VIKING RIVER CRUISES
Pre- and Post-Cruise Land Package Extensions

LOIRE VALLEY PRE-CRUISE EXTENSION
3 Nights from $999 per person

Day 1 | Fly to Paris. We meet you at the airport and transport you to the first-class Le Méridien Etoile (or similar)*. The evening is yours to relax or enjoy a romantic dinner in the "City of Lights."

Day 2 | After breakfast, check out of your Paris hotel and begin your ride through the French countryside. Our first stop is the city of Orléans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city’s long history includes everyone from the Druids, Gauls and Romans to Attila to the famous Maid of Orléans, Jeanne d’Arc. Later, during the Renaissance, the area became a fashionable location for châteaux, and the University of Orléans achieved great prestige. When France colonized part of North America, they honored Orléans by naming a certain city La Nouvelle Orléans, or New Orleans.

See some of the city’s sights, including the university, the botanic garden and Jeanne d’Arc’s childhood home (now a museum), then take some free time to explore on your own or get some lunch. In the afternoon we will continue to Tours, where you check in to the superior first-class Clarion Chateau Belmont (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Relax on your own this evening. (B)

Day 3 | After breakfast, set off on a guided tour of Loire Valley châteaux, including walks through two of the best-known and most beautiful of these grand houses, Chambord and Chenonceau—plus along the way you will catch views of several prominent châteaux and learn about their history. Your first guided tour is of Chambord. Built by François I, a great admirer of Leonardo da Vinci, in the early 16th century, the structure is reminiscent of the Tuscan style, centered around a magnificent double spiral staircase. Chambord was later greatly expanded by Louis XIV; it has hundreds of apartments, each equipped with two rooms and its own fireplace, plus grand royal apartments and an elaborate rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of its vast parklands.

After your tour, stop in Amboise to see its hilltop Chateau Royal and take free time or grab a bite before proceeding to Chenonceau for a tour of one of the world’s most beautiful estates. The grand castle, built beside the Cher River in the 16th century by the wealthy Bohier family, was confiscated by the same François I, who enjoyed many festive times there, as did his heir Henry II and Henry’s queen, Catherine de’ Medici. Toward the end of the 16th century a new wing was built that stretched across the river with graceful arches, a sumptuous ballroom and a kitchen with convenient docking facilities for groceries to arrive by boat. The last French sovereign to stay in Chenonceau was Louis XIV in 1650. The house has been relatively well cared-for, and after serving as a hospital for wounded soldiers during World War I, it has been completely restored, including the lovely formal gardens. Drive back to Tours for dinner. (B)

Day 4 | After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a guided exploration of Tours, including the main cathedral and some of the city’s many parks and bridges, before beginning your scenic ride to Bordeaux. Stop at Poitiers for a brief tour of this picturesque medieval city, once capital of the Vienne region, which features well-preserved Romanesque architecture and Baptistère Saint-Jean, thought to be the oldest Christian church in France. Take some free time to look around a bit or grab lunch before continuing on to Bordeaux to embark your river cruise ship. (B)

The following meals are included: 
B = Breakfast

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking Cruises.

NOTE. Explore More pricing is based on extension hotel check-in date. Extension availability is limited and some restrictions apply with regard to departure date and cruise direction. Please call for details.

PARIS — POST CRUISE EXTENSION
3 Nights from $799 per person

Day 1 | After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Gare de Bordeaux-Saint Jean station for a fantastic ride on France’s high-speed TGV line. When you arrive at Paris Montparnasse, we will transfer you to the first-class Le Méridien Étoile (or similar), located minutes from the legendary Champs Elysées. (B)

Day 2 | This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of Paris’s Marais district on the Right Bank. You will see aristocratic neighborhoods dating back as far as the 13th century as well as the historic Jewish area and trendy art galleries. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure—visit museums like the Pompidou, Orsay or Picasso, admire historic buildings like Fontainebleau and the Paris Opera. Experience the world-famous Louvre, home of da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” the “Winged Victory of Samothrace,” I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramids and much more. (B)

Day 3 | You have a full day to further explore the “City of Light.” Stroll through Montmartre, shop along the Champs Elysées, ride up to the top of the Eiffel Tower and sample some of the famous French cuisine. You might like to take a Seine cruise aboard a bâteau-mouche this evening to see some of the city’s landmarks and lovely bridges. (B)

Day 4 | After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* (B)

The following meals are included: B = Breakfast

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking Cruises.

NOTE. Explore More pricing is based on extension hotel check-in date. Extension availability is limited and some restrictions apply with regard to departure date and cruise direction. Please call 1-855-255-1200, for details.