Heading For The Waterways Of Europe (Page One Overview)
We began the journey in Copenhagen after a 5,590 mile flight across the world. After two days in Denmark, we headed to Amsterdam to join the Viking Baldur cruise ship sailing for 12 days through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Hungry. We visited Budapest and Prague before heading back home.
Across the world with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
| Day Date Cruise Day Page |
Activity/Event |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 4/18-19 |
KLM 602 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Amsterdam (AMS) 1:55 PM – Apr 19 9:15 AM |
Wednesday (Page Two) |
Scandinavian Airlines flight SK 548 from AMS to Copenhagen (CPH) 2:55 PM–4:15 PM |
Thursday |
Changed hotels to the AC Hotel Bella Sky, Center Boulevard 5, Copenhagen 2300 Denmark More sightseeing |
Friday |
Some more sightseeing before our flight to Amsterdam. Scandinavian Airlines flight SK 548 from Copenhagen (CPH) to AMS to Copenhagen (CPH) - 2:55 pm
|
Saturday |
A full day Touring Amsterdam and seeing the flowers at Keukenhof Gardens!
|
Sunday |
The cruise begins as we board the Viking Baldur (360 degree view of the ship) and proceed to Room 232. |
| Monday 4/24 Day #2 (Page Seven) |
Visiting Kinderdijk, Netherlands - This morning we sail to Kinderdijk arriving at 8:00 AM, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a two hour tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. We learned why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus we entered a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return inboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentations |
| Tuesday 4/25 Day #3 (Page Eight) |
Visiting Cologne, Germany - After arriving, we had a morning tour of Cologne, including a visit to the Dom, Germany's largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the tour, we went to Bruhl to see the local castles. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; we depart at midnight. |
| Wednesday 4/26 Day #4 (Page Nine) |
Visiting Koblenz, Germany - Cruise past hilltop castles along the Rhine, stopping in Koblenz to visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed. After a tour, continue cruising this stunning stretch of the Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the Lorelei Rock, which marks the river's narrowest point and is named after the legendary Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their demise. Lunch and dinner are served on board your ship. |
| Thursday 4/27 Day #5 (Page Ten) |
Visiting Miltenberg, Germany - The morning was spent sailing along the beautiful Main River as it winds its way through the Spessart region, home of the actual Snow White Castle. During the sail, we had the opportunity to learn about the region's glassblowing traditions during a live demonstration. After lunch, we stop in Miltenberg, known for its half-timbered houses and Germany's oldest inn. We sail through the night. |
| Friday 4/28 Day #6 (Page Eleven) |
Visiting Wurzburg, Germany - After breakfast, tour Wurzburg's Residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate Baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon returning to Wurzburg, you will also enjoy a tour of the Residenz before rejoining your ship for dinner. |
| Saturday 4/29 Day #7 (Page Twelve) |
Visiting Bamberg, Germany - Sail through the morning; after lunch we visit Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walking tour includes a visit to the magnificent 11th-century cathedral, reworked in late Romanesque style in the 13th century, and the picturesque city hall built on a tiny island in the middle of a river. We took some free time to enjoy Bamberg and perhaps try some of the town's distinctive smoke-flavored beer before returning aboard. |
Sunday |
Visiting Nuremberg, Germany - After breakfast, disembark in Nuremberg and visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, the Nazi parade grounds of the 1930s; then see the Palace of Justice, site of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. Alternatively, you may take an optional World War II tour that includes the illuminating Documentation Center Museum. After lunch, spend free time exploring Nuremberg's Old Town. Or, join an optional tour to discover the secret network of underground bunkers where priceless art was hidden in wartime. We depart just before dinner. |
Monday |
Visiting Regensburg, Germany - We arrived in Regensburg midday. After lunch, we toured this wonderfully preserved medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including structures dating back to Roman times. Discover many 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and see the splendid St. Peter's Cathedral. We had some free time and enjoyed touring on our own before rejoining your ship in time to enjoy dinner onboard before our evening departure. |
| Tuesday 5/2 Day #10 (Page Fifteen) |
Visiting Passau, Germany - We arrived 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. We saw the New Bishop's Residence and visit 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. We enjoyed lunch aboard the ship, and return to the city for further exploration on your own before departing. We cruised through the night. |
Visiting Melk and Krems, Austria - After breakfast, we visited the Melk Abbey, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery featuring Austria's finest Italian Baroque architecture. We rejoined the ship and cruised through the spectacular Wachau Valley this afternoon. Before dinner, we had time to explore the time-honored town of Krems and see the Steiner Tor, the last remaining city gate. |
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| Thursday 5/4 #12 (Page Seventeen) |
Vienna, Austria - Today we toured the Austrian capital of Vienna. We rode along the Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. We saw some of the city's Baroque architecture, including the world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan's Cathedral, and Hofburg Palace. We returned to the ship for lunch. The rest of the day was ours to further explore. We visited the famed Lipizzaner stallions. After dinner we relaxed. |
| Friday 5/5 #13 (Page Eighteen) |
Our second day in Vienna. We saw an unrivaled collection of Old Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts, and visited the Albertina. We rode ride the Riesenrad, the world's oldest Ferris wheel. A cup of coffee or tea and a slice of exquisite Sachertorte are a must for any afternoon in Vienna. Later, we rejoined the ship and sailed for Budapest. |
| Saturday 5/6 Day #14 (Page Nineteen) |
Visiting Budapest, Hungary - The Danube River divides Hungary's capital city into the once separate towns of Buda and Pest. We explored both sides, starting with Pest's National Opera House and historic Heroes' Square. In Buda, we walked along Castle Hill to Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church. Enjoyed lunch aboard our ship, with the rest of the day to explore on your own. We returned to the ship for a traditional Hungarian dinner. |
| Sunday 5/7 (Page Twenty) |
BUdapest Day #2 - After breakfast, disembark and proceeded to the the Royal Park Boutique Hotel in Budapest for our extended journey with three nights in Prague, Czech Republic, where we toured Old Town landmarks and the Prague Castle. |
Monday |
Time for a train ride! Train: Budapest to Prague 11:25 AM – 6:06 PM. It was an enjoyable 325 miles and six and a half hours. We stayed at the Hotel Julian, Elisky Peskove 11, Prague, 15000 Czech Republic |
Tuesday |
Visiting Prague Day #2 |
Wednesday |
Prague Day #3 and Air France 1063 from Prague (PRG) to Paris (CDG) 3:10 PM – 4:55 PM May 11: AF 76 from CDG to LAX 6:55 PM – 9:35 PM |