Majestic Rivers of Europe Wine Cruise: Castles, Cathedrals & Fairytales - 2021

Activities & Entertainment

This Trip Is Rated Easy

Many of your included sightseeing tours on your European river cruise involve walking — occasionally on cobbled or uneven streets, or along unpaved vineyard paths. If you wish to extend your walks, your Cruise Director or local guide can suggest scenic routes nearby. You'll enjoy exploring the different ways towns have evolved along the route of your Rhine, Main, and Danube river cruise. At the same time, there is plenty of time to relax aboard ship, and should you wish to forego any activity, you are always at liberty to do so. For the fullest enjoyment of this river cruise, we recommend that you be in reasonably good health, and able to walk at least a mile unassisted.

Savor 5-star dining onboard Vantage river ships. Get ready to learn all the tricks of the trade — and enjoy face time with our world-class chefs — when you sign up for complimentary onboard cooking classes in our Captain’s Clubs. Depending on the season and region you’re sailing, you’ll be treated to hands-on presentations spotlighting local produce, as the chef whips up main dishes and savory soups, followed by a delightful tasting session. Held during lunch- or dinnertime depending on your sailing schedule, these meals will replace those served in the main dining room. Each cooking class meals comes with food for thought, too — the conversation of fellow passengers in an intimate group of just 30. Don’t miss out on your chance to raise a glass, either, in cocktail-making demonstrations and tasting in your ship’s bar. (Cocktails available for purchase.) Salut!

For your ultimate enjoyment aboard your deluxe European river ship, Vantage offers an array of handpicked performers, entertainment, and even Movie Night. Feel free to sing along to your favorite Broadway evergreens during a Best of Musicals show; take in a string concert by 4 Virtuosos; learn the basic steps of the foxtrot and cha-cha during dance lessons with a professional dance troupe; and savor an elegant ballet performance and history on the Viennese Waltz. On Movie Night, leave your dancing shoes behind and relax with a good flick.

Let's Go Biking!

Biking is not only a wonderful way to get some exercise, it is also a great way to explore the best of Europe. Your Deluxe river ship has complimentary bicycles on board for use during your free time, so just speak to your Cruise Director or Concierge onboard to reserve one. Your Concierge will even lead some tours upon request! Click the links below for maps of suggested pathways. Your Cruise Director can point you in the right direction, which includes the routes below and those from www.bikemap.net. Vantage provides you maps, helmets, locks, and safety instructions.

Please note that cycling tours are on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to weather conditions. They will operate for your safety at the discretion of your Concierge or Cruise Director.

Length: 9 miles

Difficulty level: Medium & flat

This route will show you the most magnificent sites of Budapest, including Freedom Bridge, Chain Bridge, and the Hungarian Parliament Building. From your ship, head to the Green Bridge (Freedom Bridge); make sure to take a look at the Market Hall on your way, an excellent example of late 19th century architecture. Then head toward the heart of the city for a glimpse of the largest synagogue in Europe before continuing on to Margaret Island, a favorite recreational area of the locals. After, cross the Danube to the Buda side, where you’ll enjoy photo opportunities of the Parliament Building. Then, continue toward the Freedom Bridge, where your ship is docked on the other side.

Length: 8 miles

Difficulty level: Medium & flat

This bike tour is the perfect opportunity to explore spots where local Viennese go to relax. You can extend this route as far as you wish. Once off the ship, cross the Danube on Friedrich’s Bridge. Then, simply follow the marked paths on the island (either left or right). Along this bike route, you’ll enjoy panoramic sights of sky scrapers. The lower scrapers belong to the seat of the United Nations in Vienna.

Length: 12 miles

Difficulty level: Medium & few up & downhill

As the smallest contributory of the Danube in Passau, the Ilz River originates in the Bavarian Forest along the border area of the Czech Republic and Germany. Just a few miles outside of Passau, the scenery will take on a pastoral feeling; the bike path winds gently along a small river with many opportunities for pictures. The riverside is also a natural habitat for breeding birds and beavers, which you may spot during your ride. More adventurous bikers may enjoy bringing a swimsuit along for a dip in the mountain water. The return is downhill.

Length: 14 miles

Difficulty level: Medium & flat

Walhalla is one of the monuments built in the second half of the 19th century all over Germany to commemorate the unification of the Germanic states The path is mostly flat and leads you along scenic Danube, partly. At the end, you’ll need to go uphill for approximately half of a mile to get to the site, but the views from the site and surrounding area are well worth the trip.

Length: 5 miles

Difficulty level: Easy & mostly flat

Enjoy some of the most scenic cycle paths of the iconic Rhine River through Cologne-Deutz. You’ll have the best view of the magnificent Cologne Cathedral & Hohenzollern Bridge, the busiest railroad bridge in the world.