Travelmarvel's 21 day journey of discovery begins with three indulgent nights in romantic Paris and concludes with an exploration of Prague, a vibrant cultural hub. In between, cruise the tranquil waters of the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest, stopping on the way to explore the quaint towns, historical cities and castle ruins along the riverside.
Day 1. Arrive Paris
Be met at the airport on arrival in Paris, and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Paris Sightseeing
After breakfast this morning discover the sights of the French capital during a guided tour. You’ll see the Champs Élysées, one of the most famous streets in the world, and the commemorative Arc de Triomphe. You’ll also visit the Eiffel Tower and journey up to the second viewing level. One of the true icons of France and indeed the world your experience here will be made all the more special as you sit down to a delicious lunch of French specialties at the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant. You’ll enjoy delicious cuisine, outstanding service and, of course, magnificent views of Paris and the River Seine. This lunch will provide a memorable experience, sure to be a highlight of your entire journey.
Day 3. Paris at Leisure
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps stroll along the boutique-lined boulevards, sip coffee in the Latin Quarter or go shopping at Rue Mouffetard.
Day 4. Paris, Amsterdam, Embark Ship
Today after breakfast we travel by coach to the famous Dutch capital of Amsterdam, a city that originally sprung up from wetlands and marshes. Today the city is a visually appealing place that revolves around its many canals, lakes and waterways. On arrival into Amsterdam this afternoon, board your river ship, the MS AMALEGRO, conveniently moored close to Amsterdam’s city centre. Tonight meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Day 5. Amsterdam Canal Boat Cruise
Join a canal boat cruise today and see the sights of Amsterdam from a unique vantage point. Cruise in a glass-top boat and admire the architecture of the city, from 17th century homes to charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Then, after time at leisure, return to your ship and enjoy lunch as you cruise along the Rhine River.
Day 6. Cologne, Koblenz
Having entered Germany overnight, cruise past Düsseldorf and arrive in Cologne. Here, enjoy a tour through the old part of Germany’s fourth-largest city. After lunch, continue cruising along the Rhine, past quaint villages and dramatic landscapes to Koblenz. After dinner, perhaps go for an evening stroll through Koblenz at your leisure.
Day 7. Koblenz, Rüdesheim
Today, cruise through the Rhine Gorge on what is regarded as the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. Enjoy views of the slopes covered in vineyards and dotted with ancient castles and ruins. Later, arrive in Rüdesheim where a mini-train will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum for a tour.
Day 8. Miltenberg, Wertheim
This morning on board, enjoy an intriguing glass-blowing demonstration as you cruise to Miltenberg. On arrival here, join a tour of this lovely Franconian town. Then continue to Wertheim, where the Main and Tauber rivers meet. Enjoy time at leisure to explore, or join a guided bicycle tour, then relax on board as you cruise along the Main River.
Day 9. Würzburg, Kitzingen
Surrounded by green hills covered with vineyards, Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial centre for wine and trade. During a sightseeing tour here, visit the Residential Palace for a tour and see churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Then enjoy time at leisure to further explore, or perhaps take an optional excursion to the town of Rothenburg (own expense). After lunch, cruise to Kitzingen, where you can enjoy an evening stroll tonight.
Day 10. Bamberg
After breakfast disembark your ship and travel by coach to the World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg. During your time here, take a tour of the city’s streets, with their charming houses and 18th century mansions. After your tour, enjoy time at leisure before returning to your ship. Back on board this afternoon, your ship cruises into the Main-Danube Canal. Having taken 32 years to construct, the canal was completed in 1992 and is a truly impressive feat of modern engineering. Enjoy another delicious dinner on board as you cruise towards Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia.
Day 11. Nuremberg
Today you will arrive in Nuremberg, a city that played a pivotal role for the Nazi Party during World War II and was thus systematically bombed by the British and US air forces. It went on to act as the symbolic host of the infamous Nuremberg Trials. Today you’ll visit a number of Nuremberg’s World War II sites on a guided tour. At lunch, re-board your ship and continue along the Main-Danube Canal. This afternoon, thanks to the series of stair-step locks, you’ll arrive at the highest point of your cruise, 435 metres above sea level, where you will cross Europe’s Continental Divide.
Day 12. Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Here, you’ll see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and take a guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall, the World Heritage-listed city centre and the Porta Pretoria - gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. Alternatively, you can take an optional tour to Weltenburg Abbey (own expense). Tonight, enjoy a music performance after dinner.
Day 13. Passau, Linz
After breakfast, arrive in Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Take a tour of the sights, including St Stephen’s Cathedral, before enjoying an afternoon of cruising to Linz. During the cruise, witness the culinary art involved in making apple strudels during a demonstration. Alternatively, today you can choose to join an optional tour to Salzburg and its ‘Sound of Music’ sights (own expense). After dinner tonight, disembark and explore the sights of Linz.
Day 14. Melk, Dürnstein, Weissenkirchen
Cruise through the scenic Strudengau region to the pretty Wachau Valley and take a tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. Located on an outcrop overlooking the Danube, it has the rare distinction of surviving as an active Benedictine monastery continuously since its foundation. After your tour, rejoin your ship and continue to Dürnstein, where you will join a walking tour through medieval cobblestone streets. High above this pretty town, you’ll see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was imprisoned in 1192. Following your afternoon tour, re-board your ship and cruise back to Weissenkirchen, where you’ll have the chance to sample delicious Wachau Valley wines.
Day 15. Vienna
Disembark in Vienna and enjoy a walking tour of the city, founded in 500BC. Famed for striking architecture, classical musical and vibrant café culture, Vienna is a delightful place to explore, packed with historical and cultural landmarks. Many architectural masterpieces can be seen here, including examples of Baroque and Romanesque design, representing many centuries of development. The city is also a notable producer of fine cakes, one of which - the famous chocolate ‘sachertorte’ - you may like to sample with coffee after your tour. Tonight, perhaps join us for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).
Day 16. Vienna, Bratislava
This morning, depart Vienna and cruise across the Austrian border into Slovakia. Upon arrival in the capital of Bratislava, disembark and take a walking tour. After your tour, the rest of the day is at leisure for you to further explore.
Day 17. Budapest
Still on the Danube, arrive in Budapest, the romantic Hungarian capital. With its intriguing history, incredible architecture and rich cultural heritage, Hungary’s capital deserves its reputation as the Paris of Central Europe. Following breakfast, disembark for a guided sightseeing tour of Budapest that includes 500 year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the marvellous Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle. Tonight, take in the lights of the city during a twilight cruise along the Danube River as the sun goes down.
Day 18. Disembark Ship, Prague
After breakfast you will disembark your ship in Budapest and travel to the beautiful capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, where we arrive this afternoon. After checking into our hotel, the remainder of this evening is at your leisure.
Day 19. Prague Sightseeing
This morning take a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town. Visit the 1,000 year-old Hradcany Castle courtyard and St Vitus, then walk over Charles Bridge to the Old Market Square. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore. You may wish to participate in an optional traditional folklore dinner (at own expense).
Day 20. Prague at Leisure
With today at leisure, perhaps explore further, or join an optional tour to Terezín Concentration Camp Memorial (own expense). Tonight gather for a Farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 21. Depart Prague
Following breakfast this morning, your Classical Europe Cruise concludes. Please note that the checkout time for most European hotels is 12noon.
