From Basel to Trier · Europe (River) · 7 nights
From Basel to Trier
Viking’s award winning Longships are the success story of river cruising with sleek Scandinavian design and innovative engineering.
Viking Longships have led the way in the expansion of the river
cruise industry. With understated interiors, comfortable staterooms
and suites, a great main restaurant and excellent terrace offering
a lovely spot for a casual meal al fresco, they operate on Viking’s
most popular itineraries and consistently deliver to Viking’s ever
increasing clientele.
Basel lies where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, a sophisticated and multicultural city with a picturesque setting astride the river Rhine. The medieval Old Town is exceptionally well preserved, best appreciated from the summit of the hilltop cathedral, which offers incredible views across the city. Basel boasts a wealth of museums and galleries, and plays host to events including the renowned Art Basel contemporary art fair, held during the summer, and Fasnacht, Switzerland's most famous winter carnival.
Strasbourg is the capital of France’s Alsace region, right next to the border with Germany, and there is a tangible Germanic influence that sets the city a little apart from the rest of France. Highlights include the beautiful Gothic cathedral, the old town’s fairytale half-timbered houses, and the pictureque canals of the Petite France district.
Hugging the river Rhine to the south of Frankfurt, the pleasant little town of Speyer has a long and distinguished history. This was one of the Holy Roman Empire’s most important cities, as evidenced by the beautiful Romanesque cathedral, and is also home to a delightful Christmas market during the winter months.
The Rhine and Main rivers meet at Mainz, a friendly university town with a charming cobbled old town and an impressive cathedral. The city was also the home of the first ever printing press, a heritage that you can explore at the fascinating Gutenberg Museum.
Koblenz was founded by the Romans, who valued the city’s strategically important location where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Rebuilt from the rubble of the Second World War, modern Koblenz has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, and serves as a gateway to the Romantic Rhine.
One of the prettiest towns in the Moselle valley, Cochem is a popular stop for river cruise ships. With an old town full of half-timbered houses and a castle perched on a hill it’s a quintessentially German scene, and the riverside promenade is lovely during the sunny summer months.
The pretty town of Bernkastel lies in the heart of the Moselle wine region, and is known for its excellent dry whites based on the Riesling grape. The picturesque half-timbered houses of the old town date back to the Middle Ages, and there are plenty of wine taverns where you can enjoy a glass or two.
Trier is Germany’s oldest city, founded by the Romans around 16 BC and home to no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include the Cathedral of St Peter, the Church of Our Lady and countless Roman ruins, and Trier was also the birthplace of Karl Marx, whose childhood home is now a museum.
