Itinerary
- Day 1
Nice to Arles
You'll be picked up at Nice airport and driven to Arles, where you board your river ship. After settling in, there's a welcome reception and dinner with the other passengers this evening. It's your first chance to meet everyone and get oriented to the boat.
Landmarks Arles 
- Day 2
Arles
Start with a guided tour of Arles' Amphitheatre, a 2,000-year-old structure that still shows the city's Roman heritage. You'll walk through UNESCO World Heritage sites and learn how Vincent van Gogh found inspiration here during his time in the city, connecting the locations to his famous paintings. After the tour wraps up, the rest of the day is yours to wander around at your own pace and get a feel for Arles on your own terms.
- Meals
- Dinner (A Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
Optional Activities
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop (extra expense)
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)
- Provencal Soap Making Workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre Basilica of Saint-Trophime - Day 3
Avignon
Head into Avignon for a walking tour of the Palais des Papes, the former papal residence from the 1300s when seven popes lived there. The building and surrounding sites are UNESCO listed and full of history. Later this evening, there's a classical concert included as part of your cruise package.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
- Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes 
- Day 4
Viviers
The ship stops at Viviers, a small medieval village with narrow streets and colorful buildings in pastel shades. You'll join a guided walk through the old town to get a sense of how people lived here centuries ago. It's the kind of place where you can really slow down.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense)
- Day 5
Tournon
You sail down to Tournon, where a 16th-century castle sits overlooking the village from above. There's a guided tour to learn about the area's history, or if you prefer something active, you can hike through the vineyards surrounding the town. Both options show off different sides of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards
- Day 6
Vienne
Vienne is next on your route, an historic town with roots going back to Roman times. After a walking tour through the town center, you'll head back to the ship for a tasting of local cheeses and olives. It's a nice way to sample what the region produces.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Cheese and olive tasting on board)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne
- Day 7
Lyon
Head into Lyon, one of France's largest cities with a significant Roman past, for a walking tour of its UNESCO World Heritage sites and key architectural landmarks. If walking doesn't appeal to you, a guided bike tour covers the same ground and hits the city's most important spots. Lyon has built its reputation on food, so you'll find excellent restaurants and markets throughout the city if dining is part of your plan here.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)
- Lyon by Night (extra expense)
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière - Day 8
Transfer to Rhine River
After breakfast on the Rh\u00f4ne, you're transferred to a different ship for the Rhine River portion of your trip. This marks the shift from French rivers to German ones, where you'll see medieval castles and landscapes that feel straight out of fairy tales. It's a transition day with travel involved.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Freiburg
Freiburg is your first stop on the Rhine, billed as the gateway to the Black Forest region. You can sample local Black Forest specialties as part of your package, or join a guided bike tour in Breisach to explore the area more actively. This is included as an extra activity with your cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
- Day 10
Kehl to Strasbourg
After leaving Kehl, you're driven to Strasbourg to explore the medieval old town with its half-timbered houses and UNESCO recognition. A culinary tour takes you through Alsatian food and flavors, then there's a private concert in a historic venue this evening. It's a full cultural day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Strasbourg Old Town 
- Day 11
Mannheim to Heidelberg
This morning you'll stay aboard as the ship moves along the Rhine River, passing where the Rhine and Neckar rivers meet. After that, a coach takes you to Heidelberg for a guided tour of this UNESCO City of Literature. You'll walk through the old town and see Heidelberg Castle, learning about the city's history and how it inspired writers like Mark Twain and William Turner. The combination of river scenery and historical exploration makes for a full day on the water and in this literary hub.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Rüdesheim with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 12
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
The Rhine Gorge is the highlight here, with castles dotting hilltops along steep, forested banks. It's a UNESCO site for good reason. You'll arrive in Koblenz where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet at the German Corner. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress overlooks the city, and the cobbled squares are worth exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress - Day 13
Cologne and Düsseldorf
Cologne comes first, one of Germany's oldest cities, and its cathedral is the main draw. After lunch, you head to D\u00fcsseldorf where a walking tour covers the old town, trendy shops, and Rhine views. Both cities sit on the river and have their own character and history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Duesseldorf
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 14
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a Dutch town famous for its cheese market that's been running for centuries. The historic center has charming canals and medieval buildings scattered around. You can either wander on your own or join a bike tour through the surrounding countryside to see how the Dutch countryside really looks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
- Dutch Delights (extra expense)
- Day 15
Amsterdam
You have the full day in Amsterdam to find your own path through the city. There's no scheduled group activity, so you can check out the smaller canals, local museums, neighborhoods, or just sit at a caf\u00e9 and watch how things work in this city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16
Amsterdam to Rhine River
A glass-top canal boat takes you through Amsterdam's UNESCO listed canal system where you see how the old merchant houses line the water. If you prefer biking, there's a guided tour to Waterland to see traditional windmills and villages. In the afternoon, the ship heads back toward the Rhine and Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System - Day 17
Cologne (Second Visit)
Cologne appears again on your itinerary, but this time there's an active guided adventure through the city. You'll hunt for local treasures and landmarks while walking, getting a different view than a coach tour might provide. The city was founded by Romans in 50 AD and still shows that history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures
- Day 18
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
You cruise through the Rhine Gorge again, where the landscape is UNESCO protected for its castle-studded hillsides and dramatic scenery. The Lorelai Rock and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle pass by your window. In R\u00fcdesheim, either ride the Winzerexpress to see a mechanical music museum or hike up to the Niederwalddenkmal monument.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Active Walk to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks Pfalzgrafenstein Castle - Day 19
Miltenberg
Miltenberg is a medieval Bavarian village with 15th-century half-timbered buildings and colorful houses lining cobblestone streets. The Gothic Merchant Hall stands out in the center. You can hike up to Mildenburg Castle for views or visit Bronnbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery, to see monastic life from centuries past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Visit to Bronnbach Abbey)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Guided Active Walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks Mildenburg Castle - Day 20
Würzburg
W\u00fcrzburg sits on the Main River surrounded by vineyards on sloping hillsides. The UNESCO listed W\u00fcrzburg Residence is the main tour, a Baroque palace that was damaged in WWII and carefully restored. Learning about how it was rebuilt connects you to both the artistic heritage and modern history of the region.
- 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 Würzburg Residence - Day 21
Bamberg
The ship sails to Bamberg, a UNESCO town with around 2,400 medieval buildings still standing. You can tour the New Residence with its collection of old German and Baroque paintings from the Bavarian state collection. Afterward, there's time to walk through the Rose Garden and medieval streets on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town - Day 22
Nuremberg
Nuremberg's historic sights have inspired artists for centuries, and you'll learn about the city's role in WWII history during your tour. The half-timbered houses have been carefully rebuilt after wartime damage. Free time lets you wander past these colorful buildings and soak in the atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Nuremberg Old Town - Day 23
Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg
You sail through the Main-Danube Canal to reach Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities with 2,000 years of history behind it. The UNESCO old town includes the 13th-century town hall and the famous 12th-century Stone Bridge. This evening there's a traditional Bavarian band performing on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Stone Bridge Regensburg Old Town - Day 24
Passau
Passau sits where three rivers meet the Danube, and the old town is full of baroque buildings, cobblestone streets, and arched passageways. You'll tour the Gothic town hall, the bishop's residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, which has the largest church organ in Europe. It's one of those towns where the architecture tells the whole story.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 25
Melk and Wachau Valley
Melk's main attraction is a 900-year-old Benedictine abbey with opulent baroque rooms, gold leaf walls, and a monastic library holding medieval manuscripts. After touring the abbey, you sail through the UNESCO Wachau Valley to D\u00fcrnstein. From there, hike to D\u00fcrnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner, or bike along the Danube through vineyards and small towns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Landmarks Melk Abbey Dürnstein Castle - Day 26
Vienna
Vienna is Austria's cultural capital with imperial palaces and centuries of history visible in the architecture. A coach and walking tour covers the Ringstrasse, Renaissance opera house, baroque theaters, and gothic parliament building. There's also a guided bike tour option if you'd rather move through the city that way. Free time afterward lets you explore neighborhoods on your own.
- 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 Vienna Opera House Parliament of Austria 
- Day 27
Bratislava
Bratislava's old city has baroque palaces and cafes tucked along cobblestone streets. You can join a sightseeing tour or hike up to Bratislava Castle for views of the whole city. The botanical gardens at the Episcopal Summer Palace are worth seeing, and later there's coffee and cake with a local Slovak family, which gives real insight into daily life here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Castle Bratislava Old Town 
- Day 28
Budapest
Budapest straddles the Danube River and feels like two cities connected by the Chain Bridge. You can choose between a guided tour or a hike up to Gellert Hill for panoramic views of both Buda and Pest. After exploring, there's a traditional Hungarian folklore performance, then a farewell dinner with other passengers to close out the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Gellert Hill 
- Day 29
Departure
Your trip ends after breakfast when you say goodbye to fellow passengers and transfer to the airport. You'll be thinking about everything you saw along two rivers, from the vineyards of France to the castles and baroque cities of Central Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
