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9 Night Treasures of the Rhine Cruise from Basel (Saxon)

Ship: Viking Alruna

Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises

Sailed: Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024 from Basel (Saxon), Switzerland

Ended: Thursday, Mar 7, 2024

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Tuesday, Feb 27, 2024 departure of the Viking Alruna. 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 - Tuesday - Feb 27, 2024

Basel (Saxon), Switzerland

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Located where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet, Basel reflects a fascinating blend of traditions. The city straddles the Rhine at the river's farthest navigable point, and an alluring cluster of old-town buildings huddles along the riverbank. Around Market Square, guild houses recall Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque splendor; the red-sandstone Rathaus, or Town Hall, is the centerpiece. More than 40 museums of art and culture lend modern polish to its history-rich streets. And there is no more refined way to sample it all than over cheese fondue or croissants.

Day 2 - Wednesday - Feb 28, 2024

Basel (Saxon), Switzerland

A delightful blend of old and new, Basel is Switzerland's best-kept secret. Amid the medieval Old Town, cobblestone streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings that date back to the 15th century. In the heart of the city lies the Jean Tinguely-designed Carnival Fountain. Its mechanical sculptures are in constant motion, seemingly conversing with each other like the mime artists and performers who graced the stage of the old city theater that once stood in the same spot.

Day 3 - Thursday - Feb 29, 2024

Breisach, Germany

Breisach is a gateway to the fabled Black Forest region, built on a basalt rock outcropping in the Rhine plain. It is located in one of the warmest parts of Germany, across the river from French Alsace, famous for its wine growing. But Breisach, too, can boast about its wine: it is home to Europe's largest cellars, with a storage capacity of more than 160 million liters. The most prominent landmark of Breisach is the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Its two towers are visible from throughout the city and from the Rhine.

Day 4 - Friday - Mar 1, 2024

Strasbourg, France

The largest port on the Upper Rhine, Strasbourg is the cultural center of France's Alsace region. Thanks to its location at the border of France and Germany, it boasts a convivial mix of cultural influences. The well-preserved Old Town is enclosed on all sides by the little Ill River, with sites so compact that it is easy to explore the "island" on foot. And there is plenty to explore: cobblestone streets lined with wooden houses and intersected by picturesque canals. Indulging in Alsatian cafe culture is central to any visit here; enjoy coffee and cake amid lovely half-timbered houses.

Day 5 - Saturday - Mar 2, 2024

Mannheim, Germany

Bus Travel

Heidelberg, Germany

Bus Travel

Mainz, Germany

Germany's oldest university town, Heidelberg is situated in the Neckar Valley just east of the Rhine. Known as the cradle of the German Romantic movement, it also boasts beautiful Baroque architecture. Heidelberg is most famous as the site of the imposing Heidelberg Castle. A magnificent red sandstone ruin perched 330 feet above the river, it was home to the Palatinate princes until it was partially destroyed by fire in the 17th century. It has been said that Heidelberg's cityscape is so beautiful and so admired that American forces deliberately chose to avoid bombing it during World War II.

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.

Day 6 - Sunday - Mar 3, 2024

Mainz, Germany

Located in the heart of the Rhine wine region at the mouth of the Main River, Mainz grew into a major trade center during the Middle Ages. One of the Upper Rhine's most dramatic cathedrals, Mainz Cathedral boasts six towers reaching to the heavens. Within are Marc Chagall's world-famous stained-glass windows. Mainz's most famous native son is Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of movable type and book printing. Gutenberg's fame arose as the first commercial publisher of the Bible, printing around 200 copies in a relatively short time. Around 20 of his complete Bibles still exist.

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.

Day 7 - Monday - Mar 4, 2024

Cologne, Germany

Cologne reveals its Roman heritage in its city layout and the ancient ruins that lie scattered through the town. Cologne's modern plazas and Hohe Strasse host welcoming shops, enticing restaurants, and cologne boutiques. Of note is the city's 14th-century cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic artistry and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having survived Allied bombs during World War II, the cathedral's imposing twin spires are visible for miles and its stained-glass windows fill the interior with brilliant colored light.

Day 8 - Tuesday - Mar 5, 2024

Nijmegen, Netherlands

Perched on the south bank of the Waal River, vibrant Nijmegen is home to one of the country's largest universities. Residents and students alike linger at sidewalk cafes and unique eateries and the city's many shops offer items that reflect Nijmegen's artistic sensibility. Nijmegen's lower city is home to the charming Velorama, a bicycle museum, while the larger Valkhof Museum chronicles the city's Roman and medieval past. Famously, Nijmegen was the site of a decisive three-day battle between Allied and German forces during World War II's Operation Market Garden.

Day 9 - Wednesday - Mar 6, 2024

Amsterdam, Netherlands

A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums, and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, the country's grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.

Day 10 - Thursday - Mar 7, 2024

Amsterdam, Netherlands

In Amsterdam, the bicycle is as much a cultural treasure as any museum. The city's flat terrain makes it ideal for getting around on two wheels. Bikes first pedaled onto the city's streets during the late 19th century. Today, the city is home to hundreds of thousands of bikes. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.