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Amsterdam - Budapest, 30 Sep 2012 - 13 Oct 2012
Route description:
A magnificent cruise indeed as you follow the route of emperors and kings on your exciting European journey along three great rivers and through five fascinating countries! Marvel at the engineering wonders of the Main-Danube Canal as you traverse Europe's Continental Divide by ship. Discover the culture and traditions of grand old capitals like Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest. Visit perfectly preserved medieval towns and cruise through Europe’s loveliest countryside with fairy tale castles and sample the finest wines and local gourmet cuisines.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND – EMBARKATION .jpg) Arrive in charming Amsterdam and embark your luxurious river cruise ship. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Welcome Cocktail Reception. (D) |
| Day 2 | AMSTERDAM  After breakfast, admire beautiful 17thcentury homes, charming churches and 16th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Enjoy an afternoon information briefing as you cruise towards Germany. Tonight you'll be a guest at the Captain's Gala Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | COLOGNE, GERMANY – KOBLENZ  This morning, arrive in Cologne for a guided morning walking tour through the old part of the city and a visit to the fabled 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Cruise past the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen as you continue on to 2000-year-old Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. After dinner, enjoy a walk through this charming town. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | KOBLENZ – RÜDESHEIM  Today, sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge, passing castle after castle and the infamous Lorelei Rock. After lunch, arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time before the ships sails late this afternoon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | MILTENBERG  Arrive in Wertheim and travel by motorcoach to Miltenberg for a morning walking tour of this delightful old Franconian town with its narrow cobblestone streets and gabled, half-timbered houses. Return to Wertheim this afternoon for some free time to explore the town on your own before boarding your ship for an overnight cruise to Würzburg. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | WÜRZBURG  During your guided tour, see the major sights including a visit to the magnificent Residenz Palace. This afternoon explore Würzburg on your own, or take an optional tour along the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg. Late this afternoon cruise to Hassfurt. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | BAMBERG  Arrive this morning in Hassfurt and travel by motorcoach to enchanting Bamberg, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Disembark for a guided walking tour of this medieval gem. There is free time before you continue your cruise this evening to ancient Nuremberg, capital of Franconia. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | NUREMBERG - DIETFURT  Today, decide to either tour the medieval history of Nuremberg to see the storybook 900-year-old ramparts that surround this historic city and the Imperial Castle, or join the “modern tour” of the city’s role in the 20th-century, see the Zeppelin field and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946. At lunchtime, rejoin the ship further along the Main-Danube Canal and continue to the highest point of your cruise - 1,332 feet above sea level, where you cross Europe's Continental Divide. Then start descending through stair-step locks the Bavarian town of Dietfurt. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9 | REGENSBURG  A guided morning tour will show you the city's architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria - gates to a Roman fort built in 179 AD. The afternoon is free to shop or relax along the Danube. In the evening, enjoy a music performance onboard. (B,L,D) |
| Day 10 | PASSAU - LINZ, AUSTRIA  After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau for a walking tour, or join the optional excursion to Salzburg birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the location of the Sound of Music. Those staying onboard can enjoy a scenic journey to Linz, Austria. (B,L,D) |
| Day 11 | MELK - DÜRNSTEIN - WEISSENKIRCHEN  Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and reach the Wachau Valley this morning. A guided tour takes you to Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest baroque monasteries. From here, continue on a short cruise to Dürnstein, for a walking tour through cobblestone streets that reveal quaint 16th-century town houses and taverns. Continue through the lovely Wachau Valley, dotted with castles, to the town of Weissenkirchen, for some wine-tasting tonight. (B,L,D) |
| Day 12 | WEISSENKIRCHEN - VIENNA  During a guided sightseeing tour you will see the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House, the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy a free afternoon to stroll along the main shopping street, Kärntnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna's famous pastries. Tonight, explore the vibrant Austrian capital on your own, or join an optional evening Mozart and Strauss concert. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D) |
| Day 13 | VIENNA - BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA  Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising to Bratislava followed by a walking tour of Bratislava, which reveals the city's major sights, including the Old Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to shop or explore on your own. Tonight there is an evening music performance onboard. (B,L,D) |
| Day 14 | BUDAPEST, HUNGARY  This morning, your sightseeing tour takes you to historic Buda Castle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the River. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica and much more. The afternoon is free for last minute shopping. Tonight enjoy a Gala Farewell Dinner with Gypsy music. (B,L,D) |
| Day 15 | DEPART BUDAPEST  Your cruise comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B) |
