Viking Expands European River Voyage Experiences with New Zeppelin Flights, Shore Excursions and Land Extensions
(IN SHORT) Viking has introduced a wide range of new European river voyage experiences for 2026 and beyond, including Zeppelin airship excursions over Germany, new culinary and cultural shore excursions, small group experiences and expanded land extensions. The new Zeppelin flights will be available on select Rhine River itineraries, giving guests aerial views of Cologne, the Ruhr Valley and landmarks such as Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge and the UNESCO-listed Zeche Zollverein. Additional excursions will highlight destinations along the Danube, Seine and Elbe, including wine experiences in Austria and Slovakia, food-focused tours in Belgrade, Rouen and Berlin, and local cultural activities. Viking is also adding small group visits to Versailles, Schönbrunn Palace, Český Krumlov, Colmar and Bratislava, along with new pre- and post-voyage land extensions in Italy, France, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. The company also announced plans to return to Bavaria in 2030 for the Oberammergau Passion Play and is offering booking incentives through its Summer Sale for North American travellers.
(PRESS RELEASE) LOS ANGELES, CA, United States, 2026-Jun-5 — /Travel PR News/ — Viking has announced a broad range of new European river voyage experiences, introducing additional shore excursions, small group experiences and land extensions that are now open for booking. The new offerings include scenic Zeppelin airship flights over Germany, expanded culinary and cultural excursions, and fully guided pre- and post-voyage land programmes across several European destinations.
The new experiences are designed to give guests more ways to explore Europe through local culture, regional food, historic landmarks and immersive destination-focused activities. The additions will be available across select Viking river itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, Seine and Elbe rivers beginning in the 2026 season.
Torstein Hagen, Executive Chairman of Viking, said Europe remains one of the company’s most popular destinations, especially for guests taking a river voyage for the first time. He said the expanded programme gives travellers new ways to experience destinations in the Viking style, whether through local food, culture, traditions or a Zeppelin flight over Germany.
Among the most distinctive additions are two new Zeppelin airship excursions on select Rhine River itineraries. The Zeppelin Flight Over the Ruhr Valley will take guests from Essen/Mülheim Airport over Lake Baldeney, the Ruhr Valley and the Zeche Zollverein, the UNESCO World Heritage Site often referred to as the “Eiffel Tower of the Ruhr.” The experience offers aerial views of a region once central to Germany’s industrial economy.
A second Zeppelin experience, the Zeppelin Flight Over Cologne, will depart from Bonn-Hangelar Airfield and give guests a bird’s-eye view of Cologne and the Rhineland. The route includes views of the Trade Fair complex, Lanxess Arena, Hohenzollern Bridge, Cologne Cathedral, the Musical Dome and Mediapark, offering a new perspective on one of Germany’s most recognisable cities.
Viking has also added a variety of culinary and cultural shore excursions on Danube River itineraries. In Austria’s Wachau Valley, guests can visit Nikolaihof Winery, one of the country’s oldest wineries and an early adopter of biodynamic methods, followed by a seasonal dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients. Another new Danube experience in Dürnstein includes a guided walk through the historic town and a regional dinner at Alte Klosterkeller, a former monastery cellar.
Further along the Danube, the new Sights & Flavors of Belgrade excursion combines city sightseeing, a visit to Kalenić Market and a cooking class focused on traditional Serbian dishes. In Slovakia, the Red Stone Castle & Wine Tasting excursion will take guests to the Little Carpathians, where they can explore a 16th-century fortress and sample local white wines.
On the Seine, Viking has introduced Sights & Tastes of Rouen for the Christmas season, featuring Rouen Cathedral, Old Market Square and tastings at local boulangeries and patisseries. On the Elbe, the new Flavors of Berlin experience will highlight German capital city favourites during the Christmas season, including Berliner Boulette, local cheeses, mustards, currywurst, coffee and cake.
Beginning in 2026, Viking is also introducing new Small Group Experiences across select European river itineraries. These include more intimate visits to the Palace of Versailles, Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Český Krumlov, the medieval village of Colmar and Bratislava’s historic old town. The small group format is intended to provide a more personal and immersive way to experience iconic cultural landmarks and local traditions.
Viking is also expanding its fully guided land extension programme for 2026 and 2027. New extensions include St. Moritz, Lombardy & Alpine Train, featuring the Bernina Express and Milan; Croatia & Slovenia, with visits to Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Zagreb and Keszthely; Best of Belgium, including Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp; and Best of Holland, with Delft, Gouda, The Hague, the Mauritshuis Museum and the Rijksmuseum.
Additional land extensions planned for 2027 include Turin & Barolo, focused on Piedmont, Alba, the Langhe Wine Region and Chambéry, and Seville & Córdoba, highlighting southern Spain’s Moorish and Roman heritage, including Seville’s cathedral, the royal Alcázar and Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral.
Viking also confirmed that it will return to Bavaria in 2030 for the Oberammergau Passion Play and is now accepting sign-ups from guests interested in receiving information when departures officially open for booking. The company has hosted guests for the Passion Play since 2010 and is the leading North American partner of the event’s organisers.
The expanded European programme is supported by Viking’s Summer Sale, available to North American travellers through 30 June 2026. The offer includes reduced fares, up to free international airfare on select all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition itineraries, and a $25 deposit across all itineraries.
About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com.
Contact
Email: vikingpr@edelman.com
SOURCE: Viking Cruises
