just consulted the Viking website, and it appears that there is one sailing in December 2021 for the Rhine Getaway. Basic tour descriptions are included in the daily itinerary. Hope this helps!
We were scheduled to go on this cruise this December but unfortunately it has just been cancelled. We have rebooked for December of 2021. It will be our first river cruise. Reading and looking through all of your pictures make me so excited to go. Thank you for a wonderful recap.
So sorry your cruise was cancelled, Tracy, but glad it has been rebooked. I know you will love it like I did!
We did the Grand European in 2014 and are doing the Rhine Getaway the other way in November. I cannot wait. I hope we get to do that Ravenna Gorge Hike too! I opted for the Colmar Village versus the WWII one since we wanted to see Colmar. Now, I am wanting to add on that top of the Tower in Cologne! We climbed it in 2014, and we were going to do it again (in celebration of the recovery from a fractured tibia this summer). We did the Corrie Ten Boom last time, and it was a dream of lifetime to see her Hiding Place!
Thanks for sharing your Viking story, Carol! Sounds like we have a lot of experiences in common. So glad you got to visit the Corrie ten Boom house, as well. What a treasure! Enjoy your upcoming Christmas Markets Rhine Getaway, and bon voyage . . . .
Thank you so much for all the wonderful pictures and comments about each stop on this cruise. I was really glad to see that a lot of your days looked to be fairly clear skies. We are taking this Christmas Market cruise this December and from a lot of the other photos I’ve seen most days looked very foggy/gloomy. Looks like there is hope for some good days for photography according to your pictures. Speaking of photography, I have been wondering if I should bring my DSLR camera and lens when on excursions. I really want to try and get great pictures but don’t want to look like a total tourist lugging that around either. In this day of cell phone photography will I be the only one with a real camera and lens? Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. Thanks again for all the great information. Look forward to seeing other articles you have written.
Hi Pam! So glad to hear you found our Christmas Market travelogue helpful. As far as cameras go, you should do what suits you best. All of my photos are iPhone photos. I bought a DSLR early on, but decided I did not have time to learn to use it and did not want to lug it around. That said, I truly appreciate the stunning photos captured with a nice camera. If you would like to get great pictures of the castles on the Middle Rhine, I suggest you bring a zoom lens. My iPhone zoom didn’t quite bring them into range that well. Hope this helps, and bon voyage!
We did this tour last December from Amsterdam to Basel and unfortunately the Top of Cologne tour was not offered, even though two mailings I received from Viking had this excursion listed. Very disappointing! Also on this itinerary we arrived in Rudesheim in the evening and the market there was magical! Loved that it was throughout the town and not just in the square. It turned out to be one of our favorite stops. We love every minute of this cruise and highly recommend it. Viking makes it very special!
Hi Jenice! So sorry to hear you were not able to do the Top of Cologne excursion. It was definitely my favorite river cruise tour so so far. Glad to hear you enjoyed Rudesheim, however, and that you love Viking as much as we do!
Looking forward to this amazing trip. We are doing the VRC of the Rhine. Is there a lot of walking with this cruise?
Hi Betsy! Some included excursions on the Rhine Getaway require walking, but ultimately it is up to you to decide which excursions are best for you. When you schedule your excursions on My Viking Journey, you will see how much walking is involved before you book them. Hope this helps, and bon voyage!
Great info. Going in November
Thanks, Rick! Have a wonderful river journey, and keep us posted about your experience.
I have never been on a Viking River Cruise, but I do wish I could. I would love to see Black Forest, Germany and visit the Open Air Museum as well as the other exciting places in the area. Aside from the Black Forest, I would also like to see Amsterdam and the Strasbourg Cathedral in France. Well, I better start saving money for the cruise, though.
Hi Rhev! I have visited all the places you mentioned except for the Open Air Museum. You will love visiting Europe, and a Viking Cruise is a great way to see the locations you mentioned.
I think so, too. Thanks!