Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and get settled on your river ship. Spend time walking through this vibrant city with its famous canals and relaxed vibe. Later in the evening, there's a Welcome Reception where you'll meet your Cruise Director and other passengers.
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam at leisure
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal Network - Day 2
Amsterdam to Utrecht
Board a glass-top boat and cruise through Amsterdam's canals with a local guide who'll point out the city's waterways and history. You get some free time to yourself before heading to Utrecht to rejoin your vessel. By evening, you'll dress up for a special Gala Welcome Dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Gala Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Glass-top boat tour of Amsterdam canals with local guide
- Gala Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
- Leisure time in Amsterdam
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal Network - Day 3
Cologne
The ship pulls into Cologne, and you'll learn about the famous Kölner Dom cathedral, which took over six centuries to build. Then you'll disembark for an insider look at Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, where you can see rococo architecture and landscaped gardens. Back in Cologne, you have free time to walk around the city centre on your own.
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine to Cologne
- Insider Experience - Augustusburg Palace visit with guided tour of rococo palace, Falkenlust hunting lodge, and landscaped parks
Optional Activities
- Explore Cologne city centre at leisure
Landmarks/POIs Kölner Dom Augustusburg Palace Falkenlust - Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
This is a highlight day as you cruise through the Rhine Gorge, considered the most beautiful section of the Rhine River. You'll dock in Rüdesheim, and a mini road train called the Winzerexpress takes you through town to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which holds one of Germany's finest collections of automated musical instruments.
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Winzerexpress mini road train tour through Rüdesheim
- Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 5
Miltenberg
You get to check out Miltenberg, a well-preserved town with half-timbered buildings from the 15th to 18th centuries. A culinary walking tour lets you sample regional specialties at a local butcher and baker, then you'll finish with a tasting at a local distillery to get a feel for how people live here.
Included Activities
- Insider Experience - Miltenberg Culinary Tour with regional specialties sampling at local butcher, baker, and distillery
Optional Activities
- Leisure exploration of Miltenberg half-timbered buildings
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg Old Town - Day 6
Würzburg and optional Rothenburg
A coach takes you through rolling hills to Würzburg, where you'll see the baroque palace and walk through the beautiful Court Garden. You can choose to take an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, a fairytale walled town on the Romantic Road in Franconia, or just explore Würzburg at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Coach transfer through rolling hills to Würzburg
- Baroque palace visit and Court Garden walk
Optional Activities
- Rothenburg excursion - medieval walled town on Romantic Road
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence Hofgarten (Court Garden) Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Day 7
Bamberg
You'll have a leisurely morning cruising the last part of the Main River before reaching Bamberg. A guided tour covers the Old Town Hall and Bamberg Cathedral, and then you get free time to wander on your own. By evening, your ship will reach the Main-Danube Canal.
Included Activities
- Cruise along Main River to Bamberg
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town Hall and Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Bamberg
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Cathedral Old Town Hall - Day 8
Nuremberg and Main-Danube Canal
In Nuremberg, you'll walk the cobblestone streets and find hidden boutiques and artisan shops. The city has a complex history, and later you'll cruise through the Main-Danube Canal, crossing Europe's Continental Divide via 16 stair-step locks.
Included Activities
- Explore Nuremberg cobblestone streets
- Cruise through Main-Danube Canal crossing Continental Divide via 16 locks
Optional Activities
- Browse boutiques and artisan stores in Nuremberg
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Old Town Main-Danube Canal - Day 9
Regensburg
After reaching the Danube overnight, Regensburg is waiting. You'll spend the day docked right in the heart of this charming city, joining a guided walking tour to see the major sights. By evening, there's an authentic Bavarian experience on board with local beer and snacks plus traditional folk music and dance. An optional tour to Kuchlbauer's World of Beer in Abensberg is also available.
- Meals
- Dinner (Bavarian Evening on Board with local beer and snacks)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Regensburg
- Insider Experience - Bavarian Evening on Board with local beer, snacks, and traditional folk music
Optional Activities
- Kuchlbauer's World of Beer brewery visit in Abensberg with guided tour and Kuchlbauer Tower
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Old Town Kuchlbauer's World of Beer Kuchlbauer Tower - Day 10
Passau and optional excursions
At breakfast time, you arrive in Passau, called the 'Three Rivers City' because the Ilz and Inn rivers join the Danube here. You can choose optional excursions to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic with its 300 historical buildings, or travel to Salzburg and the famous Wedding Church from 'The Sound of Music' at Mondsee. If you prefer, stay on board and relax as you sail to Linz.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Arrive in Passau
Optional Activities
- Český Krumlov day excursion - Czech Republic city tour with 300+ historical buildings
- Salzburg excursion - visit Mondsee Wedding Church from 'The Sound of Music', guided tour of Salzburg, free time to explore
Landmarks/POIs Passau Český Krumlov Mondsee St. Michael's Church, Mondsee Salzburg Linz - Day 11
Melk and Dürnstein
You're now in Austria, docking in Melk for a tour of Melk Abbey with a local guide. This Benedictine monastery has been here since 1089, sitting on a rocky outcrop with commanding views of the Danube. Later, the ship cruises through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, a town with hilltop castle ruins where King Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. You get free time to walk the cobbled streets and check out town houses and taverns. There's an optional wine tasting of local Grüner Veltliner or Riesling at Dürnstein Abbey if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey with local guide
- Cruise through Wachau Valley
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Dürnstein cobbled streets and taverns
- Wine Tasting at Dürnstein Abbey - local Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and brandy
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Dürnstein Castle Dürnstein Abbey - Day 12
Vienna
In Vienna, you'll join a walking tour covering St Stephen's Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace, and the Albertina. Afterwards, you might visit the Naschmarkt on your own. By evening, there's an optional concert with music from Mozart to 'The Sound of Music,' and you can add an evening drive around the Ringstrasse.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of St Stephen's Cathedral, Graben, Hofburg Palace, and Albertina
Optional Activities
- Visit Naschmarkt
- Mozart and Strauss Concert in palace or concert venue with evening Ringstrasse drive
Landmarks/POIs St Stephen's Cathedral Graben Hofburg Palace Albertina Naschmarkt Ringstrasse - Day 13
Vienna and optional excursions
Today is yours to explore Vienna however you'd like. Consider visiting the Hofburg area and the Imperial Treasury. Optional excursions go to Schönbrunn Palace with its furnished rooms and beautiful gardens, or to Bratislava in Slovakia for a guided tour of the Old Town. Later this evening, the ship heads for Hungary, and you'll celebrate your cruise with a Captain's Farewell Dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Included Activities
- Captain's Farewell Dinner
- Sail to Hungary
Optional Activities
- Explore Hofburg area and Imperial Treasury
- Schönbrunn Palace excursion - visit lavishly furnished rooms and gardens
- Bratislava City Tour - guided tour of charming Old Town in Slovakia
Landmarks/POIs Hofburg Palace Imperial Treasury Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Old Town - Day 14
Budapest
Your ship drifts into the heart of Budapest, Hungary's capital. After breakfast, a local guide takes you through the city to see major sights. If you're interested, there's an optional tour to the Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum, a World War II hospital located in caves beneath Buda Castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Budapest with local guide
Optional Activities
- Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum - World War II hospital tour in caves beneath Buda Castle
Landmarks/POIs Budapest Hospital in the Rock Buda Castle - Day 15
Depart Budapest
After breakfast, you'll disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
