Itinerary
- Day 1
Brussels
Your Tour Director will meet you at the hotel in Brussels, where you'll be staying for the next three days. Take time to settle in and get oriented to Belgium's capital. The city's known for its chocolate shops, food scene, and the mix of old and modern architecture you'll see throughout your stay.
- Day 2
Brussels
Today's a guided walking tour through Brussels, and you won't pay for any museum entry. You'll check out the Grand Place UNESCO site, see the quirky Manneken Pis statue, walk by the Royal Palace and St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, and visit the Atomium. Your guide will point out hidden spots as you move through the streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Brussels
- Visit to Grand Place
- Visit to Manneken Pis
- Visit to Royal Palace
- Visit to St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
- Visit to Atomium
Landmarks/POIs Grand Place Manneken Pis Royal Palace St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral Atomium - Day 3
Brussels
This is your free day to wander Brussels however you like. Try Belgian fries with craft beer to get a taste of what the locals enjoy, or head to Parc du Cinquantenaire to relax and walk through the French-style gardens with their museums and sculptures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Belgium Comic Heritage tour (extra expense)
- Belgian Craft Beer experience (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Parc du Cinquantenaire - Day 4
Brussels to Amsterdam
After breakfast, you'll board a coach headed to Amsterdam. Once you arrive, you'll board your luxury Star-Ship cruise vessel, which will be your home for the next two weeks on the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Amsterdam
Pick your activity in Amsterdam: take a glass-top canal boat through the UNESCO-listed canals to see the historic merchant buildings, or join a guided bike tour to Waterland to see old villages and traditional windmills. From there, the ship sails through the Dutch countryside toward the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Day 6
Cologne
You're in Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities founded by the Romans. Even though it faced heavy damage in World War II, the city still has Roman ruins and medieval structures. A local guide will take you around to find Cologne's most typical sights and treasures throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 7
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
The cruise moves through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage area with hilltop castles and fortresses. You'll pass the Lorelai Rock and see Pfalzgrafenstein Castle. Later you'll reach Rüdesheim, a wine town where you can either take the Winzerexpress to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum or hike up to Niederwalddenkmal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Active Walk to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks/POIs Lorelai Rock Pfalzgrafenstein Castle - Day 8
Miltenberg
You'll visit Miltenberg, a medieval Bavarian village on the Main River with 15th century half-timbered buildings. An included walking tour takes you down cobblestone streets past colorful houses and the Gothic Merchant Hall. Alternatively, hike through the forest to Mildenburg Castle or visit the peaceful Bronnbach Abbey in the Tauber Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
- Visit to Bronnbach Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided Active Walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks/POIs Mildenburg Castle Bronnbach Abbey - Day 9
Würzburg
Today you're in Würzburg, surrounded by vineyards on sloping hillsides. The main stop is the UNESCO World Heritage Würzburg Residence, a baroque building that blends Viennese, Italian, and other styles. A guided tour will explain how it was restored after WWII damage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg and a visit to the Bishops Residence
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence - Day 10
Bamberg
The ship cruises to Bamberg while you relax on board. This UNESCO World Heritage town has around 2,400 listed buildings, one of Europe's largest medieval centers. You'll visit the New Residence, which once housed prince bishops and now displays old German and Baroque paintings. Later there's a walk through the Rose Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks/POIs New Residence - Day 11
Nuremberg
Nuremberg's sightseeing tour shows you the architectural sites and how the city was affected by World War II, including the half-timbered houses that were rebuilt after the war. Once the organized tour ends, you'll have free time to explore the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense)
- Day 12
Regensburg
After sailing the Main-Danube Canal, you'll reach Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Walk through the Old Town with its narrow alleys and see the 13th-century Old Town Hall, which once served as parliament's seat. The 12th-century Stone Bridge across the Danube is a main highlight. Later this evening, there's a traditional Bavarian band performance on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Stone Bridge Old Town Hall - Day 13
Passau
Passau sits at the meeting point of three rivers and features large squares, romantic lanes, and Baroque buildings from the 17th century. During the walking tour, you'll see the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral with its noted Baroque architecture and Europe's largest church organ. Lunch is back on the ship, followed by an afternoon cruising the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 14
Melk to Dürnstein
You'll explore Melk in Austria's wine region, centered on a 900-year-old Benedictine abbey that's a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guide takes you through opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture, gold leaf walls, and the monastic library with medieval manuscripts. Later, you cruise the UNESCO Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. Choose to hike to Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was held, or take a guided bike ride through vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Dürnstein Castle - Day 15
Vienna
Vienna is Austria's capital, historically the home of Mozart and Beethoven with imperial palaces and contemporary art museums. You'll see the Ringstrasse and city center by coach and on foot, including the Renaissance-style Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Flemish Gothic Parliament. Then either take a guided bike tour or explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Vienna
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Opera House Burgtheater Parliament - Day 16
Bratislava
In Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, you'll see Baroque palaces, shops, and cafés along cobblestone streets. The sightseeing tour covers the Old City with its Old Town Hall and Renaissance courtyard, plus the Episcopal Summer Palace botanical gardens and Slovak National Theatre. This afternoon, a local Slovakian family welcomes you to their home for coffee and cake. You can hike to Bratislava Castle or explore at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Bratislava Castle Old Town Hall Slovak National Theatre - Day 17
Budapest
Budapest is Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan city, split by the Danube River into Buda and Pest, connected by the Chain Bridge. This morning choose a guided coach tour or hike to Gellert Hill for panoramic views. This evening, there's a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board before your farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Gellert Hill - Day 18
Budapest to Prague
You'll disembark after breakfast and transfer by coach to Prague. The city holds some of the world's best-preserved architecture from multiple eras. Check into your hotel for a three-night stay in this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 19
Prague
A guided tour takes you through Prague's heart, showing you Europe's well-preserved architecture. You'll visit three magnificent castle courtyards and St. Vitus Cathedral, descend the Castle Steps for views, then cross the iconic Charles Bridge to Old Town. The tour ends at the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. Afterward, stop for coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Prague
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks/POIs St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 20
Prague
Today you explore Prague independently at your own pace. Try local Czech treats and take in the culture on your own schedule. Your tour director is available if you need help planning your day or have questions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
- Day 21
Prague to Airport
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your travel companions and head to the airport for your transfer out of Prague. You're taking with you memories of ancient architecture and views of UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
