Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and board your luxury river ship this afternoon. After checking into your suite, there's a welcome reception in the evening where you can meet fellow travelers and get oriented to the ship.
Included Activities
- Welcome reception on board
Landmarks Danube River 
- Day 2
Budapest
You have options for exploring Budapest today. You could wander through both the Buda and Pest districts, check out the Hospital in the Rock from WWII, or take a culinary walk through the Grand Central Market to sample local foods and specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth: Visit Buda and Pest districts, Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchényi Square, Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock: Experience the secret WWII hospital and nuclear bunker labyrinths
- Hungarian Culinary Market Walk: Explore Grand Central Market with local food tastings and cultural stories
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchényi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 3
Budapest to Vienna
The ship cruises toward Vienna along the Danube River. During the day you can relax in your suite with butler service, try the Salt Therapy Lounge, grab aperitifs on the Sun Deck, or socialize in the Panorama Lounge before arriving in Vienna this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Danube River cruise to Vienna
Landmarks Danube River - Day 4
Vienna
It's Christmas Day in Vienna. You'll choose between a guided tour of central Vienna with time to explore on your own, a visit to Schönbrunn Palace with its ornate rooms and gardens, or the Kunsthistorisches Museum to see the art collections.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Central Vienna exploration: Guided tour of city centre with history and free exploration time
- Schönbrunn Palace: Guided tour of the former Habsburg summer residence with ornate rooms and impressive gardens
- Kunsthistorisches Museum: Explore Vienna's premiere art museum with artistic treasures
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Kunsthistorisches Museum - Day 5
Melk
The ship stops in Dürnstein, where vineyards surround the 12th-century castle where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner. After lunch you'll cruise through the Wachau Valley, then choose either a guided tour of Melk Abbey or an e-bike ride through vineyard villages heading toward Melk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch cruise through Wachau Valley), Dinner
Included Activities
- Danube cruise through Wachau Valley
- Free time in Dürnstein
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey: 18th-century abbey with Marble Hall, library with 80,000 books, Abbey Church with frescoes
- E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk: Guided e-bike ride through villages and vineyards with river views
Landmarks Dürnstein Dürnstein Castle Wachau Valley Melk Abbey - Day 6
Melk
You have several options for a full-day excursion. Head to Salzburg to see the alpine peaks and the Salzach River, or go to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, take a walking tour of Passau to see the narrow streets and St. Stephen's Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg: Coach journey to explore the alpine city with lunch at local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov: Coach journey to Czech fairytale town with guided exploration and lunch
- Highlights of Passau walking tour: Walking tour of laneways and St. Stephen's Cathedral at the confluence of three rivers
Landmarks Salzburg Salzach River Český Krumlov Passau St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 7
Regensburg
The ship arrives in Regensburg just before lunch at the point where three Bavarian rivers meet. You can either join a walking tour of the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria, or visit traditional breweries for Bavarian beer tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour: Expert guide showing old stone bridge, Church of St James, Porta Praetoria with regional customs
- Bavarian beer tasting: Visit traditional breweries, learn brewing intricacies, sample distinctive Bavarian beers
Landmarks Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 8
Nuremberg
You'll arrive in Nuremberg this afternoon, Bavaria's second-largest city with the 12th-century Imperial Castle dominating the skyline. Choose a walking tour of the Old Town, a WWII history tour, or try a gingerbread cooking class to bake traditional Lebkuchen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town: Guided tour seeing Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's church, market square
- The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour: Expert guide discussing Third Reich events in Nuremberg
- Gingerbread cooking: Cooking class with local chef learning traditional German Lebkuchen biscuits
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church - Day 9
Bamberg
The ship arrives in Bamberg and you'll join a guided tour of the World Heritage Old Town. You'll see the island town hall, the Gothic cathedral, the Old and New Residences, Little Venice with its charming buildings, and the 12th-century castle on the highest of seven hills.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Little Venice - Day 10
Würzburg
You arrive in Würzburg, a Baroque city in Franconian wine country surrounded by vineyards. Take a guided tour of the market square or the Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg to see the Gothic City Hall and the famous City Councillors' Tavern. Tonight you'll celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (New Year's Eve celebration with fireworks)
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour: Coach transfer to Würzburg centre with local guide showing historic market square and free time
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg: Coach excursion along medieval trade route to Rothenburg with guided tour of Gothic and Renaissance City Hall and City Councillors' Tavern
Landmarks Würzburg Rothenburg City Councillors' Tavern - Day 11
Rhine River
Happy New Year! The ship departs Würzburg early and spends the day cruising the spectacular Rhine River. You can use the modern gym, chat with other travelers in the River Cafe, or relax on the Sun Deck with a drink watching the scenery drift by.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rhine River cruise
Landmarks Rhine River - Day 12
Rüdesheim
You disembark in Rüdesheim, surrounded by steep vineyards that have produced wine for 2,000 years. Take a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore the half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and wine taverns. This evening there's an exclusive concert at the historic Schloss Johannisberg winery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Concert and dining at historic Metternich Hall, Schloss Johannisberg with Riesling wines)
Included Activities
- Mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Free time in Rüdesheim centre
- Exclusive Enrich concert at Schloss Johannisberg
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Schloss Johannisberg - Day 13
Cologne
The ship arrives in Cologne this morning, a city known for its liberal lifestyle, beer culture, and the iconic cathedral that dominates the skyline. You'll do a walking tour through the Old Town's narrow streets and breweries serving Kölsch beer, visit Cologne Cathedral, and have free time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Visit Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 14
Amsterdam
You'll explore Amsterdam, often called the Venice of the North with its World Heritage-listed waterways and well-preserved canal houses. Choose a one-hour canal cruise, a walking tour through the maze of canals and bridges, or an excursion to see 16th-century windmills at Schermerhorn and the charming town of Alkmaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise: One-hour cruise through Amsterdam's 100+ kilometres of historic canals viewing pretty city sights
- City walking tour: Guided exploration of canal maze and bridges covering history, modern lifestyle, Dutch culture
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: Visit authentic 16th-century windmills in Schermerhorn and charming Alkmaar with historic buildings and canals
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 15
Amsterdam to Paris
You'll travel from Amsterdam to Paris by high-speed train and check into a centrally located hotel for a three-night stay in the French capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16
Paris
Join a guided coach tour of Paris to see scenic districts and famous sights including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier Opera, the Louvre, and Les Invalides. Later this afternoon you'll have free time to explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Paris
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe Palais Garnier Opera Louvre Les Invalides River Seine - Day 17
Paris
Choose how you'll spend today in Paris. Explore Montmartre's winding cobblestone streets known for artists, vineyards, and green spaces, or visit Atelier des Lumières to see digital art exhibitions with 360-degree projections of works by Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet. You'll have free time this afternoon to wander around on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Secrets of Montmartre: Walking tour through winding cobblestone streets of historic artist district with vineyard and greenspace
- Atelier des Lumières: Immersive digital art center in former iron foundry with 360-degree projections of Van Gogh, Klimt, Monet masterpieces (Exhibition changes yearly; 2026 schedule to be published in January 2026)
Landmarks Montmartre Atelier des Lumières - Day 18
Departure
Your journey wraps up this morning. You'll either transfer via Eurostar to Amsterdam to start a river cruise, or if you're finishing in Paris, head to the airport for your flight home.
