The Allure of River Cruising
Travel writer Marcus Adams shares the experience of his very first river cruise along the blue Danube River from Passau to Budapest.
Explore Central & Western Europe
From sun-kissed Portugal and Spain to the romance of France and the fairytale landscapes of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary, this is a region of immense historical and cultural significance. Choose a European river voyage with Viking to delve deeply into history, culture and cuisine, and fall in love with the heart of Europe.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL & WESTERN EUROPE BY RIVER
Discover a place where legendary castles and ancient landmarks dominate the landscape. Where terraced vineyards line the banks of winding rivers, and where cobblestone villages and half-timbered houses showcase living history. Known for charming towns, historic cities, time-honoured traditions and delectable cuisine and wine, it's no surprise Central and Western Europe remains a perennial favourite amongst discerning travellers.
Think the South of France, where a river journey takes you to the aromatic lavender fields of Provence and Lyon, considered the gastronomic heart of France. Or the Douro Valley, where you can sail Portugal's river of gold and roam the port warehouses of Porto. And of course, Central Europe's mightiest and best-known waterways, the Rhine and Danube Rivers - considered the quintessential European river cruising experience.
Sailing the rivers of Europe is the ultimate way to travel because these waterways are the original highways. Having long been key thoroughfares for transport and trade, many historic cities and charming small towns are located on their shores, within easy reach of your Viking Longship. And with priority docking locations throughout Europe, there is simply no better way to get to the heart of this continent than with a Viking European river voyage.
No matter which river you choose, each voyage with Viking is designed to be destination focused and culturally enriching – it’s why we’ve become known as 'The Thinking Person’s Cruise'. Our bespoke voyages allow you to immerse yourself in the unique history and culture of each destination on a deeper level, offering a window into a destination’s rhythms of local life, its working world and taking you behind closed doors with our signature Privileged Access excursions.
On this page, you'll find inspiration about the most incredible destinations in this region, as well as information to help you plan your Viking river voyage. Explore all the possibilities of Europe river cruising today.
TRAVEL GUIDES & TIPS
The best way to experience a destination is with the guidance of a local, and that’s exactly how Viking helps you explore. Here you’ll find our handy destination guides, as well as our top tips to help you plan your visit.
FOOD, BEVERAGES & RECIPES
The flavours and fragrances of a dish can evoke fond memories of travels past, and ignite your imagination for travel in the future. We have curated some of our best-loved recipes, customs and culinary traditions – and we highly recommend cooking along at home!
CULTURE
Discovering the intricate rhythms and traditions of daily life is a vital part of the travel experience for the curious traveller. From language to religion, every nation has its own unique customs. Here you will discover what makes each destination’s way of life special.
HISTORY
Like you, Viking believes that understanding a destination’s past is fundamental to appreciating it’s present. Here you will find a window into the historical record of the forces that have shaped this destination, and continue to play an important role in the cultural fabric you see today.
ART, MUSIC, FILM & LITERATURE
Appreciating a destination’s art tells the stories of its people, and its soul. It has been said that the basic condition required to appreciate art in all its many forms is a chair, a statement that’s never rung truer than right now. We hope you enjoy this virtual journey into the wonderful world of art, music, films and literature.
EXPLORE TV EPISODES
Join Trevor Cochrane, host of Channel Nine’s Explore TV, as he sails on Viking's Grand European river journey from Budapest to Amsterdam, and meets a whole host of colourful local characters along the way. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show – your window into cruising the waterways of Europe.
VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
Discover the world of Viking by joining one of our Virtual Information Sessions - free to watch in your own time. Enjoy enriching presentations that will take you deeper into the destinations of your choice.
CRUISE CENTRAL & WESTERN EUROPE ON A VIKING RIVER JOURNEY
CENTRAL & WESTERN EUROPE EXTENSIONS AND TOURS
More days mean more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking voyage. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting locations.
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Song of the Seine
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Discover Europe on a Rhine River Cruise
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Christmas on the Danube
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