On Travelmarvel's 23 day Highlights of Britain and Classical Europe cruise and tour travel from London to Edinburgh before flying to Amsterdam to join your 14 nights cruise to Budapest aboard the ms AmaLegro.
Day 1. London, Oxford, Cotswolds.
Today join your Small Group Tour. Depart London for the famous university city, Oxford. After London, there is no better introduction to England than Oxford. The ‘city of dreaming spires’ is beautiful but has more to offer than just looks. Its university has ensured that it is rich in the history. Poets and politicians, artists and scientists – they’ve been coming here for over 800 years. See the grandest of all Oxford’s colleges, Christ Church, and take a guided walk through the city. Later, travel through the lovely villages of the Cotswold Hills, where you’ll stay for the evening.
Day 2. Worcester, Much Wenlock, Ironbridge, Chester.
After breakfast, drive across the Vale of Evesham to Worcester to visit the tomb of infamous King John. Then continue to the small town of Much Wenlock, known as the birthplace of the Modern Olympic Games. Later, drive to Ironbridge and visit its stunning gorge as well as a local museum that brings Britain’s industrial heritage to life.
Day 3. Snowdonia National Park, Conwy.
Today journey to Wales and Snowdonia National Park. Surrounding Snowdon, the highest mountain in Britain, the park features narrow mountain passes, gushing streams, cascading waterfalls and hidden valleys that claim the resting place of the real King Arthur. Absorb the stunning scenery then head along the coast to the most complete walled town in Britain, Conwy. Visit its 13th century castle then return to Chester.
Day 4. Chester, Haworth, Harrogate, York.
This morning explore Chester, a city whose 2,000 year-old history is vividly on display. Then travel east to Yorkshire. Stop in Haworth and discover the world that inspired the Brontë sisters. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum, explore the steep town and drive to the nearby moors. On the way to York, pass through the colourful spa town of Harrogate.
Day 5. York Sightseeing.
Set out on a guided tour of York, the historic capital of northern England. York is home to the largest Gothic structure north of the Alps, the medieval Minster that’s a must-see for anyone visiting The North. This morning your guide will take you through the old city and point out the highlights, including the city walls, York Castle Museum, the Jorvik (Viking) Centre, Clifford’s Tower and the famous Shambles, which takes its name from the medieval butchers’ shops that once lined this narrow, cobbled street. This afternoon there’s free time to continue exploring or perhaps visit the National Railways Museum.
Day 6. Richmond, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Cumbria, Windermere.
Head for the small town of Richmond and its impressive Norman Castle. Dating from 1071, it was here that the Scottish king William (the lion) was imprisoned after his capture by the English in 1174. The stark brutal architecture reflects a barbaric age, but gathered around the hill on which the castle squats is a much friendlier place, dominated by a large market square and picturesque stone buildings that tell stories of a long history of a Yorkshire town and its rural hinterland. From Richmond, travel into Yorkshire Dales National Park. During this stretch, you’ll see the roadside hedgerows replaced by miles and miles of dry-stone walls, whose course reflects a system of land ownership that goes back to Viking days. Continue to Cumbria and lovely Windermere.
Day 7. Lake District.
Today’s journey in England’s Lake District will provide a feast of photographic opportunities as you visit waterfalls and quaint local villages and travel through panoramic and dramatic countryside. Highlights include Grasmere, where you’ll pay homage to the life and work of William Wordsworth at Dove Cottage, the Wordsworth Museum and Art Gallery. You’ll also stop at the mystical Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of the British Isles’ most ancient, erected 5,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the region before returning to Windermere. Enjoy a glass of wine or ale in a local pub and explore the town on your own before tonight’s dinner.
Day 8. Edinburgh.
After breakfast, head north to Scotland. Along the way, see the towns and castles of this once lawless landscape of Border ‘Reivers’ . In the afternoon, arrive in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, and enjoy a tour of the city.
Day 9. Fly to Amsterdam, Embark Ship.
After breakfast fly to Amsterdam and transfer to the MS AmaLegro.
Day 10. Amsterdam Canal Boat Cruise.
Join a canal boat cruise and see the sights of Amsterdam from a unique vantage point.
Day 11. Cologne, Koblenz.
On arrival in Cologne, enjoy a city tour. After lunch, continue cruising to Koblenz.
Day 12. Koblenz, Rudesheim.
Cruise through the Rhine Gorge on the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Arrive in Rüdesheim and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
Day 13. Miltenberg, Wertheim.
Arrive in Miltenberg for a tour of this lovely Franconian town. From here, travel by coach to Wertheim and enjoy free time.
Day 14. Wurzburg, Kitzingen.
Enjoy a tour of Würzburg, taking in the Residential Palace and churches ranging in styles from Gothic and Baroque to Modern. Afterwards, continue to Kitzingen.
Day 15. Bamberg.
After breakfast, disembark your ship and travel to the World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg for a tour of the city.
Day 16. Nuremberg, Continental Divide.
Arrive in Nuremberg and visit World War II sites on a guided tour. This afternoon continue through Europe’s Continental Divide.
Day 17. Regensburg.
Enjoy a guided tour of Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities.
Day 18. Passau, Linz.
This morning, enjoy a tour of Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube.
Day 19. Melk, Durnstein.
Take a tour of Melk’s Benedictine Abbey.
Day 20. Vienna.
Disembark in Vienna this morning and enjoy a walking tour of the historic city.
Day 21. Vienna, Bratislava.
On arrival in Bratislava, enjoy a walking tour of the Slovakian capital.
Day 22. Budapest.
Today join a guided tour of Budapest.
Day 23. Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest.
This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport.
