Danube Waltz

Explore the Italianate-style streets of Passau, where three European rivers converge. Meet your local guide and begin your walking tour through delightful old-world streets, taking in a pastel rainbow of building facades as you stroll. You will see the impressive Bishops’ Residenz from which powerful prince-bishops ruled secular and religious life for hundreds of years. Continue past the 14th-century Rathaus, or Town Hall, built on the site of a former fish market on the Danube. Conclude your walk at the magnificent 17th-century St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This baroque wonder houses Europe’s largest pipe organ, with more than 17,000 pipes, and inspired Franz Liszt to write his Hungarian Coronation Mass. Enjoy free time to explore more of the city on your own before returning to your awaiting ship.

Take in Passau’s sublime setting at the confluence of three rivers from the best vantage points in the city. Meet your guide and set off on foot, along the left bank of the Danube River, where you will climb to Veste Oberhaus. This mighty fortress perched atop St. George’s Hill, a promontory between the Ilz and Danube Rivers, affords spectacular views over the city and its surroundings. Visit the museum inside the fortress, which chronicles its six centuries of history along with that of the city and the wider region. Afterward, you will enjoy refreshments as you admire panoramic vistas of the confluence of the three waterways; the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn rivers. Then, follow your guide along a scenic route to Passau, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Escape Passau as you pedal along the Inn River, enjoying unspoiled nature and pastoral landscapes along the water. Only minutes beyond Passau’s city limits, you will find yourself in farm fields with towering cornstalks and waist-high wheat. The small riverside forests, refuge to a variety of birds, are where the endemic beaver is making a slow but steady comeback. With one bank in Germany and the other in Austria, the Inn provides a rare opportunity for an international bike ride. Head out from Passau in one country, then cross the bridge in Wernstein to return through another. The small border town, which sprang up around a 12th-century fortress, changed hands between Bavaria and Austria several times throughout the centuries, and today is Austrian. Crossing the border comes with only one rule: Bicyclists must dismount and walk across the bridge. No riding is allowed.

Visit the rural reaches of Bavaria and hear local farmers reveal some details of their working lives. The rolling hills of Bavaria are home to some of Germany’s most fertile and prolific farms. Pigs and other livestock are raised among green pastures, producing some of the region’s most beloved products, from prized hams and sausages to milk and cheeses. Meet your guide and leave Passau for a scenic drive into the heart and soul of southern Germany. At a local farm, you will be met by a farmer, who will share stories of daily life with you and give you a tour of the pens and stables. You will find that life here is simple, yet these growers play an active role in the local community. After time to explore and see the animals, you will have a chance to sample some of the fresh-made products.

Spend the day in picturesque Salzburg, setting of the beloved film The Sound of Music and the birthplace of Mozart. Drive with your guide past charming mountain villages, rolling hills and pristine lakes. Upon arrival in this glorious city, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Italianate Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its high-baroque architecture. Pass by the Hagenauer House at Getreidegasse 9, the birthplace of renowned classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s favorite son; today, it is one of Austria’s most visited museums. See the Domplatz, dominated by the 249-foot 17th-century Dom and St. Peter’s Abbey, where Mozart premiered the Great Mass in C Minor in 1783. Savor lunch in Austria’s oldest restaurant, named for the church, as classically trained singers and musicians regale you with songs in the spirit of the musical.

Experience Bavarian hospitality while enjoying a lively evening of beer tasting and regional cuisine. Bavaria is renowned for its rich tradition of brewing beer and for centuries. Set off from your ship for short stroll to the restaurant, an Oktoberfest-decorated venue located along the scenic Danube River. Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome and begin your festivities with the traditional Bayrisch Anstich, a beer-barrel tapping ceremony. Enjoy a glass of beer, then take a seat and savor a delicious three-course Bavarian-style dinner featuring classic dishes, each one a journey through the region’s rich culinary heritage. As you dine, live music and dance performances will enhance the evening’s lively atmosphere; you may choose to participate in the entertainment. After sating your appetite and the evening’s revelry at an end, return by foot to your awaiting ship.

Journey through the tranquil beauty of the enchanting Bavarian woods on board a historic private train. From your ship, you will make a short transfer to Passau Train Station, where you will step onto a mid-20th-century train reserved just for Viking guests and depart deep into the heart of the Bavarian woodlands. Admire the panoramic views of nature and the charming, timeless atmosphere as you glide through lush forests en route to the Fischhaus Old Train Station, a quaint and historic venue. Here, disembark and learn about Bavarian pottery as you observe traditional techniques during a family-hosted demonstration. Then, sample delicious homemade cakes and refreshing beverages, all while enjoying the serene beauty of your surroundings. Afterward, bid farewell to your hosts and board your train for the return journey back to Passau and your awaiting ship.