Drink in the picturesque landscape of vineyard-clad hillsides on this scenic 8-day river cruise along the Moselle, Rhine and Main Rivers. Engage all your senses-see castles dotting the Rhine Valley hillsides, enjoy the bouquet of fine German wines and the smoky flavor of Bamberg's Rauchbier, feel the gentle breeze on your skin as you wander among the shops and restaurants of Rudesheim's Drosselgasse, and hear cathedral bells chime the hours as you float by. And, marvel at the ingenious Main-Danube Canal-envisioned 1,200 years ago and completed in the 1990s-that makes your journey possible.

Day 1 Trier

Fly into Frankfurt. We meet you at the airport and take you to Trier to embark your ship.* After boarding, you can relax, explore Trier a bit on your own, or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)

Day 2 Trier & Bernkastel

Take a morning tour of Trier, Germany's oldest city, set on the banks of the Moselle River. See the wonderfully preserved Roman Porta Nigra, one of the original city gates and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You also see Trier Cathedral, with its extraordinary interior vaulting and baroque stucco work-another UNESCO Site. Lunch aboard as you depart for scenic afternoon cruising.

We arrive at Bernkastel, the "Pearl of the Moselle," at dinnertime. Enjoy some free time to explore the town's charming half-timbered houses and medieval market square, or join an optional tasting of local wine vintages. We depart this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Cochem & Koblenz

A walking tour takes you through the quaint Moselle town of Cochem, where you also visit imposing Reichsburg Castle. Eat lunch while cruising the scenic Moselle to Koblenz, arriving after dinner. We remain docked overnight, so you can take an evening stroll along riverside promenades and through the cobblestone streets to the historic central square of this charming German town located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Rudesheim

This morning, cruise along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Lined with castles, historic towns and vineyards, this beautiful stretch of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Steep hillsides rise from the river valley to still-dense forests at the top, where you see numerous castles in varying condition-some ruined during the Thirty Years' War, some in excellent repair even today. Arranged along the riverbanks are charming small towns little changed for centuries.

Arrive in Rudesheim midafternoon, where a vintner shares winemaking traditions of the Rheingau area and you can sample some local wines. Take free time to mingle with the locals and enjoy the restaurants, taverns and shops lining Rudesheim's pedestrian-only Drosselgasse. Dine aboard and cruise into the evening. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Miltenberg

Cruise this morning along the winding path of the Main River, taking in the scenery of this picturesque region. Just after lunch, we stop for a walking tour of the lively town of Miltenberg, featuring the narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered houses typical of this region. Back on board, enjoy a fascinating glassblowing demonstration by Karl Ittig, a fourth-generation glassblower. Dine aboard as we depart. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Wurzburg

Disembark this morning in Karlstadt and take a half-day excursion to the charming Franconian wine town of Wurzburg. There you tour the Bishops' Residenz, a beautiful baroque palace built in 1744. You will see the sweeping staircase and many paintings and frescoes by the Venetian painter Giovanni Tiepolo, all of which miraculously survived World War II bombing. Join your ship in Wurzburg; dine and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Bamberg

This morning, navigate through the 106-mile Main-Danube Canal, an engineering marvel stretching from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube and comprising 16 locks. Originally envisioned by Charlemagne in the 8th century, this waterway was finally completed and opened in 1992, creating a continuous waterway from the North Sea to the Black Sea.

After lunch we stop in the historic town of Bamberg, founded in 902 and an important center of the German Enlightenment. Enjoy a walking tour of Bamberg's beautifully preserved Old Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then take time to explore or perhaps sample the town's famous locally brewed smoky beer, Rauchbier. Celebrate your journey with a final dinner aboard. Depart tonight. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Nuremberg

Arrive in Nuremberg this morning. After breakfast aboard, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your journey with 3 nights in Prague. Tour the famed Prague Castle, see the landmark Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral and walk along the Golden Lane, where Franz Kafka lived and worked. (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Please note, Viking can only offer air to guests traveling from the U.S. or Canada.