Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Bucharest
When you arrive in Bucharest, you'll be met at the airport and transferred directly to your river ship. This gives you time to settle into your cabin and get oriented before the ship departs.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Ostara)
- Day 2
Veliko Tarnovo
A local guide takes you through Veliko Tarnovo, walking the cobbled lanes around the fortified walls. You'll see the restored Tsarevets Fortress, a medieval citadel from the Second Bulgarian Empire. Grab lunch at a local restaurant, then head back to the ship.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Veliko Tarnovo
- Visit Tsarevets Fortress
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Tsarevets Fortress - Day 3
Belogradchik
You'll check out Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin, a medieval castle built on what's left of the ancient town of Bononia from the 10th century. After that, the ship takes you to Belogradchik to see its ancient fortress on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains and the town's unusual rock formations.
Included Activities
- Visit Baba Vida Fortress
- Visit Belogradchik Fortress
- See Belogradchik rock formations
Landmarks Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Fortress 
- Day 4
Relaxation Day
This day is yours to spend however you like. Sleep in if you want, relax on the ship, or head up early to the Daystar Deck and take in the views as you cruise along the Danube.
Optional Activities
- Relax on board ship
- View from Daystar Deck
- Day 5
Novi Sad
In Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city, you pick what appeals to you. Either take a guided tour down Zmaj Jovina, the main walkway with iconic sights, or visit a local farmstead for traditional Vojvodinian breakfast, music, and freshly made doughnuts.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Novi Sad along Zmaj Jovina
- Visit to local farmstead with traditional breakfast, music and freshly-made doughnuts
Landmarks Zmaj Jovina - Day 6
Puszta Region
You'll visit the Folk Art House to see local handicrafts, then stop at a paprika producer (one of Hungary's most famous exports). Later, a farm in Puszta hosts a horse show and serves an authentic Hungarian lunch.
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic Hungarian lunch at Puszta farm)
Included Activities
- Visit Folk Art House
- Visit paprika producer
- Horse show and authentic Hungarian lunch at Puszta farm
- Day 7
Budapest
In Budapest, choose your activity: either tour the Hospital in the Rock, a former secret emergency hospital and nuclear bunker turned museum, or hike up Gellért Hill for views over the Danube and the St Gellért Monument. This evening you'll have the captain's farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Captain's farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Captain's farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Tour of Hospital in the Rock
- Guided hike to Gellért Hill with views of Danube River and St Gellért Monument
Landmarks Hospital in the Rock Gellért Hill St Gellért Monument 
- Day 8
Budapest
You have the full day to explore Budapest on your own terms. Walk around the neighborhoods, check out cafés, visit museums, or just wander and see what you find.
Optional Activities
- Leisure exploration of Budapest
- Day 9
Budapest to Vienna
Pick a morning activity in Budapest: a city tour covering Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica, food tasting at the Great Market Hall, or the funicular up to Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion. By afternoon, your ship starts cruising toward Vienna.
Optional Activities
- Morning city tour of Budapest with Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Culinary tour of Great Market Hall
- Funicular ride to Castle Hill and walk to Fisherman's Bastion
Landmarks Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Great Market Hall Castle Hill Fisherman's Bastion 
- Day 10
Vienna
The morning is relaxing as you cruise to Vienna. Once you arrive, you'll take in the Ringstrasse and see St. Stephen's Cathedral from the ship or on foot.
Included Activities
- View landmarks along the Ringstrasse
- View St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Ringstrasse St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 11
Vienna
Choose your morning activity: tour inside Schönbrunn Palace to see the Habsburgs' summer residence and former emperors' apartments, visit Bratislava in Slovakia to see rococo architecture mixed with communist-era buildings like the UFO bridge, or join a culinary tour trying Viennese sausage and pastries. Tonight brings a special event: cocktails and a private orchestra performance at Vienna's City Palace, home of Liechtenstein's princely family, featuring Mozart and Strauss with an operatic performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with cocktail party and private performance at Vienna's City Palace)
Included Activities
- Cocktail party and private performance at Vienna's City Palace
Optional Activities
- Tour of Schönbrunn Palace interior and grounds
- Visit to Bratislava, Slovakia
- Vienna culinary tour
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace UFO Bridge Slovak Radio Building Liechtenstein City Palace - Day 12
Melk
You'll explore the town of Dürnstein, then choose an activity. Either cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk, watching vineyards and castles pass by, or bike along the Danube from Dürnstein to Melk. Later, visit Melk Abbey.
Included Activities
- Visit Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley to Melk
- Guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk along Danube River
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 13
Salzburg
After a guided tour of Salzburg, you'll head to a rustic restaurant on Gaisberg mountain overlooking the city. A hunting horn blower greets you, and after a welcome drink and lunch, there's a performance featuring music from The Sound of Music.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on Gaisberg mountain with Sound of Music show)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg
- Gaisberg Mountain lunch and Sound of Music show
Landmarks Gaisberg Mountain 
- Day 14
Regensburg
Pick between two options: a guided tour of Regensburg's World Heritage city center, learning about its Roman origins as Bavaria's first capital, with a tasting at a historic sausage kitchen. Or take a guided bike ride to the Walhalla memorial, a neo-classical building above the Danube honoring notable German figures.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre with historic sausage kitchen tasting
- Guided bike ride to Walhalla Memorial
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Walhalla Memorial - Day 15
Nuremberg
While cruising the Main-Danube Canal this morning, try a Bavarian beer, sausage, and pretzel tasting on deck. The canal took 32 years to build and connects the North and Black seas. In Nuremberg, choose between WWII history sites or a medieval history tour covering the 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle, and Gothic church.
- Meals
- Snack (Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on Daystar Deck)
Included Activities
- Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on Daystar Deck
Optional Activities
- Discover Nuremberg's World War II sites including Reich Party Rally Grounds
- Medieval history of Nuremberg tour
Landmarks Reich Party Rally Grounds Imperial Castle Main Market Square - Day 16
Bamberg
You'll arrive in Bamberg, one of the few German cities that survived WWII intact. Take a guided walk through the Old Town to see historic churches and the town hall on the Regnitz River, or simply relax on the ship.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bamberg Old Town
Optional Activities
- Relax on board ship
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town - Day 17
Franconia
Four options await: walk to the Würzburg Residence, an 18th-century palace with intricate tapestries and Tiepolo frescoes. Travel to Rothenburg to wander medieval streets and visit Käthe Wohlfahrt's 'Christmas Village.' Hike to Marienberg Fortress overlooking the city. Or visit the Volkacher Mainschleife wine region for a tour and tasting at a famous Franconian whisky distillery, paired with fresh bread.
- Meals
- Snack (Whisky tasting paired with freshly baked bread from local bakery (if Volkacher Mainschleife option selected))
Optional Activities
- Visit Würzburg Residence
- Explore walled town of Rothenburg with free time at Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress
- Volkacher Mainschleife whisky distillery tour and tasting with freshly baked bread
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Marienberg Fortress - Day 18
Miltenberg
In Miltenberg, a town preserved like a time capsule from pre-WWII Germany, choose your activity. Either walk through with a guide discovering preserved buildings and squares, then visit an old wine cellar for liqueur tasting. Or travel to a local monastery to meet a Franciscan friar, sample homemade sausages and cheese, then explore the gardens and vineyard.
- Meals
- Snack (Homemade sausages, cheese and bread (if monastery option selected))
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg with local liqueur tasting at historic wine cellar
- Visit to local monastery with Franciscan friar meeting, homemade food sampling, and free time in gardens and vineyard
Landmarks Miltenberg - Day 19
Rüdesheim
Dock in Rüdesheim this morning. Pick an activity: ride a gondola over emerald Rhine Valley vineyards to the Niederwald Monument (commemorating Germany's 1871 unification), tour Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or visit a historic wine cellar for Rhine Valley wine tasting. By afternoon, you'll cruise the Rhine's most beautiful section, seeing ruins on rocky cliffs and vineyard-covered hills.
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride over Rhine Valley vineyards to Niederwald Monument
- Tour of Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Historic wine cellar visit with Rhine Valley wines tasting
Landmarks Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 20
Namedy Castle
Today brings an exclusive experience: Princess Heide von Hohenzollern welcomes you into Namedy Castle, a 14th-century residence near the Rhine. Wander through rooms, hidden spaces, and manicured grounds. Morning tea features a classical pianist. The afternoon you'll cruise toward the Netherlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Morning tea with pianist playing classical music)
Included Activities
- Private tour of Namedy Castle
- Morning tea with pianist playing classical music
Landmarks Namedy Castle - Day 21
Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, select your activity: a glass-top boat tour through World Heritage canals admiring unique architecture, a visit to a local cheese store for Edam and Gouda tasting, a guided bike ride to Durgerdam village and the Street Art Museum, or (on spring departures) Keukenhof Gardens with over seven million flowering bulbs. This evening, you'll have fresh oysters with regional sparkling wine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Fresh, locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine)
Included Activities
- Evening oysters and regional sparkling wine
Optional Activities
- Glass-top boat canal cruise
- Cheese tasting at local cheese store
- Guided bike ride to Durgerdam and Street Art Museum visit
- Keukenhof Gardens visit (select spring departures)
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Durgerdam Keukenhof Gardens 
- Day 22
Departure
Your trip ends today. After breakfast, say goodbye to the ship and the crew, then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
