Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You'll arrive in Prague, a city that's managed to preserve over 1,000 years of history remarkably well. The Vltava River runs through the middle, creating two distinct sides: the historic Old Town on one bank and the New Town on the other. This gives the city an interesting geography that you'll notice as you move around.
Landmarks Vltava River - Day 2
Prague
An expert local guide takes you through Prague's Gothic architecture, starting with the Old Town and the famous Astronomical Clock. You'll also cross Charles Bridge, which was commissioned back in 1357 by Charles IV and is quite a sight. After the guided portion, the afternoon is yours to wander around the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town
- Astronomical Clock visit
- Charles Bridge walk
Landmarks Old Town Square Prague Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge - Day 3
Prague
You have three options to choose from today. One path takes you on a walking tour through Prague's Communist history followed by beer tasting at a local brewery. Another option is visiting Terezin Memorial to learn about the Nazi occupation. Or you can head to Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting
- Terezin Memorial visit
- Prague Castle Tour including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane Theresienstadt Ghetto (Terezin Memorial) - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
A coach picks you up for the journey to Budapest. Once you arrive, you'll board your river cruise ship and settle in for the next leg of your trip along the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5
Budapest
Budapest offers four different activities to choose from today. You can visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts separated by the Danube. Or explore the Hospital in the Rock, a secret WWII and nuclear bunker. The Grand Central Market is another option if you want to experience Hungarian food culture. For something different, a guided hike through Buda gives you views over the Danube and city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth tour
- Hospital in the Rock experience
- Hungarian Culinary Market Walk at Grand Central Market
- Guided hike of Buda district
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 6
Budapest to Vienna
The ship cruises the Danube toward Vienna today. Throughout the day, you can relax in the Salt Therapy Lounge, grab refreshments on the Sun Deck, or mingle with other travelers in the Panorama Lounge. By evening, you'll arrive in Vienna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt and Vienna's largest secular baroque hall performance
Landmarks Palais Liechtenstein - Day 7
Vienna
Vienna is decorated with Christmas lights along the Ringstrasse, and you'll notice festive music playing throughout the city. Three different activities are available, or you can attend a traditional Christmas Mass at a nearby church. The musical heritage of the city really comes through during the holiday season.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace exploration
- Central Vienna exploration with expert local guide
- Excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia including Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, and Old Town
Landmarks The Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 8
Vienna to Passau
You'll celebrate Christmas aboard your river cruise as the ship heads toward Passau, Germany. Spend time in the Salt Therapy Lounge if you want to relax, or enjoy fresh air on the Sun Deck while watching charming villages and scenic landscape pass by.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9
Passau
Today offers three full-day excursions to pick from. One takes you to Salzburg surrounded by alpine peaks with lunch included. Another heads to the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov with a guided tour and lunch. A third option is a walking tour of Passau at the meeting point of three rivers, including a visit to St. Stephens Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg with lunch at local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov with guide and lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau walking tour including St. Stephens Cathedral
Landmarks St. Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Český Krumlov - Day 10
Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg just before lunch, a city sitting where three rivers meet in Bavaria. Two activities are available: a walking tour with a local expert exploring the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria, or visiting traditional breweries to learn about brewing and taste distinctive Bavarian beers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour
- Bavarian beer tasting at traditional breweries
Landmarks Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 11
Nuremberg
This afternoon you'll dock in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city. An ancient city wall protects the Old Town, and the 12th century Imperial Castle dominates the skyline. You can choose a walking tour of the Old Town, a WWII history tour exploring Third Reich events, or a gingerbread cooking class where you'll learn to bake traditional German Lebkuchen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town
- The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour
- Gingerbread cooking class with local chef
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church - Day 12
Bamberg
Bamberg awaits this morning, a World Heritage town built across seven hills with intersecting rivers and canals. The Old Town has cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. You can take a guided tour exploring medieval and Baroque architecture, or head to Coburg to visit its impressive castle and museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town
- Excursion to Coburg including castle visit
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Cathedral Coburg Castle - Day 13
Würzburg
The ship moves into Wurzburg, a Baroque city along the Main River in Franconian wine country. The city has a World Heritage palace, a hilltop fortress, and the 15th century Old Main Bridge. A guided city tour with transfer to the center and market square is one option, or you can drive the scenic Romantic Road to Rothenburg, a medieval town with Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour of Würzburg
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg excursion
Landmarks Würzburg Palace Old Main Bridge Rothenburg - Day 14
Wertheim to Miltenberg
You'll arrive in Wertheim this morning on the Main and Tauber Rivers. After an orientation tour, a coach transfers you to Miltenberg for a walking tour through cobblestone streets with historic half-timbered houses. Later, you'll head back to the ship for a New Year celebration tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
- Walking tour of Miltenberg
- Day 15
Rüdesheim
You're starting 2028 in Rudesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been growing wine for 2,000 years. A mini train takes you from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with about 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. After, you can explore the charming center with half-timbered houses, shops selling cuckoo clocks, and wine taverns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Exploration of Rüdesheim centre
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 16
Cologne
Cologne appears this morning, a city known for its liberal lifestyle, unique beer culture, and strong auto industry. A walking tour takes you through the historical Old Town laneways with breweries serving Kolsch beer. You'll visit Cologne Cathedral, the city's iconic centerpiece, then have free time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of historical Old Town
- Cologne Cathedral visit
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 17
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is your next stop, known as the Venice of the North. You'll see 16th century canals, narrow cobbled laneways with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists. The World Heritage-listed waterways are lined with well-preserved canal houses and bridges throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise on more than 100 kilometres of canals
- City walking tour exploring maze of canals, bridges, history, lifestyle and Dutch culture
- Excursion to Schermerhorn and Alkmaar villages
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System - Day 18
Amsterdam to Paris
You'll take a high-speed train to Paris and check into one of the centrally located hotels for three nights. This gives you a good base to explore the city over several days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 19
Paris
A guided coach tour shows you Paris's most scenic districts and iconic sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, and Arc de Triomphe. You'll drive along the River Seine and visit the 19th century Palais Garnier Opera, the Louvre art museum, and Les Invalides. The afternoon is free for your own exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Paris
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe River Seine Palais Garnier Opera Louvre Les Invalides - Day 20
Paris
Two options are available today or you can explore on your own. One takes you through the winding cobblestone streets of Montmartre, where famous artists have lived for centuries, including the local vineyard that produces 27 wine varieties. Another option is Atelier des Lumieres, a digital art center in a former iron foundry with immersive 360-degree projections of works by Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet. This afternoon is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Secrets of Montmartre walking tour
- Atelier des Lumières digital art experience
Landmarks Montmartre Montmartre Vineyard Atelier des Lumières - Day 21
Paris
Your trip concludes this morning with a transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking lasting memories from your journey with you.
