For the ultimate European experience, it’s hard to overlook this journey. Glide along the waters between Remich and Budapest, through the heart of this enchanting continent.
Day 1. Remich
Arrive Remich where you will board your luxury river ship.
Day 2. Trier
Having entered Germany, this morning, you’ll arrive in Trier and enjoy a tour that highlights the city’s rich Roman past, including the Roman Baths and the Roman Amphitheatre. Then continue cruising along the Moselle to Bernkastel. Strategically located in the middle of the Moselle wine-producing region, Bernkastel boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. You will visit the Bernkastel Wine Museum and take a walking tour through the old town center with its many medieval and Renaissance buildings and historic fountains.
Day 3. Cochem, Rüdesheim
Today, disembark and take a guided tour of Cochem including a visit to Reichsburg Castle, which offers fascinating views of the river valley. Afterward, return to the ship in Boppard. This afternoon, cruise one of the most famous stretches of the Rhine River, famous for its castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Rüdesheim this evening, and visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. The ship moors overnight in Rüdesheim.
Day 4. Mainz - Frankfurt, Heidelberg
Today, you decide between two excursions: take a guided walking tour of beautiful Mainz and see the Gutenberg Museum, home of the world’s first printed bible. You will also see Mainz’ Old Town, with its narrow streets, Baroque churches and half-timbered homes. Return to the ship and enjoy an afternoon cruise to Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, you will enjoy a walking tour of historic Romer Square, where you will see St. Katherine’s Church and Frankfurt Cathedral. In the alternative to Mainz and Frankfurt, you can take an excursion to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town. You will visit the red-walled Heidelberg Castle, the Great Vat and also take a walking tour of Old Heidelberg.
Day 5. Miltenberg. Wertheim
Still in Germany, arrive in Miltenberg and enjoy a tour of this lovely Franconian town. Then re-board your ship and cruise to Freudenberg. On arrival, travel by coach to Wertheim, located where the Main and Tauber rivers meet. After free time to explore, relax back on board your ship as it cruises through the valleys of the Main River heading for Würzburg.
Day 6. Würzburg
Following breakfast, arrive this morning in Würzburg, surrounded by green sloping hills covered with vineyards. Würzburg is the capital of Lower Franconia and an important centre of wine and trade. During a guided sightseeing tour here, see the impressive Residential Palace and churches ranging in styles from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to Modern. This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure or perhaps take an optional excursion to medieval Rothenburg, a beautiful walled town on the Romantic Road overlooking the Tauber River (own expense).
Day 7. Bamberg
Relax on board this morning then, after breakfast, disembark and travel by coach to World Heritage-listed Bamberg, one of the very few cities in Germany that wasn’t destroyed by bombs during World War II. Here, a guided sightseeing tour reveals to you the attractions of this lovely city, before you’ll return to your ship, which then enters the Main-Danube Canal. Enjoy another delicious dinner on board as you cruise towards Nuremberg, the capital of Franconia.
Day 8. Nuremberg
Today, you will travel by train from Nuremberg to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's largest cities. Your escort will offer suggestions on what to see while in town, and will take you to lunch in a local restaurant.
Day 9. Nuremberg
Today, you have a choice of two different excursions in Nuremberg. On one tour, you will explore the medieval history of Nuremberg, and see the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle and Old Town Hall. The other tour will focus on Nuremberg during World War II as the center of the Third Reich. See the infamous Zeppelin field used to hold rallies and the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946.
Day 10. Regensburg
This morning you will arrive in magnificent Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have your choice of two tours here. The first is a guided walking tour, in which you will see the city’s architectural highlights, including the Old Town Hall and the Porta Praetoria. Marvel at beautiful churches, the famous towers of the wealthy medieval families, and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. The other choice is a trip to the Audi Factory in Ingolstadt, where a member of the Audi team will take you on a guided tour of the Audi museum.
Day 11. Passau. Linz
After breakfast, arrive in picturesque Passau. Located at the confluence of the rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube, this 2,000-year old city is noted for its Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. Here enjoy a walking tour of Passau. In the alternative to a walking tour of Passau, you may choose an optional excursion to Salzburg, birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the setting for the “Sound of Music.” Those who do not go on the Salzburg excursion will enjoy a scenic cruise from Passau to Linz.
Day 12. Melk. Vienna
Cruise through the narrow Strudengau and arrive in Melk, for a tour of its magnificent Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Return to the ship for lunch and continue your cruise to the splendid Austrian capital of Vienna. Arrive in the "City of Music" in the early evening. Tonight, enjoy an optional Mozart and Strauss concert in one of the great formal concert houses of Imperial Vienna, such as the Hofburg Palace or Palais Auersperg. Following the concert, there will be an illumination tour of the Ringstrasse before returning to the ship.
Day 13. Vienna
This morning enjoy a guided tour of romantic Vienna that will include the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ringstrasse and the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free to stroll along the Kärtnerstrasse, or sample some of Vienna’s famous pastries in the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight enjoy dinner as you continue your journey past Slovakia and cruise overnight to Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital.
Day 14. Budapest, Hungary
Your morning excursion includes sightseeing in Buda and Pest. From historic Buda Castle, enjoy a spectacular view of the twin cities spread over both banks of the river. Your tour also features the distinctive Fisherman's Bastion, the marvellous Royal Palace, St. Stephen's Basilica, the famous Heroes’ Square and more.
Day 15. Budapest
This morning after breakfast, disembark your ship in Budapest and transfer to the airport.
