Sigrun, Oberammergau Alps & the Rhine ex Munich to Amsterdam – 18 Jun 2022

7 Night Cruise sailing from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Viking Sigrun. Hotel stays pre-cruise in Munich, Oberammergau and Innsbruck.

Day 1 Munich, Germany
Welcome to Munich, the historic capital of German Bavaria. Make your way to your hotel. After settling in, take time to explore the Marienplatz, the city’s main square overseen by the magnificent ornate facade of New Town Hall.

Day 2 Oberammergau, Germany
Journey to the charming hamlet of Oberammergau today, where you will enjoy a performance of Passionsspiele, The Passion Play. This depiction of the trial, suffering and death of Christ is performed once every ten years, keeping the terms of a promise the townspeople made to God after they were spared from the plague in 1633. Today, many of Oberammergau’s residents still take part in this powerful work of art featuring dramatic performances, beautiful music and choral accompaniment. The play takes place in two parts this afternoon and evening. Enjoy an included traditional dinner during the three-hour intermission. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Innsbruck, Austria
After breakfast, depart Oberammergau for a guided visit of the baroque-style Ettal Abbey located in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Next, set out on a scenic drive to Innsbruck. Along the way, stop in the charming hamlet of Mittenwald, renowned for the art of violin making and known as the “Village of a Thousand Violins.” Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. This evening, join an optional excursion to a traditional Austrian folklore dinner at a local restaurant or enjoy free time to dine on your own. (Breakfast)

Day 4 Innsbruck, Austria
This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of historic Innsbruck and explore the Old Town, where a wealth of imperial architecture awaits. See the Goldenes Dachl, a gold-colored roof that covers the balcony where Emperor Maximilian once stood and a symbol of the city’s heritage. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Perhaps take a cable car ride to the Nordkette for spectacular panoramic views over the valley and the surrounding peaks of the Alps. Or, you may choose to visit the grand Imperial Palace and discover the history of the Hapsburgs, one of Europe’s most distinguished royal houses. This evening, enjoy free time and dine on your own. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Basel, Switzerland
Set out on a scenic drive through an alpine landscape to your ship in Basel. Along the way, enjoy a short stop in Vaduz—the quaint capital city of one of the world’s smallest and wealthiest countries, Liechtenstein. Enjoy free time for lunch and take a stroll around the town before continuing your journey. Embark your ship upon arrival in Basel. Dinner is served on board tonight. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 Breisach, Germany
Arrive in Breisach this morning, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop to see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration, and learn how Black Forest Cake is made. Return to your ship for lunch. This afternoon, perhaps join an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar to discover the storybook charm of its streets lined with medieval, Gothic and Renaissance buildings, and visit a fine arts museum. Alternately, choose an optional excursion that explores Colmar’s World War II history. Dine on board this evening and cruise on through the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Strasbourg, France
Disembark this morning for your guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome art nouveau and modernist architecture. Alternately, join our optional excursion into Alsatian wine country for an informative winery tour and tasting. Or, spend your full day exploring culinary Strasbourg on an optional excursion; as you explore the city and take in its sights, savor samples of the renowned Alsatian cuisine, from regional dessert specialties and meats to wine pairings with local foods. Return to your ship for dinner and departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Speyer & Rüdesheim, Germany
This morning, disembark for an included tour to visit the historic the historic town of Speyer and take in views of the imposing Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design influenced Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Alternatively, after breakfast, you may choose to disembark for a full day tour of Heidelberg, the home of Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and admire the Neckar River Valley. Continue with a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates and after lunch, rejoin your ship in Rüdesheim. This evening, you can dine on board your ship or choose to experience one of our optional dinners on shore tonight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Koblenz, Germany
This morning, sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where turreted castles and fortresses overlook the river from their hilltop posts. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this part of the Middle Rhine Valley is so beautiful. Arrive in Koblenz this afternoon and disembark for a tour of 700-year-old Marksburg Castle. You may also join an optional excursion that offers a lively and informative tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress; or, choose to journey into Moselle wine country on an optional excursion, stopping for a tour and tasting at a local winery. Return to your ship for lunch. Later, enjoy some time in this charming town at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Cologne, Germany
Begin your day with a morning tour of Cologne, Germany’s fourth largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and see the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Cologne’s atmospheric waterfront, or perhaps join an optional excursion on which you ascend to the Dom’s roof for up-close views of the cathedral’s architecture and bird’s-eye vistas of Cologne. Afterward, return on board for dinner. Alternately, you may set off on an optional excursion to explore Cologne’s spirited beer culture, sampling Kölsch, a light, crisp beer brewed only in Cologne, and enjoying a brauhaus dinner. After, return to your ship for a late-evening departure. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11 Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
We sail along the Rhine during the morning hours. Admire scenic views and enjoy a morning of enjoyable Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. This afternoon, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Disembark for an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Board your ship for departure and dinner. Arrive in Amsterdam around midnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After breakfast, disembark. (Breakfast)