Herja, Paris to the Swiss Alps ex Zurich to Paris

7 Night Cruise sailing from Basel to Trier aboard Viking Herja. Hotel stays pre-cruise in Zurich and post-cruise in Paris.

Day 1 Zürich, Switzerland
Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city and often cited as one of Europe’s most livable places. Make your way to your hotel for a 2-night stay. After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this exciting lakeside city.

Day 2 Zürich, Switzerland
Discover Zürich during a city walk. As you explore, the distant snowcapped Alps tower across the lake and cast their reflection in the glassy waters. You will see the twin-spired Grossmünster church, founded by Charlemagne, with its stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti. Across the Limatt River, admire the Fraumünster, with its distinctive green spire. Marc Chagall created five windows of the abbey’s choir. After your walk, embark a boat for a scenic tour on Lake Zürich. (B)

Day 3 Basel and Zürich, Switzerland
Transfer to Basel this morning, a fascinating blend of modern and traditional with a thriving arts scene. Get acquainted with its Market Square of guild houses and Gothic, Renaissance and baroque splendor. Then embark your ship in time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 4 Strasbourg, France
Visit Strasbourg today, 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. See its well preserved Old Town, or Petit France, enclosed on all sides by the little Ill River. Stroll the cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and intersected by picturesque canals, pausing to visit the cathedral. Indulging in Alsatian café culture is central to any visit here. You might join an excursion to sample Alsatian wine. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Speyer, Germany
Explore the quiet German town of Speyer, on the west bank of the Rhine. Visit its stunning Romanesque imperial cathedral, considered a pivotal structure in the evolution of European architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the burial place of eight emperors including some of the most famous Holy Roman Emperors. Stroll Speyer’s charming, shop-lined main street and see the impressive clock tower of its Altpörtel, the Old Town Gate. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Mainz, Germany
Arrive in Mainz today in the heart of the Rhine wine region. Visit one of the Upper Rhine’s most dramatic cathedrals here, Mainz Cathedral with its six towers reaching to the heavens. You will also browse the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the inventor of movable type and book printing. The collection includes many beautiful books and fascinating printing technologies, including a replica of Gutenberg’s workshop. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Koblenz, Germany
This morning, sail along the Middle Rhine and enjoy scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass the sleepy town of Sankt Goar, home to Rhinefels Castle, the largest fortress on the Rhine. See Lorelei Rock, named after the fabled figure who once lured sailors to her shores and stop in Koblenz. Stroll around the romantic town, witness where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet and explore its historic past. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Cochem, Germany
This morning, cruise the Moselle before disembarking in the quaint town of Cochem for a tour of this stunning medieval town and its millennium-old Reichsburg Castle perched on a hill. Visit the scenic Moselle wine country, where some of the finest Rieslings in the world are produced along terraced slopes. During your tour, delve into a wine-making history that dates back nearly 2,000 years to Roman times. Stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting before returning to your ship. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Bernkastel & Trier, Germany
We dock in Bernkastel this morning, one of the Moselle’s most beloved medieval villages and a thriving wine center. You might join an optional wine-tasting excursion during your stay. Later, continue cruising to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, set on the banks of the Moselle River. See the wonderfully preserved Roman Porta Nigra gate, Trier Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. You will remain docked here this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Reims & Paris, France
Disembark this morning and transfer to Paris, France. En route, pass through Luxembourg where, at the American Cemetery, you can pay homage to the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during the World War II Battle of the Bulge. Then, pause in Reims to visit the cathedral and stop for lunch before continuing on to Paris. When you arrive in the romantic capital of France, check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. Your evening is free to explore and dine on your own. (B)

Day 11 Paris, France
Today’s tour begins with a drive along the Seine River, past the city’s glorious landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-famous Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. You will also drive along the Champs-Élysées past the Arc de Triomphe. The remainder of the day is yours to experience more of this timeless city: visit a museum or explore Montmartre. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. (B)

Day 12 Paris, France
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. (B)

Viking River Cruises boasts the most extensive fleet of river cruises vessels, and we are proud to offer you the best ships in each region where we travel. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the world’s great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. Enjoy all the comfort and elegance of river cruising: attentive and professional staff, delicious onboard meals and spectacular scenery from every stateroom and public area.

Sailing our most popular itineraries, our award-winning Viking Longships® showcase innovative engineering, streamlined design and understated elegance for the most comfortable river cruise experience available.

Ship Features:

* 95 comfortable outside staterooms (2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, 25 Standard Staterooms)
* All suites feature two rooms with a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom
* Sun deck with 360-degree views and shaded sitting area; organic herb garden and solar panels; putting green, and walking track
* Aquavit Terrace with a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship and grills for al fresco dining
* The Lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
* Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views
* Library corner and onboard boutique
* Elevator from Middle to Upper Deck only; no elevator access for categories F and E
* Free shipwide wireless Internet service
* Laundry service
* Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
* 40" flat-panel Sony TV with infotainment system featuring movies on demand plus CNBC, CNN, National Geographic and more

When it comes to river cruising, Viking River Cruises is the world leader. From Europe to Russia, from China to Southeast Asia, we offer cruises that allow you to fully experience the wonders of each region. Discover the Far East with a fascinating cruisetour along the Yangtze, Mekong or Irrawaddy Rivers. Take in the European countryside along the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Elbe or Douro. Our river cruises are a great way to explore new places or see a new side of a familiar destination. And a river cruise offers unrivaled convenience - unpack once in your deluxe stateroom, relax and enjoy everything the journey has to offer. State-of-the-art ships, comfortable accommodations, regional cuisine, daily guided shore excursions, and exemplary service all add up to an unforgettable journey at an incredible value.

Viking Cruises continues the Viking tradition of exploration along the world’s great waterways.