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The Viking experience

Scenery, history and cultural enrichment

Picture-perfect scenery surrounds your ship as it glides gracefully along one of the world’s great rivers. But the Viking experience is so much more—with a perfect combination of shore excursions, lectures, demonstrations and performances, every journey is a cultural adventure.

Comprehensive Shore Excursions

What travel experiences do you dream of?

Wandering the halls of the Hermitage Museum in Russia’s St. Petersburg

Sampling fine French wines in Burgundy

Strolling the courtyards of Beijing’s Forbidden City

Touring age-old castles along the Middle Rhine

Marveling at the incredible dexterity of a Chinese artist crafting fine porcelain wares

When traveling with Viking, you enjoy at least one shore excursion every day. These guided tours bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations—and virtually all excursions are included in the cruise fare, providing great value and an incredibly rich experience. In most ports, you will also have some leisure time for shopping or whatever suits your fancy. And of course, if you would prefer not to join the organized shore excursion you are always free to explore as you choose—independently.

Never Miss a Word

With our Quietvox tour audio system, there are no worries about missing any of the interesting details on your shore excursions. This popular program provides personal headsets for all travelers. A lightweight portable receiver is worn around the neck or slipped into a pocket, and a comfortable earpiece with individual volume control allows you to hear your guide’s comments no matter where you are standing—so every guest has the ‘best seat in the house.’

Immerse Yourself in the Region's Cultural Highlights

To complement your onshore excursions, take part in Viking’s Cultural Highlights—immersive learning and enhancement activities both on board and ashore:

Hands-on demonstrations in cuckoo clock-making, wooden shoe-carving or glassblowing

Classes in cooking local specialties, like apple strudel

Tai chi lessons from a Chinese master—offered on deck as you cruise through Yangtze morning mist

A traditional tea service in Russia or Ukraine

These in-depth experiences are included as an essential part of discovering more about the places through which you cruise, and each activity is planned specifically to illuminate each itinerary.

Learn More About History and Local Arts With Culture Curriculum

Sometimes you want to dig a little deeper. We offer a series of onboard multimedia talks to shed light on the history and culture of the places you visit. Learn about:

The Dutch Masters or French impressionists, or the formation of the European Union, while traveling through Europe

The fall of Communism in Russia

The importance of China’s dynasties while sailing on the Yangtze River, or Egypt’s dynasties while sailing on the Nile

Key words and phrases in the local language wherever you are traveling

These presentations provide a context for your own observations, enhancing your travel experience.

We Manage Everything

Best of all, there is no need to do research or make arrangements in advance. We take care of all the details—transportation, reservations, entry fees and more. You return home enriched with wonderful memories.

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