This grand 22 Day European holiday commences in one of the continent’s most beautiful cities, Prague. From here, travel to Nuremberg and cruise the Danube River to Rousse, then round off your journey in Istanbul, the inspiring city that straddles both Asia and Europe.
Day 1. Arrive in Prague
Arrive in the Czech capital today and be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.
Day 2. Prague Sightseeing
Today, take a guided walking tour of Prague’s Old Town. Visit the 1,000 year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St Vitus. Then stroll across beautiful Charles Bridge, which crosses the Vltava River and links Prague’s Old Town with the city’s imposing castle, on the way to the Old Market Square.
Day 3. Prague at Leisure
Today is yours to explore Prague at leisure. Perhaps join an optional tour to Terezín Concentration Camp Memorial for an insight into what was an horrific but fascinating era. This evening, perhaps take in an optional folklore performance over a dinner of Czech specialities (both optional tours at own expense).
Day 4. Prague, Karlovy Vary, Nuremberg
After a free -morning, travel via the spa town of Karlovy Vary to Nuremberg. On arrival here, board your ship and tonight gather on board for the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.
Day 5. Nuremberg
Enjoy a choice of guided tours in Nuremberg, discovering the sites of World War II or medieval history. Later, rejoin your ship on the Main-Danube Canal.
Day 6. Regensburg
This morning arrive in Regensburg for a city tour including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD.
Day 7. Passau - Linz
After breakfast, arrive in Passau for a tour, then cruise to Linz. Or take an optional tour to Salzburg and its popular ‘Sound of Music’ sights (own expense).
Day 8. Melk - Vienna
Today enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. At lunch, -continue through the Wachau Valley to Vienna, the City of Music. Tonight is at leisure to relax or start exploring the Austrian capital on your own. Perhaps take in an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).
Day 9. Vienna
Today after breakfast, a guided sightseeing tour includes Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, Ringstrasse and St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Day 10. Budapest
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Budapest that includes such places as 500 year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvellous Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle, where you have wide-reaching views of Buda and Pest. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 11. Budapest, Great Hungarian Plain
Explore the Hungarian Puszta region, the vast Great Plain. Visit a typical village, where you will be met by horse-herds. Enjoy a lunch of goulash before returning to your ship.
Day 12. Mohács, Pécs
This morning after breakfast, arrive in Mohács and travel by coach to Pécs for a guided walking tour. Then continue to Villàny for a wine tasting.
Day 13. Vukovar - Novi Sad
Take a civil war themed tour or enjoy a wine tasting before continuing to Novi Sad for a tour.
Day 14. Belgrade
Today arrive in Belgrade and, on a tour, see the home of the Patriarch and St Sava’s, the largest Orthodox church in the country, as well as Tito’s memorial, the Federal Parliament Building and the impressive Kalemegdan Fortress.
Day 15. Iron Gates
Cruise through one of Europe’s most impressive natural wonders, the Iron Gates. Here the Danube passes through narrow gorges as the river winds past the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains.
Day 16. Vidin
Arrive in Vidin and see the Baba Vida Fortress, standing guard over the Danube at this Bulgarian frontier town. Then travel to Belogradchik to see the mighty Kaleto Fortress.
Day 17. Rousse, Giurgiu, Bucharest
In Bucharest, see the Arch of Triumph, the Athenaeum and Library and the Parliament Palace. Then, enjoy free time or perhaps visit the open-air museum (own expense).
Day 18. Disembark Ship, Fly to Istanbul
Disembark your ship this morning and transfer to the airport for your flight to the magical Turkish city of Istanbul.
Day 19. Istanbul at Leisure
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a day at leisure to discover the delights of this magical city independently.
Day 20. Istanbul Sightseeing
Today a tour of Istanbul will take you through the old city, with its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments representing an historic past. See the Galata Tower and visit the Blue Mosque.
Day 21. Istanbul, Topkapi Palace
This morning following breakfast, visit Topkapi Palace, the official and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 1465 to 1853. This afternoon, perhaps join an optional cruise on the Bosphorus, taking in the sights of the city from a unique perspective (own expense).
Day 22. Depart Istanbul
Your wonderful journey ends after breakfast this morning. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
