Before your cruise, discover Italy’s. Visit the Isle of Capri, Sorrento and explore Italy’s iconic capital, Rome. Then journey through the Tuscan countryside, see the sights of Siena and Florence and spend time relaxing on the Italian Riviera. From here, Venice and its maze of canals awaits, before you’ll head inland, via Graz and Herend to Budapest, where your cruise begins.
Day 1. Arrive Rome
Be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Rome Sightseeing
Today, on a tour of the Italian capital, see some of Rome’s most famous sights, including the Vatican Museum and Michelangelo’s renowned work in the Sistine Chapel. The intricate paintings, which the artist began in 1508, sprawl across the ceiling for over 1100 metres and are breathtakingly beautiful. You’ll also visit such attractions as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona before time at leisure this afternoon. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your APT Tour Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant.
Day 3. Rome, Freedom of Choice Touring
Continue to explore the highlight attractions of Rome today with our range of touring activities designed to introduce you to the city’s fascinating history and culture. Perhaps choose an Ancient Rome walking tour, taking you to the most famous and extraordinary of the city’s Roman sights, including the famous Colosseum and Pantheon. Or, choose an ‘Angels and Demons’ themed tour. Visit famous sights and scenes described in the book or shown in the film.
Day 4. Pompeii, Sorrento, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, travel to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, buried and destroyed when Mount Vesuvius, a volcano, erupted in 79 AD, covering the city in volcanic ash. Rediscovered in 1748, the perfectly preserved ruins of Pompeii are now a World Heritage-listed site and one of Italy’s most popular attractions. After a tour here, continue to the coastal town of Sorrento. Overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento offers lovely scenery and views of Mt Vesuvius as well as the Isle of Capri. For over 2000 years, visitors have been attracted to the town by breathtaking sunsets and the rich fragrance of the orange and lemon gardens. Choose from two great dining options tonight with our Dine Around Dinner. Relax and enjoy dinner at your hotel, or dine at Zi’Antonio’s, a local restaurant in the heart of Sorrento offering candle-lit tables, delicious Mediterranean cuisine and complementing wines.
Day 5. Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
This morning, enjoy a journey along one of Europe’s most famous coastlines, the World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast. As you wind around the curving road, new scenes of beauty will reveal themselves at every turn. Be captivated by the spectacular landscapes, stunning sea views, small inlets, rugged terrain and the many picturesque villages dotted along the coast. Enjoy free time in Amalfi before returning to Sorrento. On the way, visit a traditional, family-owned mozzarella farm for a tour. Enjoy a unique local insight into the production of this famous delicacy, and enjoy a special tasting.
Day 6. Sorrento, Isle of Capri
Today, cruise to the picturesque Isle of Capri. Known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, Capri was a favoured resort of the Roman emperors and remains a popular coastal holiday spot today. On a tour of the island, visit the Marina Piccola (Small Harbour) and the Belvedere of Tragara, which is a high panoramic promenade lined with villas. You’ll also see the famed Blue Grotto (weather permitting) and ruins of the Imperial Roman villas, before returning to Sorrento for an evening at leisure.
Day 7. Sorrento, Perugia
Today, visit Assisi and tour the World Heritage-listed Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, an important site of Christian pilgrimage and a stunning visual landmark. Enjoy a tour of the unique, World Heritage-listed church, before travelling to Perugia. Situated near the Tiber River, the capital city of the Umbria region is regarded as an artistic centre of Italy, and it features an incredible number of examples of ancient architecture and Renaissance art.
Day 8. Siena, Florence
Travel to Siena and explore the World Heritage-listed medieval centre. Learn about its 17 fiercely competitive contrade (districts), which have existed since the middle ages. Admire the striped facade
and ornamentation of the Duomo. Linger at the Piazza del Campo and imagine how it looks twice a year during Il Palio: filled with horses, spectators and chaotic activity. Enjoy a Tuscan gourmet food experience, tasting locally-made olive oils and delicious regional wines giving you a true taste of Italy, before continuing to Florence. The former capital of the Kingdom of Italy and today Tuscany’s capital, Florence is an important centre for Renaissance art and architecture.
Day 9. Florence Sightseeing, Freedom of Choice Touring
Tour Florence, with its fine restaurants, pavement cafés and bars. Visit the main sights of this ‘outdoor museum’ of a city. See the Ponte Vecchio, the Arno riverfront, the many statues and monuments of the Piazza del Signoria, the 13th century Duomo, Baptistry and Belltower, the Santa Maria del Fiore and view the Piazzale Michelangelo. This afternoon, choose from an exciting range of activities. Perhaps enjoy a classic Italian mode of transport with a vespa tour; learn how to make the perfect coffee during an espresso class, or take a trip to the Galleria dell’Accadamia, where exhibits include Michaelangelo’s famed David.
Day 10. Florence, Lucca, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure
Today drive along a rocky promontory, offering one of the prettiest landscapes on the Italian Riviera, on the way to Santa Margherita Ligure. Stop in at Lucca, on the Serchio River, boasting Renaissance-era city walls, cobbled piazzas, charming churches and centuries-old buildings. Then continue to Portofino, a small Italian fishing village and tourist resort on the Italian Riviera. Nestled around a small harbour, the town is considered to be among the Mediterranean’s most beautiful ports. After your tour here, continue to Santa Margherita Ligure.
Day 11. Cinque Terre
Today you’ll explore the Cinque Terre, five picturesque villages clinging to the cliffs. The region is World Heritage-listed thanks to its outstanding beauty and historic significance. Enjoy a tour and absorb breathtaking views of the coast, then return to Santa Margherita Ligure for dinner.
Day 12. Santa Margherita Ligure, Milan, Como, Dine Around Dinner
Departing Santa Margherita Ligure, set out for Como, near the shores of Lake Como. On the way, stop in Milan to visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie, the church which is home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting, ‘The Last Supper’. On arrival in Como, choose to dine at your hotel or at a local restaurant.
Day 13. Como
Today take a cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Como, one of Italy’s most romantic attractions. Enjoy the mountain scenery around the lake, then visit Bellagio on the shore for an indulgent gelato tasting. This evening is at leisure.
Day 14. Como, Modena, Venice, Freedom of Choice Touring
Depart Como this morning and travel to the ancient town of Modena, which is known as ‘the capital of engines’ and offers a host of attractions. Here, you can either visit the Lamborghini Museum and enjoy a tour of the factory, or enjoy sampling locally made balsamic vinegar. Afterwards, re-board your coach and continue to Venice. On arrival, transfer by private boat to your magnificent hotel, superbly located on Venice Island, and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, indulge in a three-course Venetian meal on the terrace of the Restaurant La Cusina, set right on Venice’s Grand Canal.
Day 15. Venice Sightseeing
Known to many as the most beautiful city in the world, Venice stretches across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. This morning, explore the city on a tour. See the Bridge of Sighs, St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica and visit a Venetian glass factory to take in an intriguing glass-blowing demonstration. You’ll also take in the elaborate architecture of the city from its waterways aboard a traditional gondola.
Day 16. Venice, Graz
Today travel to the Austrian city of Graz. Recent holder of the ‘European Capital of Culture’ award, Graz boasts a relaxed atmosphere and many sights. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour, including a visit to Eggenberg Castle.
Day 17. Budapest
This morning visit the famous Herend Porcelain factory for a tour. Then, board your coach and continue to Budapest, on arrival transfer to your luxury river ship.
Day 18. Budapest
On a tour of Budapest, take in such sights as Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle. Then visit the opera house for a private tour, a private opera recital and a glass of champagne. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner with your Cruise Director and fellow guests. This evening, gypsy violinists perform for you on board.
Day 19. Vienna, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a walking tour of the historic city this morning, followed by a coffee and delicious ‘sachertorte’, a traditional cake. This evening, choose your dining experience.
Day 20. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
On your second day in Vienna, choose to visit Schönbrunn Palace for a tour inside this magnificent residence; perhaps explore the Fine Arts Museum; see the Hofburg Crown Jewels at the Imperial Treasury Schatzkammer, or you may like to take an excursion to Bratislava in nearby Slovakia.
Day 21. Dürnstein, Freedom of Choice Touring, Melk
This morning cruise into the Wachau Valley and stop in Dürnstein. From here, choose a guided bicycle tour to Melk, or cruise to Melk and enjoy a walking tour. Later, tour the famously spectacular Melk Abbey.
Day 22. Linz, Freedom of Choice Touring, Passau
Today, perhaps take a day tour to Salzburg, to discover the sights of the ‘Sound of Music’ or visit the historic city of Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Or, cruise to Passau while enjoying an onboard apple strudel cooking demonstration, and take a walking tour.
Day 23. Regensburg, Freedom of Choice Touring
Arrive in historic Regensburg, where your touring options include a guided sightseeing tour of the city - including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria. You may opt to visit the nearby Audi Museum and Factory, or you could take a guided bicycle tour to Walhalla.
Day 24. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Nuremberg, choose to take a World War II tour and visit a range of significant sites, including Courtroom 600, the site of the famous Nuremberg trials. Alternatively, choose a medieval tour, or explore the city by Segway.
Day 25. Bamberg
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bamberg and visit a Beer Haus to enjoy a local brew compliments of APT.
Day 26. Kitzingen, Würzburg, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, sample wines during an exclusive wine event in one of Germany’s oldest wine cellars in Kitzingen. Arrive in Würzburg, and choose your activity. Take a sightseeing tour and visit the Würzburg Residential Palace, or take an excursion to the medieval town of Rothenburg. Tonight enjoy a medieval themed evening on board.
Day 27. Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring, Freudenberg
Enjoy a glass-blowing demonstration this morning, before disembarking in Wertheim, where you may like to take a bicycle or walking tour, or explore the Tauber River in a canoe or kayak. Tour Wertheim Castle and enjoy a glass Sekt, a sparkling German wine.
Day 28. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Arrive in Rüdesheim, where your touring options include a minitrain to Siegfried’s Musical Museum, or a visit to a Rhine Valley winery for a tour and a tasting of delicious local wines.
Day 29. Cologne, Düsseldorf Freedom of Choice Touring
Today arrive in Cologne and enjoy a city tour. Then, choose an excursion. Explore the spectacular floral displays at the 2012 Floriade Expo in Venlo, or discover the beautiful historic city of Maastricht, before rejoining your ship in Düsseldorf.
Day 30. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Disembark your ship in Utrecht and visit Rembrandt’s Windmill for a photo opportunity. In Amsterdam, take a canal cruise, visit the Van Gogh Museum or take a Wetlands Safari canoe tour. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner tonight.
Day 31. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
