POINT OF VIEW
Opulent Aqua
Adventures
Opulent Aqua Adventures
Experience a new side of Europe with Viking’s best-in-class river journeys.
Travelers are seeking out more intimate and culturally immersive experiences—which is one reason why small-ship river journeys are on the rise. In 2024, for the second year in a row, Viking swept Condé Nast Traveler’s “World’s Best” awards, with readers naming it the number-one in each of the Oceans, Rivers, and Expeditions cruise categories. The staff’s dedication and meticulous attention to detail are a few favorite features—along with these five reasons to sail with Viking on its European itineraries through France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
1. That sought-after “small ship” experience
Viking ships are designed to access smaller ports, bringing travelers closer to the heart of each destination. And with no more than 190 guests per ship, travel is luxuriously intimate and comfortable. With the freedom of open-seating dining arrangements, enjoy a cocktail and admire the spectacular scenery in a spacious, light-filled stateroom or dinner al fresco on the Aquavit Terrace as the ship gently navigates past windmill-dotted waterways of Holland from Amsterdam to Budapest on Grand European Tour, or the turreted medieval castles along the UNESCO-protected Middle Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam on the Rhine Getaway.
2. Inclusive pricing
Viking’s all-inclusive approach is customized to make travel luxuriously seamless and carefree, with Wi-Fi, wine, beer, and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner, and port fees and taxes built into the fare. Itineraries include one complimentary shore excursions at every port, inviting travelers to discover not only Europe’s must-sees but also its lesser-known marvels. Inclusive pricing removes any worries about hidden fees so the focus is spent on incredible experiences, from a wine tasting in Alsace’s terraced vineyards that date to Roman times, to a lesson in dumpling-making with Wachau Valley apricots.
3. Thoughtful, curated experiences
Onboard programming provides cultural and historical context designed to enrich the journey for thoughtful travelers. Curious guests can, for example, dig into Nuremberg’s WWII history in an expert historian’s lecture before exploring its art and cuisine on shore.
4. Destination-driven culinary excursions
Dining with Viking is meant to be a cultural exploration in itself, with menus inspired by local ingredients and traditions. Pair Austrian schnitzel not only with Wachau Valley wines, but also with sweeping views of the region’s verdant hillsides.
5. Stress-free travel and ease
Having to unpack just once, guests explore destinations across the continent, and rest easy knowing the details are already in place. With thoughtful attention from their Swiss-trained, English speaking staff, Viking’s award winning service provides warm hospitality to guests, ensuring everyone feels at home onboard.
Discover the world of Viking.
POINT OF VIEW
Opulent Aqua
Adventures
Opulent Aqua Adventures
Experience a new side of Europe with Viking’s best-in-class river journeys.
Travelers are seeking out more intimate and culturally immersive experiences—which is one reason why small-ship river journeys are on the rise. In 2024, for the second year in a row, Viking swept Condé Nast Traveler’s “World’s Best” awards, with readers naming it the number-one in each of the Oceans, Rivers, and Expeditions cruise categories. The staff’s dedication and meticulous attention to detail are a few favorite features—along with these five reasons to sail with Viking on its European itineraries through France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
1. That sought-after “small ship” experience
Viking ships are designed to access smaller ports, bringing travelers closer to the heart of each destination. And with no more than 190 guests per ship, travel is luxuriously intimate and comfortable. With the freedom of open-seating dining arrangements, enjoy a cocktail and admire the spectacular scenery in a spacious, light-filled stateroom or dinner al fresco on the Aquavit Terrace as the ship gently navigates past windmill-dotted waterways of Holland from Amsterdam to Budapest on Grand European Tour, or the turreted medieval castles along the UNESCO-protected Middle Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam on the Rhine Getaway.
2. Inclusive pricing
Viking’s all-inclusive approach is customized to make travel luxuriously seamless and carefree, with Wi-Fi, wine, beer, and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner, and port fees and taxes built into the fare. Itineraries include one complimentary shore excursions at every port, inviting travelers to discover not only Europe’s must-sees but also its lesser-known marvels. Inclusive pricing removes any worries about hidden fees so the focus is spent on incredible experiences, from a wine tasting in Alsace’s terraced vineyards that date to Roman times, to a lesson in dumpling-making with Wachau Valley apricots.
3. Thoughtful, curated experiences
Onboard programming provides cultural and historical context designed to enrich the journey for thoughtful travelers. Curious guests can, for example, dig into Nuremberg’s WWII history in an expert historian’s lecture before exploring its art and cuisine on shore.
4. Destination-driven culinary excursions
Dining with Viking is meant to be a cultural exploration in itself, with menus inspired by local ingredients and traditions. Pair Austrian schnitzel not only with Wachau Valley wines, but also with sweeping views of the region’s verdant hillsides.
5. Stress-free travel and ease
Having to unpack just once, guests explore destinations across the continent, and rest easy knowing the details are already in place. With thoughtful attention from their Swiss-trained, English speaking staff, Viking’s award winning service provides warm hospitality to guests, ensuring everyone feels at home onboard.
Discover the world of Viking.
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I am Felecia C. Leak, owner of Travels with Flea LLC
I began my travel agency, Travels with Flea LLC, in 1995 after completing what I thought was the end of my time in the tourism field. Little did I know, that at that time in the travel planning industry, education is ongoing. I enjoy utilizing my passion for travel, coupled with a strong to others, to create memorable vacations for clients.
I enjoy meeting new people, and hopefully, potential clients, and building relationships with them. First and foremost, it is my desire to build a personal relationship with them so that I can become familiar with their preferences it comes to travel. This is important in being able to determine the "right" vacation for them. In learning their preferences, I will have the ability to apply these to travel plans, thus enabling them to experience the vacation of a lifetime!
I am a member of the Signature Travel Network, which allows me the opportunity to provide clients exclusive amenities a ...