We were initially drawn to this cruise by the on-land package preceding the river cruise, specifically the Oberammergau Passion Play. A wonderful by-product was exploring Munich, great excursions in Bavaria, visiting the Etel Monastery, and the fantastic scenery of the Bavarian and Austrian Alps.

The cruise itself pampered us with truly wonderful gourmet food experiences daily.

All of the excursions were both scenic and educational. Two that were absolutely outstanding were the "Colmar in WW2" experience, and the "Top of Cologne." The latter became available just after we had arrived at Cologne; seeing exterior architectural features and structural details of the "Notre-Dame of Cologne" from external scaffolding, also from inside the attic over the nave, and of the nave itself from observation locations high above the floor, was a fantastically unique experience. Viking is to be commended for working to provide such fantastic experiences in real time. Read more