Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and get transferred to your hotel. There's a welcome reception this evening, so you can settle in and meet some fellow travelers before things get going.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception
- Day 2
Paris
Walk through Paris with a local guide who'll take you down the Champs-Élysées and show you the Arc de Triomphe at the western end. You'll also get views of the Eiffel Tower, which was built back in 1889 for the world fair.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Paris highlights with local expert
- Visit to Avenue des Champs-Élysées
- View Arc de Triomphe
- View Eiffel Tower
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Avenue des Champs-Élysées - Day 3
Paris
Pick what sounds best to you today: either a food walk hunting down hidden restaurants, a vintage Citroën 2CV drive around the backstreets and landmarks, or head to Montmartre to see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Later this evening, catch the cabaret show at Moulin Rouge.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Included Activities
- Moulin Rouge cabaret show
Optional Activities
- Culinary walk through Paris exploring fine food and hidden gems
- Citroën 2CV vintage car drive through Paris landmarks and backstreets
- Visit Montmartre hilltop district
- Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica with panoramic city views
Landmarks Moulin Rouge Montmartre Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Day 4
Paris to Amsterdam
Coach takes you from Paris north through France into Belgium. You'll stop in Ghent for lunch and take a canal cruise around the city, then head on to Amsterdam to board your cruise ship. Afternoon is for unpacking and relaxing before 15 days on the water.
- Meals
- Lunch (Light lunch while cruising Ghent canals)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (APT Solara or APT Ostara)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Paris to Amsterdam
- Light lunch while cruising Ghent canals
Landmarks Ghent Canals 
- Day 5
Amsterdam to Utrecht
Morning in Amsterdam gives you time to do whatever interests you most. Rejoin the ship in Utrecht by early afternoon, then you'll cruise toward Germany as the day winds down.
Optional Activities
- Glass-top boat canal cruise through Amsterdam's World Heritage-listed canals
- Local cheese store tasting of regional cheeses including Edam and Gouda
- Guided bike ride through countryside to village of Durgerdam and Street Art Museum
- Keukenhof Gardens visit (available on select spring departures only) - explore 70+ acres with display of 7 million+ flowering bulbs including tulips
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Keukenhof Gardens Durgerdam Street Art Museum Amsterdam - Day 6
Andernach, Germany
Cruise through Germany this morning using the ship's facilities. Afternoon brings you to Andernach where you'll tour Namedy Castle privately, then enjoy a cocktail party and piano recital hosted by Princess Heide von Hohenzollern.
Included Activities
- Namedy Castle tour
- Cocktail party at Namedy Castle
- Piano recital at Namedy Castle
Landmarks Namedy Castle - Day 7
Rüdesheim, Germany
Spend the morning cruising past the Rhine's best scenery, with castle ruins perched on cliffs and vineyards covering the hillsides. You'll dock in Rüdesheim where you can pick from several activities to fill your afternoon and evening.
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride over emerald vineyards to Niederwald Monument commemorating German unification in 1871
- Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum tour featuring automated musical instruments from various historical periods
- Historic wine cellar visit with Rhine Valley wine tasting
Landmarks Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rhine Valley vineyards - Day 8
Miltenberg, Germany
The ship takes you along the Main River to Miltenberg, a town that survived World War II intact. A local guide walks you through the old buildings and squares first, then you have time to wander on your own and soak in the atmosphere.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
Landmarks Miltenberg 
- Day 9
Würzburg Area, Germany
Choose how you want to spend today around Würzburg. Visit the 18th-century Würzburg Residence with its Tiepolo ceiling frescoes, explore medieval Rothenburg with its colorful houses and stone streets, or hike up to Marienberg Fortress for views over the city.
Optional Activities
- Würzburg Residence visit - 18th-century palace tour with tapestries, gilded stucco work and Tiepolo ceiling frescoes
- Rothenburg exploration - walled medieval town with cobblestone streets and colourful houses
- Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village visit in Rothenburg - largest selection of German Christmas decorations in the world
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress - Würzburg's most visible landmark castle overlooking the city
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village Marienberg Fortress 
- Day 10
Bamberg, Germany
Arrive in Bamberg, another World Heritage city that escaped World War II damage. Walk through the Old Town with a guide to see historic churches and buildings, including the striking town hall on the Regnitz River. After, the ship heads onto the Main-Danube Canal.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall 
- Day 11
Nuremberg, Germany
Pick a morning activity in Nuremberg before cruising the Main-Danube Canal in the afternoon. Tour World War II sites or explore the medieval side of the city with its 900-year history, the Imperial Castle, and Gothic church.
Optional Activities
- Nuremberg World War II sites tour - Reich Party Rally Grounds and Hitler's annual rally sites (1927-1938)
- Medieval History of Nuremberg tour - medieval architecture including 900-year-old ramparts, Imperial Castle, and main market square with 14th century Gothic church
Landmarks Reich Party Rally Grounds Nuremberg Imperial Castle Nuremberg Market Square 
- Day 12
Regensburg, Germany
Regensburg offers two main choices: either a guided tour of the World Heritage-listed center with a meal at the historic sausage kitchen (one of the oldest restaurants around), or a guided bike ride out to the Walhalla Memorial overlooking the Danube.
Optional Activities
- Explore Regensburg's World Heritage-listed city centre guided tour with tasting at historic sausage kitchen
- Guided bike ride to Walhalla Memorial - neo-classical building with hall of fame honouring German politicians, artists, sovereigns and scientists
Landmarks Regensburg City Centre Walhalla Memorial - Day 13
Salzburg, Austria
Start with a guided tour of Salzburg, then head to Gaisberg Mountain for an exclusive experience. A hunting horn player greets you, and you'll have lunch and watch a performance of Sound of Music songs in a traditional restaurant with city views.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at rustic traditional restaurant on Gaisberg Mountain overlooking Salzburg with welcome drink)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salzburg
- Gaisberg Mountain lunch at rustic traditional restaurant
- Sound of Music show with welcome drink
- Welcome by Jagdhornbläser (hunting horn blower)
Landmarks Salzburg Gaisberg Mountain - Day 14
Melk to Dürnstein, Austria
Visit Melk Abbey, one of the most famous monasteries in the world. Then get to Dürnstein however you prefer: cruise through the Wachau Valley, bike along the Danube, or see the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner back in 1192.
Included Activities
- Visit Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley to Dürnstein with leisure time to explore cobblestone lanes
- Guided bike ride from Melk to Dürnstein along Danube River through Wachau Valley scenery
- View ruins of castle where King Richard the Lionheart of England was imprisoned in 1192
Landmarks Melk Abbey Dürnstein Wachau Valley 
- Day 15
Vienna, Austria
Arrive in Vienna and take a city tour that covers the Ringstrasse and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Afternoon is free for exploring however you like. This evening brings an exclusive event at Vienna's City Palace with cocktails and a private orchestra playing Mozart and Strauss, plus an operatic performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner before cocktail party and private performance at Vienna's City Palace)
Included Activities
- Vienna city tour including Ringstrasse landmarks and St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Cocktail party at Vienna's City Palace of the Liechtenstein family
- Private orchestral performance of Mozart and Strauss masterpieces
- Operatic recital at City Palace
Landmarks Ringstrasse St. Stephen's Cathedral Vienna City Palace 
- Day 16
Vienna to Hungary
Pick your morning activity in Vienna, then the ship heads toward Hungary. Tonight, the captain hosts a farewell dinner as you cruise.
- Meals
- Dinner (Captain's farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Captain's farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace visit - tour lavishly furnished rooms and beautiful gardens
- Visit Bratislava, Slovakia - explore 18th-century rococo design and communist era architecture including UFO bridge, Slovak Radio building and Hotel Kyjev
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava UFO Bridge Slovak Radio Building Hotel Kyjev - Day 17
Budapest, Hungary
Choose your Budapest experience: either a city tour of historic sites, a food tour through the Great Market Hall, a funicular ride to Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion, or soak in the thermal baths. Afternoon is open for your own exploration.
Optional Activities
- Budapest city tour featuring Heroes' Square and St. Stephen's Basilica
- Culinary tour of Great Market Hall - indoor market with sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables
- Funicular ride up to Castle Hill with sweeping views, followed by walk to Fisherman's Bastion historic monument
- Budapest thermal baths - relax in thermal springs
Landmarks Heroes' Square St. Stephen's Basilica Great Market Hall Castle Hill Fisherman's Bastion 
- Day 18
Departure
Your trip wraps up today. After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport to head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
