Prague represents a superb fusion of historical and contemporary culture and plays host to the largest ancient castle in the world. Embark on a 14 night cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam via places like Vienna, Regensburg, Nuremberg and Cologne. Three nights in Paris then provides an indulgent conclusion to your Travelmarvel holiday.
Day 1. Arrive Prague
Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure before this evening’s Welcome Reception.
Day 2. 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. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening.
Day 3. Prague at Leisure
With today at leisure, perhaps explore further, or join an optional tour to Terezín Concentration Camp Memorial (own expense). Tonight perhaps enjoy a folklore performance over a dinner of local specialities (own expense).
Day 4. Budapest, Embark Ship
Travel to Budapest, where 18 Day (EUTCRBP18) guests join the tour. Board your ship and tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Welcome Dinner.
Day 5. Budapest Sightseeing
Join a sightseeing tour of Budapest. Visit 500 year-old Matthias Church, St Stephen’s Basilica, the distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace and historic Buda Castle, offering views of Buda and Pest over both banks of the river. This evening enjoy a twilight cruise, allowing you to take in the glittering lights of Budapest, as well as an onboard performance by Gypsy violinists.
Day 6. Bratislava
Enjoy a relaxing morning as you cruise to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Upon arrival, disembark your ship and join a walking tour through this intriguing city. This evening, enjoy dinner and an evening music performance as you cruise to Vienna.
Day 7. Vienna
Today take a sightseeing tour of Vienna, including St Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Imperial Palace, and more. Tonight, perhaps join us for an optional Mozart and Strauss concert (own expense).
Day 8. Durnstein, Melk
This morning reach the Wachau Valley and stop in Dürnstein for a wine tasting and a tour. At lunch, continue to Melk for a tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites.
Day 9. Linz, Passau
Cruise from Linz to Passau. Disembark for a tour of this city, situated on the Austrian border at the confluence of the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz rivers. Alternatively, today you can choose to join an optional tour to Salzburg and its ‘Sound of Music’ sights (own expense).
Day 10. Regensburg.
Arrive in Regensburg, where a guided tour of the city’s architectural highlights includes the Old Town Hall 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, folklore entertainers perform on board.
Day 11. Nuremberg.
Nuremberg played a pivotal role for the Nazi Party during World War II and acted as the symbolic host of the Nuremberg Trials. Today, visit a number of Nuremberg’s World War II sites on a guided tour.
Day 12. Bamberg.
Disembark just outside of Bamberg and travel by coach into this enchanting town. As one of the few cities in Germany that wasn’t destroyed by bombs during World War II, Bamberg was declared a World Heritage-listed site in 1993. Here, tour the city’s serpentine streets, then enjoy time to shop or explore before continuing your cruise.
Day 13. Kitzingen, Wurzburg.
Arrive in Kitzingen and enjoy a walking tour through this pretty town. Then continue to Wurzburg and join a guided sightseeing tour. Sur-rounded by green hills covered with vineyards, Wurzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and a crucial centre for wine and trade. Your tour will take in the Residential Palace and churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. Alternatively, this afternoon you can also take an optional excursion to Rothenburg (own expense).
Day 14. Wertheim, Miltenberg.
This morning on board, enjoy an intriguing glass-blowing demonstration as you cruise to Wertheim, located where the Main and Tauber rivers meet. Disembark and enjoy time at leisure to look around and perhaps venture up to spectacular Wertheim Castle. Afterwards, board a coach and travel to Freudenberg, where you’ll rejoin the ship. During lunch, continue cruising to Miltenberg. On arrival, enjoy a tour of this lovely Franconian town.
Day 15. Rudesheim, Koblenz.
Arrive in Rudesheim, where a mini-train will take you to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, a tour will highlight one of the largest collections of automated musical instruments in the world. Later, cruise through the Rhine Gorge on the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine. After dinner, explore the sights of Koblenz.
Day 16. Koblenz, Cologne.
Today cruise from Koblenz to Cologne. This evening, enjoy an evening stroll through the city and see magnificent Cologne Cathedral lit up at night.
Day 17. Cologne, Amsterdam.
Arrive in Amsterdam and join a canal boat cruise in a glass-top boat. Admire 17th century homes, charming churches and 16th century merchant houses. Return to your ship for the Captain’s Gala Farewell Dinner.
Day 18. Disembark Ship, Paris.
After breakfast this morning, you’ll disembark the ship in Amsterdam. Travel by coach in to France and on to Paris. On arrival in Paris, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Day 19. Paris Sightseeing.
Today 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 20. 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 21. Depart Paris.
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
