Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You'll arrive in Prague, a city that's managed to hold onto over 1,000 years of history with remarkable care. The Vltava River splits the city into two distinct areas, with the Old Town on one side and the New Town on the other, each with its own character and charm.
Landmarks Vltava River Old Town New Town - Day 2
Prague
After breakfast, you'll head out with a local guide into the Old Town's Gothic quarter, wandering through narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval buildings and intricate statues. At the Old Town Hall, you'll catch the 14th-century Astronomical Clock performing its hourly show with the 12 Apostles parading across the face. The rest of your day is free, so you can wander wherever curiosity takes you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town with expert local guide
- Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock viewing
Landmarks Old Town Hall Astronomical Clock - Day 3
Prague
Your morning's unscheduled, so you might take an early walk across Charles Bridge or settle into a local café. In the afternoon, you'll pick one of three options: dive into Communist history with a beer tasting, tour Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, or visit the Terezin Memorial to learn about WWII. It's your choice how to spend the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist Walk of Prague with local brewery beer tasting
- Prague Castle tour including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane
- Terezin Memorial excursion including small fortress and Ghetto Museum (fitness level required)
Landmarks Charles Bridge Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Royal Palace Golden Lane Terezin Memorial Theresienstadt Ghetto Museum - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
You'll travel by coach from Prague to Budapest, where your river cruise vessel awaits. The drive takes you through the heart of Central Europe, and by day's end you'll be boarding your ship, ready to begin your Danube adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5
Budapest
Budapest spreads across both sides of the Danube, with Buda and Pest coming together when they united in 1873. You'll see architecture spanning from Gothic to Art Nouveau styles throughout the city. Before lunch and your departure for Vienna, you can choose from three freechoice activities to explore different aspects of this architectural treasure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth coach tour visiting Varkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi square and Elizabeth square, ending at Christmas markets
- City Tour and Hospital in the Rock starting at Fisherman's Bastion with visit to former nuclear bunker and emergency hospital, free time in Pest
- Guided hike of Buda side with views over Danube River and city architecture
Landmarks Danube River Fisherman's Bastion Hospital in the Rock Varkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi square Elizabeth square - Day 6
Danube River to Vienna
As you cruise the Danube toward Vienna, the day unfolds slowly from the water. You'll arrive in Vienna by late afternoon and settle into Austria's imperial capital, known for its Baroque buildings, parks, and coffee houses filled with art and history. This evening brings an exclusive Scenic experience just for your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with glass of Austrian Sekt, featuring Strauss and Mozart performed by renowned orchestra with ballet dancers and vocalists
Landmarks Danube River Palais Liechtenstein - Day 7
Vienna
Vienna's in full Christmas mode now, with lights and decorations transforming the famous Ringstrasse boulevard and holiday music drifting through the streets. You can choose from four freechoice activities or simply take your time soaking in the festive energy at whatever pace feels right to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace exploration of ornately designed rooms, royal family tales and impressive gardens
- Guided e-bike tour to Danube Island, a recreational playground for bathing, boating, cycling and relaxing
- Central Vienna exploration with expert local guide followed by extended free time
- Excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia including coach transport, local guide tour of Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square and Old Town Hall
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall - Day 8
Vienna to Passau
Merry Christmas arrives onboard with your new travel companions as you cruise toward Passau. You might spend time in the salt therapy lounge, catch fresh air on the sun deck, or just relax and watch charming villages and dramatic scenery pass by from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Christmas Day celebration meal)
Included Activities
- Access to Salt Therapy Lounge with natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties
Landmarks Danube River - Day 9
Passau - Brandstatt
Today offers two full-day options, and you'll pick one. Either travel to Salzburg nestled among alpine peaks on the Salzach River banks, or head to the medieval World Heritage town of Cesky Krumlov. Both include guided exploration, lunch at a local restaurant, and free time to wander before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Included in full-day excursion at local restaurant), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg including coach transport from Brandstatt, guided city tour, lunch at local restaurant and free time
- Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov including coach transport, local guide tour of historic centre with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, lunch at local restaurant and free time
Landmarks Salzburg Salzach River Cesky Krumlov Vltava River - Day 10
Regensburg
Regensburg comes into view as one of Germany's best-preserved medieval centres, with over 900 listed Romanesque and Gothic buildings packed into the old town. You'll walk with a local guide to see the old stone bridge, St James Church, and the Porta Praetoria. The Bavarian Forest surrounds the city if you're interested in hiking trails.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour with local guide including old stone bridge, Church of St James and Porta Praetoria
Landmarks Church of St James Porta Praetoria Bavarian Forest - Day 11
Nuremberg
After lunch, you'll arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city dominated by a 12th-century Imperial Castle. You can pick between a walking tour of the Old Town and castle area, or focus on WWII history with a tour covering the Nazi rally grounds and trials. Later this afternoon, your ship sets sail toward Bamberg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town with local guide including Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church and market square
- The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour including drive to Rally Grounds and Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Rally Grounds Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse - Day 12
Bamberg
Bamberg spreads across seven hills and carries World Heritage status for good reason, with charming cobbled streets and well-kept medieval buildings throughout. There's the Old Town Hall sitting on its own island, the Gothic and Romanesque cathedral, and historic residences including an area locals call Little Venice. A guided city tour gets you oriented, then you'll head back to relax on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Spa massage at wellness centre on board
Landmarks Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Old Residence New Residence Little Venice - Day 13
Würzburg
After a relaxed morning onboard, you'll reach Würzburg, a Baroque city surrounded by vineyard-covered hills in the heart of Franconia's wine region. A World Heritage palace, a fortress perched on a hilltop, and the 15th-century Old Main Bridge define the cityscape. Two freechoice activities are available for the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour with coach transfer to centre, local guide through historic market square with option for traditional Glühwein or local Franconian wine
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg coach tour featuring medieval trading route, guided tour of Rothenburg seeing Gothic and Renaissance City Hall and famous City Councillors' Tavern, then free time
Landmarks Romantic Road Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern Old Main Bridge Main River - Day 14
Main River to Frankfurt
Today you'll cruise the Main River at a leisurely pace, watching the landscape shift as you travel toward Frankfurt. You'll arrive late in the evening, and then you have options: either get off and explore the city, or stay onboard to ring in the New Year with the cruise director and entertainment team.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- New Year celebration party on board with Cruise Director and Enrichment team
- Wander off board to ring in the New Year in Frankfurt city
Landmarks Main River - Day 15
Rüdesheim
You'll disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been producing wine for two thousand years. Walking through the center, you'll pass half-timbered houses, shops, and wine taverns. A mini train takes you to Siegfried's Musical Instrument Museum with 350 instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. Later, you'll cruise through the World Heritage Rhine Gorge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train ride from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with 350 self-playing instruments from 18th and 19th century
Landmarks Rüdesheim Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rhine Gorge Upper Middle Rhine Valley - Day 16
Cologne
Cologne appears with its massive Gothic cathedral dominating the skyline, a city known for liberal attitudes, unique beer culture, and remarkable resilience. Romans settled here first, medieval builders transformed it, and WWII largely destroyed it, yet that cathedral survived standing tall above the ruins. You'll explore the Old Town on a walking tour and have free time to visit the cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne including Old Town laneways and breweries serving draft Kölsch beer
Optional Activities
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral (free time provided)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Old Town - Day 17
Amsterdam
Amsterdam greets you as the Venice of the North, a place where 16th-century canals remain lined with World Heritage architecture, bicycles outnumber cars, and boats navigate the water like streets. The Old Town cobbled laneways run between galleries and cafés. This morning brings three freechoice options to choose from.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- One-hour canal cruise along Gentleman's Canal, Prince's Canal, past Old Lord Mayor's House, Seven Bridges, Anne Frank's House and Brewer's Canal
- City walking tour exploring canals and bridges with local guide covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture, including herring tasting
- Excursion to Schermerhorn and Alkmaar visiting authentic 16th century windmills and 'the city of cheese' with historic buildings and picturesque canals
Landmarks Gentleman's Canal Prince's Canal The Skinny Bridge The Seven Bridges Anne Frank's House Brewer's Canal Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 18
Amsterdam to Paris
You'll board a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris, watching the Dutch landscape fade as you travel south. By afternoon, you'll check into a centrally located Paris hotel for three nights, settling into a rhythm that lets you really know this city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 19
Paris
Start with pain au chocolat and café au lait, then pick one of two freechoice activities: either a panoramic tour hitting famous sites like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, or head to bohemian Montmartre to discover a hidden winery. This afternoon, you can browse art galleries, designer boutiques, vintage shops, or grab a Parisian picnic and eat wherever appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Panoramic city tour featuring Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and more
- Explore Bohemian Paris in Montmartre district with hidden winery tucked away behind Sacré-Cœur
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs Élysées Arc de Triomphe Montmartre Sacré-Cœur The Louvre Musée d'Orsay Centre Pompidou - Day 20
Paris
The entire day opens up for you to explore Paris however you like. Wander through the Latin Quarter, check out La Défense, visit Place Vendôme or Le Marais. See the world-class museums, find literary landmarks, or practice flânerie, that French art of wandering without destination, stopping for coffee or browsing shops as the mood strikes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Musée des Arts et Métiers, the world's oldest science museum dating back to 1794
- Visit to Musée Carnavalet charting the history of Paris from the Gauls to the 20th century
Landmarks Latin Quarter La Défense Place Vendôme Le Marais Musée des Arts et Métiers Musée Carnavalet - Day 21
Paris
It's time to say goodbye to Paris this morning. Enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel or stop at the legendary Café de la Paix overlooking Place de l'Opéra, a Parisian institution since 1862. Then you'll transfer to the airport or train station to head home, carrying memories of two weeks across Central Europe and France.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport or train station transfer
Landmarks Café de la Paix Place de l'Opéra
