Viking has announced a range of new European river voyage experiences that are now open for booking.
*All details correct at time of publish (8 June 2026)
Highlights include scenic Zeppelin airship excursions in Germany, offering guests on select Rhine River itineraries aerial views of Cologne and the Ruhr Valley, along with new culinary and cultural shore excursions, small group shore excursions and expanded options for land extensions across Europe.
“Europe remains a favourite destination for our guests—particularly those interested in experiencing a river voyage for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Executive Chairman of Viking.
“As we continue to expand our offerings in Europe, we are pleased to introduce new experiences that allow our guests to engage with their destination in the Viking way through local food, culture and traditions, or even from the air in a Zeppelin.”
New Shore Excursions
Beginning in the 2026 season, Viking has added to its extensive shore excursion offerings with a collection of experiences for its Rhine, Danube, Seine and Elbe river itineraries. Highlights of the new excursions include:
Zeppelin Flight Over the Ruhr Valley – Take a Zeppelin flight from Essen/Mülheim Airport to view the Ruhr Valley from 1,000 feet above, including Lake Baldeney and UNESCO-listed Zeche Zollverein.
Zeppelin Flight Over Cologne – Soar over Cologne in a Zeppelin, enjoying aerial views of landmarks such as Cologne Cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge, and the city’s modern skyline.
Dinner at Nikolaihof Winery – Visit Austria’s Wachau Valley to tour the biodynamic Nikolaihof Winery, explore its historic cellars, and enjoy a seasonal dinner with estate-produced wine.
Dürnstein on Foot & Local Dinner – Discover the medieval town of Dürnstein on a guided walk before dining on regional cuisine and local wine in a former monastery cellar.
Sights & Flavours of Belgrade – Explore Belgrade’s landmarks, shop at Kalenić Market, and prepare and enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch during a guided cooking experience.
Red Stone Castle & Wine Tasting – Tour Slovakia’s 16th-century Red Stone Castle and its cellars before sampling local white wines at a nearby winery in the Little Carpathians.
Sights and Tastes of Rouen – Explore Rouen’s historic centre, including its cathedral and Old Market Square, while sampling local pastries and café specialties during the Christmas season.
Flavours of Berlin – Experience Berlin’s culinary scene with tastings of local dishes, street food like currywurst, and café culture alongside visits to food shops and markets.
New Small Group Experiences
Beginning in 2026, Viking has also introduced new Small Group Experiences across select European river itineraries, offering guests even more intimate and immersive ways to explore iconic landmarks and local culture, including:
The Palace of Versailles – Discover the opulence and grandeur of Versailles during a more intimate guided visit to the famed palace and gardens, learning about the history, art and legacy of French royalty.
Schönbrunn Palace – Explore Vienna’s magnificent Schönbrunn Palace in a small group setting and uncover the history of the Habsburg dynasty while admiring the palace’s lavish rooms and landscaped grounds.
Český Krumlov on Foot – Step into the Bohemia of old during a small group guided stroll through the Czech Republic’s fairy-tale town.
Medieval Village of Colmar – Stroll through the charming Alsatian village of Colmar alongside a small group as you explore its cobblestone streets, half-timbered homes and picturesque canals steeped in medieval history.
Picturesque Bratislava – Experience the highlights of Slovakia’s capital during a small group exploration of Bratislava’s historic old town, baroque architecture and local culture.
New Pre and Post Land Extensions
Viking also announced new fully guided land extensions beginning in 2026 and 2027, which can be added before or after river voyage itineraries to offer guests deeper immersion in Italy, France, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Highlights of the new land extensions include:
St. Moritz, Lombardy & Alpine Train – Travel on the Bernina Express through the Alps, exploring Chur, St. Moritz and Milan along a UNESCO-listed scenic rail route.
Croatia & Slovenia – Discover Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Zagreb and Keszthely on a culturally rich journey through Slovenia, Croatia and neighbouring Hungary.
Best of Belgium – Explore Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp, experiencing Belgium’s UNESCO-listed medieval heritage, architecture and diamond capital.
Best of Holland – Discover Dutch heritage through Delft, Gouda and The Hague, including canal towns, historic sites, museums and a stroopwafel workshop.
Turin & Barolo – Explore Turin’s Baroque landmarks and Piedmont wine region, with visits to Alba’s Langhe hills and the historic city of Chambéry.
Seville & Cordoba – Experience southern Spain’s Moorish and Roman heritage through Seville’s cathedral, the Alcázar and Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral.
Oberammergau Passion Play 2030
Additionally, Viking will return to Bavaria in 2030 with its Oberammergau Passion Play 2030 and is now accepting sign-ups for guests interested in learning more once departures are officially open for booking.
For more information, go to www.viking.com
