Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You're arriving in Prague, a city that's managed to preserve so much of its medieval character over more than a thousand years. The Vltava River cuts through the middle, separating the historic Old Town from the New Town on opposite banks. It's a good day to get oriented and settle in before exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Vltava River Old Town New Town 
- Day 2
Prague
This morning you'll walk through Prague's Gothic architecture with a local guide, hitting the Old Town, the Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge, which has been standing since 1357. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to wander around on your own and get a feel for the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town
- Visit Astronomical Clock
- Visit Charles Bridge
Landmarks Charles Bridge Astronomical Clock Old Town - Day 3
Prague
You've got three options for today. Join a walking tour about communist Prague with beer tasting at a local brewery, head to the Terezin Memorial to learn about Nazi occupation, or visit Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. Pick whichever appeals to you most.
- 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 Terezin - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
After breakfast, you'll travel by coach from Prague to Budapest where your cruise ship is waiting. It's a good travel day to relax and prepare for boarding your vessel later this afternoon or evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5
Budapest
In Budapest you can choose your own adventure. Explore both Buda and Pest across the Danube, check out the Hospital in the Rock WWII bunker, take a culinary walk through the Grand Central Market, or hike through Buda with views down to the river. Pick one or split your day between activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth - visit Buda and Pest districts, Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Square, Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock - explore WWII secret hospital and nuclear bunker
- Hungarian Culinary Market Walk - Grand Central Market exploration with local specialties
- Guided hike of Buda - walk through Buda district with views of Danube River and city architecture
Landmarks Danube River Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 6
Budapest to Vienna
You're cruising the Danube today from Budapest toward Vienna. During the journey, relax in the Salt Therapy Lounge, catch some sun on deck, or head to the Panorama Lounge. You'll arrive in Vienna this evening. If you're interested, there's an optional classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein featuring Strauss and Mozart with ballet and vocalists, plus a glass of Austrian Sekt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Danube River cruise from Budapest to Vienna
Optional Activities
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein - private concert with Austrian Sekt
Landmarks Danube River Palais Liechtenstein - Day 7
Vienna
Vienna's decked out for the holidays with Christmas lights all over the Ringstrasse. You can visit Schönbrunn Palace with its gardens, take a guided tour of central Vienna, or head out by coach to Bratislava to see the castle and medieval old town. Each option gives you a different angle on the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace - explore ornately designed rooms, royal family history, and impressive gardens
- Central Vienna exploration - guided city tour with extended free time
- Excursion to Bratislava - coach tour to Slovakia's capital including Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, and Old Town
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie 
- Day 8
Krems - Wachau Valley
You're docking in Krems in the Wachau Valley. Choose between visiting Göttweig Abbey, which has incredible frescoes and Austria's largest Baroque staircase, or e-bike from Krems to Dürnstein along the Danube with vineyards all around you. Later you'll dock in Dürnstein, a World Heritage town surrounded by terraced vineyards, and have free time to walk around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Arrival in Krems
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey - tour with magnificent frescoes and Baroque staircase
- E-biking from Krems to Dürnstein - guided bicycle tour along Danube with vineyard landscapes
- Free time to explore Dürnstein
Landmarks Krems Wachau Valley Göttweig Abbey Dürnstein - Day 9
Danube River Cruise
You're celebrating Christmas on board as the ship moves toward Regensburg. Spend your day relaxing in the Salt Therapy Lounge, sunbathing on deck, or just watching charming villages and countryside drift past as you cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Danube River cruise towards Regensburg
Landmarks Danube River - Day 10
Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg just before lunch. This Bavarian city sits where three rivers meet. Take a guided walking tour to see the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Roman gate, or visit traditional breweries to learn about Bavarian beer and try some local varieties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour - old stone bridge, Church of St James, Porta Praetoria
- Bavarian beer tasting - visit traditional breweries and sample distinctive beers
Landmarks Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 11
Nuremberg
This afternoon you're docking in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city. The Old Town is ringed by ancient city walls and topped by a 12th century Imperial Castle. You can do a walking tour of the old town and castle, take a WWII history tour, or join a gingerbread baking class learning traditional German Lebkuchen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town - Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's church, market square
- The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour - guided tour of WWII events
- Gingerbread cooking class - learn to bake traditional German Lebkuchen biscuits
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church 
- Day 12
Bamberg
Bamberg greets you this morning, a World Heritage town built across seven hills with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. You can stay and explore the old town with a guide, seeing the cathedral, the Town Hall sitting on its own island, and Baroque buildings, or take a coach to nearby Coburg to visit its castle with museum collections.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town - Town Hall, cathedral, medieval and Baroque buildings, Old and New Residences
- Excursion to Coburg - visit impressive castle overlooking the city with museum collections of carriages, weapons, and paintings
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Coburg Castle - Day 13
Würzburg
You're pulling into Würzburg, a Baroque city on the Main River surrounded by vineyards. Either take a guided tour to the historic market square, or hop on a coach heading along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, where you'll see a perfectly preserved medieval old town with its Gothic City Hall and famous City Councillors' Tavern.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour of Würzburg - coach transfer to city centre, historic market square
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - coach excursion to medieval town with City Hall and City Councillors' Tavern tour
Landmarks Main River Romantic Road Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 14
Wertheim to Miltenberg
After docking in Wertheim on the Main and Tauber Rivers, you'll get an orientation tour before transferring by coach to Miltenberg. From there, walk the cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses, enjoy some free time, then head back to the ship and set sail again.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
- Walking tour of Miltenberg through cobblestone streets with half-timbered houses
Landmarks Wertheim Main River Tauber River Miltenberg - Day 15
Rüdesheim - Rhine Gorge
You're arriving in Rüdesheim, surrounded by steep vineyards that have been producing wine for two thousand years. Take a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with about 350 instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. Wander the town center with its half-timbered houses and wine taverns. Later cruise the Rhine Gorge with 400-meter valley walls, terraced vineyards, and ancient castles. You'll ring in the New Year in Bonn tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Exploration of Rüdesheim centre
- Rhine Gorge cruise
Landmarks Rüdesheim Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rhine Gorge - Day 16
Cologne
Cologne greets you this morning, a city known for its liberal vibe and unique beer culture. Take a walking tour through the historical old town lanes and breweries serving Kölsch beer. You'll also visit Cologne Cathedral, the city's iconic centerpiece, then have free time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Visit Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town 
- Day 17
Amsterdam
You're arriving in Amsterdam, packed with architectural character, galleries, boats on 16th century canals, and narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafes. You can take a one-hour canal cruise, do a walking tour through the maze of canals and bridges, or take an excursion to see authentic 16th century windmills and the historic town of Alkmaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour cruise on Amsterdam's 100+ kilometres of canals
- City walking tour - explore canals, bridges, history, lifestyle, and Dutch culture
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - visit 16th century windmills and historic town
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 18
Tour End - Amsterdam
It's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and the crew, heading home with memories from your Danube River cruise and all the festive celebrations along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
