the
celebrated Danube River. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local
legends, and see why Strauss
immortalized this romantic river in his famous “Blue Danube” waltz. In
Germany, explore a baroque cathedral and stroll cobbled streets lined with
half-timbered houses. Tour riverside towns in Austria’s Wachau
Valley. Experience Vienna’s imperial architecture and gracious culture.
Explore both sides of Hungary’s capital —traditional “Buda” and more
cosmopolitan “Pest” —and from Fishermen’s Bastion, see how the river divides
this fascinating city.Sunday 5 Oct - Day 1 - Nuremberg
Click here to view the Viking Europe Welcome on Board list of key personnel
Click here to view the Viking Europe October 5th - 6th Programme for Today
Welcome to Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city. Some of us were met at the airport and due to the low river level transfered to the NH Hotel. After the buses arrived from Prague there was a Welcome Briefing and then dinner. (D)
Click here for 10 pictures of the arrival at the NH Hotel in Nuremberg
Monday 6 Oct - Day 2 - Nuremberg & Main-Danube Canal
After breakfast, there was a motorcoach tour of Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city, featuring the former Nazi parade grounds, the Main Railway Station and the Palace of Justice, historic home of the Nuremberg Trials. There was a brief stop at the Court House before returning to the Old Town area enclosed by ancient city walls. We saw Elizabeth and St. James Church, and the tour ended with a walk from the castle grounds, passing the Albrecht Dürer House and Main Market Square.
Click here for 12 pictures of the Nuremberg morning tour taken by Dan Barney
Click here for 73 pictures of the Nuremberg morning tour taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 58 pictures of the Nuremberg morning tour taken by Jim Mathison
Click here for 20 pictures of the Nuremberg morning tour taken by Dennis Rooney
Click here for 7 pictures of the Nuremberg morning tour taken by Mike Urette
Click here for 7 pictures of Lunch taken by George Kopcsak
After lunch at the
Restaurant Brauerei Lederer we were taken by motorcoach to where the ship
was docked in Vilshofen. After boarding, and finding our cabins, there
was an embarkation briefing and a cocktail receptation before dinner.
The ship then embarked to sail us through a number of locks that comprise the Main-Danube Canal, an
engineering marvel stretching 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to
Kelheim on the Danube. Begun as Charlemagne’s dream in 793, it was completed
in 1992 with 16 locks that raise the water level 1,332 feet. Today it
enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea. Dinner is served
aboard and you cruise through the night.
(B, L, D)
Click here for 24 pictures of finally aboard ship
Click here for 7 pictures of aboard ship taken by George Kopcsak
Tuesday 7 Oct - Day 3 - Regensburg & Kelheim
Click here to view the Viking News for Tuesday 10.07.2008 (Front)
Click here to view the Viking News for Tuesday 10.07.2008 (Back)
This morning, we met our guides dockside for a walking tour through the scenic town of Regensburg, considered one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. We saw one of the largest groupings of 13th- and 14th-century church spires, towers and patrician houses north of the Alps. We also encountered the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge, St. Peter’s Cathedral and a number of idyllic courtyards. We had time to stroll the streets or shops before returning to our ship.
This afternoon, we enjoyed scenic cruising along the Danube. We traveled by motorcoachs to Kelheim, at the southernmost point of the Main-Danube Canal, then embarked on a ferryboat ride to explore the Danube Gorge’s dramatic scenery and its spectacular 400-foot chalk cliffs. We also visited the renowned Weltenburg Abbey, which still echoes with age-old chants. It is famous for its dark ale, brewed here by monks since 1050. We then rejoined our ship for dinner and cruised through the night. (B, L, D)
Click here for 12 pictures of morning aboard ship
Click here for 90 pictures of touring Regensburg
Click here for 24 pictures of touring Regensburg taken by Don & Bobbi Lionetti
Click here for 23 pictures of touring Regensburg taken by Jim Mathison
Clik here for 14 pictures of touring Regensburg taken by Dennis Rooney
Click here for 41 pictures of the Danube Gorge cruise
Click here for 20 pictures of the Danube Gorge cruise taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 6 pictures of the Danube Gorge cruise taken by Don & Bobbi Lionetti
Click here for 24 pictures of the Danube Gorge cruise taken by Jim Mathison
Click here for 16 pictures of the Danube Gorge cruise taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 32 pictures of the Weltenburg Abbey
Click here for 15 pictures of the Weltenburg Abbey taken by Don & Bobbi Lionetti
Click here for 6 pictures of the Weltenburg Abbey taken by Jim Mathison
Click here for 6 pictures of the Weltenburg Abbey taken by Dennis Rooney
Click here for 12 pictures of the Weltenburg Abbey taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 36 pictures of the early evening lounge and then dinner aboard the ship
Click here for 23 pictures of the evening Bavarian Folklore fun in the Lounge taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 13 pictures of a passage through a lock
Wednesday 8 Oct - Day 4 - Passau
Click here to view the Viking News for Wednesday 10.08.2008 (Front)
Click here to view the Viking News for Wednesday 10.08.2008 (Back)
We were scheduled to arrive around 0900 hrs in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Our guided walk along the town’s narrow streets took us through the Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. We saw the Oberhaus Fortress and visited the impressive baroque St. Stephan’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, we were treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ. Lunch was aboard, but we could return to the city for further exploration on our own before an early evening departure and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Click here for 8 pictures of the passage through the Lock on way to Passau taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 50 pictures of touring Passau
Click here for 82 pictures of touring Passau taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 12 pictures of touring Passau taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 42 pictures in the afternoon lounge taken by Sam Weiss and George Kopcsak
Click here for 24 pictures of Dinner
Thursday 9 Oct - Day 5 - Melk & Vienna
Click here to view the Viking News for Thursday 10.09.2008 (Front)
Click here to view the Viking News for Thursday 10.09.2008 (Back)
After arriving in Melk around 0800 hrs, the first two buses left at 0900 hrs and the third bus left a 0915 hrs to go to the the Benedictine abbey at Melk for a guided tour through the ornate interior of this baroque gem of architecture, its wonderful frescoes and medieval manuscripts inside the large library, and the garden courtyard.
Click here for a web site that has excellant writeups on the Coloman Courtyard, the Marble Halls, the Library, the Abbey Church, and the Garden Pavilion.
We rejoined the ship for lunch and an afternoon cruise along the Danube through the Wachau Valley and its lock. We arrived in Vienna around 1800 hrs and after dinner there was an optional excursion to attend a Mozart and Strauss concert in this “City of Waltzes.” (B, L, D)
Click here for 36 pictures of Cruising to Melk and having Breakfast
Click here for 21 pictures of Going to Melk Abbey
Click here for 37 pictures of Touring the Melk Coloman Courtyard
Click here for 62 pictures of the Melk Abbey Museum
Click here for 9 pictures of the Melk Marble Hall
Click here for 20 pictures in the Melk Library
Click here for 28 pictures in the Melk Abbey Church
Click here for 36 pictures of the Melk Garden Pavilion
Click here for 91 pictures of the Melk Abbey Tour taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 37 pictures in Melk taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 66 picture while Cruising the Wachau Valley
Click here for 22 pictures of going through the Wachau Valley Lock taken by Jim Mathison
Click here for 47 pictures of Cruising through the Wachau Valley taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 28 pictures of Cruising through the Wachau Valley taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 26 pictures of Dinner
Friday 10 Oct - Day 6 - Vienna
Click here to view the Viking News for Friday 10.10.2008 (Front)
Click here to view the Viking News for Friday 10.10.2008 (Back)
After breakfast, began our half-day city tour. We saw some of Vienna’s lovely baroque architecture, then rode along the beautiful Ringstrasse, with sights including the Opera House, Stadtpark and Hofburg Theater. We then visitrd St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Before returning to the ship for lunch there was time for some to have a visit to a Viennese coffee shop. The afternoon was ours to further explore this city on our own or join Marcela for a subway ride to the center of the city. Dinner was the traditional Captain's Dinner. (B, L, D)
Click here for 77 pictures of Touring Vienna
Click here for 14 pictures taken in Vienna by George Kopcsak
iClick here for 17 pictures taken in Vienna by Don & Bobbi Lionettii
Click here for 18 pictures taken in Vienna by Jim Mathison
Click here for 11 pictures taken in Vienna by Mike Urette
Click here for 9 pictures taken in Vienna by Grace Webster
Click here for 41 pictures taken during the Belvedere Palace Tour
Click here for 23 pictures of Sailing to Budapest
Click here for 48 pictures of the Captain's Dinner
Click here for 8 pictures of the Captain's Dinner taken by Don & Bobbi Lionetti
Click here for 41 pictures taken at the Farewell Party
Click here for 5 pictures taken during the Farewell Evening by Grace Webster
Saturday 11 Oct - Day 7 - Budapest
Click here to view the Viking News for Saturday 10.11.2008 (Front)
Click here to view the Viking News for Saturday 10.11.2008 (Back)
Arrived in Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital divided by the Danube River. Our tour began with a motorcoach ride through the Pest side of the city. We journeyrd along famous Andrássy Avenue and saw numerous 19th- and 20th-century mansions and the National Opera House. Other noted sites were the renowned Parliament Building and Chain Bridge. Stoped in Heroes’ Square to learn more about Hungarian culture and history. Next, crossed the Danube to the Buda side for a visit to the Castle District. Walked up the hill to see Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church and to catch the brilliant views of the city below. Returned to our ship for lunch and the rest of the day was free to explore both sides of the city, traditional “Buda” and modern “Pest.” There was also a complimentary excursion to the Caprice Factory outlet and the village of Szentendre. There was also a optional tour to a horse show.(B, L, D)
Click here for 26 pictures of Breakfast while Arriving Budapest
Click here for 9 pictures of Arriving Budapest taken by George Kopcsak
Click here for 28 pictures of the Group Pictures Taking Session
Click here for 8 pictures of the Group Picture Taking Session taken by Bobbi Lionetti
Click here for 74 pictures of touring Budapest
Click here for 53 pictures of touring Budapest taken bt George Kopcsak
Click here for 19 pictures of touring Budapest taken by Don & Bobbi Lionetti
Click here for 12 pictures of touring Budapest taken by Jim Mathison
Click here for 13 pictures of touring Budapest taken by Mike Urette
Click here for 24 pictures of touring Budapest taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 22 pictures of visit to Heroes' Square
Click here for 50 pictures of touring Matthias Church and return to ship
Click here for 31 pictures of Afternoon in Budapest aboard ship and "Time to Say Goodby"
Click here for 15 pictures of our Last Dinner aboard Ship
Click here for 21 pictures of our Last Evening in the Lounge taken by Grace Webster
Sunday 12 Oct - Day 8 - Budapest
Click here to view the Viking News for Sunday 10.12.2008 (Disembarkation)
After breakfast, settling our account, and loading the transportation to the airport or the Budapest hotel, we disembarked the ship. The Cruise portion of the Mini-reunion had reached its conclusion, but the memories will last forever. (B)
Click here for 14 pictures of our Final Breakfast Aboard Ship
Click here for 37 pictures of activities while departing Budapest
Other shared pictures taken during the Cruise
Click here for 128 pictures taken by Tom Baird
Click here for 62 pictures taken by Dick Buckner
Click here for 9 pictures taken by Dan Halpin
Click here for 58 pictures taken by Pat Hoy
Click here for 4 pictures taken by Chip Smith
Click here for 18 pictures taken by Mike Urette
Click here for 10 pictures taken by Grace Webster
Click here for 86 pictures taken by BobbI Weiss
Central Europe shines with three nights in Budapest
