Compare European sojourn by Viking River Cruises vs European Rhapsody - Start London, Small Group by Insight Vacations

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Trip	European sojourn by Viking River Cruises 5 \| Excellent 41 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Customize	European Rhapsody - Start London, Small Group by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 11018 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve

Duration	23 days	12 days
Price From	$ 5,817	$ 4,175
Price Per Day	$ 253	$ 348
Highlights	Get an opportunity to Visit 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy the amazing river cruising across Amsterdam Explore Budapest enjoy innovative, efficient metro. Discover Vienna Experience a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.	Choose between two carefully selected activities Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague, and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry. Prague: Visit the imposing St Vitus Cathedral and explore the atmospheric courtyards of the historic Prague Castle with your Local Expert. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : "It's magical to see how a group of guests comes together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that's happening because suddenly the enthusiasm is palpable." : "Venice is so unique that anyone seeing it for the first time is never fully prepared for the magic, from seeing their first gondola to the facade of St. Mark’s Cathedral." London: Relax on the smooth, high-speed Eurostar train as you journey from London to Europe via the revolutionary Channel Tunnel. Amsterdam: Cruise along the old waterways, discovering the architectural gems of the old city, including mansions dating from the Golden Age of the 17th Century. Wurzburg: Stand on the statue-lined Alte Mainbrucke and see the Marienburg fortress. Wurzburg: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Würzburg Residence with a Local Expert. Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Picturesque Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the best-preserved medieval town in Germany and a truly enchanting destination. Step back in time and explore the city walls, towers, and gates around the old town as well as the old town itself. Prague: Led by your Local Expert, explore the delightful Old Town Square and see the detailed Astronomical Clock that delights onlookers each hour. Prague: Stroll through the Jewish Quarter with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Prague, and taste Trdelník, a traditional Czech pastry. Prague: Visit the imposing St Vitus Cathedral and explore the atmospheric courtyards of the historic Prague Castle with your Local Expert. Budapest: Stroll through the alleys of the Old Town of Buda and admire sweeping views from the Fisherman's Bastion with a Local Expert. Drive along the beautiful Andrassy Avenue to Heroes' Square. Stand atop Gellert Hill where the colossal Liberty Statue stands in front of the Citadella watching over the city. Marvel at extensive panoramic views as you look out over the famous river dividing Buda and Pest - the two sides linked by the mighty Chain Bridge and the newer, elegant Elizabeth Bridge. Vienna: Walk through the first district, Inner Stadt, as your Local Expert reveals why this is the historic core of the city. You will also tour the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche. Venice: With your Travel Director cruise to St. Mark's Square and see the Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Basilica. Amsterdam: Toast to the travels ahead during your Welcome Dinner of modern European cuisine at Humphrey's Restaurant, a trendy eatery located in the heart of the city and surrounded by 17th century homes. Budapest: Enjoy a scenic dinner cruise and take in the city's night time beauty as you float along the Danube. Venice: Sip cocktails alongside the canals at Cafe Florian, while being serenaded by an ensemble of talented musicians and soak up the calming atmosphere long after the day-trippers have returned to their mainland hotels. Venice: Enjoy a special Venetian Celebration Dinner with wine at La Principessa. Dining Summary: 10 Breakfast (B), and 4 Dinner with Wine (DW) Vienna: Be pampered by locals with traditional coffee and cake. An experience like no other, this cosy café provides companionship, and promotes well-being and support for the community, in addition to crafting delicious treats. Venice: Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft. The workshop advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Trip Style	River cruise	Group tour
Lodging Level	Premium	Premium
Physical Level	2- Easy	2- Easy
Travel Themes	Cultural Nature & Wildlife 50 plus National Parks Small Ship Cruise	Cultural 50 plus Education / Learning
Countries Visited	Danube River Rhine River Austria	Italy Austria Germany
Cities and Attractions	Amsterdam Bamberg Koblenz Nuremberg St. Martin's Cathedral Vienna	Amsterdam Budapest London Prague Venice Vienna
Flights & Transport	Ground transport included	Airfare included
Activities	Culture Historic sightseeing River cruise Ruins & Archaeology	Culture Historic sightseeing
Meals Included	22 Breakfasts, 21 Lunches and 21 Dinners	N/A
Description	Explore 3 rivers & 8 countries Celebrate folk traditions in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary. Behold the grandeur of Vienna. See castles on the Rhine. Cruise Amsterdam’s canals. These travel icons—and more—await you on a 23-day journey combining our Passage to Eastern Europe and Grand European Tour cruises. Discover eight countries in Eastern, Central and Western Europe while cruising the Danube, Main and Rhine. Enjoy a lifetime’s worth of experiences on a single voyage of unparalleled enrichment.	Experience the finest Europe has to offer as you take to the stage with Viennese Waltz dance lessons in Vienna, lose yourself on the Romantic Road in Rothenburg and satisfy your appetite in Hungary with a fine dining dinner cruise in Budapest. Led by local experts, your experience will rival the aristocrats of yesteryear in the famed Carinthian Lake District. After checking in at your exclusive, private boat access hotel, dinner is served at La Fenice before twilight night caps at Café Florian—the premier cocktail bar in Venice. Sample a little pomp and circumstance with the Bavarian grandeur of Germany's Würzburg Residenz and in Vienna, tread in the footsteps of your local Travel Director with a chance to take a private tour of Maria Theresa's awesome Schönbrunn Palace.

Itinerary: European sojourn

Day 1: Bucharest, Romania

Arrive at the Bucharest airport and transfer to the superior first-class Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest (or similar) in the heart of the city for a 1-night stay.* Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or do some exploring on your own.

Day 2: Bucharest, Romania

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a morning tour of the city. See the Patriarchal Church, the Palace of Parliament and the Arch of Triumph. You then proceed to Giurgiu to board your ship and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

After breakfast, disembark at Russe for a full-day excursion to Bulgaria’s former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. There you will see Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. During free time, shop for local crafts along Samovodska Charshia. Continue your venture to Arbanasi for lunch in a local restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church with its intricate floor-to-ceiling murals and icons. Return to your ship for dinner.

Day 4: Vidin, Bulgaria

Arrive in the picturesque Bulgarian port of Vidin, and take an excursion to see Belogradchik Fortress, built right into the striking Belogradchik Rocks. See the fortress’s amazing construction, begun in Roman times and greatly extended by Bulgarian tsars and the Ottomans, and enjoy breathtaking views. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship; then you have free time to explore Vidin’s city center, Orthodox churches and the ruins of the city’s once-grand synagogue. We depart during dinner.

Day 5: Iron Gate

Today, enjoy scenic cruising as you travel through one of the most picturesque areas of the Lower Danube. The Iron Gate is one of Europe’s most dramatic natural wonders, a spectacular narrow gorge with enormous white limestone cliffs. Your Cruise Director will provide commentary about the region and scenic points of interest as you sail toward the next port.

Day 6: Belgrade, Serbia

Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress, now a stately park; also see the Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch aboard your ship before you have free time to explore Belgrade’s gracious architecture or visit one of its many museums, like the Nikola Tesla Museum. Dine aboard your ship or experience some of Belgrade’s nightlife. We depart very late this evening.

Day 7: Osijek, Croatia

Cruise along the Danube, arriving at Vukovar around noon. Disembark for an afternoon excursion to the charming Croatian city of Osijek. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this area has had several heydays under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs; now Vukovar is revered for its baroque buildings, parks and monuments. Return aboard for dinner.

Day 8: Kalocsa, Hungary