Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and check into your hotel in the 9th Arrondissement, known as the Opera district. The Palais Garnier opera house and grand Belle Epoque department stores define this neighborhood, so you'll have plenty to see right from your hotel location.
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs Elysees Arc de Triomphe Palais Garnier Printemps Galeries Lafayette Seine River - Day 2
Paris
Start with pain au chocolat and café au lait this morning. You can choose between a panoramic city tour hitting iconic sites or wandering Montmartre to soak in its Bohemian character and find a hidden winery. This afternoon, head to galleries like the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay, check out designer boutiques or vintage stores, try patisseries and bistros, or grab a classic Parisian picnic in one of the elegant parks.
Optional Activities
- Panoramic city tour - Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe
- Explore Bohemian Paris in the Montmartre district with hidden winery
- Visit the Louvre museum
- Visit Musée d'Orsay
- Visit Centre Pomidou
- Shopping at flagship designer boutiques
- Hunt for treasures at vintage stores and flea markets
- Explore patisseries, boulangeries, fromageries and bistros
- Classic Parisian picnic in elegant parks
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs Elysees Arc de Triomphe Montmartre Sacre-Coeur The Louvre Musée d'Orsay Centre Pompidou - Day 3
Paris
You have the full day to explore Paris on your own schedule. Wander through districts like the Latin Quarter, La Défense, Place Vendôme, or Le Marais. Visit museums, take a literary tour of famous writing spots, shop around, browse art galleries and historic sites, or try the French tradition of flânerie—wandering through the city, stopping for coffee or wine, and exploring bookstores whenever something catches your eye.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Latin Quarter
- Explore La Défense
- Visit Place Vendôme
- Explore Le Marais district
- Visit Musée des Arts et Métiers
- Visit Musée Carnavalet
- Literary tour of Victor Hugo, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir writing spots
- Shopping
- Art galleries and historic sites
- Flânerie - aimless wandering through the city
Landmarks Latin Quarter La Défense Place Vendôme Le Marais Musée des Arts et Métiers Musée Carnavalet - Day 4
Paris to Amsterdam
You'll travel by high-speed train to Amsterdam where you board your cruise ship. This evening, join the welcome reception and raise a glass to the journey ahead.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception onboard
- Day 5
Amsterdam
Amsterdam's 16th-century canals, cobbled lanes filled with boutiques and cafes, and bicycles everywhere showcase the city's character. You can take a one-hour canal cruise past historic sites, join a walking tour discovering canals and bridges plus herring tasting, cycle on eco-friendly e-bikes, or head out to Schermerhorn's windmills and the charming town of Alkmaar. After lunch, the ship sets sail toward Cologne.
Included Activities
- Complimentary eco-friendly e-bikes available for cycling tour
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour tour along Gentleman's Canal, Prince's Canal, Brewer's Canal with views of historic buildings
- Walking tour of Amsterdam - maze of canals and bridges with herring tasting
- Cycling tour - small ferry to outskirts with local guide on e-bikes
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - authentic 16th-century windmills and charming historic towns
Landmarks Gentleman's Canal The Skinny Bridge Prince's Canal Anne Frank's House Brewer's Canal Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 6
Amsterdam to Cologne
Coffee arrives in your suite from your personal butler, followed by breakfast. You'll reach Cologne later this afternoon for a walking tour of the Old Town with a local guide, checking out breweries and the iconic Cologne Cathedral. Tonight, you'll attend a classical concert with dinner at La Redoute recital hall in nearby Bonn.
- Meals
- Breakfast (In suite with butler service), Breakfast (In Crystal Dining), Dinner (Lavish dinner with classical concert at La Redoute recital hall featuring Beethoven and Mozart)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town with local guide
- Visit Cologne Cathedral
- Classical Concert in the Beethoven Room at La Redoute recital hall in Bonn with lavish dinner
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral La Redoute 
- Day 7
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
After breakfast, relax on the Sun Deck and take in the views as you cruise along the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge with its 40 hilltop castles and fortresses. After lunch, you disembark in Rüdesheim, surrounded by steep vineyards that have produced wine for two millennia. Choose between Siegfried's Musical Instrument Museum with a cable car ride over vineyards to the Niederwald Monument, or hike through rolling vineyards with a local guide and return by cable car.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cruise along Rhine Gorge viewing castles and fortresses
Optional Activities
- Siegfried's Musikkabinett & Cable Car - mini train to museum with 350 musical instruments from 18th-19th centuries, then cable car over vineyards to Niederwald Monument
- Hike & Cable Car - guided hike through vineyards, then cable car return to town
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei Rock Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum 
- Day 8
Rüdesheim to Miltenberg
You'll continue cruising toward Miltenberg. If you like, spend the morning in the Salt Therapy Lounge with its natural properties. You'll arrive in Miltenberg, a historic town with hundreds of pastel half-timbered houses and one of Germany's oldest inns. Pick from winery tours in Wertheim, a guided castle tour meeting the Baron and Baroness, a farmstead visit with local food, or schnapps tasting before heading to Würzburg.
Included Activities
- Arrive in Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Salt Therapy Lounge
- Wertheim tour and winery - coach transfer, orientation tour, and winemaker meeting
- Gamburg Castle tour - guided tour with Baron and Baroness reception and sparkling wine
- Miltenberg tour and local farm visit - tour with farmstead owners, animals, and local delicacies tasting
- Schnapps tasting - orientation tour, free time, and local distiller tasting
Landmarks Miltenberg Zum Riesen Wertheim Gamburg Castle River Main 
- Day 9
Würzburg
You'll arrive in Würzburg, a Baroque city on the Main River in Franconian wine country with vineyards rolling around it. Choose a guided city tour including the Würzburg Residence with its Baroque palace and gardens, or take a coach along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg for a walking tour and free time. This afternoon, relax on the Sun Deck while cruising toward Bamberg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour & Würzburg Residence - coach transfer to Baroque palace with guided tour, gardens, and city free time including shopping and Marienberg Fortress climb
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - coach journey with historical commentary, guided tour of medieval old town, City Hall and City Councillors' Tavern with clock story, and free time
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Main River Rothenburg Romantic Road Gothic and Renaissance City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 10
Bamberg
You'll dock in Bamberg after lunch. Try a massage in the wellness centre if you'd like, or sit in on a lecture about the Main River's culture and history. This World Heritage town built on seven hills has cobblestoned streets, medieval buildings, and a charming Old Town Hall on an island. You can take a guided tour of the Old Town or head out to Coburg with its impressive castle and museum.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Soothing massage in wellness centre
- Informative lecture on Main River culture and history
- Bamberg Old Town Tour - guided tour of World Heritage-listed Old Town with Medieval and Baroque buildings
- Excursion to Coburg - coach journey to castle town, tour of impressive castle housing museum with carriages, weapons, armoury and paintings
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral New Residence Little Venice Coburg Coburg Castle - Day 11
Bamberg to Nuremberg
You'll arrive early in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city with an Old Town protected by ancient walls and dominated by the 12th-century Imperial Castle. The city hosted famous Christmas Markets and carries significant WWII history. Pick a walking tour of the Old Town, a WWII history tour visiting Rally Grounds and trial sites, or an active walking tour exploring cobblestone streets and medieval walls. Later, you'll cruise toward Regensburg.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town - drive to city centre, walking tour viewing Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church, market square
- The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour - drive to Rally Grounds, visit Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse, explore Nazi party member trials (or WWII Art Bunker on dates when Courtroom 600 unavailable)
- Nuremberg's Castle and City Walls - active walking tour of cobblestone streets surrounding Imperial Castle and medieval city walls
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Old Town Rally Grounds Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse - Day 12
Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg after lunch. This World Heritage medieval city has 2,000 years of history with over 900 Romanesque and Gothic buildings. Choose a walking tour viewing the old stone bridge and Church of St James, visit Weltenburg Abbey with its award-winning beer production since 1050, or take an active walking tour to Thurn und Taxis Castle exploring the 12th-century noble family's story.
- Meals
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg - confluence of three rivers, old stone bridge, Church of St James, Porta Praetoria
- Weltenburg Abbey - ferry through Danube Gorge to oldest Bavarian monastery founded ~600AD, abbey tour, award-winning beer tasting (replaced with Bavarian Beer Tasting on November 4 & 17)
- Thurn and Taxis Active Walking Tour - guided walk from ship to castle, tour, and free time
Landmarks Regensburg Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Weltenburg Abbey Danube Gorge Thurn und Taxis Castle - Day 13
Regensburg to Austria
You have full day excursion options from Passau. Take a trip to Salzburg, Austria, Mozart's birthplace and home of The Sound of Music, with the Hohensalzburg fortress and a guided tour with lunch before returning to the ship. Or journey to medieval Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic with its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture on the Vltava River. Alternatively, explore Passau with its brightly colored waterfront and St. Stephens Cathedral featuring the world's largest Catholic church organ.
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - cross into Austria, guided tour of Mozart birthplace, Hohensalzburg fortress, Baroque old town, lunch at local restaurant, return to ship in Schlögen
- Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov - coach to Czech World Heritage-listed medieval town, guided tour of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture on Vltava River, lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau - walking tour of brightly coloured waterfront buildings, St. Stephens Cathedral with world's largest Catholic church organ (17,974 pipes and 233 registers)
Landmarks Salzburg Hohensalzburg Salzach River Mozart's birthplace Cesky Krumlov Vltava River Passau St. Stephens Cathedral - Day 14
Durnstein
You'll dock in Durnstein in Austria's scenic Wachau Valley with time to explore the charming town before sailing to Krems. Choose from visiting Gottweig Abbey with its Baroque architecture and frescoes, a Wachau Valley wine tasting with a local winemaker, or e-biking from Durnstein to Krems along the Danube with vineyard views.
Included Activities
- Free time to explore Durnstein
Optional Activities
- Gottweig Abbey - visit 6th-century abbey rebuilt to magnificent Baroque with guided tour, impressive frescoes, largest Baroque staircase in Austria
- Wachau Valley wine tasting - visit local winemaker, learn traditional winemaking, sample local wines
- E-biking from Durnstein to Krems - bicycle tour along Danube with stops for scenic views of vineyards
Landmarks Durnstein Wachau Valley Gottweig Abbey Krems Danube River - Day 15
Krems to Vienna
You'll arrive early in Vienna, Austria's imperial capital and City of Music, home to Mozart and Beethoven. A coach takes you from the ship to the city center for a walking tour seeing the Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Belvedere Palace. The ship docks overnight, so the afternoon is yours to explore or relax onboard. Tonight, you'll attend an exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt, music by Strauss and Mozart, ballet dancers, and vocalists.
- Meals
- Dinner (Classical concert with dinner at Palais Liechtenstein featuring glass of fine Austrian Sekt, Strauss and Mozart music, ballet dancers and vocalists)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from ship to Vienna city centre
- Walking tour - Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with dinner, Austrian Sekt, Strauss and Mozart music, ballet dancers, vocalists
Landmarks Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace Palais Liechtenstein 
- Day 16
Vienna
You have the full day in Vienna to choose your activities. Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former Habsburg summer residence with ornate rooms and impressive gardens. Take a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island with its recreational spaces and beaches. Or venture to Bratislava, Slovakia's capital since 1993, with its medieval Old Town, Gothic architecture, and hilltop castle from the 9th century.
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace - former Habsburg summer residence with ornate rooms, royal family tales, impressive gardens
- Cycle to Danube Island - guided e-bike tour to recreational area with bathing, boating, cycling, beaches
- Excursion to Bratislava - coach to Slovakia's capital, tour with local guide of Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, Old Town with medieval and Gothic architecture
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Ringstrasse Bratislava Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 17
Vienna to Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest, one of Europe's most diverse cities divided by the Danube with Buda and Pest united by bridge in 1873. Take a coach tour of both districts, or explore Budapest's communist history and the Hospital in the Rock, a WWII secret hospital and nuclear bunker. Relax in Széchenyi Thermal Baths with 18 geothermal pools filled with mineral-rich water. Hike through Buda district with gardens and Danube views. This afternoon, check out Central Market Hall at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth - coach tour of Buda and Pest, Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge crossing, Széchenyi square, Elizabeth square, piano recital at Institute for the Blind
- Budapest's Past & Present - walking and coach tour of communist past, life in European Union, 1956 Hungarian revolution, Jewish events
- Hospital in the Rock - underground WWII secret hospital converted to nuclear bunker with wax figures, moderately flat with some stairs
- Thermal Baths - relax in Széchenyi Thermal Baths with 18 geothermal pools (15 indoor, 3 outdoor), mineral-rich thermal waters with medicinal properties
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour through Buda district, Várkert Bazár, landscaped gardens, Danube River and city architecture views
- Central Market Hall - largest market in city, neo-gothic style, shopping and sightseeing
Landmarks Budapest Danube River Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi square Elizabeth square Institute for the Blind Hospital in the Rock Széchenyi Thermal Baths Central Market Hall 
- Day 18
Departure
You'll depart after breakfast, taking with you wonderful memories from your 18-day European river cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
