This18 Day journey of discovery includes a 14 night cruise of the tranquil waters of the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest, stopping on the way to explore the quaint towns, historic cities and castle ruins along the riverside. Conclude your tour an exploration of Prague, a vibrant cultural hub.
Day 1. Amsterdam
On arrival, transfer to your river ship.
Day 2. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today select your activity from our options. Perhaps take a canal cruise and admire the city’s architecture as you cruise in a glass-top boat past 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Or visit the Van Gogh Museum, which contains the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings. Alternatively, take a guided Wetland Safari canoe tour through extraordinary landscapes. Later, all guests will stop for a photo at Rembrandt’s Windmill, rejoin your ship in Utrecht and cruise along the Rhine River. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Wel-come Dinner on board.
Day 3. Düsseldorf, Freedom of Choice Touring, Cologne
This morning, choose your touring activity in Düsseldorf. Perhaps travel to Venlo and explore the spectacular displays on show at the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo†. Enjoy time to admire the impressive landscaped gardens and floral exhibitions. Alternatively, you may like to take a trip to Maastricht, an historic Dutch city with spectacular medieval architecture and many cultural attractions. After your chosen activity, continue to Cologne, where a guided walking tour includes a visit to the city’s famously spectacular Gothic cathedral.
Day 4. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is known as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Arrive in Rüdesheim, where you have a choice of activities. The Winzerexpress mini-train will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, a tour will highlight one of the most beautiful collections of automated musical instruments in Germany. Alternatively, alight your ship and explore the surrounding Rhine Valley area, where you can visit a winery and enjoy a tasting. Later, your ship enters the Main River.
Day 5. Freudenberg, Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Cruising to Freudenberg, enjoy a fascinating demonstration of glass-blowing on board. On arrival, travel by coach to Wertheim. Perhaps embark on a guided bicycle tour, take in the sights of the town on a walking tour, or go for a paddle on the Tauber River. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the hilltop Wertheim Castle and a sparkling glass of Sekt, a German wine, as you look out over the Main River.
Day 6. Würzburg, Freedom of Choice Touring, Kitzingen
Surrounded by green hills covered with vineyards, Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial centre for wine and trade. This morning, you may like to embark on a tour taking in the Resi-dential Palace and churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Alternatively, visit medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town on the Romantic Road. After a tour here, have a look through the city’s famous German Christmas Museum. Later, reboard your ship for lunch and cruise to the Bavarian town of Kitzingen. Enjoy a special wine tasting event, hosted by a ‘Wine Queen’ and members of the Aulic Council at Germany’s oldest wine cellar. This ‘Alter Klosterkeller’ (old monastery cellar) was built by Benedictine nuns and today offers an historic setting in which to sample the delicious wines of Bavaria. Back on board tonight, enjoy a medieval themed evening.
Day 7. Bamberg
After breakfast, disembark and travel to the World Heritage-listed city of Bamberg for a guided tour. Then, during free time, visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Later, return to your ship and cruise onto the Main-Danube Canal, sailing for Nuremberg.
Day 8. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Nuremberg today, choose from a range of touring activities. Perhaps visit a range of significant sites from the war, including Courtroom 600, the site of the famous Nuremberg trials. Alternatively, choose a medieval tour, or explore the sights by Segway, a self-balancing electric vehicle. At lunch, reboard your ship and continue along the Main-Danube Canal.
Day 9. Regensburg, Freedom of Choice Touring
Arrive in Regensburg today, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and home to one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. Your touring options here include a guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria. Alternatively, visit the nearby Audi Museum and Factory, or you could take a guided bicycle tour to Walhalla temple.
Day 10. Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring, Linz
This morning arrive in Passau. Perhaps travel by coach to Salzburg for a tour of the city’s ‘Sound of Music’ sights or take a day tour to Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic. You may like to tour Passau then cruise into Austria and to Linz, as an apple strudel cooking demonstration takes place on board. After dinner tonight, perhaps enjoy an evening stroll through pretty Linz.
Day 11. Melk, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dürnstein
This morning, take a tour of Melk Abbey, perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Then perhaps take a guided bicycle ride on a path along the banks of the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein. Alternatively, rejoin your ship and continue to Dürnstein for a walking tour. Afterwards, both groups enjoy an evening of wine tasting in Dürnstein.
Day 12. Vienna, Dine Around Dinner
Disembark in beautiful Vienna this morning. Famed for striking architecture, classical musical and vibrant café culture, Vienna is a truly delightful place to explore, packed with historical and cultural landmarks. A wide variety of architectural masterpieces can be seen here, including examples of Baroque and Romanesque design, representing many centuries of development. Enjoy a walking tour of the historic city, founded in 500 BC, followed by coffee and a traditional ‘Sachertorte’ chocolate cake. This evening, choose from three tantalising dining options. Opt for dinner on board your ship, followed by a Mozart concert at the Hofburg Palace; choose a dinner of famous schnitzel in an ambient Austrian beer garden, or enjoy a traditional dinner in a classic Heuriger wine inn.
Day 13. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy your second day in the Austrian capital with a selection of our Freedom of Choice options. Perhaps visit Schönbrunn Palace for a tour inside this magnificent residence, including the Carriage Museum within the palace grounds. Alternatively, explore the impressive collection of artwork at the Fine Arts Museum, or take in another impressive collection the Hofburg Crown Jewels at the Imperial Treasury Schatzkammer, which houses a thousand year-old collection of priceless treasures. Otherwise, you may like to take an excursion to Bratislava, nearby in Slovakia, for a Communist themed tour.
Day 14. Budapest
Still on the Danube River this morning, arrive in Budapest, the romantic Hungarian capital. Disembark for a tour that includes such places as 500 year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle, where you have views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. In the afternoon, exclusive to APT, visit the Hungarian State Opera House, which is widely recognised as one of the most splendid examples of neo-Renaissance architecture in the world. Absorb the grandeur of the building from outside, then venture inside for an exclusive tour, a glass of champagne and a private opera recital of two or three ariettas. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board, before your ship sets off on a twilight cruise through the city, allowing you to take in the glittering lights of Budapest. You’ll also enjoy an enthralling onboard performance by Gypsy violinists.
Day 15. Budapest, Disembark Ship, Velké Bílovice, Prague
This morning after breakfast, disembark your ship and travel to the historic town of Velké Bílovice, in the Czech Republic, for lunch in a traditional Czech winery cellar. Then continue to Prague.
Day 16. Prague Sightseeing
This morning following breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Prague’s Old Town. Visit the 1,000 year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St Vitus, then stroll across Charles Bridge, which links Prague’s Old Town with the city’s castle, on the way to the Old Market Square. Later, you’ll enjoy a private tour of Municipal House, a jewel of the city’s Old Town. Opened in 1911, the building played a significant role in the architectural and political history of the Czech Republic. Today, it’s Prague’s premier Art Nouveau building, a truly striking edifice featuring a wealth of historic artwork including murals, sculptures and lovely stained glass windows. After your visit, relax and indulge with a traditional Czech afternoon tea of coffee and cake.
Day 17. Prague at Leisure
Enjoy a full day at leisure today to further explore the enchanting city of Prague as you please. Perhaps join an optional tour to Terezín Concentration Camp Memorial for an insight into what was an horrific but fascinating era (own expense). Tonight, indulge in a delicious Farewell Dinner at the Art Nouveau Café and Restaurant Imperial, famous for its original ceramic wall tiling, mosaic ceiling, unsurpassed cuisine and cosmopolitan ambience.
Day 18. Depart Prague
After breakfast this morning, your tour concludes and you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
