Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Bucharest
You'll arrive in Bucharest and head to your hotel to get settled in. This evening, join the group for a welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner
- Day 2
Bucharest
This morning, a guided tour takes you through Bucharest's Old City, where you'll see the recently refurbished historic quarter. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll visit the Palace of the Parliament, a massive building with over 3,000 rooms.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bucharest's Old City
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Visit to Palace of the Parliament
Landmarks Palace of the Parliament Bucharest Old City - Day 3
Brasov
You'll travel to Salina Slanic Prahova, Europe's largest salt mine, and descend 208 metres underground to explore chambers and the museum. The air down there is known for respiratory health benefits. After dinner, it's off to your hotel in Brasov.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit to Salina Slanic Prahova salt mine
- Underground descent to 14 chambers
- Museum visit
- Dinner
Landmarks Salina Slanic Prahova - Day 4
Brasov
Bran Castle is on the agenda today, the fortress known as 'Dracula's Castle' sitting on a rocky hill with striking orange turrets overlooking the Carpathian Mountains. You'll wander through its rooms and see 19th-century antiques. Back in Brasov for lunch, then a walking tour of the city's history this afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bran Castle
- Lunch in Brasov
- Walking tour of Brasov's history
Landmarks Bran Castle 
- Day 5
Giurgiu
You'll check out Peles Castle in Sinaia, a neo-Renaissance building at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains. King Carol I commissioned it and it took 40 years to complete. After free time for lunch in Sinaia, you'll travel to Giurgiu to board your river cruise.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Ostara)
Included Activities
- Visit to Peles Castle
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Sinaia (free time)
Landmarks Peles Castle - Day 6
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
An expert local guide leads you through Veliko Tarnovo's cobbled lanes and fortified walls. You'll see Tsarevets Fortress, a restored medieval citadel from the Second Bulgarian Empire. Lunch happens at a local restaurant before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Veliko Tarnovo
- Visit to Tsarevets Fortress
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Tsarevets Fortress - Day 7
Belogradchik, Bulgaria
You'll explore Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin, a medieval castle from the 10th century built on remains of the ancient town of Bononia. From there, you'll go to Belogradchik to see its ancient fortress on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains and the town's unique rock formations.
Included Activities
- Visit to Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin
- Visit to Belogradchik Fortress
- Viewing of rock formations
Landmarks Baba Vida Fortress Belogradchik Fortress 
- Day 8
At Sea
It's a day to relax on board the APT Ostara. You can sleep in and take it easy, or wake early to enjoy views from the Daystar Deck if you prefer.
Optional Activities
- Wake early to view from Daystar Deck
- Day 9
Novi Sad, Serbia
You're spending the day in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city, and you'll pick your activity. Either join a guided tour of iconic sights along Zmaj Jovina's main walkway, or visit a local farmstead to experience Vojvodinian culture with traditional breakfast, music, and fresh doughnuts.
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour of Novi Sad
- Visit to local farmstead with traditional breakfast, music and doughnuts
- Day 10
Puszta, Hungary
Today's a Signature Experience day. You'll visit the Folk Art House to see local handicrafts, then a paprika producer. After that, you'll head to a farm in Puszta for a horse show and authentic Hungarian lunch.
- Meals
- Lunch (Authentic Hungarian lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit to Folk Art House
- Visit to paprika producer
- Horse show at farm
- Authentic Hungarian lunch
- Day 11
Budapest, Hungary
You'll choose your sightseeing activity in Budapest. Either tour the Hospital in the Rock, a museum of a former secret emergency hospital and nuclear bunker, or take a guided hike up Gellért Hill for panoramic Danube views and the St Gellért Monument. Tonight brings the captain's farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Captain's farewell dinner)
Optional Activities
- Tour of Hospital in the Rock
- Guided hike to Gellért Hill with St Gellért Monument viewing
Landmarks Hospital in the Rock Gellért Hill St Gellért Monument 
- Day 12
Budapest, Hungary
You have the full day to explore Budapest on your own. Wander around this fascinating city at whatever pace you like, checking out whatever catches your interest.
- Day 13
Budapest to Vienna
This morning in Budapest, you'll choose between a city tour visiting Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica, a culinary tour through the Great Market Hall, or a funicular ride to Castle Hill with a walk to Fisherman's Bastion. In the afternoon, the 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 14
Vienna, Austria
You'll have a relaxing morning as the ship cruises to Vienna. Once you arrive, you'll take in the city's landmarks along the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Included Activities
- Viewing of landmarks along the Ringstrasse
- Viewing of St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Ringstrasse St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 15
Vienna, Austria
Your morning sightseeing has options: tour Schönbrunn Palace with its apartments and grounds, journey to Bratislava in Slovakia to see rococo and communist-era architecture, or take a culinary tour through Viennese cuisine. This evening features an unforgettable Signature Experience with a cocktail party and private classical concert at Vienna's City Palace with a full orchestra performing Mozart and Strauss, plus an operatic performance.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Cocktail party and private classical concert at Vienna's City Palace
Optional Activities
- Tour inside Schönbrunn Palace
- Visit to Bratislava, Slovakia
- Viennese culinary tour
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Vienna's City Palace UFO Bridge - Day 16
Melk, Austria
You'll explore the town of Durnstein and then pick your activity: either cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk admiring vineyards and villages, or take a guided bike ride along the Danube from Durnstein to Melk. Later, you'll visit Melk Abbey.
Included Activities
- Visit to Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Cruise through the Wachau Valley
- Guided bike ride from Durnstein to Melk along the Danube River
Landmarks Melk Abbey 
- Day 17
Salzburg, Austria
A guided tour of Salzburg leads into a Signature Experience. You'll head to a rustic restaurant on Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg, greeted by a hunting horn blower, have a welcome drink, enjoy lunch, and watch a show featuring music from 'The Sound of Music'.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg with Sound of Music show)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg
- Gaisberg Mountain lunch with Sound of Music show
- Day 18
Regensburg, Germany
You can personalise your day with your choice of activities. Explore Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre on a guided tour covering Roman times and Bavaria's first capital, finishing with a tasting at the historic sausage kitchen, or take a guided bike ride to the Walhalla Memorial for neo-classical architecture and Danube views.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg's World Heritage city centre with historic sausage kitchen tasting
- Guided bike ride to the Walhalla Memorial
Landmarks Walhalla Memorial - Day 19
Nuremberg, Germany
You'll continue cruising along the Main-Danube Canal while enjoying a Bavarian beer, sausage, and pretzel tasting on the Daystar Deck. In Nuremberg, pick your activity: discover World War II sites including the Reich Party Rally Grounds, or join a medieval history tour covering 900-year-old ramparts, the Imperial Castle, and the Gothic market square.
- Meals
- Snack (Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting)
Included Activities
- Bavarian beer, sausage and pretzel tasting on Daystar Deck
Optional Activities
- Tour of Nuremberg's World War II sites
- Medieval history tour of Nuremberg
Landmarks Reich Party Rally Grounds Imperial Castle - Day 20
Bamberg, Germany
You'll arrive in World Heritage-listed Bamberg, one of the few German cities not destroyed during World War II. Explore the Old Town with a guide discovering historic churches and buildings, including the town hall on the Regnitz River. Or stay relaxed and rest on board.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Bamberg Old Town
Optional Activities
- Relax on board ship
- Day 21
Wurzburg, Germany
You can personalise your day with multiple options. Visit the 18th-century Würzburg Residence with its tapestries and ceiling frescoes, explore the walled medieval town of Rothenburg with colorful houses and a Christmas Village option, hike to Marienberg Fortress overlooking the city, or tour the Volkacher Mainschleife wine region and a Franconian whisky distillery with tasting and fresh bread.
Optional Activities
- Tour of Würzburg Residence
- Exploration of Rothenburg
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress
- Volkacher Mainschleife wine region and whisky distillery tour with tasting
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Marienberg Fortress - Day 22
Miltenberg, Germany
You'll step ashore in Miltenberg, a preserved old-world village spared from World War II destruction. Choose your activity: a guided walking tour of its remarkably preserved buildings and squares followed by liqueur tasting at one of Franconia's oldest wine cellars, or travel to a local monastery to meet a Franciscan friar, sample homemade sausages, cheese, and bread, and wander the gardens.
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg with local liqueur tasting
- Visit to local monastery with Franciscan friar and homemade food
- Day 23
Rudesheim, Germany
You'll dock in Rüdesheim, one of Germany's most revered cultural cities. Pick your activity: glide over emerald vineyards in a gondola 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. This afternoon, you'll cruise past crumbling ruins and vineyards on the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine.
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 wine tasting
Landmarks Niederwald Monument 
- Day 24
Netherlands
You'll enjoy an exclusive Signature Experience at Namedy Castle. Princess Heide von Hohenzollern welcomes you into her 14th-century residence near the Rhine. You'll wander the rooms, hidden nooks, and manicured grounds before morning tea with a pianist playing classical music. The afternoon is spent cruising to the Netherlands.
- Meals
- Brunch (Morning tea)
Included Activities
- Visit to Namedy Castle
- Morning tea with classical music pianist
Landmarks Namedy Castle - Day 25
Amsterdam, Netherlands
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and choose your activity. Board a glass-top boat to see World Heritage-listed canals and unique architecture, visit a local cheese store for regional tasting, join a guided bike ride through countryside to Durgerdam village and the Street Art Museum, or on select spring departures, explore Keukenhof Gardens with over seven million flowering bulbs. This evening, you'll have fresh, locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Fresh, locally sourced oysters with regional sparkling wine)
Included Activities
- Fresh oysters with regional sparkling wine
Optional Activities
- Glass-top boat canal cruise
- Regional cheese tasting
- Guided bike ride to Durgerdam and Street Art Museum
- Keukenhof Gardens (spring departures only)
Landmarks Keukenhof Gardens Street Art Museum 
- Day 26
Departure
Your 26-day journey ends today. After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your fellow travellers and head to the airport for your transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
