The 12-day Alpine Viking river cruise, sailing through Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, and France to Paris on VIKING river cruises, has been completed with great success. With your generous support, we all spent quality time together filled with joy and camaraderie.
During this 12-day river cruise journey, we traversed four countries: Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, and France, witnessing scenery that land tours cannot reveal and experiencing the customs and traditions of Europe.
In Switzerland, a small country spanning only 40,000 square kilometers, mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests are scattered throughout, earning it the reputation of being the "World's Park." We visited Zurich and Basel in Switzerland. During our exploration, while strolling through the city and taking a cruise on the lake, we discovered Zurich: observing snow-capped Alpine peaks towering majestically over the lake in the distance, and admiring Charlemagne-founded Grossmünster with its distinctive twin spires. In Basel, we found a captivating blend of modernity and tradition, featuring a thriving art scene and the splendid Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture of its marketplace and guildhalls.
Germany, a country surrounded by ancient castles and graced with picturesque lakes and mountains, boasts rich topography and natural scenery. It features towering snow-capped peaks and connected ridges, as well as densely forested hills and countless lakes and rivers scattered throughout. With historic sites and landmarks, important industrial facilities, and a profoundly rich cultural history combined with picture-perfect natural scenery, Germany captivates visitors. We explored Speyer, a quiet German town on the western bank of the Rhine, visiting the spectacular Romanesque Imperial Cathedral. Mainz, at the heart of the Rhine wine region, hosts one of the most striking cathedrals: Mainz Cathedral. Sailing along the central Rhine, we witnessed the UNESCO World Heritage–designated Rhine Gorge. In the historically rich Koblenz, we strolled through romantic small towns and witnessed the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We passed through the peaceful town of Sankt Goar, home to Rheinfels Castle, the Rhine's largest castle, and observed the Lorelei Rock. The picturesque Cochem, with its charming medieval character and thousand-year-old Reichsburg Castle perched on the mountainside, offered an astounding glimpse into the past. We arrived in the scenic Moselle wine country, renowned for producing the world's finest Riesling, where we tasted pure, sweet wine. Trier, Germany's oldest city, sits on the banks of the Moselle River. We viewed the well-preserved Roman gate Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral, and the Church of Our Lady.
In Luxembourg, one of the world's smallest countries and also one of Europe's oldest, various ancient remnants are well preserved. We visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery, paying respects to American soldiers who died in World War II.
France is Europe's romantic center. We basked in the romance of the city, visiting Strasbourg, the cultural heart of France's Alsace region. We explored its well-preserved old town, also called "Little France," surrounded by small rivers. Strolling along cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses interspersed with picturesque canals, we embraced the charm of the region. Along the Seine, we admired Paris's landmark structures: Notre-Dame de Reims, the world-renowned Louvre, and the Musée d'Orsay. We cycled along the Champs-Élysées and passed through the Arc de Triomphe. We experienced the eternal city further by visiting museums or exploring Montmartre.
On this wonderful journey, during youth's glorious season, with a distant and beautiful destination awaiting us, progressing together as one family basking in the sunshine – having all of you makes it truly wonderful! Through this journey, deep friendships have been established between fellow travelers, and we have become like family, sharing photographs and travel experiences with one another. How fortunate AA Plus Vacation is to have you all!
We look forward to quickly reuniting with you, your family, and friends for our next journey together!