This trip included some cities I hadn't been to before. Accommodations, food, service and chosen tours/activities were excellent. The Viking staff could not have been more responsive. Our 3-day extension at the end of the river cruise in Budapest was outstanding. There, too, Viking was superb in helping make our "after-cruise" days an excellent experience. The planned shore excursions were very well-selected, and the optional excursions and tours were equally excellent. Because of a previous heavy rain storm, Viking was forced to make some quick adaptions to our planning route and activities, and these adaptations were so skillfully done we hardly noticed the few necessary changes. We were especially impressed with the personal approach and care given us by the Viking staff. The servers in the restaurants, as well as the tour director, tour leaders etc. quickly knew us by name and learned very quickly about any preferences we had. They were simply the best we have ever encountered on any trip. Based on this first experience with Viking, we have already booked our 2018 river cruise in Russia. We would recommend Viking, without any reservation at all.