Dear Viking River Cruises Traveler,

(This web site does not format the same as the pages of the printed brochure, so the referenced pages are shown in red at the top of that page.)

Please remember to obtain all required travel documents prior to departure and check your documentation carefully to avoid incurring costs associated with delays, losses, or obtaining documents while traveling. When traveling abroad, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months following your visit. If you are a U.S. citizen, no visas are required for this itinerary.

Check your air tickets for accuracy including travel dates, first and last names, and gateway cities. Middle names are not required on airline tickets for international travel. Please call if there are any discrepancies.

Confirming your flights: We suggest you call your airline 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure to reconfirm your flights. Viking River Cruises is not responsible for notifying guests of changes. Please also verify proper check-in time as well as checked baggage and carry-on restrictions with your airline.

Special Requests: Airline arrangements such as seat assignments, special meal requests, frequent flyer credit, etc., are arranged or determined by the airline. It is recommended that you or your Travel Agent contact your airline timely to make these special requests. Our Air Department often secures auto-generated seats; should you want to make a change, please contact the airline directly.

Baggage Loss & Damage: In the unfortunate event that your luggage is damaged or does not arrive with you, file a report with the airline before you leave the baggage claim area. Contact the transfer staff to advise them of your delay by sending one person out to greet them or call the number listed on page 6 of this booklet.

Our tours and cruises are not physically demanding, however, because of the nature of many of the sites you will be visiting, this tour may not be appropriate for guests with certain medical conditions and physical restrictions. Walking tours are often on uneven ground or cobblestones and may include stairs and steep inclines. You should be able to stand on your feet for an extended period of time to visit museums and other sites. Note that the ships cannot accommodate wheelchairs. If you have concerns or questions, please discuss the nature of your itinerary with your Viking River Cruises Travel Consultant and with your physician.

Welcome to Nuremberg and the beginning of your extraordinary Viking River Cruises experience.

Included Transfers: If we have arranged your transfers, collect your baggage, exit customs and find the Viking River Cruises representative in the arrivals area. Luggage carts are available free of charge at all arrival areas in the airport.

Sometimes, your transfer will wait for people arriving on other flights. The wait time for these guests is rarely more than 30 minutes, but could be as long as one hour.

If your flight to Nuremberg is delayed or if you miss your connecting flight, call the transfer company directly with your new flight details. They will make every effort to meet you when you arrive. If you are not met due to a delayed or missed flight, follow the instructions for On
Your Own Transfers (on page 7). Retain any receipts for taxis or other transportation in case you need to make a claim with the airline or your travel insurance.

On Your Own Transfers: If Viking River Cruises is not providing
your transfers or if you miss your transfer, go directly to your ship (embarkation day only). The pier area is located in the Gibitzenhof, about four miles due south of Nuremberg city center and the central train station. Take a taxi to Nuremberg-Hafen Ost, and find the ship located on Hafenstrasse (see map below). Approximate cost for a taxi from the airport is 20 euros; from the train station 15 euros.

Do not dismiss your taxi until you have positively located the ship. The ship’s docking location is at the discretion of port authorities, and your ship’s Captain can be ordered to move the ship without notice.

Ship	Phone	Fax
Viking Europe	49 174 303 51 04	49 174 303 50 47
Viking Neptune	49 174 303 51 02	49 172 302 87 02
Viking Spirit	49 174 303 51 00	49 172 302 92 25

If you are taking the Prague pre-cruise extension, please see pages 13-16 for details.

Leave the U.S. on your flight to Nuremberg. Refer to your individual air itinerary for exact departure and arrival times.

Arrival in Nuremberg. If Viking River Cruises arranged your transfer, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your river cruise ship. Because the crew will be preparing staterooms for arriving guests, you can relax in the ship’s lounge or explore Nuremberg on your own. You will be given access to your stateroom as soon as it becomes available, usually by 3 p.m. If you arrive during lunchtime (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), some light snacks will be available. Your ship remains docked overnight.

Included Nuremberg Tour. After breakfast, disembark for a tour of this medieval city surrounded by 13^th century walls. Today Nuremberg evokes the notorious post-World War II war trials. But throughout its history, the city was known for its handicrafts, particularly toys and fancy metalwork. You will see where the trials were held and the grounds where Nazi rallies were staged, as well as the imposing Imperial Castle. Admire the city’s half-timbered houses and stroll through the Market Square.

Scenic Cruising. Return to your ship for lunch and set off to navigate the Main-Danube Canal. This engineering marvel stretches 106 miles from Bamberg on the Main River to Kelheim on the Danube. Begun as Charlemagne’s dream in 793, it was completed in 1992 with 16 locks that raise the water to 1,332 feet. Connecting the Main and Danube Rivers, today it enables river travel from the North Sea to the Black Sea.

Welcome Reception. Gather this evening to get acquainted with your Program Director and traveling companions at a Welcome Reception after dinner onboard. Cruise through the night.

Weltenburg Abbey Tour & Included Danube Gorge Cruise. After breakfast onboard, take a motorcoach to board an excursion boat for a cruise through the lovely Danube Gorge. This area of unsurpassed scenic beauty is where the river cuts a dramatic pass through the mountains and is the narrowest and steepest section of the river.

After your cruise through the gorge, enjoy a visit to Weltenburg Abbey set on a bend in the river and offering fine views of the stunning Danube Gorge scenery. Founded at the beginning of the 7^th century, this is one of Germany’s oldest monasteries. Its famous brewery was founded in 1050, and beer has been brewed here ever since. The monastery brewery produces ten different brews, including its most recent “Anno 1050.” After a look around, you may want to enjoy a snack or sample one of the brews in the monastery’s beer garden. Continue on to Regensburg, where the ship has sailed to meet you.

Included Regensburg Tour. After lunch aboard, meet your guide for a walking tour through one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. See the gleaming spires of Gothic St. Peter’s Church with its stained glass, the Old Town Hall and the 12^th century Old Stone Bridge (Germany’s oldest bridge). Dinner aboard coincides with your departure. Your ship cruises through the night.

Included Passau Tour. Dock in Passau after breakfast. Disembark for a tour of this elegant town, called the Dreiflussestadt (City on Three Rivers), which is situated at the confluence of the Danube, Ilz and Inn Rivers. You will see the impressive Bishop’s Residenz, 14^th century Town Hall, and the town’s magnificent 17^th century St. Stephan’s Cathedral, containing Europe’s largest pipe organ. After the tour, you will be treated to an organ concert. Please note that the organ concerts are not held on Sundays or during the months of April and November.

Passau Leisure Time. Return to your ship for lunch, and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure before the ship sails again in the early evening. Dinner is served aboard.

Included Melk Abbey Tour. Dock in Melk after breakfast and disembark for an excursion to the dramatic 900-year-old baroque Melk Abbey, perched on sheer cliffs high above the Danube. Its cherub-filled library is home to a wide range of medieval manuscripts. The interior of the abbey’s church is a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and gold, with a magnificent carved pulpit and shimmering ceiling frescoes.

Scenic Cruising. Return to your ship for lunch and continue sailing through the Wachau Valley, heart of Austria’s wine country. This area is filled with cultural and historic importance, and is of such unsurpassed beauty, that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dock in Vienna in the early evening.

Optional Concert. After dinner onboard, you can attend an optional concert. Held in one of the city’s palaces, the concert features compositions by Mozart and Strauss performed by a Viennese orchestra (cost of the optional tour is 54 euros, which includes motorcoach transportation and the concert). Your ship remains docked overnight.

Included Vienna Tour. After breakfast aboard, set off on your half-day tour of one of Europe’s most elegant and romantic cities. Your coach and walking tour features the remarkable Ringstrasse, lined with imposing palaces and grand residences, encircling the medieval Innere Stadt (Inner City). See the magnificent Hofburg Palace, glorious St. Stephan’s Cathedral with its gleaming spire, and the beautiful State Opera House.

You then travel to the baroque Belvedere Palace. After walking through its beautifully landscaped gardens, you will tour inside to see its wonderful collection of art featuring works by a number of famous painters including Gustav Klimt.

Vienna Leisure Time & Optional Tour. Return to your ship for lunch, and enjoy an afternoon exploring on your own. Take a ride on a traditional horse-drawn fiaker, sample some mouthwatering Viennese pastry (try the famous Sachertorte) in a sidewalk café or visit the wonderful Art History Museum.

You may choose to join us for an optional tour to Maria Theresa’s wonderful baroque Schönbrunn Palace, designated as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. See the palace’s opulent rooms and collection of period furniture, and admire the beautiful formal gardens (cost of the optional tour is 44 euros, which includes motorcoach transportation, entry fees and a guide).

Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Gather this evening to toast your
memories and say farewell to your newfound friends at the Captain’s Farewell Dinner. Your ship departs around dinnertime and sails through the night.

Port Location. Your ship docks at the Viking Pier located between the Elizabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge on the Pest side of the city.

Included Budapest Tour. Disembark after your breakfast arrival for a tour of Hungary’s lovely capital. The Danube cuts through the heart of the city, separating the Buda Hills and the Old City from the elegant boulevards of modern Pest. Start in “Pest” with a ride along the
Andrássy ùtca where you will see the National Opera House and Heroes’ Square. You will see other highlights including the Parliament before crossing the river to the more traditional “Buda” side of the city. Your tour here highlights the massive hilltop castle complex with its turreted Fishermen’s Bastion and Matthias Church. You also see the famous Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, two of many that connect the two halves of this vibrant city.

Budapest Leisure Time & Optional Tours. Return to your ship for lunch and then your afternoon is at leisure to explore more on your own. Perhaps you will stroll along Vaci ùtca where you will find excellent Herend porcelain (produced in Hungary since 1839), the country’s renowned peasant embroidery, and other souvenirs of Hungary.

Optional Lazaar Horse Farm Visit. You may want to join us on an optional tour to discover the heritage of the legendary Hungarian “cowboys.” On the outskirts of Budapest, near the edge of the Puszta region where the cowboys herd their sheep and cattle on horseback, you will be greeted by these fearless horsemen and enjoy traditional

Hungarian Pálinka (brandy) and Pogácsa (biscuits). Then you are treated to a horsemanship exhibition where young riders control their horses with only bridles and the cracking of six-foot whips. They use no saddles

or stirrups—the horse and rider are as one in a display based on trust between the two. After the show, you can visit the stables or try a carriage ride (cost of the optional tour is 42 euros, which includes motorcoach transportation, horsemanship show, snacks and a guide).

Optional Diamond Factory & Szentendre Tour. Or you may instead choose to visit the Caprice Diamond Factory and Museum, where you can experience the secrets of polishing diamonds, and see a variety of jewelry and gemstones in all sizes, styles and colors. Following your tour, you will be transferred to Szentendre’s town center, located on the bank of the Danube. Here, you have an opportunity to stroll the streets of this picturesque town, known for its museums (including the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum), art galleries and colorful coffee shops (there is no charge for this optional tour, which includes motorcoach transportation and guided Caprice Factory tour).

Included Hungarian Dinner. Dinner onboard this evening features the varied cuisine of Hungary. After dinner, you may want to disembark for a romantic evening stroll.

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

If you are taking the Budapest post-cruise extension, please see pages 17-19 for details.

If you are taking the Prague pre-cruise extension, the following pages feature information on your hotel and itinerary. Refer to the vouchers in your final document package to see which hotel applies.

The 4-star Prague Hilton is conveniently located on the right bank of Vltava River within walking distance from the city center and major attractions. And the bus and underground stations are only a five-minute walk. The hotel has three restaurants, a bar and a wide selection of shops. There is a health club & spa offering a swimming pool, dry and wet sauna, jacuzzi, gym, health bar, beauty salon and other amenities. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with television, telephone, safe and hairdryer.

The 4-star Prague Hilton Old Town is centrally located in the heart of Prague within walking distance of Prague Castle and Wenceslaw Square. The hotel has a restaurant and lounge/bar; business center; pool; gift shop and laundry and shoe shine service. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with television, telephone, safe and hairdryer.

Leave the U.S. on your flight to Prague. Refer to your individual air itinerary for exact departure and arrival times.

Arrival in Prague. If Viking River Cruises arranged your transfer, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your Prague hotel.

Included Transfers: If we have arranged your transfers, collect your baggage and proceed through customs. A Viking River Cruises representative will be waiting for you at the arrival gate after you leave the baggage claim and customs area. Luggage carts are available free of charge at all arrival areas in the airport. If you are arriving from the U.S., London or Zürich, you will be arriving through Terminal 1; all other arrivals will be at Terminal 2.

If your flight to Prague is delayed or if you miss your connecting flight, call the transfer company directly with your new flight details. They will make every effort to meet you when you arrive. If you are not met due to a delayed or missed flight, follow the instructions for On Your Own Transfers (below). Retain any receipts for taxis or other transportation in case you need to make a claim with the airline or your travel insurance.

On Your Own Transfers: If Viking River Cruises is not providing your transfers, or you miss your transfers for some reason, proceed directly to the Prague hotel. Approximate taxi fare is 650 Czech korunas. Be sure to determine the price before getting into the taxi. There can be large price differences between drivers.

Hotel check-in times are often in the early afternoon. If you arrive earlier the hotel may allow you to check in if your room is ready, but it may be necessary for you to wait. In this case, you can relax in the hotel lobby, or ask the hotel to hold your luggage while you explore the “City of a Hundred Spires” on your own. Take the afternoon to become acquainted

with Prague’s varied architecture, from Romanesque to Gothic and Baroque to Art Nouveau. You will also want to visit a local restaurant and sample some traditional savory Czech food such as goulash, roast pork or duck.

Included Hradcany Castle “Insider” Tour. Breakfast is followed by an “Insider” guided tour of Hradcany (or Prague) Castle, the most popular sight in Prague. Dating back to the 9^th century, it is one of the world’s largest castles, and has buildings that represent virtually every architectural style spanning the last one thousand years. The castle has been the seat of kings, Holy Roman emperors and presidents alike. The complex features many courtyards, chapels, palaces, galleries and the renowned Gothic St. Vitus’ Cathedral. Your tour includes a visit to St. Vitus’ Cathedral and a stroll amid the colorful cottages along the narrow, cobbled street called Golden Lane.

Prague at Leisure or Optional Tour. Your afternoon is free to further explore Prague on your own or you may choose instead to take an optional walking tour through the Josefov Quarter (Prague’s Jewish Quarter) with its many historic synagogues and one of Europe’s oldest Jewish cemeteries.

Prague at Leisure. Following breakfast, you have the day to further explore this beautiful city. Consider a visit to the National Museum, housed in a huge neo-renaissance building near Prague’s New Town. You might also walk across renowned Charles Bridge or shop for souvenirs like Czech crystal. Tonight, you may want to venture out to Wenceslas Square, a central area of shops, restaurants, pubs and other landmarks. You will want to sample some beer made in local microbreweries or a good Czech or Moravian wine.

You have free time to further explore Prague. After lunch, you will be transferred to the pier in Nuremberg to embark your ship. You will receive notification of the exact time of this transfer during your
hotel stay.

If you are taking the Budapest post-cruise extension, the following pages feature information on your hotel and itinerary.

The 5-star Budapest Hilton is located in a historic building and surrounded by the quaint streets of Old Buda. It is in the historic Castle District and next to beautiful Matthias Church. The hotel offers laundry, concierge and room service; a barbershop and beauty salon; two restaurants, a lounge and wine cellar bar; gift shop and safety deposit box. Air-conditioned rooms feature minibar; television with news and movie channels; telephone with voicemail; in-room safe and a hairdryer.

Arrival in Budapest. After disembarkation in Budapest, transfer to your deluxe hotel. Hotel check-in times are often in the early afternoon. If you arrive earlier the hotel may allow you to check in if your room is ready, but it may be necessary for you to wait. In this case, you can relax in the hotel lobby, or ask the hotel to hold your luggage while you explore Budapest on your own. Check in and take the rest of the afternoon to become familiar with this vibrant city. You can go shopping along
Váci ùtca for traditional souvenirs like porcelain or peasant embroidery. And sample some of Budapest’s famous fare, including goulash.

Included Old Buda Walking Tour. After breakfast, join your guided walking tour of Old Buda. You will stroll through the Castle District and visit Buda Castle, the historic royal castle of Hungary. After a brief stop for some pastry at a local café, continue on to see the

Romantic Danube