Itinerary
- Day 1
Rome
You'll arrive in Rome before midday and have the afternoon free for sightseeing. Your skip-the-line Colosseum tickets are already reserved, so you can head straight in without waiting. Later this evening, you'll settle in with a welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rome)
Included Activities
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Rome
- Skip-the-line Colosseum visit with pre-reserved tickets
Landmarks Colosseum 
- Day 2
Rome
This day takes you through Rome's iconic sites on a guided tour, then you'll head to the Vatican. Inside, you'll see Michelangelo's frescoes covering the Sistine Chapel ceiling, which is something you really need to see in person to appreciate the scale.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rome)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Rome's iconic sites
- Guided tour of the Vatican
- Visit to the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo's frescoes
Landmarks Vatican City Sistine Chapel - Day 3
Rome to Sorrento
You'll travel south to Pompeii and walk through the ancient Roman city, then continue on to Sorrento. This evening, you have a guided tour at a local mozzarella producer where you'll watch how they make it fresh. Dinner features produce sourced right from the region.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner of fresh local produce at local mozzarella producer)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Sorrento Palace)
Included Activities
- Visit to Pompeii
- Guided tour of local mozzarella producer
- Dinner at local mozzarella producer
Landmarks Pompeii 
- Day 4
Sorrento
A boat takes you out to the Isle of Capri, and from there you'll ride a funicular train up to the hilltop for views over the water. You'll explore the island by boat and see the coastline from the water, then return to Sorrento for a walking tour through the town itself.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Sorrento Palace)
Included Activities
- Cruise to Isle of Capri
- Funicular train ride to hilltop
- Boat cruise to explore Isle of Capri
- Walking tour of Sorrento
Landmarks Isle of Capri - Day 5
Sorrento to Perugia
You'll visit the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the central church for the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual. After spending time there, you'll make your way to Perugia for the rest of the day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (SINA Brufani)
Included Activities
- Visit to Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
Landmarks Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi - Day 6
Perugia to Florence
The walled town of San Gimignano comes first, where you'll have a Tuscan lunch with locally made olive oils, fresh antipasti, and regional wines. From there, you'll head to Florence with free time to wander around in the evening and get your bearings.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tuscan light lunch of locally made olive oils, fresh antipasti and regional wines)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Florence)
Included Activities
- Visit to walled town of San Gimignano
- Tuscan light lunch with locally made olive oils, fresh antipasti and regional wines
Landmarks San Gimignano 
- Day 7
Florence
You'll see Michelangelo's Statue of David at the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, then take a guided tour of Florence itself. After the tour, you'll have free time to explore neighborhoods on your own or sit at a café and watch the city go by.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Florence)
Included Activities
- Visit to Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze
- View Michelangelo's Statue of David
- Tour of Florence
Landmarks Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze - Day 8
Florence to Rapallo
Next you'll visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and see it in person. Then you'll move along the coast to Portofino, where the seaside town has a chic vibe and colorful buildings. You'll finish in Rapallo, a historic coastal town known for its 16th-century castle sitting high above the water.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rapallo)
Included Activities
- Visit to Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Visit to Portofino
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Portofino 
- Day 9
Rapallo
Today is dedicated to Cinque Terre, five cliffside villages that sit on UNESCO's World Heritage list. These medieval towns are built into dramatic terraced cliffs and have narrow pathways connecting them. You'll spend the day walking through and between these villages.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rapallo)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Cinque Terre
Landmarks Cinque Terre 
- Day 10
Rapallo to Venice
You'll explore the Valpolicella wine region and visit Villa Serego Alighieri to try Amarone red wine paired with a light lunch. After that, you head to Venice and take a boat to your hotel, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Light lunch paired with Amarone red wine tasting at Villa Serego Alighieri)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Molino Stucky Venice)
Included Activities
- Visit to Villa Serego Alighieri in Valpolicella
- Amarone red wine tasting with light lunch
- Boat transfer to Venice hotel
Landmarks Villa Serego Alighieri Valpolicella 
- Day 11
Venice
A walking tour takes you through Venice's cultural landmarks and covers Venetian cuisine. You'll try cicchetti, which are like tapas and a traditional Venetian way of eating. It's basically moving from spot to spot trying small plates.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Molino Stucky Venice)
Included Activities
- Walking exploration of Venice's cultural icons
- Learning about Venetian cuisine
- Tasting of cicchetti (Venetian tapas)
Landmarks St. Mark's Square - Day 12
Venice to Zagreb
You'll travel by road through Ljubljana and end up in Zagreb. This evening marks the farewell dinner before starting the river cruise portion of your trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Esplanade Zagreb Hotel)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks Ljubljana 
- Day 13
Zagreb
A guided tour of Zagreb happens this morning, then you'll board your river cruise ship. You'll have time to unpack, get settled, and meet people while familiarizing yourself with the ship over the next 15 days.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Solara or APT Ostara)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zagreb
- Board cruise ship
- Day 14
Zagreb to Budapest
In Budapest, you can choose what interests you most. Check out historic monuments, tour the Great Market Hall, ride the funicular up to Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion, or spend time at the thermal baths. This evening brings a multi-course welcome dinner to introduce you to everyone on the cruise.
- Meals
- Dinner (Multi-course Gala Welcome Dinner with expertly crafted menu)
Included Activities
- Cruise to Budapest
- Gala Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
- Morning city tour of Budapest exploring Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Culinary tour of Great Market Hall
- Funicular ride to Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion
- Thermal baths experience
Landmarks Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Great Market Hall Castle Hill Fisherman's Bastion - Day 15
Budapest to Vienna
The morning is spent cruising toward Vienna on the river. Once you arrive, you'll see landmarks along the Ringstrasse and visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, which towers over the city center.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Vienna
- Sightseeing of Ringstrasse landmarks
- Visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Ringstrasse St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 16
Vienna
Choose between touring Schönbrunn Palace, taking a day trip to Bratislava in Slovakia, or staying onboard to relax. This evening features an exclusive cocktail party and private classical performance at Vienna's City Palace with Mozart and Strauss selections plus an operatic performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Multi-course dinner (implied before cocktail party and performance))
Included Activities
- Cocktail party and private classical performance at Vienna's City Palace
Optional Activities
- Tour inside Schönbrunn Palace and grounds
- Journey to Bratislava, Slovakia to explore 18th-century rococo and communist era architecture including UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Vienna City Palace - Day 17
Vienna to Melk
Dürnstein is your first stop, and you can either cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk or take a guided bike ride along the Danube. Either way, you'll visit Melk Abbey and see the region from different perspectives.
Included Activities
- Exploration of Dürnstein
- Visit to Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley with vineyard, village and castle views
- Guided bike ride along Danube River from Dürnstein to Melk
Landmarks Dürnstein Melk Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 18
Melk to Salzburg
A guided tour of Salzburg fills the morning. After lunch, a hunting horn blower welcomes you to a rustic restaurant on Gaisberg mountain overlooking the city. You'll have a welcome drink, lunch, and a performance featuring music from The Sound of Music since it was filmed here.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at traditional rustic restaurant on Gaisberg mountain with welcome drink)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg
- Gaisberg Mountain lunch experience with welcome drink
- Sound of Music show
Landmarks Gaisberg Mountain - Day 19
Salzburg to Regensburg
You pick between two options. Either take a guided tour of Regensburg's medieval town center with sausage kitchen tasting, or go on a guided bike ride to the Walhalla Memorial overlooking the Danube River.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre with tasting at Regensburg's historic sausage kitchen
- Guided bike ride to Walhalla Memorial overlooking Danube River
Landmarks Regensburg City Centre Walhalla Memorial - Day 20
Regensburg to Nuremberg
The ship continues through the Main-Danube Canal, an engineering feat that took 32 years to complete and connects two major river systems. In Nuremberg, choose between exploring World War II sites like the Reich Party Rally Grounds, or taking a medieval history tour of the old city with its 900-year-old ramparts and castle.
Included Activities
- Cruise on Main-Danube Canal
Optional Activities
- Discover Nuremberg's World War II sites including Reich Party Rally Grounds
- Medieval History of Nuremberg tour with 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle, main market square and 14th-century Gothic church
Landmarks Main-Danube Canal Reich Party Rally Grounds Nuremberg Imperial Castle - Day 21
Nuremberg to Bamberg
Bamberg is one of the few German cities that wasn't destroyed during World War II, so it has remarkable character. You can take a guided walk through the Old Town discovering historic churches and buildings, or stay onboard if you prefer.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bamberg Old Town
Optional Activities
- Relax onboard ship
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town 
- Day 22
Bamberg to Würzburg
Three options let you personalize this day. Tour the ornate Würzburg Residence with its 18th-century architecture and ceiling frescoes, explore the walled medieval town of Rothenburg with cobblestone streets and a possible Christmas Village visit, or hike up to Marienberg Fortress for views over the city.
Optional Activities
- Tour Würzburg Residence with 18th-century palace architecture, tapestries, gilded stucco work and Tiepolo ceiling frescoes
- Explore walled town of Rothenburg with narrow cobblestone streets and colourful houses
- Visit Käthe Wohlfahrt's 'Christmas Village' for German Christmas decorations
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress overlooking Würzburg
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Marienberg Fortress - Day 23
Würzburg to Miltenberg
Miltenberg is a time-capsule town spared from World War II destruction, so buildings and squares are remarkably well preserved. You'll have a guided tour, then leisure time to explore on your own before the ship continues cruising along the Main River.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Miltenberg
- Cruise along Main River
Landmarks Miltenberg - Day 24
Miltenberg to Rüdesheim
You dock in Rüdesheim, one of Germany's most culturally significant cities. Choose between a gondola ride over Rhine Valley vineyards to the Niederwald Monument, touring Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with its eccentric collection, or visiting a historic wine cellar for Rhine Valley wine tasting. The afternoon cruise takes you past crumbling ruins and vineyard-covered hills.
Included Activities
- Afternoon cruise on Rhine River
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride over Rhine Valley vineyards to Niederwald Monument
- Tour Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Historic wine cellar visit with Rhine Valley wine tasting
Landmarks Niederwald Monument Rhine River - Day 25
Rüdesheim to Netherlands
You'll visit Namedy Castle, a 14th century residence where Princess Heide von Hohenzollern welcomes guests to explore rooms, hidden nooks, and manicured grounds. Morning tea comes with a pianist playing classical music. After that, the cruise continues toward the Netherlands.
- Meals
- Brunch (Morning tea with pianist playing classical music)
Included Activities
- Visit to Namedy Castle
- Exploration of castle rooms, nooks and grounds
- Morning tea with classical pianist
Landmarks Namedy Castle - Day 26
Amsterdam
Amsterdam gives you choices for how to spend your time. Glide through World Heritage canals on a glass-top boat, visit the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store for cheese and wine tasting, take a guided bike ride to Durgerdam village and the Street Art Museum, or visit Keukenhof Gardens in spring with seven million flowering bulbs. Tonight features the captain's farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Captain's farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Captain's farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Glass-top boat canal cruise through World Heritage-listed canals
- Old Amsterdam Cheese Store visit with cheese tasting and wine pairing
- Guided bike ride to Durgerdam village and Street Art Museum
- Keukenhof Gardens visit (spring departures only) with 70+ acres and seven million flowering bulbs
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Keukenhof Gardens - Day 27
Amsterdam
Your journey concludes today. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye and head to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
