Looking for the perfect way to celebrate a milestone birthday? Let me tell you about the time I took my mom on a Viking river cruise from Paris to Prague. This wasn’t just any trip – it was my mom’s first time abroad, and Paris had always been at the top of her bucket list. Our Viking River Cruise from Paris to Prague was the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, quiet moments and celebration. If you’re considering a girl’s trip with your mom, or a group of friends, here’s a peek into our river cruise together.
Pre-Cruise Adventure In Paris
My Mom had been to Canada before, but crossing the Atlantic was a whole new adventure. So to ease her into it, I booked us a few days in Paris ahead of our cruise to rest from jet-lag and explore the city on our own at a leisurely pace. (I did this on our own, not through Viking)
We spent hours in the Louvre, standing mesmerized before the Mona Lisa and other great works. Notre Dame’s grandeur left us speechless, and we reverently lit a candle in honor of my grandmother. And we must have taken hundreds of photos of the Eiffel Tower – from every angle, at every time of day. Between sightseeing, we discovered the joy of long breaks at sidewalk cafés, sipping coffee, eating pastries, and watching Paris life unfold around us.
A Day in Chartres
One crisp morning, we grabbed still-warm chocolate croissants for breakfast and caught the train to Chartres. Mom had read extensively about its famous cathedral, and we were both excited to see it in person. Since it’s just an hour by train from Paris, Chartres was perfect for a relaxed day trip away from the capital.
The UNESCO-listed cathedral is stunning – those blue stained glass windows are even more impressive in person – but what we really came to see was the labyrinth. It’s actually built right into the floor of the cathedral, and walking it is supposed to be a form of meditation or pilgrimage.
For lunch, we tried something totally different – a Galette bretonne, which is a savory crepe made with buckwheat flour that’s typical of the Brittany region. And afterwards made an unexpected but delightful discovery: a perfume museum in Catherine de Medici’s former residence.
This day trip ended up being one of those unexpected highlights – sometimes the best travel memories come from following your curiosity about something you’ve read about.
The Journey Begins: Champagne to Luxembourg
Our cruise director, Thomas, met us with Viking’s signature warmth as we joined our cruise group in Paris and began our drive through the Champagne region to make our way to the ship. And, of course, we stopped in Champagne for a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the start of our cruise. I loved how Viking incorporated special moments like this along the way, making each transition feel like part of the experience.
The rolling hills covered in neat rows of vines gave way to more somber territory as we visited Luxembourg and the American Cemetery. As Americans, visiting the memorial chapel was deeply moving. Mom shared stories about my grandfather, who had served in WWII, making this stop particularly meaningful for both of us.
Welcome Aboard: The Viking Odin
Arriving at our ship, the Viking Odin on the Moselle River, we were greeted with glasses of sparkling wine – a perfect start to our river cruise adventure. After the mandatory (but brief) safety drill, we filled a couple of Viking’s coffee mugs with hot tea and explored the ship, settling into chairs on the Aquavit Terrace to watch the scenery float by at the start of our cruise.
Cruising Along The Moselle River
Our first stop was Trier, one of the oldest cities in Germany. I was in awe of the Roman ruins, especially the Porta Nigra, an ancient city gate that dates back to the Roman Empire. Walking through the streets of Trier, you could really feel the weight of history around every corner.
Next up was Cochem, a small town along the Moselle River, crowned by the fairy-tale-like Cochem Castle. It felt like stepping into a storybook with its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. I especially loved strolling along the riverfront, where the scenery was breathtaking, and the pace of life seemed delightfully slow.
As evening approached, we docked in Bernkastel, a town that seemed frozen in time. The medieval market square welcomed us with its collection of meticulously preserved half-timbered houses, their wooden frames creating intricate patterns against whitewashed walls. The famous Spitzhäuschen (Pointed House) from 1416 particularly caught our attention, its narrow facade leaning slightly as if frozen mid-bow to visitors.
What made this stop even more special was an impromptu evening “sausage tour” led by our ship’s chef, Marcus. There we were, a small group of curious passengers, sampling local wurst varieties under the stars while Marcus shared stories about German culinary traditions – the kind of unplanned moment that makes river cruising so special.
Rüdesheimer Coffee
Our journey then took us along the Rhine River, where we celebrated on board with a traditional Rüdesheimer Coffee. It’s a theatrical German coffee preparation involving Asbach brandy, sugar, coffee, and topped with whipped cream. The warm, aromatic drink was a cozy treat on a chilly autumn day sailing on the Rhine.
Exploring The Rhine River and Heidelberg
After the Moselle, we cruised onto the Rhine River. A highlight of this section of the cruise was visiting Heidelberg, which required a brief inland excursion by bus from our river route. Known for its castle and university, Heidelberg was as charming as I’d imagined. The castle is perched high above the town, offering incredible views. And inside the castle we saw the world’s largest wine barrel, the Heidelberg Tun. This wine barrel is so massive it defies imagination. Built in 1751, it stands 23 feet high and can hold a little more than 58,000 gallons – enough to fill 219,808 standard wine bottles!
In the heart of Heidelberg, we discovered one of its sweetest traditions at Café Knösel: the famous “Studentenkuss” (Student’s Kiss) chocolate pralines. These dark chocolate treats tell a charming story from 1863, when young university students would gift them to the daughters of strict middle-class families – apparently it was one of the few acceptable ways for young men to show their affection in those days. The tradition perfectly captures Heidelberg’s blend of academic history and romance. It might have felt a little touristy, but it was deliciously fun.
Toward the end of our excursion, we walked to the start of the Karl Theodor Bridge (commonly known as the Old Bridge), Mom and I stopped to rub the bronze monkey for good luck – a tradition that’s said to bring prosperity and ensure a return visit to Heidelberg (and it did! I visited Heidelberg again on another cruise with my husband!) The bridge offered perfect views of the castle above and the old town’s spires reflected in the river below.
Nuremberg: A City of Contrasts
Nuremberg touched our hearts in unexpected ways, presenting two distinctly different faces of history. Our morning began in the charming old town (Altstadt), enclosed by medieval walls and watched over by the Imperial Castle. The aroma of fresh-baked pretzels drew us into a cozy pub where we shared what might have been the best pretzel of our lives – perfectly crusty on the outside, soft and warm inside – paired with local beer.
Walking through the main square, we admired the Beautiful Fountain (Schöner Brunnen) with its gleaming gold details, and learned about the brass ring embedded in its grille that’s said to bring good luck when turned.
But Nuremberg carries another, more somber history that can’t – and shouldn’t – be ignored. In the afternoon, our tour took us to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Documentation Center. Mom and I walked through these spaces in respectful silence, trying to comprehend the weight of what happened here. The Museum offers a thorough and unflinching look at the darkest chapter of Germany’s history. It was particularly moving to see how Nuremberg has chosen to confront its past directly, transforming sites of propaganda into places of education and remembrance.
A Birthday To Remember
Viking has a way of making every guest feel special, but they truly outdid themselves for Mom’s birthday. The evening before, I had quietly mentioned it to our cruise director, not expecting much beyond maybe a casual “happy birthday.” But Viking’s crew had other plans. We returned from our afternoon excursion to find our stateroom transformed – cheerful balloons, ribbons, and even a towering “towel” cake, adorned the bed. There was even a beautiful hand-written card signed by the crew and a “happy birthday” banner too. And then at dinner, there was another surprise with the dining room staff singing while bringing Mom a special dessert with “happy birthday” written in chocolate. It’s these thoughtful touches that transformed our river cruise from a lovely vacation into an unforgettable memory.
Ending in Prague
Our journey concluded in Prague, where our guide introduced us to Czech hospitality with the traditional welcome of slivovice (plum schnapps) – a custom he assured us was essential to properly entering his beloved city. Under Radio’s expertise, we explored the magnificent Prague Castle complex and St. Vitus Cathedral, where he captivated us with tales of the Golem, a legendary creature said to have protected Prague’s Jewish community.
The astronomical clock in Old Town Square left us mesmerized, even amid the crowds. Being there in fall added extra magic – the traditional architecture was enhanced by trees turning golden and crimson, and shops were beginning to display Saint Nicholas Day treats. We were fascinated to learn about Mikuláš (the Czech version of Saint Nicholas) and his companions – Angel and Čert (similar to Krampus), finding their chocolate figures in store windows.
Traveling in fall gave our journey an extra layer of enchantment. The riverside vineyards had turned to gold, medieval towns were decorated with early holiday touches, and the crisp air made every cup of glühwein even more delicious. Watching the afternoon sun illuminate autumn leaves along the river banks from our veranda became a daily ritual we still talk about.
Reflections on Our Viking Cruise
Traveling with Viking was such a wonderful experience, from the seamless transitions between destinations to the thoughtful details on board the ship. My mom and I were able to enjoy the journey at our own pace, and each stop along the way offered something new and exciting. Whether we were sipping Riesling in Bernkastel or exploring medieval castles in Bavaria, every day felt like a new adventure, but at a relaxed pace we could both enjoy.
