Tony and I, along with friends, went on a wonderful river cruise with Viking Cruises. It was our first river cruise. I have a website for my travels with Shutterfly; however they are taking it down completely. I am adding lots of cruise information to my blog page. Hopefully the information I provide here will help you plan your trips.
Cruise Links:
Everything Budapest
Visit Budapest
Budapest Tourist Information
Visit Bratislava
Bratislava Guide
Vienna Online Guide
Vienna's Top 10 Sights
Visiting Vienna
Rick Steves on Melk and Dürnstein, Austria
Tourist information Dürnstein
Melk top rated tourist attractions
Linz Tourism
Planetware top attractions for Linz Austria
Passau Tourism
Passau - the city on three rivers
20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Prague
Prague Experience
Day Trips From Prague
8 Best Day Trips from Prague
Prage city Map
Prague Travel
Day by Day Itinerary
for my cruise:
From the Viking
site:
Pre-Cruise Extension in Budapest
Hotel: Hilton Budapest, on the Buda side near the Fisherman’s Bastion
Day 1 | Budapest
Transfer to the First-Class Hilton Budapest (or similar) in Buda’s Castle District.* Take the rest of the day to relax and sample some Hungarian cuisine. A Viking host is available to help you plan your time in Budapest so you can make the most of your visit.
Day 2 | Budapest
You have a full day to enjoy some of the sights and attractions of this beautiful city. Walk through Pest and do some shopping along Váci Street. Cross the Danube via the famous Chain Bridge to enjoy the hillier Buda neighborhoods. Tour the Hungarian National Gallery, visit the Bartók Museum or enjoy one of the city’s elegant thermal spas. (B)
Day 3 | Budapest
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to your ship in the afternoon. (B)
This is information
that was on the Viking web site:
Day 1
Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to Budapest, capital of Hungary. Transfer to your ship from the airport.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or do a bit of exploring; if your arrival schedule permits, join an organized walk to Budapest’s famous covered market in the three-story Great Market Hall established in 1897. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (D)
Day 2
Budapest, Hungary
Today we visit highlights of the hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest sides of the city, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship; the rest of the day is yours to explore the city. You may wish to visit the Art Nouveau Gellért Spa, or one of the many other lavish facilities in this “City of Healing Waters.” Return to your ship for dinner and evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 3
Bratislava, Slovakia
Arrive in Bratislava this afternoon and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital with a long and fascinating history. It is the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary. See attractions like the medieval Town Hall complex and fortifications at Michael’s Tower, the baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, and pass by several Hapsburg-era baroque palaces before returning to your ship. This evening you can relax or take a walk before our late departure. (B, L, D)
Day 4
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 city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s 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. Or you may take an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” erected in 1778 and graced by a number of formal gardens, Grecian statuary, the world’s oldest zoo and Roman ruins. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)
Day 5
Melk & Dürnstein, Austria
This morning, visit the 900-year-old abbey at Melk, a Benedictine monastery that began life as a castle of Leopold II. See its spectacular wall and ceiling frescoes; take note of the library’s comprehensive medieval manuscript collection; and admire the graceful spiral staircase. After lunch aboard your ship, we stop at the picturesque Wachau Valley town of Dürnstein, where you can explore on your own, or join an optional excursion to sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. (B, L, D)
Day 6
Linz, Austria
Arrive in Linz this morning and set off on an all-day excursion to the beautiful Bohemian town of Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride through the scenic Czech countryside and take a walking tour featuring the lovely historic center of the city with many baroque and Renaissance buildings, dating back hundreds of years. You have some free time to enjoy Krumlov’s charming streets, filled with cafés, shops, galleries and pubs. Maybe stop for lunch in one of the many local restaurants. Return aboard for dinner and a late-evening departure. (B, D)
Day 7
Passau, Germany
Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You’ll see the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ.† Enjoy an onboard lunch, but return to the city to further explore on your own before dinner. (B, L, D)
†Passau organ concert is only available May 1-October 31 and is closed on Sunday.
Day 8
Passau, Germany
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Munich airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 additional nights in the breathtaking Czech capital of Prague. (B)
As it was our first Viking River Cruise, I wanted to get some information on what to expect on board about tipping:
Visit Budapest
Budapest Tourist Information
Visit Bratislava
Bratislava Guide
Vienna Online Guide
Vienna's Top 10 Sights
Visiting Vienna
Rick Steves on Melk and Dürnstein, Austria
Tourist information Dürnstein
Melk top rated tourist attractions
Linz Tourism
Planetware top attractions for Linz Austria
Passau Tourism
Passau - the city on three rivers
20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Prague
Prague Experience
Day Trips From Prague
8 Best Day Trips from Prague
Prage city Map
Prague Travel
Hotel: Hilton Budapest, on the Buda side near the Fisherman’s Bastion
Day 1 | Budapest
Transfer to the First-Class Hilton Budapest (or similar) in Buda’s Castle District.* Take the rest of the day to relax and sample some Hungarian cuisine. A Viking host is available to help you plan your time in Budapest so you can make the most of your visit.
Day 2 | Budapest
You have a full day to enjoy some of the sights and attractions of this beautiful city. Walk through Pest and do some shopping along Váci Street. Cross the Danube via the famous Chain Bridge to enjoy the hillier Buda neighborhoods. Tour the Hungarian National Gallery, visit the Bartók Museum or enjoy one of the city’s elegant thermal spas. (B)
Day 3 | Budapest
After breakfast, enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to your ship in the afternoon. (B)
Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to Budapest, capital of Hungary. Transfer to your ship from the airport.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or do a bit of exploring; if your arrival schedule permits, join an organized walk to Budapest’s famous covered market in the three-story Great Market Hall established in 1897. Return to your ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. (D)
Day 2
Budapest, Hungary
Today we visit highlights of the hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest sides of the city, starting with Pest’s National Opera House and historic Heroes’ Square. In Buda, walk along Castle Hill to Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship; the rest of the day is yours to explore the city. You may wish to visit the Art Nouveau Gellért Spa, or one of the many other lavish facilities in this “City of Healing Waters.” Return to your ship for dinner and evening departure. (B, L, D)
Day 3
Bratislava, Slovakia
Arrive in Bratislava this afternoon and embark on a walking tour of Slovakia’s charming capital with a long and fascinating history. It is the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary. See attractions like the medieval Town Hall complex and fortifications at Michael’s Tower, the baroque Jesuit Church and Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, and pass by several Hapsburg-era baroque palaces before returning to your ship. This evening you can relax or take a walk before our late departure. (B, L, D)
Day 4
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 city’s baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan’s 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. Or you may take an optional tour to Schönbrunn Palace, the “Versailles of Vienna,” erected in 1778 and graced by a number of formal gardens, Grecian statuary, the world’s oldest zoo and Roman ruins. After dinner, relax or enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)
Day 5
Melk & Dürnstein, Austria
This morning, visit the 900-year-old abbey at Melk, a Benedictine monastery that began life as a castle of Leopold II. See its spectacular wall and ceiling frescoes; take note of the library’s comprehensive medieval manuscript collection; and admire the graceful spiral staircase. After lunch aboard your ship, we stop at the picturesque Wachau Valley town of Dürnstein, where you can explore on your own, or join an optional excursion to sample some local vintages from this famous wine-producing region. (B, L, D)
Day 6
Linz, Austria
Arrive in Linz this morning and set off on an all-day excursion to the beautiful Bohemian town of Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride through the scenic Czech countryside and take a walking tour featuring the lovely historic center of the city with many baroque and Renaissance buildings, dating back hundreds of years. You have some free time to enjoy Krumlov’s charming streets, filled with cafés, shops, galleries and pubs. Maybe stop for lunch in one of the many local restaurants. Return aboard for dinner and a late-evening departure. (B, D)
Day 7
Passau, Germany
Arrive this morning in Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. Your guided walk along the town’s narrow streets takes you through Old Town and past traditional patrician houses. You’ll see the New Bishop’s Residence and visit the impressive baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate interior. Inside, you are treated to a special concert played on the 17,000-pipe organ, considered Europe’s largest church organ.† Enjoy an onboard lunch, but return to the city to further explore on your own before dinner. (B, L, D)
†Passau organ concert is only available May 1-October 31 and is closed on Sunday.
Day 8
Passau, Germany
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Munich airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 additional nights in the breathtaking Czech capital of Prague. (B)
As it was our first Viking River Cruise, I wanted to get some information on what to expect on board about tipping:
Tipping:
From the Hotel Manager to receptionists, from restaurant servers to housekeeping, Viking’s onboard staff are 100% dedicated to serving our guests. Tips are not included in your cruise price, but are a voluntary way of showing satisfaction for good service. You may tip onboard staff in cash if you like, or you may charge your tips to your credit card at the end of the cruise (everywhere except Egypt, Southeast Asia and Portugal). These gratuities are distributed among the ship’s staff. The Tour Escorts or Program Directors that travel with you do not share in the onboard staff gratuities. It is customary to tip them separately in cash.
The following guidelines are based on typical amounts; they vary by region so please read the section for the region to which you will be traveling. Please note that local city guides and coach drivers are not included in the onboard gratuities; any tipping should be done in cash on the day of the tour as you are not likely to see them again.
Europe
In Europe, we recommend that you tip in euros. Guidelines:
Program Director – €2 per guest, per day
Onboard staff – €12 per guest, per day
Local city guides – €2 per guest, per day
Coach drivers – €1 per guest, per day
You can read the other information here: http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/my-trip/about-my-ship/amenities-services.html
No comments:
Post a Comment