Destination focused. Culturally enriching. Carefully curated.
Posted on 02/02/2026
There is simply no better way to experience the oceans and rivers of the world than from the comfort of one of Viking’s elegant, small ships. Viking has created destination-focused voyages on all seven continents – each one designed for The Thinking Person.™ Viking is proud that, for the fifth consecutive year, they have been named #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in new cultures is to explore the world by river. That is why Viking designed elegant, intimate ships that evoke a sense of comfort akin to a floating hotel. Their small ships boast a serene atmosphere with light-filled spaces and a quiet, understated elegance—the Viking version of modern luxury. Their innovative Viking Longships® feature premium amenities, all-outside staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and the most al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers. Their ships gently carry you to the world’s greatest cities, deliver you to the center of charming towns and villages and connect you to your destination.
Perhaps consider an ocean voyage and explore during the Mediterranean’s quiet season – fall and winter – which is a wonderful time to discover the ancient treasures of Spain, Italy, Greece and beyond. With fewer travelers, guests will have more opportunities for meaningful interactions with locals and can leisurely explore iconic landmarks.
With fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere, take advantage and discover historic landmarks, uncover hidden gems and engage with locals at a more leisurely pace. With fewer travelers, experience the region anew, even as a returning traveler, and enjoy easier access to iconic sites, such as the Acropolis in Athens, the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City and Barcelona’s iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Família. Spend more time at museums, art galleries and historical sites without the high-season crowds, allowing for deeper immersion in the region’s rich history and art.
Viking’s destination-focused itineraries are designed to help you explore and engage with your destination through its food, culture and customs. Sail with like-minded travelers on The Thinking Person’s Travel Experience, a culturally rich, immersive experience with onboard and onshore experiences that bring culture and history to life. Plus, the Viking Inclusive Value covers just about everything—port charges, Wi-Fi, all onboard meals, lectures, onboard activities, a complimentary shore excursion in every port of call and so much more—so all you have to do is relax and enjoy a great journey.
In addition to being known for all that they do, Viking stands apart for all that they do not do:
- No children under 18
- No casinos
- No nickel and diming
- No charge for Wi-Fi*
- No charge for beer & wine at lunch & dinner
- No umbrella drinks
- No photography sales
- No art auctions
- No inside staterooms
- No smoking
- No waiting in lines
- No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
Experience the convenience of unpacking just once as you join like-minded guests and enjoy impeccable service on a journey with us while relaxing to an ever-changing canvas of breathtaking landscapes. Arrive in the center of town—often at Viking-owned dock locations— and stroll right off and begin exploring. Designed to take you closer, The Viking® Way, Viking delivers behind-the-scenes insights and opportunities that set them apart from other travel companies. While they feature the expected and iconic—such as visits to renowned museums and notable landmarks—they also offer our guests Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access® experiences, opening doors to places otherwise difficult to visit.
Here is a sample of what you will see on one of Viking’s top river or ocean voyages:
Rhine Getaway, 7 nights, Amsterdam to Basel - Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.
Romantic Danube, 7 nights, Budapest to Regensburg - Visit Budapest’s Castle District and cross the famous Chain Bridge. Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centers, and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. Visit historic Salzburg. Spend two days in Vienna, and celebrate the city’s musical heritage at a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this 8-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one you are sure to love.
Danube Waltz, 7 nights, Budapest to Passau - Soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school. Savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Admire the Wachau Valley’s beauty. Explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau. Witness daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while sailing leisurely through spectacular scenery.
Grand European Tour, 14 nights, Amsterdam to Budapest - Admire Rhine Valley vistas from a 900-year-old castle. Sample the culinary delights of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Learn the Viennese waltz, visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and delve into Nuremberg’s World War II history. Indulge your senses on this 15-day journey spanning the best of Europe, tracing the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland and the stunning landscapes of Hungary, with engaging encounters at every bend.
Iconic Western Mediterranean, 7 nights, Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia) - Trace the shores of the Mediterranean coast with calls to Spain, Italy and France’s famed Riviera. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, stroll the network of canals in Sète, immerse yourself in nature in the Calanques National Park and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glamorous city by the sea, a blend of old-world elegance with modern luxury.
Ancient Mediterranean Treasures, 7 nights, Istanbul to Athens (Piraeus) - Trace the origins of civilization as you sail the Aegean Sea. Spend two days in Istanbul, a compelling blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Travel to the ruins of Troy, long steeped in myth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore historic sites in Ephesus and experience the distinct character of the islands of Rhodes and Crete. Discover the architectural legacy of ancient Athens and the city’s charming port of Piraeus during an overnight stay.
Wherever you choose to go, Viking takes you to places you can only fully appreciate by river or ocean and takes you there in comfort.
