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11 Night Christmas on the Main and Moselle Cruise and Land Tour from Prague

Ship: Viking Herja

Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises

Sailed: Saturday, Dec 9, 2023 from Prague, Czech Republic

Ended: Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Saturday, Dec 9, 2023 departure of the Viking Herja. If Viking River Cruises modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Saturday - Dec 9, 2023

Prague, Czech Republic

Arrive and check into your hotel. Prague is known as the "City of a Hundred Spires" and it is easy to see why. The towering twin steeples of Tyn Church and the beautiful Baroque Church of St. Nicholas are among some of the city's most notable. Best explored on foot, Prague's Old Town is a maze of ancient cobblestone lanes with the Old Town Square at its core. Here, the medieval Astronomical Clock still chimes today and provides for its viewers a little theater with the "Walk of the Apostles" on the hour, every hour.

Day 2 - Sunday - Dec 10, 2023

Prague, Czech Republic

Few cities embody the past as authentically as Prague, the Czech Republic's atmospheric capital on the Vltava River that clings to its history with unwavering passion. Prague's medieval architecture is its most prominent, but the city is also a rich repository of Romanesque, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings that stir the imagination. The city's graceful, pedestrian-only Charles Bridge served as the coronation route of the kings of Bohemia across the river to Hradcany Castle and its rich complex of royal buildings.

Day 3 - Monday - Dec 11, 2023

Prague, Czech Republic

Bus Travel

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your journey to your embarkation city. The medieval city of Nuremberg hosts one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. Its streets are lined with wooden huts, offering a variety of homemade treats, including lebkuchen or gingerbread. Specially selected dealers showcase Christkindlesmarkt souvenirs, from cookie cutters to decorative mugs. The air is filled with the scent of grilled Bratwurst; the Nuremberg Bratwurst has been a longstanding culinary tradition of the city for more than 700 years.

Nuremberg, Germany

Land Travel

Cruise Begins

Bamberg, Germany

Founded in 902, Bamberg remains a medieval-looking city known for its symphony orchestra and Rauchbier, specialty smoked beer. The city's winding streets are filled with Baroque patrician houses and are home to the stunning 11th-century Cathedral of Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II, housing his tomb and that of Pope Clement II. Bamberg is especially noted for its Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, situated on a twin-arched bridge over the Regnitz River, and for the old bishop's houses: the 16th-century Alte Hofhaltung (Old Court) and 17th-century Neue Residenz (New Residence). Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom.

Day 4 - Tuesday - Dec 12, 2023

Bamberg, Germany

During the holidays, Bamberg is transformed into a winter wonderland, when the city's Advent market takes centerstage. Maximiliansplatz, in the heart of the pedestrian district, features a large Franconian half-timber nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. At Bamberg im Sand, the St. Elisabeth Church plays host to an array of artists showcasing traditional arts and crafts, including a blacksmith who provides a demonstration of his creations for visitors.

Cruising the Main River, Germany

Journey along one of Germany's most important waterways today, passing landscapes that embody the country's scenic beauty and storybook charm. You will sail by quaint riverside villages, undulating farm country, and the sylvan forests of the Spessart woodlands. Along the way, you just may lose yourself in the dreamy canvases of half-timbered houses, historic castles, and splendid palaces. This is the Germany once ruled by dukes and brought to magical life by the imagination of the Brothers Grimm, who grew up in the town of Hanau and wove fantastic tales from these banks.

Day 5 - Wednesday - Dec 13, 2023

Wurzburg, Germany

In the heart of Wurzburg's Old Town with a backdrop of the historic Falkenhaus and Gothic Marienkapelle, the Advent Market showcases a range of mouthwatering traditional food and sweets that are customary in Bavaria for the festive season. The scent of spices fills the air with stalls providing tasty treats, including Christmas cookies and roasted almonds. Local artisans can be seen in action, creating decorative pieces for the holiday season, from glass, straw, pewter, and pottery to wooden toys.

Day 6 - Thursday - Dec 14, 2023

Heidelberg, Germany

In Heidelberg's Marktplatz, a replica of the world's largest wine barrel, the Heidelberg Tun, is on display and a highlight of the city's festive market. Enchanting wooden huts are decorated with reindeer, ornaments, and colorful ribbons. Department store windows reflect picturesque winter scenes. Smaller markets feature unique handicrafts, such as hand-carved figurines or handblown ornaments, while Karlsplatz, framed by the romantic backdrop of Heidelberg Castle, is home to one of Germany's most beautiful ice rinks.

Day 7 - Friday - Dec 15, 2023

Mainz, Germany

Mainz is part of the Rheinhessen wine region, Germany's largest wine region that is renowned for producing high-quality white wines, such as Riesling. Wine has long played a key role in the city's economy and culture, with numerous wine festivals and events throughout the year, including the Mainzer Weinmarkt and the Mainzer WeinUfer. The city is also home to the renowned Geisenheim University, which offers programs in viticulture and oenology. Mainz's wine culture and history continue to thrive today, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation in winemaking.

Rudesheim, Germany

Located in the heart of Germany's Rheingau region, Rudesheim is the area's center of winemaking. The famed Drosselgasse, a cobblestone street lined with taverns that pour local vintages and spill music into alleyways, attracts locals and visitors alike. Half-timbered houses, narrow warrens, and old inns lend the town a medieval flavor. Castles once provided security for the region, including the 9th-century Bromserburg Castle, the oldest on the Rhine. The Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet museum houses an impressive collection of self-playing instruments.

Day 8 - Saturday - Dec 16, 2023

Rhine Gorge, Germany

The Rhine River flows through one of Germany's most scenic regions. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet.

Cochem, Germany

The holiday season transforms the squares and narrow cobblestone alleyways of Cochem's Old Town into a wintery fairy tale. Festive lights line the streets and the promenade along the Moselle River, giving the city a cozy, yuletide atmosphere, and vendors display local handicrafts from the shelves of their wooden stalls. Visitors can savor a Riesling stollen, a traditional German Christmas bread, as well as yeast dumplings, pastries, white mulled wine-a Moselle specialty-or regional delicacies made from the renowned red vineyard peach.

Day 9 - Sunday - Dec 17, 2023

Bernkastel, Germany

The medieval Old Town of Bernkastel transforms itself during the holidays, with its cobblestone streets decked out in lights and the aroma of mulled wine, gingerbread, and almonds filling the air. Picturesque half-timbered houses form the backdrop for about 40 stalls, where vendors showcase seasonal wares such as traditional handicrafts and jewelry. The market square is also home to the region's largest Advent calendar, festively displayed in the window of a local pharmacy. The market's highlight is the arrival by boat of Santa Claus, accompanied by swimmers carrying torches.

Trier, Germany

Set in the historic heart of Trier, the bustling and colorful Hauptmarkt is the city's main gathering place and the center of holiday festivities. Its rich repository of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque-style architecture provide a romantic backdrop to its cozy Christmas market. There, vendors display handcrafted decorations and serve regional specialties, such as vintner hot mulled wine from the Moselle. The nearby Domfreihof adds to the yuletide atmosphere that abounds throughout the Old City, its market set in the shadow of the impressive 13th-century Trier Cathedral.

Day 10 - Monday - Dec 18, 2023

Trier, Germany

Cruise Ends

Bus Travel

Reims, France, France

Bus Travel

After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to your destination. Reims, nestled in the heart of the renowned Champagne region, is home to one of France's largest Christmas markets. More than 140 stalls grace the square in front of the famous Reims Cathedral, itself decorated in a colorful light display that showcases the magnificent architectural details of this 13th-century Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Craftsmen display their wares at the market in the courtyard of the Palace of Tau. Sweeping views of the city can be enjoyed while sipping a glass of champagne from atop the 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel at Erlon Square.

Paris, France

Arrive and check into your hotel. Long a hub of French culture and cuisine, Paris is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Over the centuries, Parisian culture has been built on the wings of inspiration. Music, film, architecture, literature, dance, and the visual arts all have their brilliant place in the museums, theaters, bookstores, and remarkably preserved buildings of this magnificent city. At the center of it all is the Champs-Elysees. With its inviting riverside promenade, graceful bridges, and splendid views of all things Parisian, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum.

Day 11 - Tuesday - Dec 19, 2023

Paris, France

Paris's landmarks come alive during the Christmas season as twinkling lights adorn the city's streets. Shop windows are a grand affair, depicting scenes from fairy tales, Santa Claus and his workshop, or a snowy winter wonderland. While it rarely snows in Paris, there is always the chance of a dusting, adding to the magical atmosphere. From November on, leading department stores, including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, present their seasonal displays, often featuring clever animation; their grand openings are hotly anticipated each year.

Day 12 - Wednesday - Dec 20, 2023

Paris, France

One of the most pleasurable activities in Paris is whiling away the time in one of the city's outdoor cafes. Whether you are sipping a cafe au lait or a kir royal, there is no better way to feel like a Parisian. The hub of social and culinary life, cafes have been part of the city's fabric since the 1600s. During the 20th century, literary and artistic figures-such as Ernest Hemingway, Colette, and Pablo Picasso-famously met over drinks to share their works and ideas. Today, thousands of cafes line the pavements and squares to connect with France's culture and history. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and journey home.