Take 32 days to explore Spain and Portugal by luxury coach tour before cruising from Budapest to Amsterdam discovering the quaint towns, historical cities and castle ruins along the riverside.
Day 1. Arrive Madrid
Be met on arrival in Madrid and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure before tonight’s Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Madrid Sightseeing
Discover the Spanish capital today with a morning sightseeing tour introducing you to the hidden delights and main attractions of a city full of awe-inspiring architecture. Your tour includes a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular official residence of the King of Spain. Tonight, enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers at a paella restaurant.
Day 3. Madrid, Freedom of Choice Touring
Continue exploring the exciting city of Madrid today with your choice of touring options. Visit the Prado Museum, regarded as one of the greatest art galleries in the world, or take a tour of the famous Bernabéu soccer stadium, one of the world’s most prestigious soccer venues. Perhaps see the Royal Tapestry Factory, founded nearly 300 years ago by King Philip V and still producing exquisite work.
Day 4. Toledo, Salamanca
Depart Madrid for Salamanca today. On your way, visit Toledo, a World Heritage-listed city which features a wealth of ancient landmarks and has a long history as a centre for the arts. Here, enjoy a walking tour including a visit to the 13th century Gothic cathedral. Dine tonight at a local restaurant.
Day 5. Salamanca, Lamego, Porto, Dine Around Dinner
Explore Salamanca with a walking tour today. See the university, Plaza Mayor, House of Shells and new cathedral before travelling to Lamego for a walking tour including Lamego Castle and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. Then, visit a local bakery to try Bola de Lamego, a regional delicacy. Continue to Porto tonight and choose where to dine. Perhaps enjoy the catch of the day at a local seafood restaurant, or dine at your hotel.
Day 6. Porto
See the sights of Porto during a tour. This afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the 14th century Alpendurada Monastery, where you can enjoy a glass of port - the fortified wine originating in Porto - accompanied by canapés. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Porto tonight.
Day 7. Fatima, Lisbon
Travel to Lisbon today. On the way, stop at Fatima, where you’ll visit the famous shrine, the Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary. This impressive neo-Classical edifice was built in 1917 to commemorate the reported sighting of the Lady of the Rosary by three local children. After your visit, continue to Lisbon and dine tonight at a local restaurant.
Day 8. Lisbon Sightseeing, Cascais, Sintra
During a sightseeing tour of Portugal’s historic capital city, visit attractions including the World Heritage-listed Belém Tower and the Monument to Explorers. This afternoon, travel to the coastal town of Cascais and enjoy time at leisure over lunch. Then continue to Sintra and visit the magnificent Palacio da Pena, a stunning Romanticist palace on a hill overlooking the town. Explore the beautiful structure of this World Heritage-listed site, including the well-preserved clock tower, gateways, arches and convent.
Day 9. Merida, Seville
On your way to Seville today, travel via Merida for a guided tour of fascinating ancient sites. This Roman town was founded in 25 BC and boasts more Roman ruins than anywhere else in Spain. Arrive in Seville and tonight enjoy a special dinner of Spanish delicacies, accompanied by a spectacular Flamenco performance.
Day 10. Seville Sightseeing
In Seville today, tour the sights by horse-drawn carriage. See the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the Giralda Bell Tower and the Alcazar of Seville. A walking tour then takes you to attractions such as the Barrio de Santa Cruz and to Maestranza bull ring.
Day 11. Jerez de la Frontera, Gibraltar, Marbella, Dine Around Dinner
Travel to Jerez de la Frontera today and visit the Royal School of Equestrian Art, including the Carriage Museum on site. Travel on to Gibraltar to see the famous Rock of Gibraltar Rock, and St Michaels Cave. Arrive in Marbella and choose where to dine tonight from our options - perhaps sample delicious paella, one of Spain’s most popular national dishes.
Day 12. Marbella, Freedom of Choice Touring
Choose how you discover the coastal resort of Marbella today. You may like to take a guided walking tour through the city’s attractive Old Town, see the stunning coastline during a cruise over the sparkling Mediterranean, or perhaps play a round of golf.
Day 13. Ronda, Granada
Travel to Ronda today and enjoy a walking tour of this picturesque city, which features ancient baths, three historic bridges and Spain’s oldest bull ring, built in 1784. Arrive in Granada and enjoy dinner in your hotel this evening.
Day 14. Granada, Barcelona
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Granada including a visit to the spectacular Alhambra Palace. This afternoon board your included flight to Barcelona and arrive in the vibrant coastal city. Check in to your hotel on arrival.
Day 15. Barcelona Sightseeing
Today take a funicular cable car ride to the top of Montjuïc Hill for unbelievable views of the city below, including the National Palace and the Olympic Complex. Then enjoy a private tour of the Castello Montjuïc, an ancient fort. Next, tour Placa Catalonia, and Las Ramblas, the promenade and centre of Barcelona life. Later, see the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, designed by artist and architect Antonio Gaudí, which is still incomplete. You’ll also enjoy a walking tour of Barrio Gotico (Gothic Quarter), King’s Square and Tinell, the Royal Palace. Tonight enjoy a classic Spanish Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 16. Barcelona at Leisure
Enjoy a full day to explore the colourful city of Barcelona at leisure today.
Day 17. Barcelona, Budapest
Depart Barcelona this morning on your included flight to Budapest. Check into your hotel and relax before a delicious dinner at the Gerbaud Pub, an historic restaurant serving delicious homemade cuisine in the atmospheric setting of arched cellars.
Day 18. Budapest
Enjoy an excursion to Pustza this morning. Then, board your river ship and enjoy a Welcome Reception this evening.
Day 19. Budapest
On a tour of Budapest, take in such sights as Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle. Then visit the Hungarian State Opera House for a tour, a glass of champagne and a private opera recital. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner. Afterwards, take in the sparkling lights along the river as your ship departs Budapest and cruises through the city.
Day 20. Vienna, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a walking tour of the historic city of Vienna this morning, followed by coffee and a ‘sachertorte’ cake. This evening, you have a choice of three tantalising dining options.
Day 21. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
On your second day in Vienna, choose your activity from a selection.
Day 22. Dürnstein, Freedom of Choice Touring, Melk
This morning stop in Dürnstein. Here, perhaps take a walking tour before cruising on to Melk, or enjoy a guided bicycle ride along the Danube to Melk. On arrival in Melk, both groups will then tour Melk Abbey, located on an outcrop overlooking the Danube.
Day 23. Linz, Freedom of Choice Touring, Passau
Upon arrival in Linz, choose from a range of touring options. Perhaps join a day tour to Salzburg and its ‘Sound of Music’ sights. Alternatively, remain on board and enjoy an apple strudel demonstration while cruising to Passau for a tour of this historic city, or choose to visit historic Ceský Krumlov.
Day 24. Regensburg, Freedom of Choice Touring
Arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Your touring options include a guided sightseeing tour of the city’s architectural highlights, a visit to the nearby Audi Museum and Factory, or a bicycle tour to the temple of Walhalla.
Day 25. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today enter the Main-Danube Canal and dock in Nuremberg. On arrival here, perhaps take a World War II tour or a medieval tour. The more adventurous may like to see the sights by Segway, a self-balancing vehicle.
Day 26. Bamberg
Tour World Heritage-listed Bamberg and visit a Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT.
Day 27. Kitzingen, Würzburg, Rothenburg, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, sample regional wines in Germany’s oldest wine cellar in Kitzingen. Later, arrive in Würzburg and take a tour, including the Residential Palace, or take an excursion to medieval Rothenburg. This evening, enjoy a special medieval themed dinner back on board your ship.
Day 28. Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring, Freudenberg
Arrive in Wertheim and explore the sights with a choice of tours. Afterwards, visit medieval Wertheim Castle for a tour.
Day 29. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Rüdesheim, you have a choice of activities. Tour Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, or visit a winery.
Day 30. Cologne, Düsseldorf, Freedom of Choice Touring
Tour Cologne, before choosing your excursion from Düsseldorf. Perhaps visit the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo in Venlo. Alternatively, take a trip to the historic city of Maastricht.
Day 31. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today select your activity from our options in the incredible capital city of The Netherlands. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a special Farewell Dinner.
Day 32. Disembark Ship, Depart Amsterdam
Disembark your ship and be transferred to the airport for your flight.
