Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and head straight to your all-inclusive luxury ship. Once you're settled into your suite, there's a welcome reception this evening to kick things off.
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Rüdesheim
Morning gives you choices: take a one-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam's extensive waterway system, join a walking tour to see canals and bridges while sampling local herring, or travel out to the 16th-century windmills near Schermerhorn and the town of Alkmaar. After lunch, your ship heads toward Rüdesheim, Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam
- Walking tour of Amsterdam with local guide
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 3
Rüdesheim
Merry Christmas! You'll spend the day watching the Rhine Gorge scenery unfold while the ship serves a traditional Christmas dinner with festive celebrations throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Christmas dinner)
Included Activities
- Traditional Christmas dinner with special celebrations
Landmarks Rhine Gorge - Day 4
Rüdesheim
When the ship docks in Rüdesheim, you'll take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, which houses 350 historic instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. After that, there's free time to walk around this charming wine town with its steep vineyard-covered hills before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train transfer to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Guided visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 5
Wertheim
The ship arrives in Miltenberg around lunchtime. You'll join a guided walk through cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses, then take a coach to Wertheim, a picturesque town where the Main and Tauber rivers meet. There's an orientation tour before you return to your ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Miltenberg with local guide
- Coach transfer to Wertheim
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
Landmarks Miltenberg Wertheim - Day 6
Würzburg
Würzburg comes into view, a Baroque city set in Franconian wine country surrounded by vineyards. You can either join a guided city tour to see the historic market square, or take a coach journey along the Romantic Road to the Medieval town of Rothenburg, where you'll see the Gothic Renaissance City Hall and the famous City Councillors' Tavern.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Würzburg city tour with coach transfer and local guide
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg guided tour with coach
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Würzburg Fortress Old Main Bridge Rothenburg Old Town Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 7
Bamberg
This afternoon, the ship reaches Bamberg. A guided tour takes you through the World Heritage-listed Old Town to see the Old Town Hall sitting on its own island, the Gothic and Romanesque cathedral, plus the Old and New Residences. You'll also explore the 'Little Venice' area and see a 12th-century castle perched on one of the seven hills.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Bamberg Old Residence Bamberg New Residence Bamberg Little Venice - Day 8
Nuremberg
You arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city. Its Old Town is surrounded by an ancient city wall and dominated by the 12th-century Imperial Castle. You can choose between a walking tour of the Old Town, a World War II historical tour led by a local expert, or a gingerbread baking class to learn how to make traditional German Lebkuchen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Nuremberg Old Town with coach transfer and local guide
- World War II tour of Nuremberg with local guide
- Gingerbread cooking class with experienced local chef
Landmarks Nuremberg Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Market Square 
- Day 9
Regensburg
After arriving in Regensburg in the early afternoon, a local guide shows you around the old stone bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria while sharing local customs and festive traditions. Later tonight, fireworks light up the sky as you celebrate New Year's Eve in Regensburg.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg with local guide
- New Year's Eve fireworks viewing
Landmarks Regensburg Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 10
Passau
Happy New Year! You're now in Passau, which sits right where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet. You'll walk through the Old Town on a narrow peninsula surrounded by water, wandering through narrow laneways and charming archways, then visit St. Stephen's Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Passau Old Town
- Visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Passau Old Town St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 11
Dürnstein
Melk is your morning stop in Austria's scenic Wachau Valley. You can either take a guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey overlooking the town, with its decorated abbey church and medieval library, or go on a bicycle tour along the Danube to Dürnstein. This afternoon, the ship cruises through the beautiful Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, where you'll sample local delicacies including jams, chutney, and chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tasting of local delicacies from the Wachau Valley including jams, chutney and chocolate)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley
- Tasting of local Wachau Valley delicacies
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- Bicycle tour from Melk to Dürnstein along the Danube
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein - Day 12
Vienna
Welcome to Vienna, the City of Music and home to Beethoven, Mozart, and Strauss. You'll take a guided tour of Austria's imperial capital to see the Ringstrasse boulevard and learn about the Habsburg legacy. Tonight, you have an exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein featuring Vienna's legendary composers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
- Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein
Landmarks Ringstrasse Palais Liechtenstein 
- Day 13
Vienna
After your overnight stay, the day is yours to choose. You can explore the former Habsburg summer residence of Schönbrunn Palace and its impressive gardens, take a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island where locals enjoy beaches and water activities, or take a coach to Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, for a guided tour of Bratislava Castle, the main square, and the Old Town Hall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace tour with gardens
- Guided e-bike tour to Danube Island
- Coach excursion to Bratislava with guided tour
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Bratislava Old Town Hall - Day 14
Budapest
You arrive in Budapest, one of Europe's most vibrant cities split by the Danube into Buda and Pest, connected by bridges since 1873. Your options include an in-depth tour of both districts to see Varkert Bazaar and various squares, exploring the Hospital in the Rock WWII and nuclear bunker, or taking a Hungarian Culinary Market Walk through the Grand Central Market to sample local specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth tour of Buda and Pest with local guide
- Hospital in the Rock tour
- Hungarian Culinary Market Walk with local guide
Landmarks Varkert Bazaar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market 
- Day 15
Budapest to Prague
A coach takes you from Budapest to Prague. Once you arrive, you'll check in to your city-centre hotel for a three-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16
Prague
An expert local guide takes you through Prague's Gothic architecture, including the Old Town, the famous Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge, which was commissioned in 1357 by Charles IV. This afternoon, you can wander through the city at your own pace and visit the Old Town Square's Christmas market and Prague's tallest Christmas tree.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague Old Town, Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge
- Old Town Square Christmas market visit
Landmarks Prague Old Town Prague Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge Old Town Square - Day 17
Prague
You have several options for exploring Prague today. Take a guided walking tour of famous sites and hidden gems while learning about Communist-era life and then visit a local brewery for beer tasting. Or travel to Terezin to learn about the Theresienstadt Ghetto and Nazi occupation. Another choice is to tour Prague Castle, one of the world's largest castle complexes, including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the picturesque Golden Lane.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting
- Terezin Memorial tour
- Prague Castle Tour including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Royal Palace Golden Lane Terezin - Day 18
Departure
You'll leave after breakfast, taking all your wonderful memories from the trip with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
