Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll board your cruise ship in Amsterdam and get settled into your luxury stateroom. Dinner is served onboard this evening, so you can relax after checking in and exploring the ship.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Take a guided canal cruise through Amsterdam to see the city's famous waterways and architecture. After that, your ship sets sail and you'll head out on your river journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise in Amsterdam
- Day 3
Cologne
In Cologne, you can visit the iconic Gothic Cathedral, which is right in the city center. After exploring that, you'll have options: join a guided city tour, take an architectural tour that includes the cathedral, or go on a guided bike ride along the Rhine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town and Cologne Rathaus
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Old Town with Cologne Rathaus, Old Market and Heumarkt, plus Kölsch beer tasting
- Guided architectural tour including special visit inside Cologne Cathedral with 13th-century Gothic history
- Guided bike ride along the Rhine
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Rathaus 
- Day 4
Rüdesheim
Your ship cruises through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO-designated area, heading toward Rüdesheim. You can choose from vineyard wine tastings, a gondola ride up to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue, or a guided bike tour. Later, check out Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or try a Rüdesheimer coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Walking tour through vineyards with wine tasting at three different stations
- Gondola ride to Niederwalddenkmal Statue
- Guided bike tour along the Rhine River
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Niederwalddenkmal Statue 
- Day 5
Wertheim
You'll cruise to medieval Miltenberg, known as the 'Pearl of the Main River,' where you can see half-timbered houses and the famous Crooked House. Then the ship moves on to Wertheim and its beautiful city center. Choose from a walking tour, castle hike, bike ride, or a pretzel bakery tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Wertheim
- Hike to Wertheim Castle ruins
- Scenic bicycle ride along the Main River Valley
- Pretzel bakery tasting
Landmarks Wertheim Castle - Day 6
Rothenburg
You have several options today. Head to Würzburg on the Romantic Road to visit the Baroque Residenz, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or hike up to Marienberg Fortress. Another choice is to visit Rothenburg, the best-preserved medieval town in Germany that actually inspired Disney's Pinocchio.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg
- Visit to Baroque Residenz (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Hike to Marienberg Fortress
- Visit to Rothenburg
Landmarks Baroque Residenz Marienberg Fortress Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Day 7
Bamberg
Bamberg, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is your destination. You can join a guided walking tour through this medieval town, take a culinary tour that includes smoked beer and local pastries, or go on a guided bike tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Bamberg including cathedral, Old Town Hall and elegant old mansions
- Culinary tasting tour featuring smoked beer, licorice root and Hornla pastry
- Guided bike tour
Landmarks Bamberg Cathedral Bamberg Old Town Hall 
- Day 8
Nuremberg
You'll disembark for a guided tour of Kaiserburg, Nuremberg's Imperial Castle, which was one of the most important palaces of the Holy Roman Empire. After that, visit the former home of artist Albrecht Dürer, where he lived and worked for nearly 20 years in the early 16th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle)
- Guided tour of Albrecht Dürer's former home
Landmarks Kaiserburg Albrecht Dürer House - Day 9
Nuremberg
Explore Nuremberg's well-preserved medieval city, including the Imperial Castle and the famous town wall. You can pick from a medieval city tour, a WWII history tour, or a Franconian food tasting. Later, your cruise takes you through the man-made Main-Danube Canal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Main-Danube Canal
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of medieval Nuremberg featuring Imperial Castle, town wall and Market Square fountain
- Guided WWII tour including important sites, coliseum, Nuremberg Trials Memorial and Courtroom 600 (if not in session)
- Traditional Franconian specialties tasting featuring Nuremburger bratwurst, rotbier (red beer) and lebkuchen (gingerbread)
Landmarks Main-Danube Canal - Day 10
Regensburg
Regensburg, one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities, is next. Join a guided walking tour through the town. You can also sample Bavarian specialties or bike out to Walhalla's neoclassical white marble temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Regensburg featuring Old Town Hall and Porta Praetoria
- Bavarian specialties tasting featuring beer, sausage and pretzels
- Guided bike tour to Walhalla with neoclassical white marble temple
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Hall Porta Praetoria Walhalla - Day 11
Passau
In Passau, you'll see striking Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture, including St. Stephen's Cathedral. Choose from a walking tour, guided bike ride along the Danube, or a guided hike up to Veste Oberhaus Fortress.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Passau featuring Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Guided hike to Veste Oberhaus Fortress
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Veste Oberhaus Fortress - Day 12
Melk
Your cruise heads to Melk, where you'll visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries. You can hike to the Abbey or bike along the Danube River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Melk Abbey (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Melk Abbey
- Guided bike tour along the Danube River
Landmarks Melk Abbey - Day 13
Vienna
Vienna, the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, awaits. Tour the city's Baroque treasures like the Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. You'll also visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, which has stood for 700 years as one of Austria's most important landmarks. There's a guided bike tour option, and you'll have afternoon leisure time to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour featuring Opera House and former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs
- Visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour through Vienna
Landmarks Vienna Opera House Hofburg Palace St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 14
Budapest
In Budapest, you'll explore both sides along the Danube River. Start on the Buda side with the Castle District, see the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, and visit Matthias Church for panoramic views. Then head to Pest to see the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building and Heroes' Square, plus the moving 'Shoes on the Danube Bank' memorial. You can also hike to Budapest's Castle Hill instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Buda Castle District including Fisherman's Bastion
- Visit to Matthias Church
- Tour of Pest featuring Hungarian Parliament Building and Heroes' Square
- Visit to 'Shoes on the Danube Bank' memorial
Optional Activities
- Hike to Budapest's Castle Hill
Landmarks Fisherman's Bastion Matthias Church Hungarian Parliament Building Heroes' Square - Day 15
Budapest
You'll disembark from your ship and prepare for your flight home, bringing your river cruise adventure to an end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
