August 2027 · Viking river cruise comparison
Danube cities or southern France?
Two eight-day sailings, same stateroom, same airfare setup. Different countries, different food, different reasons to say yes.
Same stateroom, both routes
The cabin stays the same. The itinerary is the choice.
Both quotes use a French Balcony stateroom with a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door. Open-air access without giving up interior floor space for an outdoor balcony.
Budapest to Passau · August 13, 2027
Danube Waltz
Eight days with less daytime sailing than the Romantic Danube and more hours docked in cities worth exploring on foot.
The easiest ports for independent wandering are Budapest, Bratislava, Linz and Passau – all walkable from the ship. Vienna needs a ride into town from the berth for many of the big sights.
Budapest
Board in Hungary’s capital with time to settle in and see the city after dark.
Budapest
Explore Buda and Pest with the included city tour, then keep going on your own.
Bratislava
Walk a compact capital with old-town lanes, baroque buildings and easy time to wander after the tour.
Vienna
The Ringstrasse, Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera.
Krems & Göttweig
Visit a hilltop Benedictine abbey then float through the Wachau Valley.
Linz
Walk the Old Quarter with time for cafés, museums or more exploring after the tour.
Passau
Explore old-world streets and hear the story of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and its famous pipe organ.
Passau
Leave the ship and continue to Prague with the post-cruise extension.
Included and optional highlights
The Danube experiences worth knowing about
A mix of what comes with the fare and what is worth adding. Gold-topped cards are optional and priced separately.
Panoramic Budapest
Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, the Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. The big overview of a city that deserves more than one day.
Göttweig Abbey
A working Benedictine monastery on a hilltop above the Wachau – imperial rooms, elaborate ceiling frescoes and a museum inside.
Bratislava Walking Tour
Medieval streets, palaces and the main square in a capital compact enough to keep exploring on your own afterward.
Český Krumlov on Foot
A full day in a medieval Czech town with a castle walk, lunch and independent time. This is the standout day trip on the itinerary.
Wachau Valley by Bicycle
A flat riverside trail through vineyards to Dürnstein with an e-bike available. One of the most scenic rides on any Danube sailing.
Hike the Passau Hills
Climb to Veste Oberhaus for wide views over three rivers then return by a scenic walking route. The best way to see Passau from above.
$699 per person · 2 hotel nights
Start in Budapest without rushing
Two hotel nights mean one full day to explore before boarding. Budapest has two sides of the river, steep hills and thermal baths – it deserves more than an arrival afternoon.
Arrive and settle in
Transfer to the hotel, then use the rest of the day for a neighborhood walk and dinner.
A full day in Budapest
Castle Hill, the Hungarian National Gallery, Váci Street or a thermal spa. The Viking Host can help with local plans.
Morning at leisure, then board
Use the morning independently before Viking transfers them to the ship in the afternoon.
Hotel: Viking reserves a well-located hotel and confirms the property about six months out. A premium upgrade to Four Seasons Gresham Palace may be available.
$999 per person · 3 hotel nights
Three nights in Prague after the cruise
One guided city tour and two full days to keep exploring. Prague is the kind of city that rewards a second and third look – the neighborhood behind Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square after dark.
Passau to Prague
Transfer from the ship to the hotel, then use the evening for Charles Bridge, Old Town or a relaxed dinner.
Prague Castle and city tour
Hradčany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and the medieval, baroque and art nouveau layers of the city.
A full independent day
Return to Old Town, visit the Jewish Quarter or explore the Dancing House, Lennon Wall and Wenceslas Square.
Breakfast and airport transfer
Check out after breakfast and use the included Viking transfer to the airport.
Hotel: Viking confirms the property about six months before departure. A premium Prague extension may be available at a higher rate.
Lyon to Avignon · August 13, 2027
Lyon & Provence
Eight days in one country with Lyon’s food scene, Rhône wine country, Roman ruins and Provençal towns that work well on foot.
This route is strongest for travelers who care more about food, wine and Roman history than collecting countries. Vienne, Viviers, Arles and Avignon all offer great walk-off-the-ship access. August heat is the tradeoff.
Lyon
Board in France’s culinary capital with the city ready for an evening walk or dinner ashore.
Lyon
Fourvière Hill and Vieux Lyon in the morning, then museums, food halls or more wandering on your own.
Beaujolais
Rolling vineyard hills, small villages and a cellar tasting.
Vienne
Walk directly from the pier to Roman temples, a Gothic cathedral and the old city at night.
Tournon & Viviers
Ride a historic steam train into the Doux Valley or explore a quiet riverside town with medieval lanes.
Arles
Roman amphitheater, ancient theater and the locations tied to Van Gogh.
Avignon
The Palace of the Popes, the walled city and time in the market hall.
Avignon
Leave the ship and continue to Aix-en-Provence on the post-cruise extension.
Included and optional highlights
The France experiences worth knowing about
The included tours are solid, and the optional upgrades are where this itinerary gets really interesting. Gold-topped cards are optional and priced separately.
Beaujolais Wine Country
Drive through vineyard-covered hills, walk a local village and taste regional wines in a cellar. A proper introduction to Burgundy’s southern neighbor.
Avignon & the Palace of the Popes
Walk the medieval center, tour the immense Gothic palace and finish near the covered market. One of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Arles Walking Tour
The Roman amphitheater, ancient theater, St. Trophime church and the former hospital where Van Gogh painted. All on foot.
Flavors of Lyon
Praline brioche, chocolate, cheese, wine and cured meats through Lyon’s best food neighborhoods on foot. The signature experience on this route.
Rhône Valley Vineyard Hike
Walk through Hermitage vineyards, then pair northern Rhône wines with Valrhona chocolate. Active, beautiful and delicious.
Unspoiled Camargue & Arles
Flamingos in the wetlands, a coastal village and a local herd before continuing to Arles. A full day that feels like a different France.
$1,199 per person · 3 hotel nights
Paris before the Rhône
Three nights give them one guided day and a full free day to explore before Viking handles the transfer to Lyon for boarding.
Arrive in Paris
Transfer to the hotel, then use the rest of the day for a neighborhood walk and dinner.
Paris city tour
See the major landmarks and neighborhoods, then keep going on your own after the guided portion.
A full day on their schedule
A museum, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower or a food-focused day with time to sit down properly.
Continue to Lyon
Viking handles the transfer to the ship for the start of the cruise.
Hotel: Viking confirms the property about six months before departure. The extension includes a Viking Host and all transfers.
$999 per person · 2 hotel nights
Aix-en-Provence after Avignon
Fountains, markets, cafés and one more taste of Provence without turning the last day of the cruise into an airport sprint.
Avignon to Aix-en-Provence
Leave the ship and transfer to the hotel. Cours Mirabeau, cafés and the old center are all within walking distance.
Guided Aix walking tour
Elegant mansions, shady squares, the Old Town and Aix Cathedral, then keep going independently.
Breakfast and airport transfer
Check out after breakfast and use the included Viking transfer for the trip home.
Hotel: Viking lists Grand Hôtel Roi René MGallery or similar. The exact hotel can change before final confirmation.
Next step
Want to talk it through?
Let me know which direction feels right and we will get it locked in. If the dates need adjusting around camp, we can work through that too.
Review the totalsDanube WaltzLyon & Provence