Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise: one-hour cruise along historic waterways to see Golden Age mansions, grand warehouses and narrow bridges
- Walking tour of Amsterdam: explore canals and bridges in city centre, learn about history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture, taste local herring
- Dutch countryside e-bike tour: small ferry to outskirts of town, biking tour with local guide about everyday Dutch life
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: visit village with authentic 16th-century windmills, then travel to charming town of Alkmaar known for historic buildings and picturesque canals
Landmarks Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 3
Amsterdam to Cologne
- Meals
- Dinner (Gala Dinner with classical music at La Redoute Recital Hall)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town: historic buildings, beautiful squares, World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral
- Gala Dinner and classical concert at La Redoute Recital Hall in Bonn (Scenic Enrich)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral La Redoute Recital Hall 
- Day 4
Cologne to Rüdesheim
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge: viewing castles, fortresses and Lorelei statue
Optional Activities
- Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum: guided tour of mechanical musical instruments, then explore on your own or take cable car up to Niederwald Monument
- Hike & Cable Car: hike through rolling vineyards with local guide, spectacular views of countryside and Rhine River, return to town by cable car
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei statue Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum Niederwald Monument 
- Day 5
Rüdesheim to Miltenberg
Included Activities
- Cruise to Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Spa massage (available for booking)
- Salt Therapy Lounge access
- Wertheim tour and winery: orientation tour in Miltenberg, then nearby town of Wertheim, visit local winery to meet winemaker and learn about production
- Gamburg Castle tour: guided tour of Gamburg Castle, meet Baron and Baroness for private reception with sparkling wine
- Miltenberg tour and local farm visit: guided tour of Miltenberg, visit family-owned farmstead, meet owners, see animals, enjoy tastings of local delicacies
- Schnapps tasting: orientation tour and free time in Miltenberg, visit local schnapps distiller, learn production process, taste multiple flavours, transfer to Wertheim to meet ship
Landmarks Zum Riesen Wertheim Gamburg Castle 
- Day 6
Miltenberg to Würzburg
Included Activities
- Arrival in Würzburg
Optional Activities
- Walking tour and Würzburg Residence: guided tour of Baroque palace with valuable paintings, tapestries and period furniture, then short stroll into city for free time
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg: coach drive along famed Romantic Road, guided tour of well-preserved medieval old town, free time to explore
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg - Day 7
Würzburg to Bamberg
Included Activities
- Arrival in Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town: explore Europe's largest intact old town centre, learn fascinating history, wander through Medieval and Baroque buildings
- Excursion to Coburg: coach journey to Coburg, visit impressive castle overlooking the city, one of largest and best-preserved forts in Germany, see museum with carriages, weapons, armoury and paintings
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Coburg Castle - Day 8
Bamberg to Nuremberg
Included Activities
- Arrival in Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg Old Town: drive into city centre past ancient city walls, walking tour with local guide to see Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church and market square
- World War II tour: local guide highlights main Nazi regime events, learn about dark period in German history, visit important sites
- Nuremberg's Castle and City Walls: active walking tour following cobblestone streets surrounding Imperial castle, admire impressive medieval city walls
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church - Day 9
Nuremberg to Regensburg
Included Activities
- Arrival in Regensburg
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg: join local guide to see old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
- Weltenburg Abbey: ferry through Danube Gorge to oldest monastery in Bavaria founded approximately 600AD, explore Abbey and Cloister Church, sample award-winning beer produced since 1050
- Thurn und Taxis Active Walking Tour: active walking tour from ship to Thurn und Taxis Castle, guided tour followed by free time, learn about German noble family tracing history to 12th century
- Cycle to Walhalla Memorial: cycle through Donau Valley scenery along river and countryside to Walhalla Memorial, commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria to honour notable Germans
Landmarks Regensburg Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Weltenburg Abbey Thurn und Taxis Castle Walhalla Memorial - Day 10
Regensburg to Passau
Included Activities
- Arrival in Passau
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg: cross border to storybook city surrounded by alpine peaks, guided tour learning about art and music scene, visit Mozart's birthplace, see Hohensalzburg fortress, lunch at local restaurant, free time
- Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov: journey to Czech World Heritage town brimming with charm, explore with local guide, admire Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, lunch in local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau: walking tour with local guide admiring brightly coloured buildings lining waterways, visit St Stephen's Cathedral originally built in year 450, destroyed by fire in 1662, rebuilt in Baroque style
Landmarks St Stephen's Cathedral - Day 11
Passau to Dürnstein
Included Activities
- Arrival in Dürnstein
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey: sixth-century abbey burned and rebuilt as one of most magnificent in Wachau Valley, local guide shows magnificent frescoes and Austria's largest Baroque staircase
- Wachau Valley wine tasting: visit local winemaker, learn about age-old winemaking traditions, sample delicious wines produced on site
- E-biking from Dürnstein to Krems: bicycle tour along Danube with guide to quaint village of Krems, pass charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes, stops to enjoy breathtaking views
Landmarks Göttweig Abbey - Day 12
Dürnstein to Vienna
- Meals
- Dinner (Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with glass of fine Austrian Sekt)
Included Activities
- Coach ride from ship to Vienna city centre
- Walking tour: Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein (Scenic Enrich): glass of fine Austrian Sekt, music of Strauss and Mozart, ballet dancers and vocalists, surrounded by world-famous art
Landmarks Vienna Opera House St Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace Palais Liechtenstein - Day 13
Vienna
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace: explore former summer residence of Habsburg family, wander ornately designed rooms, hear tales about royal family, see impressive gardens
- Cycle to Danube Island: guided e-bike tour to recreational playground where locals enjoy bathing, boating, cycling, beaches and open spaces
- Excursion to Bratislava: travel to Slovakia's capital since 1993, guided tour of Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, Old Town, see contrast of glorious old town with brutalist socialist architecture
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Bratislava Castle - Day 14
Vienna to Budapest
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth: coach tour starting in Buda to see Varkert Bazár, cross Margaret Bridge to Pest to see Széchenyi square and Elizabeth square, end with mesmerising piano recital at Institute for the Blind
- Budapest's past and present: walking and coach tour of communist past and modern life as EU member, insights on 1956 Hungarian revolution and significant Jewish events
- Hospital in the Rock: explore labyrinths underground in Castle district, secret WWII hospital later converted to nuclear bunker
- Guided hike of Buda: walking tour through Buda district, see Varket Bazar and landscaped gardens, enjoy views over Danube River and city architecture
- Hungarian culinary market tour: foodie tour through city's culinary delights, visit bustling Grand Central Market, taste local delicacies, hear stories about city's traditions
Landmarks Varkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Institute for the Blind Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 15
Budapest
- Day 16
Budapest to Mohács
Included Activities
- Arrival in Mohács
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs: city close to Croatian border, visit first telephone exchange opened 1885, Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi demolished late 19th century but unearthed in 1970s
- Villány wine village: visit region known for big, bold red wines, explore charming village with historic wine cellars, sample local wines
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum: founded 1853, view splendid collection of hand-painted ceramics housed in company's former factory
Landmarks Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - Day 17
Vukovar
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with local Croatian family at their home, meal prepared with fresh vegetables from the host's garden)
Included Activities
- Lunch with local Croatian family at their home
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Osijek - explore Baroque Old Town and fortress, hear traditional and classical music
- Baranja wine region tour - wine tasting experience in vineyards straddling Croatia and Hungary
Landmarks Osijek Old Town Osijek Fortress Baranja wine region - Day 18
Belgrade
Included Activities
- St. Sava Temple visit with church choir performance in the crypt (Scenic Enrich)
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour of Belgrade - guided exploration of cobbled streets of Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress with free time afterwards
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with Tito's Memorial - guided tour of major sites including Ottoman Old Town heritage
- Cycling tour along the Danube - guided two-wheel tour tracing the Danube banks
- Self-guided exploration of Skardalija Street - bohemian district with traditional restaurants, local stores and galleries
Landmarks Kalemegdan Fortress Bohemian Quarter St. Sava Temple Skardalija Street Danube River - Day 19
Belgrade
Included Activities
- Cruise through Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates): viewing four gorges, soaring cliffs, rock carving of Decebalus
Landmarks Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) Decebalus Rock Carving - Day 20
Belgrade to Svishtov
Included Activities
- Arrival in Svishtov
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi: full day from Svishtov to Veliko Tarnovo (City of the Kings), panoramic views of old town, see Asenevtsi Brothers Monument, venture to nearby leafy village of Arbanassi
- Walking tour of Rousse with piano recital: cruise to Rousse, join local guide for sightseeing tour of opulent town, exclusive piano recital
Landmarks Veliko Tarnovo Asenevtsi Brothers Monument Arbanassi - Day 21
Svishtov to Silistra
Included Activities
- Arrival in Silistra
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort: guided walking tour of fort, learn history, best preserved of six Turkish fortification points
- Visit Alfatar Village: excursion to small village near Silistra, visit ethnographic museum featuring typical country house, see customary attire, visit Alfatar school, meet local children with charming choir performance, learn about daily life for young Bulgarians
- Sveshtari Thracian Secrets: explore ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, discover rich heritage and flavours of Bulgaria on guided tour
Landmarks Silistra Fort Alfatar Village Sveshtari Thracian Tomb - Day 22
Silistra to Bucharest
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow guests at hotel in Bucharest)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Bucharest by coach: squares including Union, University, Roman, Victory and Charles de Gaulle Square
Optional Activities
- Ceausescu's Spring Palace: visit 1960s residence in wealthy district with 80 distinctive elegant rooms decorated with silk wallpaper, wood panels, famous Romanian paintings, mosaics, marble, Murano glass chandeliers and mirrors
- Village Open Air Museum: explore ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage and culture, see authentic houses, barns, churches rebuilt by craftsmen using traditional techniques
Landmarks Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Ceausescu's Spring Palace Village Open Air Museum - Day 23
Bucharest to Brașov
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in one of Brașov's finest restaurants)
Included Activities
- Visit Peleș Castle: Neo-Classical masterpiece built 1870s, summer residence of Romania's first king, exquisitely decorated rooms with paintings, carved wood, stained glass
- Visit Sinaia Monastery: oldest monastery in region with two churches—17th-century church and 19th-century royal church
Landmarks Peleș Castle Sinaia Monastery - Day 24
Brașov
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Brașov: see Gothic spires, medieval watchtowers, sprawling squares and Soviet-era architecture
- Visit Bran Castle: 14th-century white stone fortress perched on clifftop, maze of narrow passageways, hidden rooms and courtyards
Landmarks Bran Castle - Day 25
Brașov to Sibiu
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in one of Sibiu's best restaurants)
Included Activities
- Travel to Sighisoara
- Dinner in one of Sibiu's best restaurants
Optional Activities
- Explore the walled city: World Heritage-listed Saxon walled city built 12th-17th centuries, local guide shows highlights, one of best-preserved medieval cities worldwide
- Hike the hill: active hike up covered stairway to 14th-century Church on the Hill, example of Gothic Transylvanian architecture, superb views over city
Landmarks Sighisoara Walled City Church on the Hill - Day 26
Sibiu to Bucharest
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sibiu highlights
- Day 27
Bucharest
- Meals
- Breakfast
